Logitech purchased gaming headset maker Astro for $85 million in 2017 and bought microphone maker Blue Microphones for $177 million a yr later. Now, it is merging each into its Logitech G model for players and streamers — however whereas Astro will largely proceed, the Blue model is being phased out.
“Will the Blue Microphones model disappear?” learn a query in Logitech brand merger FAQ. “We are going to preserve the Yeti model and transfer it below Logitech G. The title Blue can be used to explain our applied sciences,” the response begins.
Within the meantime, the Astro model “will proceed to dwell on as a line of premium console audio merchandise below the Logitech G model,” the corporate says, including that Logitech really plans to launch a brand new Astro product within the close to future.
“We’re very enthusiastic about Astro as a product line below Logitech G,” provides Logitech later.
“The title blue can be used to explain our applied sciences”
You’ll be able to already see the transition happening on Logitech’s web site, which nonetheless sells Yeti and even Snowball microphones that solely come “with Blue VO!CE”, however not hyperlinks to a distinctly Blue web site or product web page. (The Wayback Machine reveals me that this is not a model new change—Logitech has been including “Yeti” microphones with Blue VO!CE” to its web site for months.) Nevertheless, Astrogaming.com nonetheless exists.
HP sells headsets below HyperX, although it purchased that firm simply two years in the past. (HP as soon as purchased a boutique PC firm referred to as Voodoo, solely to briefly promote methods “with Voodoo DNA” earlier than ditching players for some time.) THX hasn’t gone away because it was acquired by Razer – disappeared with Nextbit after promising to stay an impartial firm, however Nextbit solely had one cellphone.
Logitech itself did not kill Final Ears, for that matter, the Bluetooth headphone and speaker model it purchased for $34 million in 2008. It is nonetheless UE Increase, not Logitech Increase. Logitech’s flight stick model, Saitek, nonetheless has its personal model, although Logitech sells a Logitech G X56 HOTAS on its web site. So does Jaybird, which he purchased in 2016. Perhaps it is only a matter of time.
It is unclear why Logitech is downplaying its influential Astro and Blue manufacturers, which used to outline the high-end gaming headset and streamer microphone classes respectively, however I’m wondering if Logitech merely determined it had to decide on between Blue and Yeti – and Yeti was the title that resonated.
Nevertheless, Logitech is just pitching it as a synergy play: you can management your entire beforehand Blue, Astro, and Logitech Creator merchandise within the Logitech G software program suite when it is all set. Me, I am doing my greatest to maneuver away from peripheral producers’ software program: I can not wait till Home windows lets me management the RGB lighting of my Logitech mouse later this yr.
