6 ms·

I hate to break it to you, but Logitech now runs always-on ‘Cloud Settings’ sync and telemetry software called Logi Options. It comes with a way to use a mouse

I hate to break it to you, but Logitech now runs always-on ‘Cloud Settings’ sync and telemetry software called Logi Options. It comes with a way to use a mouse across devices seamlessly (Flow) which requires low-level networking permissions and a daemon on all participating devices. It’s not required that you have an account or even use the software, but of course they actively push all of the above and require it to use special device features. Razer, Steelseries, and the rest do the same, and I think Razer’s account is mandatory. I don’t like it one bit. Thankfully most of that crap doesn’t work on Linux.

Ph0X 5y ago
> It’s not required that you have an account or even use the software That's the key point. The fact that some people weren't even able to use their Oculus device when FB went down for hours is insane. Imagine not being able to use your mouse or keyboard because Logitech went down. There's a very big difference between an optional cloud system that brings convenience (settings sync) vs a required cloud system that the device cannot be used without. From my understanding, the comment about was specifically trying to write regulation against the latter.
ziml77 5y ago
Razer is even worse than a mandatory account. When you connect a Razer device (including changing the port it's plugged into), Windows will try to execute the Razer software installer. It's really annoying.
- ladberg 5y ago
  To make it worse, the installer that's automatically downloaded and run has admin permissions and could be exploited to gain admin access on any Windows computer: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28273283 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28273283
- DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
  You can turn off that in Windows Settings
  - snvzz 5y ago
    Could you elaborate on how?
    - DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
      https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/automatically-get-recommended-drivers-and-updates-for-your-hardware-0549a8d9-4842-8acb-75fa-a6faadb62507 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/automatically-ge...
      - snvzz 5y ago
        Nothing about disabling automated driver downloads there.
mmis1000 5y ago
It's actually totally a scam. the setting file lies plainly in your c:/users/<username>/appdata/roaming/logishrd/logiOptions And they are just plain xml file that are not even being encrypted.
mastax 5y ago
Logitech recently(?) released software plainly called "Onboard Memory Manager." In their own words: OnBoard Memory Manager (OMM) is a utility for pro gamers to quickly configure the on-board memory profiles of compatible Logitech G mice by adjusting DPI, report rate, assignments, and by enabling the pairing/unpairing of devices. In an effort to meet the critical requirements for tournament use, OMM does not install itself, does not leave files on your drive(s), and does not access the internet. While OMM is used for on-board memory settings, additional device settings and customization are available through G HUB. The current version is a little buggy with configuring the different DPI modes on my mouse (which I was disabling anyway), but I'm glad it exists. Thanks, pro gaming tournaments!
- DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
  > pro gamers At this point, that's a keyword that indicates not to buy a product.
  - reilly3000 5y ago
    Honestly the hardware-for-gamers paradigm has done a lot for making better mice, keyboards, chairs, and headsets that stand up to all-day abuse. I'll cede that the RGB thing is wildly out of control (WHO NEEDS RBG RAM STICKS?!?) but overall I think it gives developers far better of-the-shelf choices than one would have 10 years ago.
    - DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
      > better mice, keyboards, chairs, and headsets Mice and keyboards that don't operate without online-registration-required accounts? Chairs and keyboards that look cool for streamers but are utterly unergonomic? And headsets with cat ears on them... No thanks.
      - smolder 5y ago
        Only Razer is pulling the mandatory online signup thing. My keyboard (a "durgod" mechanical) and mouse (Zowie brand) are geared towards gamers, high quality, and need 0 software config - there's a lone DPI adjustment button on the underside of the mouse. "Gaming" monitors and graphics cards are also quite nice. When it comes to RGB crap and gamer audio gear or gamer chairs, yeah, it's all pure-gimmick rubbish.
drdaeman 5y ago
Razer's account is not absolutely mandatory, there is a button for "guest mode" (note the phrasing, ha!), but it's annoying to use.
smolder 5y ago
Yes, Razer's software makes login mandatory, which is why I recommend against buying them at every opportunity, and will never buy anything else from them. It's not acceptable to me to gatekeep local features with spyware.

Ph0X 5y ago

> It’s not required that you have an account or even use the software That's the key point. The fact that some people weren't even able to use their Oculus device when FB went down for hours is insane. Imagine not being able to use your mouse or keyboard because Logitech went down. There's a very big difference between an optional cloud system that brings convenience (settings sync) vs a required cloud system that the device cannot be used without. From my understanding, the comment about was specifically trying to write regulation against the latter.

ziml77 5y ago

Razer is even worse than a mandatory account. When you connect a Razer device (including changing the port it's plugged into), Windows will try to execute the Razer software installer. It's really annoying.

ladberg 5y ago
To make it worse, the installer that's automatically downloaded and run has admin permissions and could be exploited to gain admin access on any Windows computer: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28273283 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28273283
DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
You can turn off that in Windows Settings
- snvzz 5y ago
  Could you elaborate on how?
  - DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/automatically-get-recommended-drivers-and-updates-for-your-hardware-0549a8d9-4842-8acb-75fa-a6faadb62507 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/automatically-ge...
    - snvzz 5y ago
      Nothing about disabling automated driver downloads there.

mmis1000 5y ago

It's actually totally a scam. the setting file lies plainly in your c:/users/<username>/appdata/roaming/logishrd/logiOptions And they are just plain xml file that are not even being encrypted.

mastax 5y ago

Logitech recently(?) released software plainly called "Onboard Memory Manager." In their own words: OnBoard Memory Manager (OMM) is a utility for pro gamers to quickly configure the on-board memory profiles of compatible Logitech G mice by adjusting DPI, report rate, assignments, and by enabling the pairing/unpairing of devices. In an effort to meet the critical requirements for tournament use, OMM does not install itself, does not leave files on your drive(s), and does not access the internet. While OMM is used for on-board memory settings, additional device settings and customization are available through G HUB. The current version is a little buggy with configuring the different DPI modes on my mouse (which I was disabling anyway), but I'm glad it exists. Thanks, pro gaming tournaments!

DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
> pro gamers At this point, that's a keyword that indicates not to buy a product.
- reilly3000 5y ago
  Honestly the hardware-for-gamers paradigm has done a lot for making better mice, keyboards, chairs, and headsets that stand up to all-day abuse. I'll cede that the RGB thing is wildly out of control (WHO NEEDS RBG RAM STICKS?!?) but overall I think it gives developers far better of-the-shelf choices than one would have 10 years ago.
  - DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
    > better mice, keyboards, chairs, and headsets Mice and keyboards that don't operate without online-registration-required accounts? Chairs and keyboards that look cool for streamers but are utterly unergonomic? And headsets with cat ears on them... No thanks.
    - smolder 5y ago
      Only Razer is pulling the mandatory online signup thing. My keyboard (a "durgod" mechanical) and mouse (Zowie brand) are geared towards gamers, high quality, and need 0 software config - there's a lone DPI adjustment button on the underside of the mouse. "Gaming" monitors and graphics cards are also quite nice. When it comes to RGB crap and gamer audio gear or gamer chairs, yeah, it's all pure-gimmick rubbish.

drdaeman 5y ago

Razer's account is not absolutely mandatory, there is a button for "guest mode" (note the phrasing, ha!), but it's annoying to use.

smolder 5y ago

Yes, Razer's software makes login mandatory, which is why I recommend against buying them at every opportunity, and will never buy anything else from them. It's not acceptable to me to gatekeep local features with spyware.