On May 6, 2002, Reuters News Service reported that Microsoft was planning to unveil the "iLoo" -- a portable toilet complete with a plasma screen, keyboard, and internet access -- at summer music festivals in Britain. MSN had previously created a park bench in Suffolk with internet access. According to Reuters, MSN British marketing manager Tracy Blacher said, "The internet is 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."

The story quickly spread on the internet. On May 7, AFP reported that Microsoft confirmed the story, with MSN spokesperson Brian Peterson saying, "This is not a joke." He elaborated on the design, saying an external "Hotmail station" with waterproof keyboard and plasma screen would let those standing in line "do something useful while they queue up." Blacher also stated that Microsoft is looking at other ways to bring high tech into the bathroom, including toilet paper with internet addresses.

But was any of it true? On May 12, Microsoft informed the Associated Press that the story was a hoax. An MSN spokesperson said, "This iLoo release came out of the (British) office and was not a Microsoft-sanctioned communication, and we apologize for any confusion or offense it may have caused." One Microsoft official identified it as an April Fool's joke.

Microsoft was not finished yet, though. In an acute state of public relations embarrassment, Microsoft retracted the hoax story the next day, claiming that the iLoo had been a real project of the British division, but was now curtailed. Microsoft allows its divisions to develop and run their own campaigns as much as possible, and the U.K. division has a reputation for unusual and clever marketing. Apparently, the corporate headquarters hadn't heard of the project until the news reports began appearing. They quickly made the decision to kill the project. AP quoted MSN group product manger Lisa Gurry as saying the iLoo "wasn't the best extension of our brand."

Ah well, back to reading newspapers on the toilet.

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