The way forward is to stop looking at those as "features of the keyboard and mouse that I purchased" and consider them as "unlockables" where you have to pay again by handing over your personal info. Then stop buying their stuff, because it's absurd to have to pay twice.

I prefer my keyboards and mice as dumb as possible. Preferably with cables, so I never have to worry about charging them.

I hate this so much.
My hp printer doesn't do shit, if I'm not online and logged in to my hp account. For what if not for collecting datathey have no business collecting.

No advice, just shared frustration.

Probably not the answer you're looking for, but switch to Linux and use Piper, a free & open source replacement for the Logitech software, that was created because they don't offer an official version for Linux

I use a Logitech mouse and do not have the problems you are talking about.

Buy open hardware with open source firmware.

I'm typing this from a Corne-ish Zen and you can see my firmware (ZMK) with my keymap at https://github.com/Utopiah/zmk-config-zen-2/blob/main/config/corneish_zen.keymap#L27

Nobody can touch this but me. No update can break it. Yet, it's more feature rich than most keyboards.

There are equivalents for most peripherals. It's not cheap, usually even MORE expensive than already pricey ones like Logitech (I have an MX Vertical, still) but IMHO it's worth it. It's good right now, pragmatically speaking, but also morally speaking.

I advise against swimming upstream, namely NOT buying hardware that have such enshitification practices because if they don't do it today, they might tomorrow when there is more pressure from shareholders. Also by buying alternatives you are economically supporting people whom you believe are providing better solutions for yourself and others.

PS: a gateway to such projects is https://crowdsupply.com which is a kind of KickStarter. I bought a dozen things there, all delivered and working.

It's unfortunate, really, but there's only 1 good answer: vote with your wallet.

Research before buying and be thorough. There are companies that don't do this yet and you could build your own peripherals, there's some nice DIY kits out there.

Just don't buy this crap. IMO the only way this'll change is if it hurts them where they feel it.

What you want is to go along with the business line of logitechs products and scrap the rest. There is an offline version of Logi Options+ "for air gapped machines" available. https://prosupport.logi.com/hc/en-hk/articles/10991109278871-Logitech-Options-Offline-Installer You may use it in a virtual machine aswell.

Disclaimer: I'm a keyboard snob. I can't think of a single good keyboard that even has software.

I actually use Logitech for all my mice and trackballs, but I also haven't installed Logitech's junky software in a long time. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing.

What’s the mouse and keyboard? So I can stay away

Just build your own keyboard. That's what I did (and it turned out fantastic) 🤷

Mice are much easier to deal with since there's 500 million of them to choose from. Just pick a generic, no-name brand that doesn't need drivers and you're all set.

Aside: Building a keyboard isn't rocket science. It's just a bit tedious (buy a kit). Unless you invent your own 3D printable keyboard switch and stabilizers from scratch then design an analog circuit board to work with them (also from scratch). Then it's a bit more like rocket science 🤣

Personally I would just avoid Logitech. I have noticed their stuff mysteriously breaks every 2-3 years and I have to replace it. It's like planned obsolescence with them.

It can be frustrating finding a good alternative brand. I'm always on the hunt for one. I've had a Das Keyboard for a long time now, and it's fantastic. My wireless mouse is a Tecknet. It's not great but it's pretty good. If there's a Best Buy close to you it may be worth your time to go there and test drive some peripherals.

Just don't use the software lol. If it requires software to function, return it.

"The company to which I've always given my money because I trusted them to make good products has started taking advantage of my trust and is producing shitty products. How do I avoid this?"

Stop buying their products the moment they stop making good ones.

I feel your frustration, but I think you already knew the answer. Any workaround or jailbreak or open source firmware update would just be avoiding the problem, not fixing it. Stop buying Logitech products.

I think the mice and keyboard requiring "Chrome" is actually due to WebHID. WebHID is only supported in Chromium browsers. Now here's the fun part, this thread has VIA mentioned a couple times and even though VIA/QMK/ZMK are FOSS, the usevia.app website requires a, you guessed it, WebHID capable browser.

That said, don't use Logitech keyboards. Sell it to a sucker on local and buy any of the above compatible keyboards instead. Drop CSTM, Luminkey, Keychron, Akko, QK NEO, CK Bakaneko, there's probably couple more that are affordable and quality. Just don't fall for GMMK, Ducky and other pseudo-gaming crap. Also visit !mechanicalkeyboards@lemmy.ml and ask questions.

Not sure about your trackball problem.

Woah, can you elaborate on this please? I haven't heard of this, and we use a lot of these devices at work. Which devices are affected? What's the software/chrome thing?

Simple answer is stop buying products that require OEM software to function or an app.

Keyboards with QMK/VIA support are open and configurable on nearly any OS and for nearly any OS.

Some mice are even QMK/VIA enabled.

Mice are harder so checking for openrgb support is a good idea as well as mice that can be configured and operated without software.

Independent of Logitech and other HID makers turning to shit, I've been eying some open source / DIY mice (like the Ploopy) for a while. Seems like a fun project that also helps me keep control of my own systems. And it'd give me something to tinker with.

This was posted on Lemmy a month or so back so i'm betting these are baby steps in that direction.

Find a mouse and keyboard you like and buy 5-10 of them. Put them in heavy duty ziploc bags with a few dessicant packets and store them in your freezer.

Jawbone headsets used to be like that. When they were still in business. They made good headsets, but introduced this feature as well to change certain settings.

Apparently that wasn't taught in business schools.

Use Keychron

You could get keychron keyboard or something similar that supports open source key mapping/lighting (or just leave it as is when you get it)

I've switched to the cheapest generic mice purchased online that have no extra features and function like a state of the art wireless mouse did 15 years ago.

I still don't have a smart TV, I just buy the largest flat screen monitors I can find.

any smart device outside of a smartphone is so much more frustration than it's worth.

Keyboard wise? At this point, prices have dropped enough that there is no real reason to go to one of the major manufacturers for anything that isn't disposable. And basically "all" of the smaller batch mechanical keyboards are dependent on QMK or VIA to some degree which means you can customize them on any machine that can run chrome.

For the logitech price point/build quality? Unless you know why you don't want one, you can't go wrong with a Keychron (https://www.keychron.com/). The price and build quality isn't "the best" but it is very much on par with the logitechs and razers of the world and they are perfect for someone who just wants "a keyboard that works" or someone who wants to learn what they ACTUALLY want out of a keyboard.

Mouse wise? There are an increasing number of "third parties" but... they basically all suck unless you are going to go crazy and mod them. And while I think the firmware matters less in these cases, there are an increasing number of qmk/via mice but... they mostly feel "cheap" or like they are just proving the viability. I have a friend with a ploopy but even he doesn't really recommend it. So... you are still more or less suck with logitech and razer and the like for that. But hopefully as those companies lock their hardware down more it will lead to something in between "here is a cheap no name ergonomic mouse" and "here is a five hundred dollar mouse".

When did you buy the M570? I bought mine 6 years ago and it doesn't require software, if yours is recent then that's a new thing