Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, & Magic Mouse may soon be upgraded with USB-C

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware

Apple's slow transition to USB-C is inching closer to an end with the imminent release of a new Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, and Magic Keyboard, which were referenced in the iOS 18.1 RC.

Small white wireless keyboard with a green border on a light surface.
Magic accessories could finally get USB-C



The Mac, iPad, iPhone, and even AirPods have all moved away from legacy ports to adopt USB-C, but one group of Apple products held out -- Magic accessories. The shift of these products to USB-C has seemed inevitable for years, but few signs appeared until now.

In the iOS 18.1 RC that released on Monday, Aaron Perris, a MacRumors contributor, discovered code referencing new Magic accessories. Those included an updated Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2.

Despite being updated with modern designs and Touch ID on the keyboards, none of these accessories have been equipped with USB-C ports. Some suspected Apple could have made the move as early as the release of the 24-inch iMac in 2021, but the Lightning port persisted.

Note that the code referenced the existing product names like Magic Mouse 2. This could indicate a smaller update like a port transition and not a complete redesign.

No details of the potential update were shared. Apple may introduce some new features or design elements to these products, but USB-C is almost a certainty. The release window, however, isn't as clear.

Some rumors indicated Apple could hold some kind of Mac and iPad event at the end of October, but the iPad mini 7 was revealed via press release -- throwing the idea of an event into question. Logically, if a redesigned smaller Mac mini is launched in October or November, the new accessories could launch alongside it.

Of course, Apple could always just release the Magic Keyboard, Trackpad, and Mouse updates without much fanfare at any time. Even if it is a somewhat boring port update, fans will likely rejoice in another Lightning removal, leaving only the iPhone SE with the now-outdated port.

Rumor Score: Likely

Read on AppleInsider

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 23
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,436member
    It was inevitable, but hopefully, nobody is going to "rejoice" because a connector changes.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 23
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,147member
    I was hoping that Apple might use the introduction of USB-C as a catalyst for some interesting new improvements/features on these devices -- at the very least, the repositioning (finally!) of the Magic Mouse port so continued use was possible while charging. But after seeing what Apple did with AirPods Max--nothing but a port change and new colors after four years of nothing--I think Apple will just swap the port and call it a day. 
  • Reply 3 of 23
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 3,020member
    mike1 said:
    It was inevitable, but hopefully, nobody is going to "rejoice" because a connector changes.
    Oh it’ll be more than just the connector. The keyboards are going to go to this experimental “butterfly” mechanism. LOL

    All kidding aside, I just hope they finally move the plug off the bottom of the mouse. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 23
    d_2d_2 Posts: 129member
    Backlighting on the keyboards would sure be nice
    charlesnlotonesgrandact73watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 23
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,379member
    Aside from tech people……
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 23
    neoncatneoncat Posts: 164member
    mike1 said:
    It was inevitable, but hopefully, nobody is going to "rejoice" because a connector changes.
    Sorry/Not Sorry. I'm delighted that Lightning is finally in its death throes, although I save the idea of "rejoicing" to the broader goal of Apple finally being cured of their proprietary connector fetish. From NuBus to ADB to ADC to Micro-DVI to the 30-pin connector to Lightning and everything in-between. 30+ years of annoyances, adopted then abandoned as it suited them.
    DAalsethwilliamlondonmuthuk_vanalingamgrandact73
  • Reply 7 of 23
    We can only hope Apple makes a new mouse that Magic Mouse is a horrible piece of junk.  
    williamlondon
  • Reply 8 of 23
    Have used Logitech mice for decades. Have a couple of Apple mice for emergency starting. Otherwise, they reside in a file drawer.

    Would really appreciate a back lighted keyboard....
    edited October 21 Alex1Nlotonesgrandact73
  • Reply 9 of 23
    I know I am in the minority, but I thought that the Magic Mouse (especially the second one with recharging) was an excellent mouse. Well, to be fair, it became excellent once I had BetterTouchTool installed. I could do a whole lot with it! I had to switch to a vertical mouse due to potential carpal tunnel, but I did love that mouse!
    williamlondonlotoneswatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 23
    elijahgelijahg Posts: 2,843member
    neoncat said:
    mike1 said:
    It was inevitable, but hopefully, nobody is going to "rejoice" because a connector changes.
    Sorry/Not Sorry. I'm delighted that Lightning is finally in its death throes, although I save the idea of "rejoicing" to the broader goal of Apple finally being cured of their proprietary connector fetish. From NuBus to ADB to ADC to Micro-DVI to the 30-pin connector to Lightning and everything in-between. 30+ years of annoyances, adopted then abandoned as it suited them.
    I do agree it's annoying that Apple uses these custom connectors. Remember Serial as well over their own ports. However, in general Apple's custom ports were actually invented before their more generic PC counterparts, and often had better features. Apple just doesn't switch until a more generic standard becomes *really* generic, but they had a habit of not future proofing the ports. Some high-speed (i.e. video) ports only really lasted a generation or two.

    NuBus existed 6 years before before PCI (ISA existed but was slow)

    Micro DVI was used because there was no way to fit the full-size DVI (and VGA before that) ports on the Mac. 

    There was HDI back in the PowerMac 6100 days,  too which was definitely weird and only lasted a couple of years - but allowed one cable to carry everything, except power.

    ADB also existed before PS/2, and was a bus rather than point to point like PS/2.

    ADC was very short lived because it was only single-link DVI and Apple revealed the dual-link 30" Cinema Display which was dual link. It had power and USB, but had not
    enough power for the bigger displays. I think it was really for use with the Cube, to be ultra-tidy.

    There was no real alternative to the Dock connector at the time. It carried line level audio, serial, firewire, power and USB.

    Lightning was much MUCH better than USB-Micro. USB-Micro is AWFUL. USB-C came along a fair bit later. But since Apple helped design USB-C, they should have jumped on it earlier. And especially since their Macs switched to C YEARS ago. Really annoying to have to keep lightning cables around for the keyboard and mouse.
    edited October 21 lotoneswatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 23
    MplsPMplsP Posts: 4,018member
    neoncat said:
    mike1 said:
    It was inevitable, but hopefully, nobody is going to "rejoice" because a connector changes.
    Sorry/Not Sorry. I'm delighted that Lightning is finally in its death throes, although I save the idea of "rejoicing" to the broader goal of Apple finally being cured of their proprietary connector fetish. From NuBus to ADB to ADC to Micro-DVI to the 30-pin connector to Lightning and everything in-between. 30+ years of annoyances, adopted then abandoned as it suited them.
    Apple has used the lightning connector for over 10 years. How many connectors have androids had during that time? Are you seriously trying to argue that many USB was superior to lightning?

    before the lightning connector, Apple used the 30 pin connector for over 10 years. Yes, the 30 pin connector was proprietary, but it allowed functionality that no other connector allowed when it was introduced. Likewise, the lightning connector was for superior to every other connector at the time.
    Fidonet127williamlondonlotoneswatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 23
    MplsPMplsP Posts: 4,018member
    Toortog said:
    We can only hope Apple makes a new mouse that Magic Mouse is a horrible piece of junk.  
    I’ll “rejoice“ when Apple finally gets rid of the completely moronic charging a patient on the magic mouse. They put the charging port in a Very sensible location for the magic keyboard, but then they went and took a couple hits of LSD before designing the magic mouse. 
    DAalsethavon b7williamlondon
  • Reply 13 of 23
    elijahgelijahg Posts: 2,843member
    MplsP said:
    Toortog said:
    We can only hope Apple makes a new mouse that Magic Mouse is a horrible piece of junk.  
    I’ll “rejoice“ when Apple finally gets rid of the completely moronic charging a patient on the magic mouse. They put the charging port in a Very sensible location for the magic keyboard, but then they went and took a couple hits of LSD before designing the magic mouse. 
    I'm surprised they didn't put it on the bottom of the keyboard too.I do mourn the loss of the two USB ports on the keyboard though. Those were really handy.

  • Reply 14 of 23
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,147member
    elijahg said:  Really annoying to have to keep lightning cables around for the keyboard and mouse.
    So don't keep them! Just buy a cheap USB-C female to Lightning male adapter on Amazon and keep it in your desk drawer. That way, you can just have USB-C cables and pop the adapter on one end of a cable whenever it's time to charge your keyboard, mouse or trackpad. They don't need charging all that often and this allowed me to get rid of needless cable clutter. In fact, I bought adapters to handle all my non-USB-C charging needs: USB-C female to male versions of micro USB and USB-A. I also keep a female USB-A to male USB-C adapter. 
    MplsPwilliamlondonlotoneswatto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 23
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,724member
    Adding USB-C to am existing product without adding anything new is like changing your underwear every day. You have to do it but nobody is lighting birthday candles or buying festive balloons. 

    At the very least, I'd like to see Apple add multi-device support to both their keyboards and mice. I don't care if the keyboard Touch ID is useless for non-Apple devices. Just give me a single Apple keyboard that I pair with multiple devices. Apple has demonstrated an incredible ability to use its Continuity wizardry to share peripherals between Apple devices so I expect they would leverage this to use their keyboard's full capability across Apple devices, including Touch ID, but simple being able to use an Apple keyboard with a non-Apple device without Touch ID is something I would definitely use. Changing from Lightning to USB-C = big whoop.

    While they're at it, is there some reason why Apple cannot ship their compact keyboard with Touch ID in any color other than white? WTF. I'm not an accountant and don't need all the extra numeric keypad claptrap. My VT220 days are long over. I also use a trackball or useful mouse (plus Magic Trackpad) with my Mac and the full size keyboard puts the mouse/trackball too far away from the keyboard. 

    I know Apple can do better and keep me from having to go to Logitech for solutions that mostly work.
    elijahglotones
  • Reply 16 of 23
    Why can’t Apple just make a WIRED extended keyboard?
    I don’t want mor3 things to charge. It seems like life revolves around charging various devices.
    iPhone, iPad, a number of LED lights scattered around the house, portable vacuum, camera batteries… 

    Sometimes wired is just plain simple4 and better.

    I got a Matias backlit extended keyboard that’s just great.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 23
    Why can’t Apple just make a WIRED extended keyboard?
    I don’t want mor3 things to charge. It seems like life revolves around charging various devices.
    iPhone, iPad, a number of LED lights scattered around the house, portable vacuum, camera batteries… 

    Sometimes wired is just plain simple4 and better.

    I got a Matias backlit extended keyboard that’s just great.
    You can just leave the keyboard and trackpad plugged in. 
    williamlondonlotoneswatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 23
    I just want a USB-C version of the Apple Keyboard with TouchID in black/silver. Not the extended keys version that already exists. Backlit would be a bonus but I'm not holding out much hope for either.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 23
    lotoneslotones Posts: 103member
    d_2 said:
    Backlighting on the keyboards would sure be nice
    The lack of this simple long-overdue feature forces me to use a third party keyboard. As much as I'd love the convenience of Touch ID, I work and type a lot at night, so I absolutely need a backlit keyboard.

    C'mon Apple, take (more of) my money!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 23
    lotoneslotones Posts: 103member

    I know I am in the minority, but I thought that the Magic Mouse (especially the second one with recharging) was an excellent mouse. Well, to be fair, it became excellent once I had BetterTouchTool installed. I could do a whole lot with it! I had to switch to a vertical mouse due to potential carpal tunnel, but I did love that mouse!
    I've used BBT for over 15 years... at this point I don't know if I could go without it.
    watto_cobra
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