Logitech Says It Has No Plans for a Subscription-Based 'Forever Mouse'

[MacRumors]

Logitech on Wednesday denied reports that the company is working on a "forever mouse" that could come with a subscription fee for regular software updates, after comments by its CEO suggesting it could introduce such a product in the future received immediate backlash.

"There are no plans for a subscription mouse," said Logitech communications head Nicole Kenyon in a statement given to several media publications. Kenyon was responding to reports based on comments made by Logitech chief Hanneke Faber on The Verge's Decoder podcast with Nilay Patel.

During the podcast, Faber said that the Logitech innovation center team in Ireland showed her a "forever mouse" that is designed to be used for many years. It's a "little heavier" than a standard mouse, and it has "great software and services" that get constantly updated.

Patel asked Faber if she could "envision a subscription mouse," to which she responded "possibly." Faber went on to explain that customers would "never have to worry about [their mice] again," which is similar to Logitech's video conferencing services.

When asked whether Logitech had some other model for monetization than subscription fees or advertising, Faber said no, and that she was "intrigued" by a forever mouse that has an accompanying business model around software updates.

Kenyon sought to downplay the comments, saying: "The mouse mentioned is not an actual or planned product but a peek into provocative internal thinking on future possibilities for more sustainable consumer electronics."

Article Link: Logitech Says It Has No Plans for a Subscription-Based 'Forever Mouse'

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Not yet but it will soon be 10 clicks for a £ / $

 

[picpicmac]

Well that was a short-lived proposition.

Yet once sprung into the collective mind of the society, such an idea will linger.... and someday make its way back into the news.

 

[joecomo]

Well, what they write is a polite form for:
„our CEO has no clue about our products, but likes to use the word „subscription“ a lot“

 

[DougieS]

I just can’t comprehend what ongoing software updates would be useful for mice in the first place!

 

[robvalentine]

I think they just saw the backlash...

 

[arkitect]

Kenyon sought to downplay the comments, saying: "The mouse mentioned is not an actual or planned product but a peek into provocative internal thinking on future possibilities for more sustainable consumer electronics."

To paraphrase the old saw:
"The road to hell is paved with good sustainability intentions."

I'd file this under, coming soonish.

 

[acarneiro]

How exactly does a subscription model make it "more sustainable"?
Load of shysters.

 

[gpat]

Worst off-season April fool's joke ever.

 

[Rkuda]

A completely moronic idea. Subscription based and Forever are mutually exclusive concepts. Also sounds like logitech basically admitted that they make their hardware **** on purpose so they can make more sales. Any mouse, even a $20 mouse should already last many many years

 

[magicschoolbus]

You’ll own nothing and be happy

 

[andrewxgx]

the only thing sustainable about this model is revenue

 

[iBluetooth]

I haven't used a mouse for years, as the touchpad does what I need. But, I am only programming no artwork or games

 

[Fluffyk]

Damage control. Those corporations think we’re all stupid.

 

[mike090910]

SO maybe but not now.

 

[krspkbl]

Yeah but you tried. Taking customers for idiots and showing your greed!

My next mouse won't be a logitech. Well done.

 

[nuff_said]

Fantastic example of how companies pivot when the public pushes back. Too bad we don’t do the same within other areas of our society.

 

[laptech]

If you take the time to actually listen to the podcast you will find that it is actually the podcaster Nilay Patel that puts the idea of a subscription mouse into the head of Logitech's chief Hanneke Faber which she then run's with. At no point in that podcast do you hear Faber being the first one to suggest forever mouse subscription. Patel is the one that does it and then you can hear Faber just goes with the flow saying she thinks it's a good idea, an idea put into her head by Patel.

Therefore there needs to be very clear reporting on this because at no point did Faber make the suggestion of a subscription model for a forever mouse, that suggestion originated from podcaster Nilay Patel. Faber just happened to agree with him.

The post from MR just shows how Faber's comments on the forever mouse have been distorted by the media.

 

[phenste]

wild that people didn’t read the clear overtone of this being a hypothetical, one-off idea in the original interview. people really bitched and moaned so much about an obvious hypothetical that they had to come out like “hey, just so you know, this was a hypothetical!”

that being said. corporations lie all the time, so if they do end up making a """forever mouse,""" yall go ahead and boycott Logitech as you wish—I’ll join in bc I don’t look to them for products to begin with 🤠

 

[mjs916]

Damage control. Those corporations think we’re all stupid.

They don’t need all of us to be stupid, only enough of us.

To their credit, the question was asked.

 

[zombierunner]

This made me laugh.

 

[8CoreWhore]

Can I pay to activate a 3rd button? How about pay to activate an ESC key on the keyboard?

 

[btrach144]

She needs needs to be fired IMO. She had no idea if Logitech is in the smart home space and said she’d have to have her people check on it?!?

She’s clueless. I’d be incredibly worried as an investor or board member. Your money is not in good hands.

 

[Ad47uk]

I just can’t comprehend what ongoing software updates would be useful for mice in the first place!

My mouse and keyboard uses something called Logi Options+, but it is not really that important, just tell me how much life I have left battery wise and configure keys and buttons, but it is not running all the time,, the other thing is logibolt app, which just allows me to add devices to the dongle . but i would not pay a subscription for it.

 

[btrach144]

If you take the time to actually listen to the podcast you will find that it is actually the podcaster Nilay Patel that puts the idea of a subscription mouse into the head of Logitech's chief Hanneke Faber which she then run's with. At no point in that podcast do you hear Faber being the first one to suggest forever mouse subscription. Patel is the one that does it and then you can hear Faber just goes with the flow saying she thinks it's a good idea, an idea put into her head by Patel.

Therefore there needs to be very clear reporting on this because at no point did Faber make the suggestion of a subscription model for a forever mouse, that suggestion originated from podcaster Nilay Patel. Faber just happened to agree with him.

The post from MR just shows how Faber's comments on the forever mouse have been distorted by the media.

wild that people didn’t read the clear overtone of this being a hypothetical, one-off idea in the original interview. people really bitched and moaned so much about an obvious hypothetical that they had to come out like “hey, just so you know, this was a hypothetical!”

that being said. corporations lie all the time, so if they do end up making a """forever mouse,""" yall go ahead and boycott Logitech as you wish—I’ll join in bc I don’t look to them for products to begin with 🤠

It shouldn’t have taken a full week for them to deny the article. Logitech PR allowed this story to grow legs.