So, Logitech’s new CEO has come up with a mouse you’ll never have to replace but might have to pay for every month. Yes, you read that right—a subscription-based mouse! It sounds like the kind of idea that pops up after someone’s had too much coffee and not enough sleep, but here we are.
Hanneke Faber, Logitech’s new visionary, mentioned on The Verge’s Decoder podcast (read original story here) that the “forever mouse” is still a concept. But the gist is this: a mouse that, like a fancy watch, will last forever with a little help from software updates. Because nothing says high-tech like paying monthly to click things.
The Pitch
Imagine a mouse so durable and well-designed that you’ll never have to toss it out. Instead, you’ll subscribe to it. Because if it works for Netflix, why not for a computer mouse? It’s like comparing your mouse to a Rolex, which makes sense because we all know how often we’re clicking away at our emails thinking, “You know what this reminds me of? A Rolex.”
Faber assures us that Logitech isn’t far from making this dream a reality. However, due to its extreme durability and presumably gold-plated innards, they might have to slap a subscription fee on it to make it profitable.
Currently, one can purchase a mouse ranging from $6 and upwards. Logitech sees an opportunity to create a higher-priced, premium product that offers more quality. Because, of course, what everyone wants is to pay a premium for the privilege of using a mouse. And if you’re shocked by the concept of a subscription mouse, don’t worry—Faber assures us the quality will make it worth it. Just like you love your Rolex, you’re going to love your “forever mouse.”
Bold Moves and Bolder Claims
Logitech is no stranger to bold mouse ideas. They recently announced a mouse with an AI button to help summarize text or write emails. The “forever mouse” is just the latest in a series of head-scratchers from a company clearly desperate to make mice exciting again.
This move is part of a broader trend where companies are slapping subscriptions on anything they can think of. We’re used to paying monthly for movies and music, but now our hardware wants a piece of that pie. HP, for instance, introduced a subscription service where customers pay $6.99 a month to print 20 pages. Because nothing says “innovation” like monetizing paper jams.
Hold on to that mouse
Imagine your mouse refusing to move an inch until you pay up—what’s next? Your chair won’t swivel until you renew your subscription? As expected, not everyone is thrilled about the idea of subscribing to a mouse. One Twitter user pointed out that their mouse from 30 years ago still works just fine, thank you very much. Meanwhile, Reddit users had a field day imagining the dystopian future where your mouse stops moving because you haven’t upgraded to the pro account.
The “forever mouse” feels like a sign of the bankruptcy of ideas. When a company starts charging subscriptions for hardware that traditionally didn’t need it, you have to wonder if they’ve run out of meaningful innovations. Sure, it’s wrapped in the glossy promise of durability and cutting-edge tech, but at its core, it’s just another way to milk consumers.
Instead of creating genuinely groundbreaking products, companies are now banking on the subscription model to sustain their revenue. It’s the same old mouse, but with a shiny new way to charge you indefinitely. So, as we brace ourselves for the possibility of subscription everything, let’s hope someone out there is working on the next big idea that doesn’t involve a monthly fee.
In the meantime, maybe hold onto your current mouse. It might just become the most valuable piece of tech you own—not because of its capabilities, but because it doesn’t come with a monthly bill.