Apple's wireless Mighty Mouse revealed (photos)
Apple Computer plans to release a wireless Bluetooth version of its popular mutli-button computer mouse, a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission has revealed.
In the May 6th filing, Apple provided both interior and exterior photos of the device, which it referred to as both "M6" and the "Apple Bluetooth Mouse" in accompanying documents.
Based on the photos, M6 is aesthetically equivalent to Apple's current USB Mighty Mouse peripheral, sans the USB cable. It requires a Bluetooth enabled Mac, Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later and a USB mouse and keyboard (which are used for setup purposes), according to a draft of a user manual also made available through the FCC.
The mouse will also function as a multi-button scrolling mouse with versions of Mac OS X earlier than 10.4.6, the documents state, though other features will be disabled.
"The Apple Bluetooth Mouse, model number A1197, operates in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical band and uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum," Apple wrote in the filing. "This device uses the CSR BC417143B BlueCore4 External which is a single chip radio and baseband IC for Bluetooth 2.4 GHz system. Technical Information on the Apple Bluetooth Mouse is provided in the table below."
Along with the filing, the traditionally tight-lipped Apple made a request for confidentiality to the FCC, asking that certain documents such as schematics and block diagrams not be published.
"These documents contain detailed system and equipment description and related information about the product that Apple Computer, Inc. considers to be proprietary, confidential, and a custom design and, otherwise would not release to the general public," Apple EMC and wireless engineer Mike Kreige wrote.
"Since this design is a basis from which future technological products will evolve, Apple Computer, Inc. considers that this information would be of benefit to its competitors, and that disclosure of the information in these documents would give competitors an unfair advantage in the market."
Apple introduced its wired USB Mighty Mouse nearly a year ago, calling it a solution for power users that offers up to four independently programmable buttons, without compromising simplicity for users who prefer just a single-button mouse. It also features a "Scroll Ball" that lets users scroll in any direction -- vertically, horizontally and even diagonally.
Word of the latest Bluetooth Mighty Mouse filing first appeared on the technology Web site DailyTech.
In the May 6th filing, Apple provided both interior and exterior photos of the device, which it referred to as both "M6" and the "Apple Bluetooth Mouse" in accompanying documents.
Based on the photos, M6 is aesthetically equivalent to Apple's current USB Mighty Mouse peripheral, sans the USB cable. It requires a Bluetooth enabled Mac, Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later and a USB mouse and keyboard (which are used for setup purposes), according to a draft of a user manual also made available through the FCC.
The mouse will also function as a multi-button scrolling mouse with versions of Mac OS X earlier than 10.4.6, the documents state, though other features will be disabled.
"The Apple Bluetooth Mouse, model number A1197, operates in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical band and uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum," Apple wrote in the filing. "This device uses the CSR BC417143B BlueCore4 External which is a single chip radio and baseband IC for Bluetooth 2.4 GHz system. Technical Information on the Apple Bluetooth Mouse is provided in the table below."
Along with the filing, the traditionally tight-lipped Apple made a request for confidentiality to the FCC, asking that certain documents such as schematics and block diagrams not be published.
"These documents contain detailed system and equipment description and related information about the product that Apple Computer, Inc. considers to be proprietary, confidential, and a custom design and, otherwise would not release to the general public," Apple EMC and wireless engineer Mike Kreige wrote.
"Since this design is a basis from which future technological products will evolve, Apple Computer, Inc. considers that this information would be of benefit to its competitors, and that disclosure of the information in these documents would give competitors an unfair advantage in the market."
Apple introduced its wired USB Mighty Mouse nearly a year ago, calling it a solution for power users that offers up to four independently programmable buttons, without compromising simplicity for users who prefer just a single-button mouse. It also features a "Scroll Ball" that lets users scroll in any direction -- vertically, horizontally and even diagonally.
Word of the latest Bluetooth Mighty Mouse filing first appeared on the technology Web site DailyTech.
Comments
I'll still be using my MX900 for a while, since I tend to play games, too. My only questionis, what took them so long to go from USB to BT? They should have done so from the start.
Originally posted by Denmaru
Great news!
I'll still be using my MX900 for a while, since I tend to play games, too. My only questionis, what took them so long to go from USB to BT? They should have done so from the start.
Maybe just for profit sake?
Originally posted by BRussell
It looks like pictures from that alien autopsy video.
Fire in the Sky
Originally posted by BRussell
It looks like pictures from that alien autopsy video.
Roswell?
Originally posted by josa92
Roswell?
News Flash: Steve Jobs is an alien.
And why not have two modes: USB and BT? When using USB, the mouse doesn't use the batteries at all. Now that would be innovative.
Originally posted by auxio
And why not have two modes: USB and BT? When using USB, the mouse doesn't use the batteries at all. Now that would be innovative.
I saw a mouse like that, can't remember where. The battery was rechargable and when the batt died, you plugged in the USB cord which recharges the battery. Pretty smart.
Originally posted by jdcfsu
I saw a mouse like that, can't remember where. The battery was rechargable and when the batt died, you plugged in the USB cord which recharges the battery. Pretty smart.
As long as the cord could disconnect on both ends. The beauty of a wireless mouse is that it is wireless. If it just had a little magnet at the tip (for the mouse end) like the new power cords. As long as the magnet was strong enough, this would be great!
-Kerrum
P.S. Why isn't it August 7th already?
Originally posted by jdcfsu
I saw a mouse like that, can't remember where. The battery was rechargable and when the batt died, you plugged in the USB cord which recharges the battery. Pretty smart.
I think you're thinking of the Radtech BT510. I believe the Bluetake BT510 is also the same model. It come in white or black, and sells for $50 +/- $5.
This is fairly useless unless theyve made some other changes. The performance in the mouse accuracy and trackball clogging seem to be plagues with the Mighty Mouse.
Originally posted by Kerrum
As long as the cord could disconnect on both ends. The beauty of a wireless mouse is that it is wireless.
P.S. Why isn't it August 7th already?
Yeah, it could disconnect on both ends. The idea was that it was BlueTooth wireless until the battery died. Then it because USB corded while it charged the battery.
Yeah, that's the one. Linkage
i've had one (non Apple) attached to my Mac for a year.
Originally posted by crees!
Digg the lab
My thoughts exactly!
I was wondering though - Didnt SteveO say something about batteries being a stupid thing that they wanted to overcome? Might have been on KeyNoteCrack though...
Originally posted by mugwump
meh, my vote is fake. Those are photoshopped images.
Frankly, I suspect this little leak... those photos are nowhere NEAR good enough to be submitted for patent protection, and they are also non-instructive. My vote is: TIB (This Is Bullshit)