I not too long ago observed a brand new folder within the root degree of my Dwelling listing, named ai_overlay_tmp
:
In preparation for a future Mac Power Users episode, I’ve been enjoying with a bunch of AI software program, and I assumed one thing I downloaded generated this folder. I deleted it, simply to be pissed off when the folder reappeared by itself.
Including a brand new folder to the Dwelling listing is a Cardinal Sin of Mac Programming, so I used to be on a mission to root out the trigger. After some looking on-line, plainly this folder was generated by Logi Options+, the software program that got here with my mouse, the Logitech MX Master 3S.
Model 1.70 of Logi Choices+ launched final week with — I child you not — AI tools you can launch anywhere your cursor is located:
In at this time’s fast-paced, technology-enabled world, everyone seems to be studying to work in a different way with breakthroughs in Generative AI.
Mastering immediate constructing enhances your effectivity and creativity. That’s why we developed the Logi AI Immediate Builder, a time and click-saving answer. Rephrase, summarize, and create custom-made immediate recipes with ChatGPT sooner, with just about no disruption to your workflow.
I can not inform how little I need THE SOFTWARE FOR MY MOUSE to incorporate options tied to ChatGPT … not to mention a mouse with a built-in button to begin a immediate.
These options are spun up into their very own course of named “Logi Al Immediate Builder” as you’ll be able to see right here:
Greatest I can inform, there’s no solution to disable these options, and they’re mechanically loaded with the Logi Choices+ software program is operating. Some folks have prompt operating the “Offline” version of Options+ to keep away from these options.
Replace: It’s also possible to jump through these hoops to disable the AI options within the common variations of Choices+.
That appears to have executed it for me, however solely after I nuked all the things Logitech off my system, together with a 700 MB help folder buried in my Dwelling folder. (Thanks, Hazel!)
After all, you don’t want Logitech software program to make use of a Logitech mouse as soon as the preliminary settings are in place. For future tinkering, I’ve determined to take a look at SteerMouse and hold Logitech software program off of my system.
As you’ll be able to see, it may be used to regulate parameters on my MX Grasp 3S simply advantageous, with none AI-powered bloatware:
I do know AI is all the fad proper now and having a deal to convey ChatGPT into your software program is stylish, however together with a instrument like this in what’s principally a mouse driver is ridiculous. I’m not against utilizing AI in software program. I’m simply against when it exhibits up as an sudden, poorly-implemented characteristic in software program that doesn’t want it.
At the least Logitech’s Mac builders did such a nasty job with it, that it was simple to identify.