Microsoft has long won praise for its focus on accessibility. It’s a large segment of the population that is too often ignored as an afterthought when it comes to product design. The company has offered accessibility-focused Xbox peripherals for quite some time, and introduced its Adaptive line of peripherals around this time last year.
The series arrived with Adaptive Hub, D-Pad Button, Mouse and Mouse Tail and Thumb Support, all designed to bring Windows PCs to users with special needs. The line has been warmly received for its level of customization – a key element in opening up these products to as many people as possible.
The Adaptive lineup got a refresh and some new entries at this week’s virtual Windows event. Products are designed to be mixed and matched with standard peripherals and with each other to best suit the individual’s needs. Microsoft also offers 3D printed add-ons for further customization.
Image Credits: Microsoft
This round brings back the Adaptive Mouse, which features thumb support and custom 3D-printed tails from Shapeways. Outside of that larger casing, the mouse is an extremely compact block paired with two buttons and a scroll wheel.
The Adaptive Hub is essentially an adaptive accessory for other adaptive accessories, allowing up to three devices and four adaptive buttons to be connected wirelessly. Joining the existing customizable D-Pad button is the new Dual-Button. The most interesting addition to the range, however, is undoubtedly the Adaptive Joystick Button, which looks a lot like an old-school stick like the one found on classic Atari consoles.
Microsoft’s new accessibility accessories round out a Surface Pro keyboard with brighter backlighting and bolder text for visually impaired users. And yes, there is a Copilot key on board.
