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Apple Investigating Multi-Touch Display for Magic Mouse, Haptic Feedback for Virtual
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I'm thinking the same. This idea seems better suited to the nice, large, flat surface of the trackpad. But then, I'm not running a $ 50 billion corporation, so what do I know?
I'm sorry, but just cause it's "new" doesn't make it better.
Not being able to feel where the buttons are does make it more awkward to use without looking at it. There are applications where touch screen can be better (I like scrolling better on my magic mouse for example). There are also applications where actually having keys is still superior (keyboards if you know how to type properly. Being able to feel where each key is makes you much quicker and less having to look at the keyboard to see where you need to place your hands plus able to make sure your hands aren't slipping onto the wrong area of the keyboard). Plus, sorry, even if they made raised areas for each key so I could still feel, nothing beats the feel of actual buttons (I mean there is a reason people actually consider how a keyboard clicks as part of why they hate/like a keyboard. I hate keyboards with keys that have a soft rubbery feel, I like the "loud" keyboards that have a good click going. Actually, Apple tends to make some of my favorite keyboards - not sure about their current ones but the ones they had for the G4 macs for example).
So, yeah, sometimes there is something to be said for touch screen. But there are definitely applications the "old" way is still better.
Oh, and I hate five button mouses, it just means I accidentally hit a button. It's also why I've gone back to using my magic mouse the way apple conformed it rather than magic prefs or even better touch tool (The better of those two). It's just too small to have a lot of different functionality (you end up with a lot of accidental input if you try to fit a whole bunch of different functions on it).
Though I will admit I'm still excited to see what they would do with the new screen on the magic mouse (could be the problem is the drivers I am using. I've decided I really hate magic prefs though). I like the idea of touch screen for mouse/trackpad. Just not for the keyboard.
Optimus Maximus Reloaded!
This is actually very interesting. Combining the first and the second invention might give us a keyboard with the characteristics of Art Lebedev's Optimus Maximus keyboard done right!
Seriously, although Optimus Maximus was very cool it failed in many ways, one of it was the price. Probably it was a product before its time. Imagine now a keyboard-touchpad-mouse that can be a simple sleek surface with both optical and tactile feedback.
Wet dream, surely, but if one manufacturer can do it... that's Apple!
This is actually very interesting. Combining the first and the second invention might give us a keyboard with the characteristics of Art Lebedev's Optimus Maximus keyboard done right!
Seriously, although Optimus Maximus was very cool it failed in many ways, one of it was the price. Probably it was a product before its time. Imagine now a keyboard-touchpad-mouse that can be a simple sleek surface with both optical and tactile feedback.
Wet dream, surely, but if one manufacturer can do it... that's Apple!
I know it's just a mockup picture, but...
Why on earth would you put a Num Lock key on the mouse?
Why on earth would you put a Num Lock key on the mouse?
Apple, stop this madness and just release a damn wireless keyboard with the numpad on it. The magic mouse is already convoluted and uncomfortable to hold as is. A mouse is not meant for you to lift your hand up and constantly do gestures Apple. I don't know why they have some sort of agenda against buttons, but it's absolutely crucial on a mouse (fingers, hello).
I'm thinking there would be a mode where you can use the mouse as a 10 pad. Which actually could be useful for those of us who gave it up to get the wireless Apple keyboard.
I don't know about virtual keyboards. The iPad works fine for small tasks like browsing the web and sending an email. But to actually see this technology on the mac will take a while (i think and hope). At the moment, there is simply nothing to replace the accuracy and precision of a mechanical keyboard.
As with other things, they will probably try this out in iOS and, if it works, move it over to the mac
As with other things, they will probably try this out in iOS and, if it works, move it over to the mac
Actually, the Magic Mouse is the best mouse I've ever used (and leagues better than the dismal Mighty Mouse). It's the most effortless and most comfortable mouse, especially with tedious tasks.
That said, I rarely use a mouse anymore. I'm now spoiled by the Magic Trackpad.
Not on a mouse
I cannot see this being practical on a mouse because most people tend to leave their hand resting on top of their mouse. I know that's not necessarily good ergonomics, but it's what most of us do. A touch interface means you have to keep your hands off the device unless you're actively using it.
Putting that kind of interface on a trackpad seems far more practical, but still complicated and really demanding the trackpad have an integrated screen so you can see what you're tapping on.
The last Apple mouse that I used on a day to day basis had an ADB interface. When Apple moved to USB I moved to third party input devices. Almost everyone in my office uses a Microsoft mouse with their Mac.
I cannot see this being practical on a mouse because most people tend to leave their hand resting on top of their mouse. I know that's not necessarily good ergonomics, but it's what most of us do. A touch interface means you have to keep your hands off the device unless you're actively using it.
Putting that kind of interface on a trackpad seems far more practical, but still complicated and really demanding the trackpad have an integrated screen so you can see what you're tapping on.
The last Apple mouse that I used on a day to day basis had an ADB interface. When Apple moved to USB I moved to third party input devices. Almost everyone in my office uses a Microsoft mouse with their Mac.
Five buttons? My Magic Mouse has ten easily usable gestures/clicks/taps, and I can add more if I need to. Not to mention the scrolling is ridiculously awesome. This thing's much better than my old MX Revolution.
You obviously haven't used a good 5 button mouse then. Someone gave me a Kensington one that's useless because the side buttons are both too easily pressed and located exactly where you naturally grab the mouse.
At work we have Microsoft optical mice and they're excellent. The button positioning and the click feel are just right. Having the side buttons programmed for Expose speeds up my work.
The number display idea is clearly a magic trackpad idea. This would not be useful on a mouse. It would, however, make the magic trackpad incredibly useful.
Uh, not on the magic mouse. However the magic trackpad is a different story - Its completely flat, and has a big enough surface area
I've never been a fan of haptic feedback. My phone has it, and it was the first setting I disabled. They say it's supposed to make it feel like typing on a real keyboard, but as far as I can tell all it does it make the whole phone vibrate when I tap a key. Woohoo, great waste of battery. Maybe I'm holding the phone wrong but I don't care, I'll take the battery savings over the gimmick any day.
If you have Snow Leopard, try and download BetterTouch Tool.
A quick video shows you around 1:11 the thing you need. (Read the third option in the list)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_233696&v=7mr2IiJ0Y0E
Newest version of BetterTouch Tool: http://www.boastr.de/BetterTouchTool.zip
I think it is just a matter of time till they get the tech and experience good enough for this to happen, and when they do it will be awesome!
I wonder if this tech will debut first on the Mac or the iDevices? Maybe the iPhone first to get scale up and cost down before going on bigger screens. Then iPad, then Mac.
I wonder if this tech will debut first on the Mac or the iDevices? Maybe the iPhone first to get scale up and cost down before going on bigger screens. Then iPad, then Mac.
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Exactly! There's too many issues already with the stray capacitance as it is.
Rather see that issue addressed first. Besides The mouse surface area is just too small for all these features.