If you happen to noticed the leaks, you in all probability already know that haptics are the massive, new factor in Logitech’s $119.99 MX Grasp 4 wi-fi mouse, coming in October. No, it’s not including rumble results to YouTube movies or to your favourite web sites (on second thought, I’d prefer to attempt that). And, it’s completely different from Logitech’s haptics-based click on system in its Professional X2 Superstrike gaming mouse coming in 2026.
The Haptic Sense Panel embedded in its grippy thumb relaxation vibrates when pressed, opening Logitech’s Motion Ring overlay. That overlay may be stuffed with no matter app- and system-level shortcuts you need. You may even nest a number of Motion Rings inside one, in order for you, letting you drill all the way down to extraordinarily particular instructions. The haptics is a {hardware} function that, unsurprisingly, requires you to interact fairly closely with the corporate’s software program, Logi Choices Plus.
The haptics punctuate each engagement you make with Logitech’s options, from gestures and Motion Rings to its Good Actions (pre-made or customized macros to automate sure duties). My favourite use case for the haptics was one which’s switched off by default; you possibly can allow a setting that gives a small jolt of haptic suggestions whenever you transfer between screens, decreasing the quantity of “the place on earth is my cursor?” moments every day.
Picture: Logitech by way of The Verge
Earlier than digging into the app integration, it’s value sharing what’s new in regards to the MX Grasp 4 itself. It has frosted, semi-transparent major buttons that add in a touch of magnificence. Some folks is likely to be completely happy to listen to that this mannequin features a USB-C Bolt transmitter, which the opposite suitable Logitech merchandise (together with the brand new Signature Slim Photo voltaic Plus keyboard) can hook up with as effectively.
By way of battery life, Logitech claims it may last as long as 70 days on a full cost (though, setting haptics to “excessive” depth within the app will yield a shorter lifespan per cost).
Lastly, its gesture button has moved from the thumb grip, the place it was within the MX Grasp 3S from 2022, to a devoted button subsequent to the opposite two thumb buttons, just under the horizontal scroll wheel. When held, you then transfer the mouse in a cardinal course to execute a desired motion.
Again to the app, Logitech payments the Motion Ring as a time-saving function, a substitute for keyboard shortcuts and shifting your cursor throughout the display to click on one thing. You don’t need to be an influence person to get so much out of this performance. As an example, I programmed an Motion Ring with a button that auto-launches The Verge, and one which opens WordPress, the place we produce articles. There are plugins inside Logitech’s app for a lot of third-party apps. Affinity Picture has a model of the Motion Ring that seems once I press the Haptic Sense Panel whereas utilizing the app. It reveals some instructions that I’m prone to make the most of, like exhibiting line guides to correctly align objects, or easier stuff like copying and pasting belongings.
To be clear, Motion Rings aren’t new. The haptic sensations derived from navigating them, then again, are. Clicking the haptics button makes it jolt, as does shifting the cursor between the Motion Ring’s bubbles. It’s a small, however pleasant contact that I recognize — that’s, once I use Motion Rings, which I nonetheless haven’t skilled my mind to depend on once I’m in a stream state at work. I’m sorry to my employer, Vox Media, for all the time I wasted at work once I may have used Motion Rings to boost my productiveness!
With haptics being the primary new {hardware} function within the MX Grasp 4, I don’t essentially suppose it’s value upgrading to if in case you have the MX Grasp 3S, because it’s related in some ways. However it’s definitely value getting as a substitute of the 3S in case you’re searching for a mouse, for the reason that 4 is launching on the similar $119.99 worth that its predecessor sells for. And, as for many who haven’t used an MX Grasp-series mouse earlier than, it’s arduous to overstate the worth of an ergonomically-friendly mouse with a stellar scroll wheel, quiet clicks, and strong battery life. Haptics are only a good add-on.