Technology

So it sounds like they did have plans, or at least ideas, for it but are now backtracking after the 100% deserved backlash.

This is no less, than a gaslighting tactic

Imagine it’s like your Rolex. You’re going to really love that.

The fact he said this, makes you want to punch his smug face.

No plans now.

Let's just float the idea again in a few years and see how much backlash it then produces...

But what about an AI mouse?

NOW they don't because word got out too soon

"Ahahaha. I was kidding. ..unless..?"

Absolutely fucking not

Sort of like how excited Wendy's was to offer surge pricing, until 2 days later when they suddenly had "no plans to ever implement surge pricing, what're yall talkin' 'bout?"

Fruit of the Loom has no plans for a subscription underpants.

This is like the lover who says "wouldn't it be crazy if you and me had a threesome with your best friend"? Then claims not to be serious when the idea is rejected.

Netflix has plans to have a subscription movie service!

But won't rule it out.

Anymore

I highly recommend the Decoder podcast from The Verge. The host Nilay Patel interviews the Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber and this comes up. He comes at the question earnestly but can't understand how she tries to justify this. It's a pretty fun listen. Link: https://www.theverge.com/24206847/logitech-ceo-hanneke-faber-mouse-keyboard-gaming-decoder-podcast-interview

The transcript is there too if you just want to read it. Here's some of the relavent bits.

What made the mouse a forever mouse?

It was a little heavier, it had great software and services that you’d constantly update, and it was beautiful. So I don’t think we’re necessarily super far away from that.

But, again, I just come back to the cost. You sell me the mouse once. Maybe I’ll pay 200 bucks for it.

The business model obviously is the challenge there. So then software is even more important when you think about it. Can you come up with a service model? In our video conferencing business, that is now a very important part of the model, the services, and it’s critical for corporate customers.

Let’s come to that in a second because that makes sense to me. You sell managed services to enterprises. You price support contracts for cameras and whatever. That’s an ongoing need businesses have. I’m still stuck on, “You’re going to sell me a mouse once and it’s going to have ongoing software updates forever.”

Imagine it’s like your Rolex. You’re going to really love that.

But Rolex has to employ software engineers to ship me over-the-air updates forever.

But the artifact is like your Rolex, and then given that we know the technology that we attach to changes, it’s not going to be like your Rolex in that it doesn’t have to ever change. Our stuff will have to change, but does the hardware have to change? I’m not so sure. We’ll have to obviously fix it and figure out what that business model is. We’re not at the forever mouse today, but I’m intrigued by the thought.>

....

I’m going to ask this very directly. Can you envision a subscription mouse?

Possibly.

And that would be the forever mouse?

Yeah.

So you pay a subscription for software updates to your mouse.

Yeah, and you never have to worry about it again, which is not unlike our video conferencing services today.

But it’s a mouse.

But it’s a mouse, yeah.

I think consumers might perceive those to be very different.

[Laughs] Yes, but it’s gorgeous. Think about it like a diamond-encrusted mouse.

Logi CEO: "Heh, yeah, well you know, there is a rich tradition of tech companies pranking the public with silly, unexpected practical jokes on April 1."

"But sir, it's August."

"Oh, well I guess that's what makes it so unexpected, heh. Yeah. Unless you want a mouse subscription? No? Oh, just forget that I asked - that was, ah, part of the joke. Apr- August Fools!"

I would love to see more movement on an open source mouse. I know there are some options out there but it seems like nothing has really stuck.

With 3d printing and the RP2040, these should be more abundant.

I'm sure it probably comes down to the sensors available, but I'd love for someone like Adafruit to offer options.

Logitech, buy one of the three tiers based on your needs. 10 clicks a day, 15 clicks a day, or unlimited daily click.

Disclaimer: right click or scroll wheel not included, please purchase add-on package

They do have great products, they just need to learn, like basically all corpos, to just shut up.

CEO: says stupid shit

Corporate Comms: sigh CLEANUP ON AISLE 3

Yeah they don't have any plans now. After getting shouted at by everyone.

This is just a symptom of the corporate insanity that believes that every year you must make more money than the previous year and simply making a large amount of money isn't acceptable unless it's going upwards.

It's Logitech, they make keyboards and mice they're not high value items. There's no innovating that needs to happen here. I'm sure companies that manufacture staples, drawing pins, and paper clips could give them some pointers in calming down and just existing.

Ah yes, the ol' "joking about a threesome" trick.

"What?! Oh, no I mean... I was just joking, honey. I'd never do that... I mean unless..."

They already can't make a fucking mouse that won't suffer from double clicks within a few years. They have a model, albeit a shitty one, that has people repeatedly buying their products. I will never buy another Logitech product if they even make a "luxury" mouse for the wealthy that has subs, even if they keep a free option. It's not for me, but the existence of such product is a deal breaker in itself.