View source for ILoo

{{Short description|Cancelled portable toilet project by Microsoft}}
{{Good article}}
{{lowercase}}
[[File:Msn iloo.jpg|thumb|alt=A 3D diagram of the proposed iLoo showing a blue, cuboid-shaped toilet cubical with a lavatory situated to the right. A computer keyboard and plasma screen are positioned opposite the toilet bowl, and a sink is in the centre. On top of the cubical is a wireless aerial with demonstrative waves emanating from it. Microsoft's MSN branding is in the left-hand corner of the diagram. |The iLoo as depicted by MSN UK and distributed by news providers]]
The '''iLoo''' (short for '''[[Internet]] [[toilet|loo]]''') was a cancelled [[Microsoft]] project to develop a [[Wi-Fi]] [[Internet]]-enabled [[portable toilet]]. The iLoo, which was to debut at British summer festivals, was described as being a [[portable toilet]] with wireless broadband Internet, an adjustable plasma screen, a membrane wireless keyboard, a six-channel speaker system, and toilet paper embossed with popular [[URL|web site addresses]]. The iLoo was also to have an extra screen and keyboard on the outside, and was to be guarded. It was intended as the next in a series of successful initiatives by MSN UK which sought to introduce the internet in unusual locations, including MSN Street, MSN Park Bench and MSN Deckchair.

The project was announced by [[MSN|MSN UK]] on April 30, 2003, and was widely ridiculed before being declared a hoax by Microsoft on May 12. On May 13, another Microsoft press release stated that although the project had not been a hoax, it had been cancelled because it would do little to promote the MSN brand. There has since been speculation as to whether the project was cancelled for fear of being sued by Andrew Cubitt, who had invented the similarly named product "i-Loo". The iLoo was described as a public relations "debacle" by ''Online Journalism Review''.<ref name="ojr"/>

Comparable to the iLoo, the [[Chaos Computer Club]]'s so-called "Datenklo" (German, in English "data loo") uses mobile toilet stalls as network distribution centers at [[Chaos Communication Camp]]s. However, the use as a toilet is not intended. 
[[File:CCCamp_2007_Datenklo.jpg|thumb|Tents and a "Datenklo" (German, in English "data loo") at the [[Chaos Communication Camp]], Finowfurt 2007]]


==Description==
The iLoo was supposedly designed to be a [[Wi-Fi]] [[Internet]]-enabled [[portable toilet]] that would allow users to surf the internet while using the loo.<ref name="apr30pr"/> Internally, the facility would have a broadband connection via wireless [[802.11b]], a wireless waterproof keyboard, a swivel [[plasma screen]] running [[Windows XP Professional]], a 6-channel surround-sound system beneath the sink, toilet paper embossed with popular URLs, and a suction toilet.<ref name="apr30pr"/><ref name="cnetpotty">{{cite web |title=Sit and surf: MSN UK tests portable potty|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1041_3-999509.html |first=Joe |last=Wilcox |date=May 2, 2003 |website=CNET |access-date=March 3, 2011}}</ref> Externally, the facility would feature an MSN logo and have a "[[Hotmail]] station" with an additional plasma screen and keyboard for waiting consumers.<ref name="cnetpotty"/> A security guard was to be stationed near the unit to ensure that it was being properly used and to prevent the unit from being stolen.<ref name="cnetpotty"/> The iLoo was to debut "at a majority of the summer season festivals".<ref name="apr30pr"/> The iLoo was to be deployed only in Britain.<ref>{{cite news|title=Doing the loo log on |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/334224561.html?FMT=ABS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629061825/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/334224561.html?FMT=ABS|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2011|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 8, 2003}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

==Public relations timeline==
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|style="text-align: left;"|The internet's so much a part of  everyday life now that surfing on the loo was the next natural step. People used  to reach for a book or mag when they were on the loo but now they'll be logging on! It's exciting to think that the smallest room can now be the gateway to the massive virtual world.
|-
|style="text-align: left;"|—Tracy Blacher, Marketing manager of [[MSN]] in April 30 Press Release<ref name="apr30pr"/>
|}
The project was announced on April 30, 2003 in press release by [[MSN]] UK, MSN's British subsidiary, as part of a "series of MSN.co.uk initiatives which look at the changing nature of how we use the web as it constantly evolves".<ref name="apr30pr">{{cite press release |title=MSN Launches World's First 'Internet Loo':New WWW.C Offers Convenience Surfing Relief to Festival-goers this Summer |url=https://www.microsoft.com/uk/press/content/presscentre/releases/2003/05/PR03050.asp |publisher=Microsoft |date=April 30, 2003 |access-date=March 1, 2011 |archive-date=May 11, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030511170309/http://www.microsoft.com/uk/press/content/presscentre/releases/2003/05/PR03050.asp}}</ref> The press release stated that:

{{quote|The UK's most popular website msn.co.uk is creating the world's first 'Internet Loo'. The iLoo will be mobile and is part of MSN's mission to allow instant logging on 'anytime and any place'.

In time for the summer festival season, MSN is in the process of converting a portable loo to create a unique experience for surfers looking for an alternative to the bog-standard festival loo experience. Users will be able to sit down, undock a wireless keyboard and conveniently access the first ever [[water closet|WWW.C.]]<ref name="apr30pr"/>}}

The press release also stated that "MSN is also in talks with toilet paper manufacturers to produce special web paper for those in need of URL inspiration".<ref name="apr30pr"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Who needs an online outhouse?|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/marionstar/access/1822603141.html?FMT=ABS|date=May 13, 2003|work=Marion Star|location=Marion, Ohio|access-date=2011-03-07|archive-date=2012-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105215659/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/marionstar/access/1822603141.html?FMT=ABS|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="the age"/>
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|style="text-align: left;"|MSN is really working on building a prototype for the Summer festivals, perhaps Glastonbury ... This is very much a 'toe in the water' experiment to gauge interest so we'll have to see how it goes, although judging from response so far it's really captured people's imagination!
|-
|style="text-align: left;"|—Ben Philipson, Red Consultancy, in response to AP query<ref name="aphoax"/>
|}
News of the iLoo was widely circulated amongst [[mainstream media]].<ref group="A">The iLoo was covered by the ''[[Associated Press]]'', ''[[BBC]]'', ''[[CNET]]'', ''[[Herald Sun]]'', ''[[Reuters]]'', ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', ''[[Seattle Times]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'',  ''[[USA Today]]'', ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', and a number of other news providers. See [[iLoo#References|references]] and [[iLoo#Further reading|further reading]] for more examples of coverage.</ref> The story became the most-emailed story on [[Yahoo! News]] on May 1, 2003, being emailed over 4000 times.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Winston |first=Paul |date=May 12, 2003 |title=Plumbing the Net for the real news |journal=Business Insurance |volume=37 |issue=19 |pages=6 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2919573/Plumbing-the-Net-for-the.html}}</ref><ref group="A">This is based on {{cite web |url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl%3Dindex2%26cid%3D964 |title=Most Popular News on Yahoo! News |access-date=2011-02-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526073311/http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=index2&cid=964 |archive-date=2005-05-26 }} now {{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/most-popular |title=Most Popular News Headlines - Yahoo! News |access-date=2011-02-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614025637/http://news.yahoo.com/most-popular/ |archive-date=2015-06-14 }} which is a service provided by [[Yahoo!]] to track the most popular stories.</ref> The iLoo was widely derided and press coverage subjected [[MSN]] and [[Microsoft]] to heavy criticism. On May 10, ''[[The Inquirer]]'' published a story in which Andrew Cubitt alleged that "Microsoft stole his iLoo idea" from his i-Loo invention.<ref name="inq1">{{cite news |title=Man claims Microsoft stole his iLoo idea: Nothing new under the seat |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1004997/man-claims-microsoft-stole-his-iloo-idea |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007090707/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1004997/man-claims-microsoft-stole-his-iloo-idea |url-status=unfit |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |first=Mike |last=Magee |date=May 10, 2003 |work=[[The Inquirer]] |publisher= Incisive Media |access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> On May 12, Microsoft announced that the iLoo was a "hoax perpetrated by its British division" calling it an "April Fool's joke" and issued an apology for the confusion.<ref name="aphoax">{{cite news|title=Microsoft: Internet-ready toilet project a hoax |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/05/12/financial0014EDT0002.DTL |date=May 12, 2003 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=SFGate |access-date=February 28, 2011 |archive-date=May 16, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030516220206/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fnews%2Farchive%2F2003%2F05%2F12%2Ffinancial0014EDT0002.DTL |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnetgag">{{cite web|title=iLoo makes Microsoft gag|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1041_3-1001109.html|first=Michael |last=Kanellos |date=May 12, 2003 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |website=CNET}}</ref> The [[Associated Press]], however, stated that they had previously received confirmation of the project from two of Microsoft's PR firms: [[Waggener Edstrom Worldwide]] and Red Consultancy.<ref name="aphoax"/> The ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' also stated that it received confirmation from Waggener Edstrom and was even provided with a schematic drawing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft: Internet potty just a hoax |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/121744_iloo13.html|date=May 13, 2003 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |access-date=March 3, 2011}}</ref> Furthermore, [[April Fools' Day|April Fools]] was almost a month before, and Microsoft had never before released a fake press release.<ref name="cnetgag"/>

On May 13, 2003, Microsoft retracted the denial, stating that the iLoo had been a legitimate demonstration project that was to be released in Britain for summer music festivals, but had been terminated by Microsoft executives in [[Redmond, Washington]] who believed the iLoo was inappropriate<ref name="comeclean"/><ref name="eweek buzz">{{cite journal |date=May 19, 2003|title=The Buzz |journal=eWeek |volume=20 |issue=20 |pages=21 |issn=1530-6283 |url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Midmarket/The-Buzz-May-19-2003/ |access-date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> with the final decision made by MSN senior vice president David Cole. MSN product manager Lisa Gurry stated that the project "didn't really map to our global branding objectives".<ref name="comeclean"/><ref name="apnothoax">{{cite news|title=Oh, It's Not a Hoax: MS ILoo |url=https://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2003/05/58836 |date=May 13, 2003 |agency=Associated Press |magazine=[[WIRED]] |access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> Microsoft again apologized for the miscommunication stating "the confusion over the legitimacy of this effort was caused by people moving too quickly and who misspoke before gathering all of the relevant information".<ref name="GUARD1"/> Prior to the cancellation, an iLoo prototype was in the "early stages of construction".<ref name="apr30pr"/><ref name="sp2">{{cite news|title=Internet invades portable potties |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/120677_iloo06.html |first=Dan |last=Richman |date=May 6, 2003|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |access-date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> MSN allows regional units to design their own marketing campaigns, and the UK division had developed a reputation for innovative campaigns, in this case involving British [[toilet humour]].<ref name="apnothoax"/><ref name="sp1">{{Cite news |title=On-again, off-again iLoo is off for good |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/121865_iloo14.html |first=Dan |last=Richman |date=May 14, 2003 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft says iLoo not a hoax, but project dead anyway|url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-05-14-iloo-hoax-retract_x.htm| work=The Associated Press| publisher=[[USA Today]]| date=May 14, 2003 | access-date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> The iLoo which was designed for the UK as part of a "tongue-in-cheek marketing initiative" was "intended to be the next in line of a number of clever initiatives in the UK involving introducing the internet in interesting locations, including MSN Street, MSN Park Bench and MSN Deckchair".<ref name="GUARD1">{{cite news |title=iLoo plans go down the tube |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2003/may/14/microsoft.comment?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |access-date=March 3, 2011|first=Jane |last=Perrone |date=May 14, 2003 |location=London}}</ref> The previous initiatives were well received.<ref name="CalabreseBurgelman1999">{{cite book|author1=Andrew Calabrese|author2=Jean-Claude Burgelman|title=Communication, citizenship, and social policy: rethinking the limits of the welfare state|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ID8rPb5VPAC&pg=PA212|access-date=March 4, 2011|year=1999|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-8476-9108-1|pages=211–214}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Park bench goes online|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1475654.stm|date=August 6, 2011|work=BBC|access-date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> Microsoft stated that no employees were disciplined as a result of the debacle, although the company stated that it would conduct "internal discussions".<ref name="yesno">{{cite journal |last=Keefe |first=Lisa M. |date=December 8, 2003|title=Yes. No. Yes ... but |journal=Marketing News |volume=37 |issue=25 |pages=21 |issn=0025-3790}}</ref>

==Reaction==
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|style="text-align: left;"|Reading in the loo, or the bog, is a traditional English pastime. We've all seen the magazine racks, loo paper with jokes and cartoons on the walls in toilets up and down the land. You've got to hand it to the creative—and uniquely English—minds at Microsoft.
|-
|style="text-align: left;"|—Jeremy Davies, market researcher from Context<ref name="cnetpotty"/>
|}
Although the product was not publicly released, many questioned whether "Microsoft had lost its senses" and the product was widely derided.<ref name="Internet appliance images">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Internet appliance images|url=http://images.yourdictionary.com/internet-appliance|access-date=February 26, 2011|encyclopedia=Computer Desktop Encyclopedia|publisher=LoveToKnow, Corp.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319052227/http://images.yourdictionary.com/internet-appliance|archive-date=2011-03-19|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Skip to iLoo |url=http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/skip-to-iloo/ |first=Eric |last=Olsen |date=May 14, 2003 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |publisher=Blog Critics |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725090115/http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/skip-to-iloo/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Critics contended that the product was a waste of money and doomed to fail.<ref name="eweek buzz"/> Concerns were raised about how the iLoo would serve to extend waiting lines,<ref name="the age">{{cite news|title=If loo queues are bad, just try going online |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/06/1051987703123.html |first=Lowe |last=Sue |date=May 7, 2003|work=The Age |access-date= March 1, 2011 |location=Melbourne}}</ref> how hygienic it would be to share keyboards in a public loo, and what would happen if the keyboard were to be urinated upon.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fowler |first=Dennis |date=September 2003|title=Something old and something new|journal=netWorker|volume=7|issue=3|pages=5–9 |doi=10.1145/940830.940836|s2cid=41616066 }}</ref><ref name="sp3">{{cite news|url=https://theinsiderknowledge.blogspot.com/2004/10/the-insider-not-all-readers-clamoring.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027192444/https://theinsiderknowledge.blogspot.com/2004/10/the-insider-not-all-readers-clamoring.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2016|title=The Insider: Not all readers clamoring for a chance to potty-surf|date=May 10, 2004|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|access-date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> Critics also questioned whether users would spend enough time in the loo to make use of the internet facilities, noting that "most port-a-potty users stay only long enough to relieve themselves without having to inhale."<ref>{{cite news |title=Www.dumbidea.com |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/648422031.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |date=June 14, 2003 |newspaper=[[The Toronto Star]] |access-date=February 28, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105195637/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/648422031.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead }}{{subscription required}}</ref>

The iLoo, given its toiletry-related nature, subjected MSN and Microsoft to puns and jokes especially since Microsoft's marketing slogan at the time was "[[where do you want to go today?]]" with the PC being dubbed Pee-C.<ref name="ojr">{{Cite web |title=Media Cred in Toilet with Blair, iLoo Debacles |url=http://www.ojr.org/ojr/glaser/1052982028.php|first=Mark |last=Glaser |date=May 15, 2003 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |work=Online Journalism Review}}</ref><ref name="yesno"/><ref name="sp3"/><ref name=Greene1>{{cite news|last=Greene|first=Jay|title=No Windows-Wiper Jokes, Please|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_22/c3835012_mz003.htm#B3835020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030628235027/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_22/c3835012_mz003.htm#B3835020|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2003|access-date=27 April 2012|newspaper=BusinessWeek|date=June 2, 2003}}</ref><ref name="mt">{{cite journal |date=July 2003 |title=Brain Food: Words-worth – Brand extension |journal=Management Today |pages=22 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |issn=0025-1925 |url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/412473/BRAIN-FOOD-Words-worth---Brand-extension/}}</ref> The ''[[Herald Sun]]'' wrote that the "iLoo is, unquestionably, very good news – mainly to journalists with a bottomless pit of laboured bum jokes" while the ''[[Seattle Times]]'' wrote "now the company has a credibility problem as well as a red face."<ref name="comeclean">{{cite news |title=Microsoft comes clean on iLoo |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030514/iloo14/microsoft-comes-clean-on-iloo |first=Brier |last=Dudley |work= The Seattle Times |date= May 14, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Easy on the download|first=Terry |last=Brown|date=May 17, 2003|work=[[Herald Sun]]|location=Melbourne}}</ref> Other newspapers issued humorous headlines: ''Microsoft technology headed for toilet'' from the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Microsoft technology headed for toilet |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/05/06/BU135929.DTL |date= May 6, 2003 |publisher=Hearst Newspapers |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> ''Toilet mixes zeroes with ones and twos'' from the ''[[Washington Post]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Toilet mixes zeroes with ones and twos |url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2791231/Toilet-mixes-zeroes-with-ones.html|first=Tim |last=Lemke|date=May 7, 2003|work=The Washington Times|access-date=2011-03-04}} {{subscription required}}</ref> and ''Microsoft's Gone Potty'' from ''[[The Daily Mirror]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft's Gone Potty |first=Amy |last=Vickers |date=May 2, 2003 |work=The Daily Mirror |location= London }}</ref>

The product has since been studied as an example of a public relations disaster and an example of an [[internet hoax]].<ref name="cnn1">{{cite news |title=Winner, Dumbest Moment, Product Development: Microsoft: In the crapper? |url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/biz2/0701/gallery.dumbest_2003/4.html |first1=Adam |last1=Horowitz |date=Jan 1, 2004 |first2=Mark |last2=Athitakis |first3=Mark |last3= Lasswell |first4=Owen |last4=Thomas |agency=[[Business 2.0]] |work=101 Dumbest moments in Business:Dumbest moments of 2003 |publisher=CNN |access-date= February 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name="cnet 1">{{cite web |title=Photos: Seven of Microsoft's hardware hits and misse s |url=http://news.cnet.com/2300-1041_3-6090972-7.html |date=July 7, 2006 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |website=CNET |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824013358/http://news.cnet.com/2300-1041_3-6090972-7.html |archive-date=August 24, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="tel1">{{Cite news |title=Microsoft iLoo – Top 10 technology hoaxes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/7939208/Top-10-technology-hoaxes.html?image=6 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |work=The Telegraph |location=London |date=August 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Best of the Worst |url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB114424637699117715-OO16F7Ov3DMZcs1xpbu5ksPDTl0_20070503.html |first=Katherine |last=Meyer |date=May 3, 2006 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=February 27, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2003 winners claim dubious distinction |url=http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=03121500601 |date=December 15, 2003 |work=Plastics News Report |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715092353/http://plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=03121500601 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Microsoft's [[public relation]]s response to the debacle is also considered to be one of the poorest in the company's history, given Microsoft's reputation for micro-managing news releases, interviews and promotional events.<ref>{{cite news |title=The best and worst in the business of technology |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031229/techyearend29/the-best-and-worst-in-the-business-of-technology |date=December 29, 2003 |work=The Seattle Times Business |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116110257/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20031229&slug=techyearend29 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=May 14, 2003|title=Microsoft 'Net loo canned |journal=Toronto Star|location=Canada|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>

The iLoo's negative publicity drowned out the launch of MSN Radio Plus on May 12, 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nothing but 'Net – The doctor is online |date=June 2, 2003 |series=Sci-Tech |location=Fort Wayne, IN |work=The Journal Gazette |page=6D |quote=Microsoft Corp. might have gotten decent publicity over a new paid Internet radio service, but instead it found itself drowned in a wave of ridicule over its on-again, off-again Internet toilet.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft sets MSN radio initiative |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-sets-msn-online-radio-initiative |date=May 12, 2003 |website=MarketWatch |access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> It has since inspired a number of spoofs.<ref name="museumofhoaxes">{{Cite web|title=The Microsoft iLoo |url=http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/the_microsoft_iloo/ |date=April 30, 2003 |access-date=February 26, 2011 |publisher=The Museum of Hoaxes}}</ref>

==i-Loo controversy==
After reading an article about the iLoo, '''Andrew Cubitt''', inventor of the similarly named i-Loo, wrote to ''[[The Inquirer]]'' stating that iLoo "sounds remarkably similar&nbsp;... it now seems that the clever people at Microsoft have cottoned onto the idea and even call it the i-Loo, the same as mine!"<ref name="inq1"/> Cubitt went on to say that "mine did everything that the Microsoft one is meant to do, but additionally printed information on toilet paper and didn't use a keyboard for the interface due to hygiene reasons".<ref name="Inquire2"/> The i-Loo was prototyped by Cubitt as part of his thesis for his 2001 university degree in Product Design and Engineering at [[Brunel University]]. In an interview with ''The Inquirer'', he noted "As it was designed at the university, they own the partial rights to the product so they will be watching the Microsoft 'invention' very closely."<ref name="Inquire2">{{cite news|title=Did Microsoft "borrow" the iLoo concept?: Strange case of "Microsoft's" i-Loo continues |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1049073/did-microsoft-borrow-the-iloo-concept |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115050456/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1049073/did-microsoft-borrow-the-iloo-concept |url-status=unfit |archive-date=January 15, 2010 |first=Adamson |last=Rust |date= May 12, 2003 |work=[[The Inquirer]] |publisher= Incisive Media |access-date= February 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Computer chip in the old chopping block |url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/19/1050172799465.html |work=The Sun-Herald |location=Sydney |access-date= February 28, 2011 |date=April 20, 2003}}</ref>

Microsoft never formally commented on Cubitt's allegations and instead initially stated the iLoo was an April's fool joke.<ref name="Inquirefool">{{cite news |title=Microsoft's iLoo was April Fool's joke |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1041723/microsofts--iloo-was-april-fools--joke |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104211558/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1041723/microsofts--iloo-was-april-fools--joke |url-status=unfit |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |first=Mike |last=Magee|date= May 13, 2003 |work=[[The Inquirer]] |publisher= Incisive Media |access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> As a result, Cubitt questioned whether this was "a very calculated ploy to destroy competition in its early stages, or is admitting they don't even know what time of the month it is less embarrassing and ridding them of a potentially expensive situation!"<ref name="Inquirefool"/><ref name="Inquire4">{{cite news|title=Real iLoo inventor hits out at Microsoft "slur": Letter Inventor's idea down the pan |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1013936/real-iloo-inventor-hits-out-at-microsoft-slur |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007090948/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1013936/real-iloo-inventor-hits-out-at-microsoft-slur |url-status=unfit |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |first=Andrew |last=Cubitt |date= May 13, 2003 |work=[[The Inquirer]] |publisher= Incisive Media |access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> Cubitt went on to state that "as they have now discredited my idea as a joke, I will never be able to produce the idea" and as such was "consulting my law books now on defamatory statements".<ref name="Inquire4"/> Neither Cubitt, nor [[Brunel University]] have taken public legal action against Microsoft pertaining to the i-Loo.

The i-Loo was described as:

<blockquote>The i-Loo internet toilet roll browser is a novel and unique product designed to make best use of the time you spend on the loo!  The product allows you to search the internet whilst sitting on the toilet and print out any web pages you are interested in on your toilet paper. i-Loo brings a whole new meaning to the word downloading. The unit is fixed in front of a toilet on the cubical [''sic''] wall.  The product provides up to date information about new products, daily news and lottery results through an easy to navigate software package.  Normal operation of the toilet and paper dispenser is evident.<ref name="i-loo">{{Cite web |title=i-loo |url=http://www.nmabathrooms.co.uk/info/iloo.htm |first=Andrew |last=Cubitt |access-date=February 28, 2011 |publisher=mabathrooms.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116101630/http://www.nmabathrooms.co.uk/info/iloo.htm |archive-date=2011-11-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref></blockquote>

The i-Loo internet toilet roll browser was featured at the 2003 ''[[Daily Mail]]'' Ideal Home Show as part of the Future Concepts exhibition in [[Earls Court]], London, where it was nominated for the MFI Bright Sparks 2003 awards.<ref name="i-loo"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Inventor rocked by MSN's iLoo hoax |url=http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/top-stories/379950/inventor-rocked-by-msn-s-iloo-hoax |first=Claire |last=Woffenden |date= May 13, 2003|publisher=[[Webuser]] |access-date=February 28, 2011}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Web goes down the toilet |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2917739.stm |date=April 5, 2003 |publisher=BBC |access-date=February 28, 2011}}</ref> The i-Loo, which was sponsored by [[Epson]] Printers, received significant press coverage, and was featured on [[GMTV]] as well as various radio shows.<ref name="i-loo"/><ref>{{cite news |title=City diary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/apr/08/8 |first=Richard |last=Adams |date=April 8, 2003 |work=The Guardian |access-date=February 28, 2011 |location=London}}</ref><ref name="timeoff">{{cite journal|last=Susan |first=Maushart|date=May 3, 2003 |title=Time off in loo|journal=Australian Magazine|pages=42|quote=The release (if that's the right word for it) of Cubitt's Internet toilet roll browser - a cubicle-mounted unit providing up-to-the-minute news and information that can be printed off on a standard toilet roll - made a huge media splash. And no wonder.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=April 12, 2003|title=Science & Technology|journal=Weekend Australian |series=6 - NSW Country|pages=T13|quote=MEANWHILE, in London, high-tech attention was focused on the dunny when designer Andrew Cubitt revealed his internet toilet roll browser to the world at the Ideal Home Show. Those who can no longer stomach flicking through Gary Larson collections while on the loo will be able to turn to the device, which is mounted on the lavatory door, and can print out information on toilet paper.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=April 10, 2003 |title=Web in the toilet.|publisher=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22935522_ITM|access-date=March 7, 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[TiSP]]
* [[Charmin]] V.I.Pee porta potty, unveiled at the 2020 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] featuring an [[Oculus Rift]] virtual reality headset<ref>{{cite news |title=Charmin goes beyond TP with smell detector, roll fetcher, and V.I.Pee porta potty |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/01/05/charmin-goes-beyond-tp-with-toilet-smell-detector-roll-fetcher-and-v-i-pee-porta-potty/ |work=VentureBeat |date=5 January 2020}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenwald |first1=Will |title=Charmin's Toilet Tech in the Running for Weirdest CES Gadgets |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/372781/charmins-toilet-tech-in-the-running-for-weirdest-ces-gadget |access-date=12 January 2020 |work=PCMAG |date=Jan 5, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Annotations==
{{Reflist|group="A"}}

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|2}}

'''Further reading'''
{{Refbegin|2}}
*{{cite journal |last=Ajluni |first= Cheryl J. |date=June 2003 |title=Want To Access The Web Via The Loo? |journal=Wireless Systems Design |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=4}}
*{{cite news |title=Chris Barton: 'Net-surfing in loo' story always stank |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=3502160 |first=Chris |last=Barton |date=May 16, 2003 |work=The New Zealand Herald }}
*{{cite book |first=Matthew |last=Coker |title=Explanations 2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgPfBdXIy1EC&pg=PA170 |date=December 1, 2005 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-4116-6801-0 |pages=170–171 }}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}
*{{Cite journal |title=The Digital Home: The Bathroom |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1729711,00.asp |first=Joel |last=Durham Jr. |date=November 18, 2004 |journal=[[PC Magazine]] }}
*{{Cite web |title='iLoo' Internet Toilet – Hoax or Not?:Marketing fiasco has MSN executives flushing |url=http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/business/a/iloo.htm |first=David |last=Emery |access-date=February 28, 2011 |work=Urban Legends |publisher=About.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111203102/http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/business/a/iloo.htm |archive-date=2011-01-11 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite news |title=MSN Crafts Wi-Fi-Enabled Toilet |url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/MSN-Crafts-WiFiEnabled-Toilet/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122214840/http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/MSN-Crafts-WiFiEnabled-Toilet/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |date=May 2, 2003 |author=ExtremeTechStaff |work=eWeek }}
*{{cite journal |last=Gibes |first=Al |date=May 19, 2003 |title=Tale of Microsoft iLoo isn't true. Phew! |journal=Las Vegas Review-Journal |page=1D}}
*{{cite news |title=Les toilettes internet de Microsoft victimes de leur succès |url=http://www.transfert.net/a8794 |first=Jean-Marc |last=Manach |date=May 14, 2003 |publisher=transfert.net |access-date=February 28, 2011 |language=fr }}
*{{cite news|title=iLoo doch kein Aprilscherz|url=http://www.macwelt.de/artikel/_News/321089/iloo_doch_kein_aprilscherz/1|first=Von|last=Peter Müller|date=May 15, 2003|work=Macwelt|access-date=2011-03-04|language=de|archive-date=2012-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319155747/http://www.macwelt.de/artikel/_News/321089/iloo_doch_kein_aprilscherz/1|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |title=Wi-fi-while-you-wee-wee not load of crap after all, but dumped anyway |url=http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16337 |first=Leigh |last=Phillips |date=May 14, 2003 |publisher=Euromedia.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030705022312/http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16337 |archive-date=July 5, 2003 }}
*{{cite news |title="Je peux confirmer que c'était une blague de premier avril": Un porte-parole de Microsoft, à propos d'iLoo, des toilettes portables connectées au web |url=http://www.transfert.net/a8794 |first=Alexandre |last=Piquard |date=May 13, 2003 |publisher=transfert.net }}
*{{cite news|title=Just because you can, doesn't mean you should|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030521/matt21/just-because-you-can-doesnt-mean-you-should|first=Matt|last=Rosenberg|date=May 21, 2003|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=March 8, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116110436/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030521&slug=matt21|url-status=live}}
*{{cite journal |last=Wright |first=Rob |date=June 9, 2003|title=Microsoft's Internet Outhouse |journal=VARBusiness |volume=19 |issue=12 |pages=19 |issn=0894-5802}}
*{{cite news |title=WC mit PC:Microsoft sorgt für Unruhe im stillen Örtchen |url=http://www.nzz.ch/2003/05/16/em/article8UWI1.html |date=May 16, 2003 |publisher=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung|NZZ]] |language=de |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707002301/http://www.nzz.ch/2003/05/16/em/article8UWI1.html |archive-date=2011-07-07 |url-status=dead }}
*{{Cite news |title=New E-Toilet to Revolutionize On-Line Shitting |url=http://www.theonion.com/onion3536/e_toilet.html |work=The Onion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010202214200/http://www.theonion.com/onion3536/e_toilet.html |archive-date=February 2, 2001 }}
*{{cite news|title=Microsoft places Windows XP in the toilet|url=https://www.macdailynews.com/comments.php?id=P1021_0_1_0|date=May 7, 2003|work=Mac Daily News|access-date=March 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030522020245/http://www.macdailynews.com/comments.php?id=P1021_0_1_0|archive-date=2003-05-22}}
*{{cite news |title=Project down the drain, Microsoft won't pursue plans for net-enabled toilet| date=May 14, 2003|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|location=California|page=A1 Front}}
<!--Other mirrors/relevant info-->
<!--https://web.archive.org/20040120020908/http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Business/ap20030513_10.html -->
<!--https://web.archive.org/20030513175200/http://www.msnbc.com/news/908511.asp?cp1=1 -->
<!--https://web.archive.org/20041110002324/http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-999509.html -->
<!--https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-05-14-iloo-hoax-retract_x.htm -->
<!--http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=1&t=10049 which has a mirror of http://www.microsoft.com/uk/press/content/presscentre/releases/2003/05/PR03049.asp-->
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{external media
| float  = right
| image1 = [http://www.goofball.com/photos/computer_paper_Internet_Toilet_Roll_Browser Internet Toilet Roll Browser]<!--https://web.archive.org/20030406045030/http://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/content/attractions/content.asp?location=32-->
| image2 = [http://www.electric-chicken.co.uk/itoilet.html iToilet Spoof]<!--though it says March 2002 it was circulated-->
| audio1 = [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1260269 Microsoft Launches Internet-Equipped Portable Potty], [[NPR]]
}}
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105287273938196000?mod=article-outset-box The Wall Street Journal – Microsoft Scratches Plan for Web in Potty]
*[http://www.snopes.com/computer/internet/iloo.asp snopes.com – iLoo]
*[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/05/14/microsoft_iloo_was_no_hoax/ Microsoft iLoo was no hoax – official]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030503070034/http://msn.com.com/2100-1103_2-999509.html MSN UK release]
*[https://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/05/13.16.shtml MacObserver]
*[http://www.maddogproductions.com/ds_iloo.htm Online,        on the Toilet]

{{Microsoft}}
{{MSN services}}
{{Web browsers}}
{{Toilets}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iloo}}
[[Category:History of Microsoft]]
[[Category:Internet hoaxes]]<!--Though it was only a hoax for a day-->
[[Category:Browsers]]<!--The iLoo itself was essentially meant to serve as a browser, and the i-Loo was an "internet toilet roll browser"-->
[[Category:Toilets]]
[[Category:Portable buildings and shelters]]
[[Category:Web browsers]]
[[Category:MSN]]
[[Category:Unbuilt buildings and structures in the United Kingdom]]