July 30th, 2024

Logitech has an idea for a "forever mouse" that requires a subscription

Logitech's CEO proposed a "forever mouse" designed for longevity through software updates via subscription, targeting professionals at around $200, while emphasizing sustainability and self-repair features.

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Logitech has an idea for a "forever mouse" that requires a subscription

Logitech's CEO, Hanneke Faber, has proposed the concept of a "forever mouse," a device designed to last indefinitely through regular software updates delivered via a subscription model. During a podcast interview, Faber expressed optimism about the feasibility of such a product, which would be comparable in quality to a durable watch. The idea is to create a mouse that users would not need to replace, relying on continuous software enhancements to maintain its functionality. While Logitech has not yet announced specific plans for this product, Faber acknowledged the challenge of developing a sustainable business model that avoids high hardware costs.

The potential price for the "forever mouse" could be around $200, targeting professionals and enthusiasts, as the average mouse typically retails for about $26. Logitech aims to grow its market by appealing to consumers who do not own both a mouse and keyboard, with the "forever mouse" positioned as a premium offering. Subscription models are increasingly popular in tech, providing consistent revenue streams, but may deter some customers due to ongoing costs. Faber also mentioned the importance of durability and self-repair options, suggesting that a well-designed mouse could incorporate features for easy upgrades and repairs. Logitech is also focused on sustainability goals, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2031.

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By @potamic - 9 months
I already have a forever mouse. A Microsoft optical mouse from 20 years ago. Perfectly ergonomic, no batteries, plug-and-play that just works on any device new or old, and a build quality to last decades. How have we regressed from these ideals and gotten to where we are?
By @lucianbr - 9 months
After reading the article, I have no idea why this new mouse would require a subscription, other than the company is greedy. Also I have no idea what would be different about the mouse.

In fact, there's almost no information other than "Logitech would like customers to pay them monthly".

By @pelagicAustral - 9 months
Oh man! I can wait to have my manager come over and ask me why I'm doing fuck all, so I can tell him that someone in finance forgot to pay my keyboard and mouse subscription.
By @necovek - 9 months
So what it seems everybody is reading is that Logitech believes they can create a computer mouse that will last decades without breaking in any way at reasonable price, but they don't wanna because they would jeopardize their sales of their lesser mice, and they actually want to figure out a recurring revenue model to go with it.

How about this: you make a "forever mouse", sell it at a profit, and people simply keep buying it because it's so fricking great? They also buy one for their workplace (or get the company to buy it) since it's not the lightest mouse around, they might also buy it as a gift and... You get the point, just this thing might bring them enough revenue _if_ this is really such a good product that they would capture more of the market share even if their product is very durable.

By @arrosenberg - 9 months
This is the same company that monopolized the smart TV remote market before shutting down the entire Harmony line. No one should trust them for "forever" anything.
By @craigds - 9 months
Who's throwing away mouses? They last at least a decade, likely two. And for most people there's no software involved (that isn't installed and handled by the builtin drivers in their OS)
By @ecshafer - 9 months
> Speaking on a July 29 episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, Faber, who Logitech appointed as CEO in October, said that members of a "Logitech innovation center" showed her "a forever mouse" and compared it to a nice but not "super expensive" watch.

This is not a good idea. The fact their "innovation center" came up with a subscription is hilarious.

I do actualyl like Logitech mice, this would turn me off of them permanently.

By @RIMR - 9 months
It is obvious that they started with "Mouse with subscription fees", and worked backward from there. They haven't actually come up with a product that anyone wants, they just invented the product that they want to sell (and make passive income off of). This is one of the most ridiculous cash-grab ideas I have ever seen.

There is no reason for a mouse to need a software update. This is a completely made-up narrative. All functions of the mouse should be accounted for without the need for follow-up; a company like Logitech should already have an excellent framework for mouse firmware that is free from bugs or inefficiencies that would require updating.

And this comparison to a mouse as an analog to a "super expensive watch" is completely misguided. They're just coming up with an excuse to make a "super expensive mouse".

Generally speaking though, most people who take computer peripherals seriously don't very much care about the mouse, and focus instead of on having a fancy and expensive mechanical keyboard. And there is no glory in buying some corporate "forever keyboard" with paid updates, your peers will ridicule you for not building your own from PCBs you ordered online and 3d printed casing. After all, the bigger a power-user you are, the less likely you are to even touch the mouse.

This is dumb idea dreamed up by stupid people in a boardroom, where the topic of the meeting was "Money: how to make it".

By @theandrewbailey - 9 months
And if the credit card on your mouse subscription expires, the mouse stops working, ironically preventing you from entering new credit card info to resume the subscription.
By @donohoe - 9 months
I checked the date of the story - it was not April 1st
By @Arcuru - 9 months
I'm generally a supporter of paying for software with a subscription if I expect to get updates...but does a mouse need updates?
By @jmclnx - 9 months
Apt name. The forever mouse will sit forever on store shelves.
By @wmf - 9 months
Is this [CEO] from HP? What's next, a mouse that requires proprietary ink cartridges?

Edit: apologies for assuming gender

By @dheera - 9 months
We need legislation that makes it illegal to restrict owners of hardware from using hardware that they own.
By @jprd - 9 months
rolls-up newspaper - bad Logitech! Bad!
By @ch_123 - 9 months
I own Logitech mice from the late 80s/early 90s which still work perfectly. None of the issues which would prevent me from using them on a modern computer could be fixed by software updates delivered by subscription.
By @yndoendo - 9 months
SaaS program is just poor product design.

Using a programmable Roccat where all customization is embedded in the firmware of the mouse. This means the configuration stays between switching computers and operating systems, and cannot be affect by overzealous OS and application security.

Nothing like controlling the computer volume, mute, and active window right from the mouse. Great for seamless controlling game volume to better hear quite environments or reduce loud ones, quick mute when someone at work wants to talk.

All of that would be come a nightmare with SaaS and waste CPU cycles.

By @nlawalker - 9 months
> Logitech's CEO didn't discuss what durability features a long-lasting mouse might incorporate.

The only one that matters is that you replace it for free or for a nominal fee when it breaks or becomes unworkable, at minimal inconvenience to the customer. See Darn Tough socks for reference.

By @vxxzy - 9 months
Maybe it will have FIDO2/U2F support? There is a use-case here maybe? I’ll stop giving ideas now…
By @ndiddy - 9 months
Given Logitech's current mice start double-clicking after about a year, I'm curious what they'd change about their designs to extend that lifetime to forever.
By @morkalork - 9 months
I had a Logitech mouse last for 20 years till it finally started to glitch out and I had to replace it. I'm really not seeing the need for a subscription here.
By @lambdaone - 9 months
Enshittification has finally reached peripherals. I thought this story was a joke at first, but it evidently isn't. I can't imagine what extra services a mouse might offer, except in the role of acting as a dongle for other software. Presumably Logitech will enlighten us before launching this product.
By @KomoD - 9 months
"forever" as in they want you to give them money forever :D
By @jqpabc123 - 9 months
Logitech needs to ask HP how this sort of marketing is working for them.
By @K0balt - 9 months
I think I’m going to launch an AI powered SAAS enterprise that comes up with ways that brick and mortar companies can transition into zero marginal cost markets without actually adding value or doing anything at all of substance. Like a think tank on an API for extracting value without the hassles of generating value in the process.

I’ll call it enshitify.ai , and it will be subscription based, of course.

By @mystified5016 - 9 months
I'll just keep using the mouse I bought a decade ago. If the switches wear out, it's entirely trivial to replace them. My last mouse went through three sets before something else broke and killed it.

Switches can last years or decades depending on quality and use. The rest of the electronics will last essentially forever. The only thing that can reasonably wear out or break permanently are the plastic and rubber parts. USB HID won't ever go away or change. As long as USB ports exist your mouse will still work.

Logitech can go pound sand.

By @proc0 - 9 months
"You will own nothing, and you will be happy"

Many companies are certainly heading in this direction. I think a better direction should be something like "you will own less because you will need less and it will last longer".

By @Simulacra - 9 months
Sounds like another anticonsumer, asinine, business practice, right up there with charging a subscription fee for heated seats in your car.