Logitech has denied plans to develop a subscription-based " forever mouse " following widespread backlash over comments made by CEO Hanneke Faber . The Swiss-American computer peripherals manufacturer issued a statement on Wednesday, clarifying that no such product is in the works. "There are no plans for a subscription mouse," declared Nicole Kenyon , Logitech's head of communications, in a statement provided to The Verge and other publications.
This response came after Faber's remarks on The Verge's Decoder podcast sparked controversy and criticism from consumers. During the podcast, Faber described a prototype "forever mouse" that would be "a little heavier" with "great software and services that you'd constantly update," The Verge reported. When asked directly about the possibility of a subscription mouse, Faber responded, "Possibly," and compared it to Logitech's video conferencing services.
The concept of paying recurring fees for a computer mouse, traditionally a one-time purchase, ignited immediate backlash. Many on social media expressed concerns about the increasing commonness of subscription models in consumer electronics. Attempting to quell the uproar, Kenyon explained that the "forever mouse" was "not an actual or planned product but a peek into provocative internal thinking on future possibilities for more sustainable consumer electronics," to The Verge.
In the original interview, Faber had compared the hypothetical mouse to a luxury watch , suggesting it could.