Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber recently discussed the possibility of one day selling a mouse that customers can use “forever.” The executive said such a mouse isn’t “necessarily super far away” and will rely on software updates, likely delivered through a subscription model.

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. She said:

I’m not planning to throw that watch away ever. So why would I be throwing my mouse or my keyboard away if it’s a fantastic-quality, well-designed, software-enabled mouse? The forever mouse is one of the things that we’d like to get to.

Having to pay a regular fee for full use of a peripheral could deter customers, though. HP is trying a similar idea with rentable printers that require a monthly fee. The printers differ from the idea of the forever mouse in that the HP hardware belongs to HP, not the user. However, concerns around tracking and the addition of ongoing expenses are similar.>>>>

  • onlinepersona@programming.dev
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    4 months ago

    She can fuck right off with that. I have a mouse that fell apart because it used soft plastic, another one I threw away because I couldn’t clean properly (taking it apart to clean broke something), and now I have one from logitech. My parents have a mouse from (I kid you not) 1995. Brand is unknown. There were already “forever” mice out there, it’s just that now they voluntarily make them shit for you to buy a new one.

    Just make mice like 20 years ago but in different forms (vertical, ball at the thumb), that can be opened to clean and repair, and we’re fine. No need for your dumb-ass subscription. Fuck off.

    Anti Commercial-AI license

    • Dyskolos@lemmy.zip
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      4 months ago

      What? Nooo. I don’t want the stupid mouse-balls ever again. Sure i could clean it but i also HAD to. Regularly.

      Besides, you’re right. Fuck subscriptions. Fuck logitech, fuck their shitty quality.

      • MalReynolds@slrpnk.net
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        4 months ago

        They’re talking about a Trackball mouse e.g., not the pre laser mice (or they’re nuts). Good ergonomics, useful for carpal tunnel etc.

        FWIW I’ve found their high-end mice pretty robust, my MX Master 2 is still going strong 5+ years in, if cosmetically challenged. Amortised over time, the price is not so bad.

        • Dyskolos@lemmy.zip
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          4 months ago

          Oooh right trackball-mice. Totally forgot they exist 😁 Ok the mice are ok. For the price. Nothing is like it was before. But their keyboards… Some months later the markings already peel off, cables break very quickly.

        • r00ty@kbin.life
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          4 months ago

          I find anything with that coated plastic over time gets crappy. I still have an old X52 pro I’ve had for probably around 15 years now. In the end I just completely took off the flaking rubber style coating they put over it and it’s now shiny plastic and still going strong.

          I also have a G502 that’s 6 years old. It has some worn areas where it’s actively held and on the buttons. I replaced the skates last year and have a spare set. Otherwise, still going strong.

          Really not sure why I’d subscribe for something that lasts so long and isn’t THAT expensive to replace.

          • MalReynolds@slrpnk.net
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            4 months ago

            Oh hell no to subscribing, thought didn’t cross my mind. Save us from MBAs with revenue streams on their mind, wannabe rentiers.

    • Pup Biru@aussie.zone
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      4 months ago

      i mean they literally admit to it in the article… they need to find the “business model” to support it, which could mean a subscription and an expensive price tag… the reason isn’t because it needs ongoing support - it’s because of planned obsolescence

      boo hoo we can’t make money off selling you shit every few years so we have to charge you $200 and a subscription