this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2024
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I have been using Logitech peripherals for years. Logitech gear always just worked.

Now they demand internet accounts to use the features of the keyboard and mouse that I purchased. WTF?

Not only that, have to use wide-open-to-snooping Chrome to adjust the settings. You cannot adjust/use your mouse and keyboard if you just use Firefox.

This only makes sense if they are planning (or are already) tracking my every move online to sell to advertisers or spooks.

What are the good options?

Also, if anybody sees how these changes could be benign, please let me know.

EDIT:

By popular demand:

The keyboard I bought that started this journey: MX Keys S

The key feature that first demanded cloud access: Swithing between computers, now it is requires it to adjust the receivers. I have both a Bolt and a Unifying receiver.

Mouse (actually a trackball) that now is requesting that I use a Chrome Browser to adjust it: M570

Software:
The Logi SetPoint Settings I open from Windows now requires you to log into your Logitech account to make changes to your Unifying or 2.4 ghz usb receiver. This link takes you to a screen that says Logi Web Connect. It does not work unless you use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, & Opera, but reccomends Chrome for the best experience.

Logitech + used to require this to enable options, but I don’t see it on my Windows computer anymore. It is still on my Mac, but upon opening it to confirm for this message, it seems to be announcing that it is now able to incorporate AI into everything I type. (ugggh)

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I'm going to assume you need to use Chrome to set up the dongle because Firefox still doesn't support Bluetooth web APIs.

Logitech G devices with the Lightspeed dongle don't require setup (they're all uniquely paired from the factory) and will work without the G Hub software. The software itself, if you do want it, works offline without an account.

This is assuming you don't want to move away from Logitech entirely of course.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Currently still using the G502 Hero, and all it's customization is on-board, edited using a portable .exe. I'm using some Rosewill mechanical keyboard which I believe has all its customization tied to inputs while holding the FN key.

Fuck, I hate always-online apps just to use the God damn peripherials I've paid for. I go far out of my way to avoid them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Any chance you've got a non-sketchy link to where that portable exe can be found? My g600s keybindings borked themselves at some point when I gave Linux a shot, and Logitechs own downloads are a pain to find anything relevant to "older" hardware

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (3 children)

I can't remember how to do it offhand, but you should be able to save the settings to the hardware itself, then disable Logitech from opening. I changed settings not too long ago (2ish months) and this worked.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I know this might not be the most convenient solution, but learning to resolder mouse switches means you can just replace the faulty components (and maybe the sliders too) and just keep using the hardware that works for you. As long as you don't have a mouse with that awful rubber that de-vulcanizes after about 3 years, and don't mind the visual wear from your hand on the shell over time, you'll easily 10x the life of most products manufactured with planned obsolescence. Logitech almost always cheaps out on the switches for their gaming mice, unfortunately. After replacing the switches on my g pro wireless when they started double-clicking after 2 years (almost exactly), it's been smooth sailing ever since.

ifixit almost always has comprehensive teardown and rebuild instructions for popular peripherals. Bonus points is that whenever you take apart something to do a repair, you can clean out all the hard to reach places that collect random dust and debris. Can be kind of gross but is also pretty satisfying. Additional bonus points for being more sustainable with your consumer habits and minimizing e-waste in landfills!

If you've got a mechanical keyboard, you can do the same but it's generally a lot more tedious since most have the switches soldered on, and LEDs double the amount of joints you have to deal with. I recently did just the WASD and a few other high-traffic keys on my board after one one of them failed, and it was a several hour process

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I've done a lot of de-enshitification in my digital life over the past year, most recently by de-google my phone. I'm going to be honest: It's not easy, nor convenient, and a lot of the time not cheap. You really have to go out of your way to get what you want, sacrificing at least something a long the way (features, usability, etc). It takes quite a bit of desire and determination to move away from the modern garbage that these companies shove your way, and I'm honestly not sure if it's worth it for the average person because of the massive amount of effort that it takes.

All of the above is to say that if you really want to avoid enshitification you're gonna have to make changes, such as buying a different set of peripherals for your pc, and that it's not gonna be easy. The real question is: is all of that work worth it for you?

For me it 100% has been.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I use hyperx alloy core keyboard as I don't actually need programmable keys or an LCD. RGB and media keys are as far as I go.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Could you remap the keys with AHK?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Bought a new keyboard a few weeks ago. Had function keys set to alternative hot keys. Only way Logitech offered to change that was to download their "options+" software. Don't remember for sure, but the final download size was MASSIVE. The software included AI tools, but had bare minimal settings options. It added support for additional gestures on the keyboard's track pad, but made the track pad jittery. Made the fn key switch, then uninstalled the software. The setting change didn't stick once the utility was gone.

Returned the keyboard. So excited for the day when my shoelaces and sunglasses require an Internet connection.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Build your own or buy from other mech keeb enthusiasts. Theres also probably some 60-80 dollar ones that use QMK, and using QMK is a pretty good sign the keyboard is open to you and you own it. Mice, idk I definitely have an enshittified mouse (proprietary app to setup). It's a gravistar. 130 for a magnesium mouse was too good to pass up.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

dont buy crappy products. Some companies are simply too malicious and should be avoided. Convince others to do the same and tell others and it might even have some impact.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Some of the older apps will still work if you can track them down. Most of the features will work with no Logitech software at all (and something like AHK can help). The custom drivers themselves will probably work without the app or at least without logging in. My old M560 still uses SetPoint in Windows, and it seems less oppressive than the newer LogiOptions or whatever.

Finally, join us! There's a whole world of fully programmable open-source-firmware custom keyboards, and mice are coming along, too, especially trackballs.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

I recently bought a nice MX series Logitech KB and a mouse that will pair with 3 devices, also Logitech. After seeing how terrible the software is, failing so hard as to temporarily disable the keyboard, repeatedly, I returned both.

My best advice is to either try to use them entirely without the software and all its customizations or sell your hardware, buying something better.

I'm sorry friend.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've fallen into this trap too a year ago or so. try if the Logitech Onboard Memory Manager is useful for any of your devices, it's a totally offline program. you can get it from the page below, but if it's been taken down check the archive.org, I think I have made an archive of the exe too

https://support.logi.com/hc/de/articles/6449584392215-Onboard-Memory-Manager

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I assume you're talking about the Unifying feature.

I've got no direct experience, but there are a few people who say that despite Firefox not being listed as supported, it works fine.

https://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=14961275

As for the spying, I can see how that could be a concern, but I don't think it's too likely.

For convenience, I'm guessing they're using a web interface to the settings in the same way that your router does. They've made a Chrome plugin, so that's probably the route they want you to take because they know it works.

Logitech is a global brand, an they'd get into a lot of trouble in a lot of countries if they were gathering keypress data etc.

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