Logitech has issued a statement clarifying that the subscription-based mouse is not an officially released product, following criticism on the internet.
In a recent interview, Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber caused a stir in the PC gaming community by discussing a potential “forever mouse.”
The concept of the forever-mouse was to offer a subscription-based gaming mouse that could be purchased once and then upgraded and updated over time through ongoing payments for new features and software.
Despite facing heavy criticism from users online, Logitech has since elaborated on its stance regarding the concept.
In an official statement to The Verge and other media outlets on August 8, Logitech’s communications head Nicole Kenyone confirmed that the company has no plans to release a subscription mouse and that the “forever mouse”is not currently in development or production.
The statement went on to explain that the gaming mouse, which operates on a subscription basis, provided insight into the company’s thought process on potential advancements towards more environmentally friendly consumer electronics.
Logitech’s Forever Mouse Concept Receives Heavy Criticism Online
This recent declaration is in response to mounting backlash against the idea of a subscription-based peripheral. In his article for PCWorld, Senior Editor Mark Hachman stated that the Forever mouse was both a “bad idea”and “exploitative in nature.”
At the same time, John Linneman from Digital Foundry shared the original news on X/Twitter, expressing his disinterest by saying “Forever Mouse? No thanks.”
Comparable opinions were expressed on Reddit. The initial interview with The Verge was shared on technology-focused SubReddits like r/hardware, resulting in a strong backlash.
More than 700 individuals shared their thoughts on the interview, including Reddit user Meekois who expressed that “the idea of needing a subscription for my mouse is completely off-base.”
Logitech’s G309 Lightspeed wireless mouse.
At the same time, SubmarineWipers, a user on r/hardware, expressed, “this is some next level dystopian s***t”, while Complete_Potato994, another user, stated, “I will never purchase a mouse with a subscription. I currently steer clear of products that require subscriptions.”
It is uncertain if Logitech’s most recent announcement is a direct reply to the aforementioned critiques. During the initial interview, Faber mentioned that the Forever Mouse, which drew comparisons to a luxury Rolex timepiece, “may potentially”have a subscription fee.
Nevertheless, the recent statement from Logitech, which was shared with various outlets, was released just over a week after the initial interview on July 29, 2024.
It is not entirely novel to consider implementing a subscription fee for a pre-existing tech product. For instance, HP, renowned for its extensive range of laptops and printers, previously offered a subscription service for its LaserJet printers. Similarly, Humane has recently introduced a monthly subscription fee for its AI pin, which is already priced at $699.
Leave a Reply