Logitech PowerPlay
{{Short description|Wireless charging mousepad produced by Logitech}}
{{Other uses|Power Play (disambiguation){{!}}Power Play}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox VG system
| title = Logitech PowerPlay
| image = high-resolution-powerplayfob.png
| logo =
| manufacturer = Logitech
| type = Wireless charging mousepad
| connectivity = USB
| dimensions = Pad: {{convert|27.5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} by {{convert|32|cm|in|1|abbr=on}}{{cite news |url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/125801/logitech-maakt-draadloos-laden-muis-tijdens-gebruik-mogelijk-met-powerplay-mat.html |title=Logitech maakt draadloos laden muis tijdens gebruik mogelijk met Powerplay-mat |date=June 12, 2017 |first=Sander |last=van Voorst |work=Tweakers}}
}}
Logitech PowerPlay is a mousepad underlay which can charge compatible mice both at rest and while they are in use. It connects to the computer via USB and, on the pad side, features a control module which a compatible mouse can connect to via the proprietary Lightspeed protocol. Mice need to support inserting Logitech's Powercore module to capture the electromagnetic energy.{{cite web |url=http://blog.logitech.com/2017/06/11/reinventing-wireless-pc-gaming-4-years-making/ |title=Reinventing Wireless PC Gaming, 4 Years in the Making |date=June 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719031404/http://blog.logitech.com/2017/06/11/reinventing-wireless-pc-gaming-4-years-making/ |archive-date=July 19, 2017 }} The control module has a lit-up logo whose colors can be changed using software and a light to indicate whether the mouse is connected.
History
According to Logitech, there were neither wireless chargers that were thin enough to fit into the mousepad nor chargers that could cover the necessary surface area when development started on PowerPlay.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrA6-4n-cQ |title=Logitech G: The Technology of PowerPlay |date=December 8, 2017 |publisher=Logitech G |via=YouTube}} The 2.5 W provided by a USB port was found not to be sufficient to meet the power demand of the mouse when the field needs to be projected across the entire area of the mousepad, necessitating changes to the mouse and its firmware to reduce its consumption. The system keeps the battery between 85 and 95 percent charged to reduce wear on the battery.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn5vTm1_M3k |title=Logitech Powerplay Review! An Amazing But Expensive Accessory |minutes=4 |date=February 10, 2020 |publisher=1 Up Nerdcore |via=YouTube}}
The base consists of five layers which are bonded together using an adhesive-based lamination process, coming to a height of 2mm. The bottom layer provides an anti-slip texture, a middle layer is made of polycarbonate for rigidity. On top of the base, one can use a regular mousepad or place one of the two tops (cloth or hard) that come with the product.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuKK4sy7ueY |title=Logitech PowerPlay Wireless Charging Pad Review |date=August 7, 2017 |publisher=Rocket Jump Ninja |via=YouTube}}
The first prototype was built four years before the final product was released in 2017. At the launch in 2017, two mice were compatible: the G903 and the G703. At 108 and 113 grams, these were considered heavy by some players.
In August 2018, a model simply called Pro Wireless was released with compatibility for PowerPlay, weighing {{convert|80|g|oz|1}}.{{cite news |url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/142339/logitech-brengt-pro-wireless-muis-voor-gamers-uit-voor-149-euro.html |title=Logitech brengt Pro Wireless-muis voor gamers uit voor 149 euro |first=Joris |last=Jansen |work=Tweakers |date=August 21, 2018 }}
In July 2024, Logitech announced the G309 mouse{{cite news |url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/224132/logitech-komt-met-gamingmuis-die-met-aa-batterij-of-elektromagnetische-mat-werkt.html |title=Logitech komt met gamingmuis die met AA-batterij of elektromagnetische mat werkt |first=Jay |last=Stout |work=Tweakers |date=July 9, 2024 }} with a reduced weight of {{convert|68|g|oz|1}} when using the Powercore module. This brings the total number of compatible mice up to 4. The pad cannot charge other wirelessly charging devices such as smartphones.
PowerPlay 2
In January 2025, a user on Reddit, discovered that Logitech filed an FCC application{{Cite web |title=FCC ID JNZPR0006 |url=https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/JNZPR0006 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=fcc.report}} for a new product labeled as Charging Pad. The user discovered that a Label{{Cite web |title=JNZPR0006 Label JNZPR0006 ID Label/Location Info |url=https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/JNZPR0006/7715572 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=fcc.report}} for the device had been published, which contained the name Powerplay 2.{{Cite web |last=GunniBusch |date=January 30, 2025 |title=Found out Powerplay 2 is coming! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/LogitechG/comments/1idbp63/found_out_powerplay_2_is_coming/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button&rdt=37069 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=r/LogitechG}}
The FCC also has a temporary confidentiality agreement for some information, including internal and external photos, of that product, which does not expire until April 3, 2025. This would, according tho the Reddit post, suggest that a release of the 2nd version of PowerPlay will happen before or on said date.
On February 25, 2025, Logitech announced the second version of Powerplay, Powerplay 2. It features a thinner design, and has less RGB. Logitech will start shipping in March 2025.{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Powerplay 2: Logitech made its magic mousepad cheaper instead of better |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/618616/logitech-powerplay-2-wireless-mousepad-charger-price-release-date |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}
See also
- {{Annotated link|Logitech}}
- {{Annotated link|Gaming mice}}
- {{Annotated link|Mousepad}}
- {{Annotated link|List of Logitech products}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/innovation/powerplay.html PowerPlay on Logitech's website]
{{Logitech}}