Apple unveils new multi-touch $69 Bluetooth Magic Mouse

[AppleInsider]

Apple on Tuesday released what the company heralded as the first-ever multi-touch mouse, a new product called the Magic Mouse, the successor to the Mighty Mouse.

Apple said that the new multi-touch hardware allows customers to navigate using intuitive finger gestures instead of mechanical buttons, scroll wheels or scroll balls. The entire top surface of the Magic Mouse is a multi-touch surface that can track independent fingers.

The new hardware comes with the new iMac and is priced for standalone purchase at $69.

"Apple is the Multi-Touch leader, pioneering the use of this innovative technology in iPhone, iPod touch and Mac notebook trackpads," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Apple's Multi-Touch technology allows us to offer an easy to use mouse in a simple and elegant design."

The Magic Mouse is said to feature a seamless touch-sensitive enclosure that allows it to be a single or multi-button mouse with advanced gesture support. Using intuitive gestures, users can easily scroll through long documents, pan across large images or swipe to move forward or backward through a collection of web pages or photos. Magic Mouse works for left or right handed users and multi-button or gesture commands can be easily configured from within System Preferences.

The Magic Mouse laser tracking engine provides a smooth, consistent experience across more surfaces than a traditional optical tracking system. Magic Mouse uses Bluetooth wireless capabilities to create a clean, cable-free desk top and its secure wireless connection works from up to 10 meters away. To extend battery performance, Magic Mouse includes an advanced power management system that works with Mac OS X to automatically switch to low power modes during periods of inactivity. The wireless Magic Mouse is powered by two AA batteries which are included.



Earlier this month, AppleInsider revealed that Apple was planning a makeover of its wireless mouse with multi-touch technology. It, along with a new wireless keyboard, were revealed in a subsequent filing with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

The hardware previously carried the Mighty Mouse moniker, but that trademark was handed to the company Man & Machine earlier this month. Years ago, the small accessory maker sued both Apple and CBS for use of the name Mighty Mouse, which the peripheral company has used for its own dishwasher-safe computer mouse.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[kiwee]

Awesome..

[ghostface147]

Hell yeah. My local Apple store doesn't have it in stock and they also weren't aware of the magic mouse. She tried to argue with me in regards to it being the mighty mouse. Regardless, I'd still wish they release a wireless keyboard with a number pad. Oh well. I will certainly have this mouse.

[OhReallyNow]

i'm gonna be the first one to this mouse.. i've been waiting on this forever.

[noexpectations]

I know that Steve Jobs is the largest shareholder at Disney, but did anyone else think of Disney/Magic Kingdom/Mickey Mouse when they read "Magic Mouse"?

I hope they cleared it with Disney.

[rbonner]

Will purchase here as well, it looks good for my desktop setup.

[Takeo]

Not too bad. I'm VERY happy that the mouse has sides again. The mono-button shell that wrapped right down to the bottom of the mighty mouse (aside from the two tiny side pads) was a horrible design. With this mouse, it looks like it might be possible again to click, hold and lift (to reposition). Could come in handy with a 27" iMac!!! That's a lot of real estate. The shape looks better too but it is still FAR too thin. Sexy looking... yes. Ergonomic. Nope. Still... it looks like a big improvement over the mighty mouse. And of course the multi-touch feature is awesome. I love using the scroll and swipe gestures on my MacBook Pro. I would still have to try one before buying. But I'm skeptically optimistic that maybe Apple has actually made a good mouse for the first time in the last decade. I was going to lament the lack of a back button as my only other issue... but of course... multi-touch makes such a side button unnecessary!! Very cool.

[BenRoethig]

I was hoping for a bit more multi-touch functionality, but it looks to be worlds beyond the mighty mouse.

[Takeo]

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

I was hoping for a bit more multi-touch functionality, but it looks to be worlds beyond the mighty mouse.

Two finger zoom (for text on a website for instance) might be nice. Pretty cool though... combining multi-touch with a mouse. I love multi-touch on my MacBook Pro trackpad... but trackpads suck for mousing around... and are useless for something like Photoshop work. Could be the best of both worlds. Very interested to try it. I just wish it wasn't so thin. I'm skeptical as to how it will feel in the hand.

[Kishan]

Looks much improved over the Mighty Mouse, but still not as fully featured as other mice. Hopefully they will add more functionality with software updates. My Logitech revolution has buttons on it that I can use to bring up Dashboard and Expose. Would like to see such features in this mouse before ditching the revolution.

[SpinDrift]

Woohoo! I'll be ordering 3 or 4 of these then.

I haven't been able to scroll up for about 2 months with my MightyMouse roller ball!

[stuffe]

My mighty mouse is still using it's original batteries, and I bought it with my Macbook that came with Tiger pre-installed...! Yep, never liked it...

I'm looking forward to this one. I use the trackpad a LOT, i.e. always. I don't use an external mouse at all, apart from the odd 10 minute session with the Mighty. I quite like the non-feedback you get when tapping on the pad, so that aspect wouldn't bother me on the new mouse. I can see one problem though, and that's from moving to a proper right click action on a multi touch surface, when I am used to a double finger tap instead - hope that's a configurable option. Also, there appears to be no wired version. Not that I care for one, but how are they going to have them on the shop floor for demo?

[IsmOfAm]

[QUOTE= multi-touch hardware allows customers to navigate using intuitive finger gestures[/QUOTE]

I like the concept but I hope they have an option to use a pinch-to-zoom instead of the need for <ctrl> key-press which, IMHO, has never been very intuitive and it requires two hands to perform - something that should be performed with just two fingers.
Just saying.

[BertP]

Originally Posted by SpinDrift

Woohoo! I'll be ordering 3 or 4 of these then.

I haven't been able to scroll up for about 2 months with my MightyMouse roller ball!

Same situation here. The video on Apple.com says that the multi-touch is also configurable for left-handers, and that you can try it out at the Apple store. What I was hoping for apparently happened.

[bigpics]

User replaceable batteries! In a 2009 Apple product. Imagine!

[BertP]

Originally Posted by bigpics

User replaceable batteries! In a 2009 Apple product. Imagine!

Not only that, you can get rechargeable batteries. What I do is keep a package of 4 rechargeable batteries in the plastic enclosure they came in by my iMac and recycle through the 4 batteries for both the wireless mouse and keyboard. I recharge the spent batteries right after the change-over and put them back into the plastic enclosue ready-to-go. Saves time and money.

Edit: actually 5 ( 2 mouse, 3 keyboard) plus 4 in plastic enclosure.

[Galley]

Dumb question: is there a gesture to go "back" in Safari?

[Mac Voyer]

Just ordered mine. Now more roller ball issues

[Mac Voyer]

Originally Posted by Galley

Dumb question: is there a gesture to go "back" in Safari?

two finger flick left, right, flicks through webpages.

[AppleZilla]

They gave us page turning, but no click and hold.

sigh...

[ediedi]

In the presentation video it seemed that in order to achieve a single (simple) click, the guy lifts his finger off the mouse first.
If that proves to be the case, then it's a major no-no.
Anyone knows how this actually works?

Otherwise, the mouse is pretty intriguing (in a good way).

[rhowarth]

Aargh, but you still have to move the mouse! That's no good, it's not what I want at all. Multitouch, sure. Bluetooth, definitely. But not another stupid mouse! What's needed is a multitouch Bluetooth trackpad!

I have a Mac Mini connected to my main TV in the lounge and use it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. If you've ever tried using a mouse on your kneee or the armrest of a sofa you'll know that ergonomically, that just sucks!

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by SpinDrift

Woohoo! I'll be ordering 3 or 4 of these then.

So you're going to stock up for the virtually inevitable moment when the mouse stops working correctly?

After the horror that the Mighty Mouse was, I will never buy another Apple mouse. This thing looks in no way ergonomic, just like the MM. And I much prefer to have 2 physical buttons than having to continue dealing with having to lift my fingers off the mouse to right-click (actually I prefer more buttons but with Apple 2 would be a good start). Wish Apple would realize it's almost 2010 and people have long since dealt with the "complexity" of a two button mouse. I mean if they can't deal with two buttons, they're even more screwed trying to wrap their brains around multi-touch

[spliff monkey]

Originally Posted by AppleZilla

They gave us page turning, but no click and hold.

sigh...

If you couldn't click and hold it wouldn't work as a mouse. I'm sure you can click and hold.

Originally Posted by rhowarth

Aargh, but you still have to move the mouse! That's no good, it's not what I want at all. Multitouch, sure. Bluetooth, definitely. But not another stupid mouse! What's needed is a multitouch Bluetooth trackpad!

I have a Mac Mini connected to my main TV in the lounge and use it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. If you've ever tried using a mouse on your kneee or the armrest of a sofa you'll know that ergonomically, that just sucks!

The iphone already works like a trackpad (with software) quite well, so I think that's one of the functions of the coming tablet.

[Mac Voyer]

Originally Posted by ediedi

In the presentation video it seemed that in order to achieve a single (simple) click, the guy lifts his finger off the mouse first.
If that proves to be the case, then it's a major no-no.
Anyone knows how this actually works?

Otherwise, the mouse is pretty intriguing (in a good way).

With the Mighty Mouse, you do not have to lift any fingers to do a simple left click. I suspect that will not change with the new mouse. You only have to lift fingers for a right click. The video suggests that there is software that determines what you are trying to do. I suspect it could sense which side was pressed regardless of the number of fingers on the mouse. It is conceivable that no fingers will need to be lifted. Either way, I have gotten quite used to the mighty mouse so it will not be a problem for me.

[tyrnight]

Theres A flick For that!

Yes.. page back gesture is there.. def check out the video on Apples website

[jasenj1]

I'm going to reserve judgement until actual user reports start coming in. Hopefully Apple spent some time user-testing the new mouse, but they also released the "Mighty" Mouse. How well does it handle the user resting their fingers on the body of the mouse? I'm going to guess you have to pick up all your fingers to perform a click? Or is there a sensitivity setting? How much strain is produced swiping & wiggling your fingers around on the touch surface?

I'm still a fan of my big, clunky, old Kensington Turbo Mouse trackball. Wacom's Pen & Touch is very tempting to check out, too; if I had $100 to throw away on it.

- Jasen.

[SpamSandwich]

This is going to be amazing for App Developers!

I guarantee you'll be able to use this for the simulator. Incredible...

[AppleGreen]

Looks weird. I suppose I will get used to it.

[naconazov]

can somebody explain how to start exposé with this new mouse?

[Mac Voyer]

Originally Posted by naconazov

can somebody explain how to start exposé with this new mouse?

I am hoping they implement three and four finger gestures like they have on the MBP. For the most part, I use hotcorners.

[Leonard]

Originally Posted by ghostface147

Hell yeah. My local Apple store doesn't have it in stock and they also weren't aware of the magic mouse. She tried to argue with me in regards to it being the mighty mouse.

Why do people expect the retail stores to know everything the second something new comes out? It's NEW! They don't have it yet! See them next week. They're job doesn't stipulate that they have to check the web every 10 minutes, like you, for new products.

[TokyoJimu]

Originally Posted by rhowarth

What's needed is a multitouch Bluetooth trackpad

Agreed. What I really want is a Bluetooth keyboard+trackpad so I can control my media center Mini with a single piece sitting on my lap.

[kotatsu]

And how do you get the middle mouse button click with this?

And I hope you don't have to lift your finger off the surface of the mouse then touch it again to make it work, mighty mouse style.

[ediedi]

Originally Posted by Mac Voyer

With the Mighty Mouse, you do not have to lift any fingers to do a simple left click. I suspect that will not change with the new mouse. You only have to lift fingers for a right click. The video suggests that there is software that determines what you are trying to do. I suspect it could sense which side was pressed regardless of the number of fingers on the mouse. It is conceivable that no fingers will need to be lifted. Either way, I have gotten quite used to the mighty mouse so it will not be a problem for me.

It would seem logical, yes (the no lifting for left click).
And if they also implemented the right click without lifting the finger, this mouse is genius.

[pmz]

Awesome. Already ordered, as I've been needing a new mouse desperately since Snow Leopard, and this is about the coolest fucking one I've ever seen.

Way to go, Apple. Muchas Gracias

[Ireland]

Told you the Mighty Mouse sucks.

[chuckading]

I've been waiting for a new mouse from apple for some time.. recently tried my hand at a trackball. DT225 from CH products.. After using the wireless mighty mouse exclusively for 2 years, I really appreciated and utilized all 4 buttons. Moving to a 3 button trackball, I decided I could do without the fourth botton, but three was a minimum.

Finally, a new mouse comes out from Apple, but it only has 2 buttons? Apple went from 4 to 2?
I know there is multi-touch, but how will multi-touch launch spaces? I've really come to love Spaces, but I don't see a two button mouse helping me here.

On the good side, the scroll ball is gone, and the mouse will last much longer. No more complete tear downs of the mouse to get scroll working again. Just a simple wipe, and I'm sure it'll look as good as new.

As for Apple's keyboards, joke... HHKB Pro 2 FTW here.

[iReality85]

Originally Posted by noexpectations

I know that Steve Jobs is the largest shareholder at Disney, but did anyone else think of Disney/Magic Kingdom/Mickey Mouse when they read "Magic Mouse"?

I hope they cleared it with Disney.

No, but I definitely thought, "why didn't they name it iMouse?"

Magic Mouse? Really?

Sinisterly cool design though, good job Apple!

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by chuckading

I've been waiting for a new mouse from apple for some time.. recently tried my hand at a trackball. DT225 from CH products.. After using the wireless mighty mouse exclusively for 2 years, I really appreciated and utilized all 4 buttons. Moving to a 3 button trackball, I decided I could do without the fourth botton, but three was a minimum.

Finally, a new mouse comes out from Apple, but it only has 2 buttons? Apple went from 4 to 2?
I know there is multi-touch, but how will multi-touch launch spaces? I've really come to love Spaces, but I don't see a two button mouse helping me here.

On the good side, the scroll ball is gone, and the mouse will last much longer. No more complete tear downs of the mouse to get scroll working again. Just a simple wipe, and I'm sure it'll look as good as new.

As for Apple's keyboards, joke... HHKB Pro 2 FTW here.

I'd be willing to bet Magic Mouse will also take gesture input, so you could conceivably draw a "Z" on the mouse and go instantly into Spaces if you want. This is a major, MAJOR slap at Microsoft since they just "demoed" their multi-touch mice weeks ago. The hits keep rolling at Apple!