Future Apple Keyboard & Mouse
Don't know if anyone has already thought of this but...
Would it be cost effective enough to make the next generation Keyboard and Mouse to integrate on each, a battery and wireless signal. Have USB cords on both as they do know, but allow the cords to be detached on both ends allowing you to just take your mouse and keyboard within a fair range of the Mac. USB has power in it and so it can recharge the battery's just as you plug your mouse and keyboard back into your computer...?
Would it be cost effective enough to make the next generation Keyboard and Mouse to integrate on each, a battery and wireless signal. Have USB cords on both as they do know, but allow the cords to be detached on both ends allowing you to just take your mouse and keyboard within a fair range of the Mac. USB has power in it and so it can recharge the battery's just as you plug your mouse and keyboard back into your computer...?
Comments
now if only they could get electricity to flow thru IR...
I got it...
My electric toothbrush recharges "Wirelessly"... no really... you just place near the base... and whalla!
It is use something called "Ambient Electromagnetic Field Technoligy"...
It utilizes two electromagnets that transfer energy via the alternating fields they emit and recieve...
You could just place the keyboard and mouse near the base of the iMac2/iLamp and your tools would recharge...
it really cheap and it has a "cool factor"...
E PLURIBUS UNIX
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[ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: FERRO ]</p>
But yes, I think the reason that Apple hasn't gone wireless with their input devices yet is that it is decidedly UN-Apple to make the customer replace batteries in their keyboard/mouse.
I do agree that a scroll wheel, at the least, would be useful. I love my Pro Mouse and bought one for my TiBook, but lately it's just been sitting in a drawer because I've gotten used to a Logitech with 2 buttons and a wheel.
I don't know why Apple is standing so firm on this issue - it can't be an ease-of-use argument, as anyone who's ever seen a computer has been able to figure out what the extra stuff is for!
-S
<strong>Don't know if anyone has already thought of this but...
Would it be cost effective enough to make the next generation Keyboard and Mouse to integrate on each, a battery and wireless signal. Have USB cords on both as they do know, but allow the cords to be detached on both ends allowing you to just take your mouse and keyboard within a fair range of the Mac. USB has power in it and so it can recharge the battery's just as you plug your mouse and keyboard back into your computer...?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? Why hasn't Apple? Add Bluetooth, and a toothbrush like charging cradle for the mouse. The perfect Apple mouse would be the current form factor with a clickable wheel and a "back click" as a second "button". Users would have the functionality of a two button mouse if the rocking motion worked both ways.
I'm on a roll now, make the mouse cradle the bluetooth receiver so any Mac could upgrade, that way Apple could ship conventional keyboards and mice with systems and make money by offering the wireless keyboard and mouse as add-ons.
Bluetooth Wheel Mouse -\t$99.99
Bluetooth Keyboard -\t\t$99.99
Combo Bundle -\t\t $149.99
I couldn't get this combo fast enough, come on Apple, innovate, and make some money too!
No one wants to recharge the battery to a mouse. What if the battery dies because you forgot to recharge it? You're out of luck unless you still kept the older mouse and didn't toss it into the barrel.
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/technology/consumer/la-000043401jun30.story?coll=la-technology-consumer" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/technology/consumer/la-000043401jun30.story?coll=la-technology-consumer</A>
-Rob
-S
<strong>so you guys don't think it charging through the USB is the right solution? I think of that like "docking" your keyboard and mouse. I'm sure it could last at least 5 hours with those rechargable battery's...</strong><hr></blockquote>
If you need to have a USB cable running into your computer, then what's the point in the first place?
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If you need to have a USB cable running into your computer, then what's the point in the first place?</strong><hr></blockquote>
To allow you to take the keyboard and mouse further from your computer...
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To allow you to take the keyboard and mouse further from your computer...</strong><hr></blockquote>
lol, I guess I just don't get it. When I get more than 6 or 7 feet from the screen I can't read it anyway. But then, I have a PowerBook so maybe I don't know the woes.
Someday we'll find ways to match power with portability until there's a single solution
-S
As for a scroll wheel. I think it would be cool if Apple put one on the 'Books as well. I find myself using the arrow keys all the time and a scroll wheel somewhere on the machine would be quite useful.
Having the mouse click by tilting it in one of 8 directions all having different functions of course would be kept hidden, but prosumers would find this option and enable it.
Anyway, I don't think Apple will do it. Batteries are such a pain!
<strong>I agree that a scroll wheel would be nice. It's like once you've used one you can't go back.
Having the mouse click by tilting it in one of 8 directions all having different functions of course would be kept hidden, but prosumers would find this option and enable it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'd worry about putting accidental pressure on one part of the mouse and causing a click. I think it would be great to have a U-shape...left and right buttons with a wheel in-between, and a button below the wheel (left, below, right would create a U). Make the little tabs on either side of the Pro Mouse (where your thumb rests) into back/forward as well and I think we're all set.
-S
<strong>Why would you have it be wireless AND have a usb cable? That doesn't make any sense. Just make it wireless.
Anyway, I don't think Apple will do it. Batteries are such a pain!</strong><hr></blockquote>
USB charges the built in battery's. You just keep the mouse and keyboard plugged in for regular use. If there is no USB then the way to charge or replace the battery's can't be effortless...
<strong>
USB charges the built in battery's. You just keep the mouse and keyboard plugged in for regular use. If there is no USB then the way to charge or replace the battery's can't be effortless...</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't think the has enough power to recharge a battery. It's standard power output at the source is +5 volts. There is technology out there that can boost the power to +24 volts but that only adds a _significant_ amount ot the price.
Most chargers are working off of 110 volts AC. Of course they step it down with a DC transformer but I think thr required voltage will be more towards the end of 20 volts to create a significant volatage difference in comparison with the batter in order to move its ions around.
-Rob
<strong>get this... for the iMac specifically(don't know spelling) since the iMac is fairly portable as in terms of taking around the house, you could use the USB when at your desk and when around the house you could use the wireless...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Around the house? It's still 22lbs in the base and requires being near an outlet, not to mention having to bring a keyboard/mouse with you. You're not going to be moving this thing to the kitchen every time you want to look up a recipe. you're not going to have it on your lap while you watch TV. I don't understand why being placed in a different room requires a different type of keyboard setup.
-S