Logitech has announced a range of PC gaming accessories designed to be more gender-inclusive – and specifically aimed at women – than any of its previous releases. Companies shouldn’t try to market consumer technology along gender lines in 2022 and should instead recognize the wide variety of consumer tastes and physical needs. But Logitech didn’t have it and did it anyway.
And the widgets in the Aurora collection really look cool, and notably, they’re new – not just new colorways of existing products. But aside from a few interesting features throughout the Aurora collection, it still feels like a case of the pink tax at work.
With its latest collection of gaming accessories (and the many expensive add-ons you can buy to customize them), Logitech wants to let you know that it’s now recognizing underrepresented groups… the same groups it largely neglected for years.
A wide variety of genders enjoy playing games and using all the necessary accessories, but many peripheral companies, including Logitech, have spent a lot of time designing products for a very specific type of gamer: one with larger-than-average hands and who feels comfortable using peripherals decorated in dark colors and RGB lighting.
Logitech slowly realized that not everything had to look like it came from the IT department of the office or wherever the “gaming aesthetic” came from. In the past few years, it has started offering accessories with more rounded corners and fun colors. The Aurora collection focuses more on gaming than the performance-oriented peripherals previously released. But in addition to the neat looks that rely on “gender inclusiveness” marketing, this collection has extremely affordable prices and surprisingly crappy battery life claims.
The G735 isn’t as vibrant by default, with just its RGB LEDs. Logitech
Heading the class in terms of price and impressive features is the $229.99 G735 wireless headset. It looks like a fancier version of the G Pro X model, dressed in white with RGB LEDs lining the perimeter of its bulging, rotating earcups. Like the much more affordable (around $50) G435 wireless headphones, the G735 features Braille on each side arm for left-right identification, which is a great accessibility feature that more companies should copy. Logitech claims the G735’s design is more versatile because it can accommodate smaller heads and things like small earrings and glasses. While that’s technically true, it’s weird that it apparently only makes its other headphones for people with giant heads and perfect eyesight.
The G735 features dual wireless, the ability to connect via 2.4 GHz and, say, your phone via Bluetooth. Logitech says the G735 can last about 16 hours with the LED lights on and 50 percent volume. Most wireless headphones these days advertise at least a full day of battery life, so that’s a disappointing number. Turning the lights off apparently increases it to about 56 hours of life on a single charge.
The G715 and G713 include a cloud-shaped wrist rest that otherwise costs $20 on its own. Logitech
The $199.99 wireless G715, along with the $169.99 wired G713, are keyless models that feature media keys, a volume wheel, and plenty of RGB LEDs. In addition to backlighting under each of their dual PBT keycaps, they have LEDs around the keyboard to give off an aura. Logitech says you’ll be able to choose between tactile, linear, or clicky mechanical GX switches at the time of purchase.
The G715 can connect wirelessly to the included Lightspeed 2.4GHz dongle or connect via Bluetooth. Logitech says you can expect about 25 hours of battery life on a single charge. Like headphones, this is on the lower end of the longevity spectrum given its high price.
The G705’s color can’t be changed (outside of its LEDs), but you can buy a $30 mouse pad to freshen things up. Logitech
Finally, the $99.99 G705 Wireless Mouse is the first mouse that Logitech says is “deliberately” designed for gamers with smaller hands. From one angle it looks like your average gaming mouse, but from the angle that reveals its two thumb buttons, it looks more like an ergonomic mouse with a contoured thumb rest. It has a gaming sensor (Logitech didn’t confirm the exact sensor before publication) with up to 8200 DPI sensitivity and can last up to 40 hours with the LEDs activated. That battery life isn’t great. If it sounds like I’m beating a dead horse, that’s because I am.
Logitech accessories are rarely available to buy, and the Aurora collection is no exception. It’ll cost you $499.97 (assuming you buy the wired G713 rather than the $30 more G715) to buy each of the three items, but why stop there? There are also add-ons for purchase!
- The G735 comes in white, but you can buy a microphone with a different colored bezel complete with two earpads (in pink or neon green) for $20.
- As for the keyboards, you can buy top plates for any keyboard for $20, and don’t forget a $40 set of caps.
- There are two accessories for purchase for the mouse, including a 15.75 x 18-inch mouse pad for $29.99 and a heart-shaped carrying case for $40 for both the G735 headset and the G705 mouse.
- If you’re all in on the full Logitech lineup and buy one of each add-on, you’ll pay at least $649.97.
Many tech companies, including Logitech, like to explain to the press how each of their new gadgets is a byproduct of lots of user research, testing and collaboration with target audiences, as if these are the ingredients that will ensure a great product that is angled in an authentic way. way. The team behind this collection seemed excited about the idea that its new products would make some people feel noticed, and honestly, that’s great. Design that is too focused on one very specific group creates products that feel repetitive and potentially off-putting. Logitech makes gaming mice for smaller hands, and headsets that can be worn with glasses are good things. Making games less isolated is a very good thing.
But battery life, which sounds like shit—because Logitech doesn’t want to solve the problem of smaller gadgets requiring less battery space—that’s a problem. The high price is a problem.
If your target audience can’t afford the product or use it for the same amount of time as something cheaper, then how inclusive or accessible is it really?
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