Key Takeaways
- Logitec’s new CEO is intrigued by the idea of a “mouse forever” business model.
- This involves selling a more premium computer mouse to consumers along with a subscription-based software suite.
- Such software suites are regularly updated and enhanced in functionality.
Logitec’s new CEO, Hanneke Faber, is considering a new business model in which the company’s popular computer mouse would be sold as a “forever mouse” through a subscription service.
Faber expressed interest in the concept and provided some brief details during a recent interview with The Verge’s Nilay Patel on Decoder.
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Essentially, the “forever mouse” business model involves selling consumers a more premium mouse that’s built well enough to last a lifetime, with monetization coming in the form of a regular subscription-based service that provides access to an evolving suite of software with regularly released updates.
In describing the physical properties of the prototype mouse, Faber likens it to a luxury watch: “It’s a luxury watch. It’s not a super expensive watch, but I’m never going to throw away this watch. So if you have a great quality, well-designed, software-enabled mouse, why would you throw away your mouse or keyboard?”
According to Farber, another benefit of switching away from the traditional hardware upgrade cycle model is the positive impact it will have on the environment. Specifically, the company has ambitious plans to cut its carbon footprint in half, and shifting to such a modern business model will help it achieve this goal, as well as reduce its overall e-waste.
During the interview, Faber emphasized that the “forever mouse” concept is still in the planning stages, saying, “Obviously we have to tweak this and figure out what the business model is. We’re not talking about a forever mouse today, but we’re intrigued by the idea.”
The era of subscription services continues
It’s unclear how consumers will react to the “forever mouse” business model.
Braden Newell/Pocket-lint
We live in a time when it seems nearly impossible to escape monthly and yearly subscription services in both the tech and entertainment industries. Consumer fatigue is a very real and growing feeling.
It remains to be seen whether consumers will be comfortable with the concept of paying for computer mouse software forever, and I expect Logitech will struggle in this regard, especially considering that the company already offers a free software solution in the form of Logi Options.
As long as the mouse hardware itself can be used without a subscription service (though many of the software perks would likely be gone), it’s possible to imagine a future where this concept is successful, and if it’s successful, it’s probably just a matter of time before other computer peripheral manufacturers introduce similar paid services of their own.
If Logitech can convince users that its software suite and regular feature updates are worth the investment, it could have a win on its hands (assuming, of course, that the revenue generated by the subscription model is actually invested into improving the software).
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