There have recently been potential signs of the subscription system collapsing as we currently know it. We’re no longer just paying for services like Netflix, but also for other streaming services, music platforms, video games, and productivity tools, among others. This monthly fee model has even extended beyond digital services to things like vehicles. For example, BMW was offering heated seats in some models for a monthly fee of $18.
Despite concerns about subscription fatigue, many companies are confident in their ability to attract certain user groups with their offerings. Logitech is one of them. Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber believes that a mouse with a long lifespan could support a subscription-based business model for the company. It would consist of a one-time purchase device that could be upgraded over time in exchange for a recurring fee.
A Mouse With a Subscription
Faber spoke about this on Decoder, a podcast from The Verge. Although she didn’t talk about a full subscription product, it’s interesting to see where the company stands on the issue. The new head of Logitech recalls that members of the company’s “innovation center” were working on a “forever mouse,” equivalent to a long-lasting watch. “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 mouse?” she said.
“The forever mouse is one of the things that we’d like to get to,” the executive added. Unfortunately, there are no images of that concept design, but we do know that what would drive the longevity of the product would be updated software and services. As Faber explained, the device would also be “a little heavier.” It's not clear, however, whether the company would contemplate some sort of product replacement, for example, in the event of problems while the subscription is being paid for.
The idea of offering a subscription mouse is just an idea for now. Logitech isn’t really considering offering a product like this in the short term, although it’s been adding various software features to its devices. Some of the company’s peripherals have a dedicated button to launch ChatGPT. This is one of the many features offered by Logi AI Prompt Builder in the Logi Options+ software for Windows and macOS. Would you choose a subscription mouse for your day-to-day life?
This article was written by Javier Marquez and originally published in Spanish on Xataka.
Image | Milad Fakurian
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