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)

  • scarabic@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    At this point the suggestions are getting pretty out there. So far I’ve heard in this thread that I should switch to Linux, download this and that code from GitHub, build my own keyboard and design a circuit board for it.

    I think I’ll just take the adware.

    • Riskable@programming.devEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      Building your own keyboard is supposed to be fun. You do some research to figure out what you want. Maybe order some sample switches to try out, pick out a keycap set you like, and eventually settle on a kit.

      When you order your kit it’ll include a case, a top plate, and a circuit board. If you get one with hot swap sockets you will not have to solder anything. You can literally just press the switches in.

      Then when you’re done you screw everything together, put your keycaps on, and you have a working keyboard. Sometimes you have to flash the firmware as a final step but that’s not rocket science. You do not have to know how to program.