One of the arguments for keeping the one-button mouse is that is helps keep developers in check. It's an indirect method of making sure they design their GUIs right and don't use the contextual menu as the end-all solution, throwing items there that don't belong or can't be find elsewhere. This has become a pain in several Windows apps where developers have gotten lazy and throw a bunch of garbage into contextual menus.
I don't believe the rest of the user base should be forced to suffer due to lazy developers. Three button mice (now 5 button with Exposé - but that's a bit much to ask of Apple) vastly improve using my computer. Might I suggest a comprimise? Apple ships the current mouse and keyboard on consumer models, and a multibutton mouse on the pro models. Which you could change via BTO of course. Developers wouldn't be lazy (in a perfect world...), and the rest of us can use RDF broadcasting Apple mice. Ahhhhhhhhh........
Brad, I used to think you had a valid argument, but no more. I've used such wonderful programs as X-Chat Aqua, Fetch, and Dreamweaver now, all of which rely on right-clicking to access certain functions that I can't find elsewhere. And you know what? I don't care, because I have a two button mouse and I haven't even bothered looking for some of those commands hidden in the menubar.
But yeah, developers are lazy. They'll program a two-button requirement into a Mac program even though Apple ships one button mice. It makes no difference that Apple thinks everyone should have to reach for control or hunt around the menu bars in order to figure out how to do something. I'm sure a number of programmers don't know or care what mouse Apple ships with their computers, and why should they care anyway? All computer companies ship 2-button mice. Apple really should too. It's backwards and silly to have a 1 button. But, for all those people who have gotten used to 1 button over the years, the 2 button should be an option.
It would have been nice to have an 2 button offering from Apple, but really, as long as two button options are supported in the OS, then just get a third party mouse.
I wonder what Apple's real reason is for not making a two button mouse... I bet it's a lot more mundane than promoting certain types of programming. Maybe Steve Jobs always uses a one button at home and demands that ALL Apple mice be one button for the rest of eternity, just because that's his personal preference. Or maybe he made a bet with Bill Gates that he wouldn't let Apple release a one button mouse or something. That would be funny.
And yes, if Apple came out with a two button mouse I'd probably just stick with my MX500 anyway, so I don't particularly care, I just think it's silly.
What hacks me off (and I rarely whine...check my history), is that the bluetooth adapter that apple has been shoving down my throat (and that I bought for my Nokia phone) for over a year doesn't work with the mouse and keyboard. Nice. Thanks. I know there are probably valid technical reasons but dang...
the original pro mouse dropped its price to 49 dollars, good bargin, I am taking it into my budget consideration.
but the movement of single button mouse is critical slow on my powerbook, so I make a refound on it, but do plan to buy a new one to replace my microsoft two button optical one.
I was hoping for some kind of miracle piezo-electric self-recharging technology for the keyboard so a recharging dock or occasional battery replacement wouldn't be an issue... Imagine if every clickety-clack juiced the batteries.
/me goes off to speak to his patent attorney
And for the mouse, some sort of inertia / EM induction device...
just came back from Expo and tested out the Bluetooth Mice and Keyboards.
One word (for now): they suck. The mouse sucks that is. Dont even THINK of gaming or doing things that require precision tracking. I tried two mice and they were not smooth at all. Jumpy even. doing fast movements with them was horrible.
There is a nice overlay warning (like the volume feedback image, or eject) that warns you if your Mouse has been disconnected. Turning it back on (opening the eye lid) takes a few secondsbefore it is found by the Mac.
My first impression when it was announced at Keynote? "Bah". Batteries???? COME ON!!!!!
Apple could have done SOOOOO MUCH more with this... like a cradle for recharging (like Logitech I think) and maybe even a USB cable for the Keyboard that one could use to recharge the keyboard as well or use in case batteries run out...
If ANYONE buys these products it will be out of ignorance.
Christ... a ONE BUTTON, Battery powered bluetooth mouse.
Horrible.
ALSO... this means no more using the Keyboard as one of the handiest USB hubs EVER. My PC friends envy this feature very much.
PS The ONLY thing I think that is cool (is this a feature with other Bluetooth keyboards?) is the 128bit encrytion so that 'sniffers' wont see what you're typing.
Seriously, I love using it, and have no desire to have a multi-button mouse. It's also much easier for my daughter to use and click (and the ol' ball and chain too).
But damn ZO, I was all set to order the mouse to use with my PowerBook, and now I'll have to wait until I see it in person and try it out. They're really that bad? Jeez, I thought that waiting this long to introduce them would have meant that all the kinks were worked out.
I'm a re-dedefector from the one-button. I bought a 2-button mouse three weeks ago and as of last week, I'm BACK to the Apple one-button (returned the two-button model).
Maybe I just have to be in the mood for it and try it again. It was neat at first, but maybe I'm just too set in habits/ways. I think the Apple mouse feels great and I guess it's not that much of a hassle to reach for the Control key.
When I get my PowerBook and am using that 24/7, perhaps I'll revisit the situation again.
So if I bought this wireless mouse, it'll work - out of the box - with my PowerBook? Maybe I'll do that...
I don't understand why they didn't make the wireless devices rechargeable. I don't want or need another device that poops out toxic waste every 2 to 4 months.
There are other wireless device manfacturers that make their products rechargeable, why can't Apple?
As opposed to every 8 months or so when the rechargeable battery dies?
Why are you guys whining? Just buy something else from someone else. Even if everyone was ready to buy a bluetooth mouse/KB from Apple strictly because it was Apple only to be destroyed to see the same old single button w/batteries and KB with no USB, um, boo-hoo. Oh well. Life goes on. I'll never give up my KB because it's too easy to connect my camera USB to it. I don't want white anyways and if I wanted bluetooth I would've gotten the MX 700 (?) instead of my MX 300 because it's the best mouse around.
Apple will design what they want and that does not always please everyone. Not sure why any of the mac freaks even thought there was a snow ball's chance in hell to get a 2 button mouse on Steve's watch. HAHA, yeas that will be the day.
murb, MAYBE after 2 hours of handling by a hundred people both mice I tried flipped out MAYBE the drivers have to get tweaked... dunno really
All I can say is that Apple could have done a LOT more and I'm definetly not going to recommend nor buy this product.
If you're happy with the idea that its probably fine for 'normal' use, that it uses batteries (trust me, thats by itself is a 100% reason not to buy), and that the price is pretty far out there... then go ahead.
Comments
Originally posted by dfiler
No analysis or discussion other than that of the one button issue?
What else is here to discuss?
Just my two penes.
Originally posted by Brad
One of the arguments for keeping the one-button mouse is that is helps keep developers in check. It's an indirect method of making sure they design their GUIs right and don't use the contextual menu as the end-all solution, throwing items there that don't belong or can't be find elsewhere. This has become a pain in several Windows apps where developers have gotten lazy and throw a bunch of garbage into contextual menus.
I don't believe the rest of the user base should be forced to suffer due to lazy developers. Three button mice (now 5 button with Exposé - but that's a bit much to ask of Apple) vastly improve using my computer. Might I suggest a comprimise? Apple ships the current mouse and keyboard on consumer models, and a multibutton mouse on the pro models. Which you could change via BTO of course. Developers wouldn't be lazy (in a perfect world...), and the rest of us can use RDF broadcasting Apple mice. Ahhhhhhhhh........
Barto
Originally posted by Barto
and the rest of us can use RDF broadcasting Apple mice. Ahhhhhhhhh........
Or simply buy one that fits your needs.
But yeah, developers are lazy. They'll program a two-button requirement into a Mac program even though Apple ships one button mice. It makes no difference that Apple thinks everyone should have to reach for control or hunt around the menu bars in order to figure out how to do something. I'm sure a number of programmers don't know or care what mouse Apple ships with their computers, and why should they care anyway? All computer companies ship 2-button mice. Apple really should too. It's backwards and silly to have a 1 button. But, for all those people who have gotten used to 1 button over the years, the 2 button should be an option.
Originally posted by ryukyu
What about the fact that with the keyboard, you lose the USB ports?
yeah that will happen when you sni the wires.
*Caugh*duh*caugh*
And yes, if Apple came out with a two button mouse I'd probably just stick with my MX500 anyway, so I don't particularly care, I just think it's silly.
What hacks me off (and I rarely whine...check my history), is that the bluetooth adapter that apple has been shoving down my throat (and that I bought for my Nokia phone) for over a year doesn't work with the mouse and keyboard. Nice. Thanks. I know there are probably valid technical reasons but dang...
Jason
Originally posted by NaplesX
yeah that will happen when you sni the wires.
*Caugh*duh*caugh*
You know, everyone isn't a genius like you obviously are.
I was just trying to point out a disadvantage to the wireless keyboard for someone who may not be thinking of that right off the bat.
That, and I was trying to mix up the conversation, instead of just focusing on the mouse.
Really, the wireless mouse is an option, of which there are plenty of others out there. If you need more buttons, go buy one.
but the movement of single button mouse is critical slow on my powerbook, so I make a refound on it, but do plan to buy a new one to replace my microsoft two button optical one.
/me goes off to speak to his patent attorney
And for the mouse, some sort of inertia / EM induction device...
Originally posted by ryukyu
You know, everyone isn't a genius like you obviously are.
I was just trying to point out a disadvantage to the wireless keyboard for someone who may not be thinking of that right off the bat.
That, and I was trying to mix up the conversation, instead of just focusing on the mouse.
Really, the wireless mouse is an option, of which there are plenty of others out there. If you need more buttons, go buy one.
Sorry, a sudden jolt of sarcasm surged through me. Besides, I can't be that smart as I can't even spell SNIP right.
No offence meant.
One word (for now): they suck. The mouse sucks that is. Dont even THINK of gaming or doing things that require precision tracking. I tried two mice and they were not smooth at all. Jumpy even. doing fast movements with them was horrible.
There is a nice overlay warning (like the volume feedback image, or eject) that warns you if your Mouse has been disconnected. Turning it back on (opening the eye lid) takes a few secondsbefore it is found by the Mac.
My first impression when it was announced at Keynote? "Bah". Batteries???? COME ON!!!!!
Apple could have done SOOOOO MUCH more with this... like a cradle for recharging (like Logitech I think) and maybe even a USB cable for the Keyboard that one could use to recharge the keyboard as well or use in case batteries run out...
If ANYONE buys these products it will be out of ignorance.
Christ... a ONE BUTTON, Battery powered bluetooth mouse.
Horrible.
ALSO... this means no more using the Keyboard as one of the handiest USB hubs EVER. My PC friends envy this feature very much.
PS The ONLY thing I think that is cool (is this a feature with other Bluetooth keyboards?) is the 128bit encrytion so that 'sniffers' wont see what you're typing.
Otherwise... blah
Seriously, I love using it, and have no desire to have a multi-button mouse. It's also much easier for my daughter to use and click (and the ol' ball and chain too).
But damn ZO, I was all set to order the mouse to use with my PowerBook, and now I'll have to wait until I see it in person and try it out. They're really that bad? Jeez, I thought that waiting this long to introduce them would have meant that all the kinks were worked out.
Maybe I just have to be in the mood for it and try it again. It was neat at first, but maybe I'm just too set in habits/ways. I think the Apple mouse feels great and I guess it's not that much of a hassle to reach for the Control key.
When I get my PowerBook and am using that 24/7, perhaps I'll revisit the situation again.
So if I bought this wireless mouse, it'll work - out of the box - with my PowerBook? Maybe I'll do that...
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
I don't understand why they didn't make the wireless devices rechargeable. I don't want or need another device that poops out toxic waste every 2 to 4 months.
There are other wireless device manfacturers that make their products rechargeable, why can't Apple?
As opposed to every 8 months or so when the rechargeable battery dies?
Why are you guys whining? Just buy something else from someone else. Even if everyone was ready to buy a bluetooth mouse/KB from Apple strictly because it was Apple only to be destroyed to see the same old single button w/batteries and KB with no USB, um, boo-hoo. Oh well. Life goes on. I'll never give up my KB because it's too easy to connect my camera USB to it. I don't want white anyways and if I wanted bluetooth I would've gotten the MX 700 (?) instead of my MX 300 because it's the best mouse around.
Apple will design what they want and that does not always please everyone. Not sure why any of the mac freaks even thought there was a snow ball's chance in hell to get a 2 button mouse on Steve's watch. HAHA, yeas that will be the day.
We'll be discussing the same thing next year.
All I can say is that Apple could have done a LOT more and I'm definetly not going to recommend nor buy this product.
If you're happy with the idea that its probably fine for 'normal' use, that it uses batteries (trust me, thats by itself is a 100% reason not to buy), and that the price is pretty far out there... then go ahead.
damn you all!
though i still think you people who use mice with more than 4 buttons are psycho.