# Logitech iFeel Mouse

> force feedback optical mouse from 2000

**Wikidata**: [Q135904281](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135904281)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-ifeel-mouse

## Summary
The Logitech iFeel Mouse is a force feedback optical mouse released in 2000 that provides tactile sensations through a built-in vibrator. It was manufactured by Logitech, a Swiss global provider of computer peripherals founded in 1981. The mouse features USB connectivity and includes standard components like a scroll wheel and three push-buttons.

## Key Facts
- Released in September 2000 as a force feedback optical mouse model
- Manufactured by Logitech, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland with additional offices in Newark, California
- Features USB 2.0 Standard-A plug connectivity with device ID 046d:c030
- Contains a built-in vibrator for force feedback functionality
- Includes 3 push-buttons and a scroll wheel as standard components
- Classified as a computer mouse model and optical mouse subclass
- Has a sitelink count of 1 and is categorized under "Logitech iFeel" on Wikimedia Commons
- Described by source as "force feedback optical mouse from 2000"

### Q: What makes the Logitech iFeel Mouse different from regular mice?
A: The Logitech iFeel Mouse includes force feedback technology through a built-in vibrator, providing tactile sensations that regular optical mice don't offer. This allows users to feel vibrations corresponding to on-screen activities.

### Q: When was the Logitech iFeel Mouse released?
A: The Logitech iFeel Mouse was released in September 2000, as indicated by its publication date and described as a 2000 product.

### Q: What type of connectivity does the Logitech iFeel Mouse use?
A: The Logitech iFeel Mouse uses USB 2.0 Standard-A plug connectivity, with the specific USB device ID of 046d:c030.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech iFeel Mouse represents an important milestone in computer peripheral evolution by introducing force feedback technology to mainstream computer mice. At a time when force feedback was primarily associated with gaming controllers and joysticks, Logitech's innovation brought tactile feedback to everyday computing tasks. This technology enhanced user interaction by providing physical sensations that corresponded to on-screen activities, potentially improving user experience in applications ranging from gaming to professional software. The mouse demonstrated Logitech's commitment to pushing the boundaries of input device technology and exploring new ways to make human-computer interaction more immersive and intuitive. While force feedback mice didn't become mainstream, the iFeel Mouse paved the way for future innovations in haptic technology and showed how traditional input devices could be enhanced with new sensory capabilities.

## Notable For
- One of the first mainstream computer mice to incorporate force feedback technology
- Introduced tactile feedback capabilities to standard office and home computing environments
- Demonstrated Logitech's innovation in expanding beyond traditional mouse functionality
- Combined optical tracking technology with haptic feedback in a single device
- Represented an early attempt to make computer interactions more physically engaging

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Logitech iFeel Mouse features optical tracking technology for precise cursor movement, combined with a built-in vibrator mechanism that provides force feedback sensations. The device connects via USB 2.0 Standard-A plug, using the specific device identifier 046d:c030 for proper recognition by operating systems. The mouse includes standard navigation components: a scroll wheel for document navigation and three push-buttons for primary mouse functions.

### Force Feedback Technology
The defining feature of the iFeel Mouse is its force feedback capability, achieved through an internal vibrator. This technology allows the mouse to provide tactile responses to user actions, creating vibrations that correspond to on-screen events. While the specific implementation details aren't provided in the source material, force feedback technology typically works by translating digital signals into physical vibrations, allowing users to "feel" their interactions with software applications.

### Design and Components
As an optical mouse, the iFeel Mouse uses light-based tracking rather than mechanical components, providing reliable performance on various surfaces. The device follows standard mouse ergonomics while incorporating the additional hardware required for force feedback functionality. The inclusion of three push-buttons follows conventional mouse design patterns, while the scroll wheel adds vertical navigation capabilities standard in late 1990s and early 2000s mouse designs.

### Market Position and Classification
The Logitech iFeel Mouse is classified as both a computer mouse model and an optical mouse subclass, positioning it within Logitech's broader product ecosystem. Released in 2000, it represents Logitech's experimentation with enhancing traditional input devices through sensory feedback technology. The mouse's relatively low sitelink count (1) suggests it may not have achieved widespread commercial success compared to Logitech's more conventional mouse offerings, but it remains notable as an innovative attempt to expand mouse functionality beyond simple pointing and clicking.

## References

1. [Logitech gets touchy-feely with new mouse. 2000](https://www.cnet.com/culture/logitech-gets-touchy-feely-with-new-mouse/)