Apple Patent Application For Button-less Mouse Design

[toneloco2881]

Or in other words, who needs innovation and progress?



Who says they are trying to re-invent the wheel? Sure, perhaps they refer to this as a mouse, but depending how Apple does it, this could be a completely different type of input method utilizing multi-touch technology and providing 3D capabilities. It's not a matter of re-inventing the wheel, it's a matter of inventing a new, possibly superior method of input.

And regardless, that's progress - plain and simple. I suppose a few years ago you were lobbying that cell phone makers shouldn't change anything either? "It's just a phone, just let me make calls, that's all it needs to be - don't reinvent the wheel". If they had listened we wouldn't have streaming video, built-in cameras, MP3 capability or SMS - are these all bad innovations? Furthermore, we wouldn't have an iPhone either.



Is that what people said when the first mouse was released? I remember when that was, and there were all sorts of built-in tutorial programs on how to move the mouse, how to click, how to double-click, etc. So sure, if this is simply another mouse, fine, but if this is a completely new method of input as it has the potential to be, then a learning curve is simply to be expected - and welcomed.

Come on people, think outside the box.

My post was directed towards the mighty mouse more-so than Apple's development mantra as a whole. I stated myself that I respect Apple's desire to innovate. I just feel that with things like the mighty mouse, ADC connector, etc. sometimes Apple gets a little too ahead of themselves in trying to "think different". I of course value innovation, and appreciate Apple trying to push the envelope, but not when it seems like an answer in search of a problem. The usefulness of this device, if it should ever come to fruition remains to be seen, so of course I'm not going to say Apple should cancel it.

As for the phone comment, I for one am looking forward to the day where the convergence of a multitude of devices results in me having to carry one less device on my person. I plan to be first in line for an iPhone, so you obviously misunderstood the intent of my post.

 

[MacFly123]

The Key

I said before that I don't like the ergonomica of Apple's mice, BUT I think this could be really amazing if it were made to work with multi-touch, the key here is that Apple also designs the operating system and can decide how the mouse will interact with it like if they implemented multi-touch and this mouse with Leopard. WOW

 

[Object-X]

Ah, don't tell me they are getting rid of the clit-wheel.

 

[jialuolu]

No.

The things I hate the most about the Mighty Mouse are the squeeze-activated (or whatever) side buttons. I always activated it without meaning to. A mouse with no buttons sounds horrible but at least nothing can be worse than the puck mouse?

 

[ortuno2k]

Hmmm. I hear the voices of those that wanted to stick to their CD players becasue there were cheaper and worked without a computer. The iPod is never going to succeed, it is useless, give me my big round CD player and clicky buttons, who cares about a digital music player with an annoying scroll wheel. Make me a better CD player.

The comment to being on the wrong thread went to me; I posted on the Leopard thread (or so I thought) and it ended up here, don't ask me how.
Or maybe I didn't....hey it's almost time to go home.

 

[matthewHUB]

Accelerometer? (sp.)

Anyone thought they could use an accellorometer in a mouse, and have the movement of curser denoted purely by the spacial movment of the mouse? This would work in many planes too. We've seen this already being implimented in Wii and PS3 controllers. Would be pretty cool. also, it could mean you could hold the mouse close to your body and be controlling it, not having your hand draped over a desk uncomfortably for hours on end.

my 2 cents

 

[phaine]

Tilting mouse?

Rather than requiring the user to move his or her hand back and forth on the mouse, why not let the user tilt the mouse side to side or heel to toe? The greater the angle, the faster the tilt.

For more on this idea see: http://stealthisidea.com/articles/tilt-mouse/

 

[~Shard~]

Yeah, because a pointing and clicking device is just crying for change. Why not reinvent toilet paper too!

Right, so you'd be fine with still using leaves for toilet paper (what's wrong with that after all?) and you'd be completely happy with having to use this with your Mac:





Innovation is a good thing. Think outside the box - think different.

My post was directed towards the mighty mouse more-so than Apple's development mantra as a whole. I stated myself that I respect Apple's desire to innovate. I just feel that with things like the mighty mouse, ADC connector, etc. sometimes Apple gets a little too ahead of themselves in trying to "think different". I of course value innovation, and appreciate Apple trying to push the envelope, but not when it seems like an answer in search of a problem. The usefulness of this device, if it should ever come to fruition remains to be seen, so of course I'm not going to say Apple should cancel it.

As for the phone comment, I for one am looking forward to the day where the convergence of a multitude of devices results in me having to carry one less device on my person. I plan to be first in line for an iPhone, so you obviously misunderstood the intent of my post.

Thanks for the clarification - agreed, and points taken.

 

[Counter]

This will be going on the iPhone, not OSX.

iPhone owns Cupertino.

 

[Digital Skunk]

No, it's the design. The technology works fine: if your finger isn't touching the left side of the mouse, then when you click it behaves like a right-click. Works exactly the same every time.

The design is what doesn't work -- it doesn't take actual human behavior into account. It'd be like designing a car with an oval steering wheel.

You might be confusing design with aesthetic appeal. The Mighty Mouse looks better than a lot of other mice. It's just not well-designed.

The design of the guts of the mouse then.

 

[Digital Skunk]

The things I hate the most about the Mighty Mouse are the squeeze-activated (or whatever) side buttons. I always activated it without meaning to. A mouse with no buttons sounds horrible but at least nothing can be worse than the puck mouse?

Nothing can be worse than the first mouse.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Ah, don't tell me they are getting rid of the clit-wheel.

Funny.... I am assuming that this wasn't a typo.

 

[zero2dash]

Right, so you'd be fine with still using leaves for toilet paper (what's wrong with that after all?) and you'd be completely happy with having to use this with your Mac:

I think you better contact Apple; they shipped you the wrong mouse.






..........mine's larger.

 

[TheLAD]

Hmm, this idea looks familiar...

I could have sworn that this idea looks familiar...

Check the post date

 

[GanleyBurger]

Love Macs... Hate the Apple mouse.

I wish Apple would allow $60 off if you don't want to buy thier mouse and keyboard with a new computer.

 

[JesterJJZ]

I don't really mind the scroll ball, but I think this could definitely be interesting (especially after seeing the patent pics).

Oh I love my little scroll ball, they just need to make it clogless.

 

[CommodityFetish]

Using a Crane to Crush a Fly

Why all the high-tech sensors apple? I like tactile-feedback - that goes for the touch-sensor buttons on the might mouse too. This is like using a crane to crush a fly...

 

[~Shard~]

I think you better contact Apple; they shipped you the wrong mouse.

..........mine's larger.

Since you've stated that something as basic and simple as a mouse doesn't need to be updated to stay current with future technological advances, such as potentially a 3D UI, I believe this - the very first mice were even bigger, that's correct. Why update it, as you say? It's just an input device after all. I'm sure you must also believe then that Nintendo are complete idiots for developing the Wii controller as well. What a useless innovation, why can't they just leave the input device alone, right? A controller is no different than a mouse...

And like you say, why re-invent the wheel? The old stone and wooden wheels should work just fine on your car - no need for silly advancements such as rubber, treads, using air in the tires, etc., right?

 

[Digital Skunk]

Why all the high-tech sensors apple? I like tactile-feedback - that goes for the touch-sensor buttons on the might mouse too. This is like using a crane to crush a fly...

Yes you are so right... and lets put wires back on everything... I am sure my Mac likes tactile feedback from its internet connection. And I want my game controllers to have wires stretching from across the room. And I want the tactile feedback of vinyl scratchy noise when I play my music. I want to FEEL EVERYTHING!

 

[zero2dash]

Since you've stated that something as basic and simple as a mouse doesn't need to be updated to stay current with future technological advances, such as potentially a 3D UI, I believe this - the very first mice were even bigger, that's correct. Why update it, as you say? It's just an input device after all. I'm sure you must also believe then that Nintendo are complete idiots for developing the Wii controller as well. What a useless innovation, why can't they just leave the input device alone, right? A controller is no different than a mouse...

Nintendo's track record on redesigning products is much better than Apples, largely due in part to their horrendous mouse design. But please do continue comparing apples to oranges.

And like you say, why re-invent the wheel? The old stone and wooden wheels should work just fine on your car - no need for silly advancements such as rubber, treads, using air in the tires, etc., right?

Yes, because one has to do with the other.

 

[~Shard~]

Nintendo's track record on redesigning products is much better than Apples, largely due in part to their horrendous mouse design. But please do continue comparing apples to oranges.

Who's talking about Apple, and specifically their track record on redesign? You appear to be confused - my point of discussion is the importance to continue the advancement of input devices, not "what is Apple's redesign track record been like?". In other words, evolve the mouse as we know it today into something much more utilizing multi-touch technology and allowing for interaction with a revolutionary 3D UI. It won't even be a "mouse" afterwards, and something like this patent could be the stepping stones towards that. You have stated you do not want input devices to evolve whereas I have said I think this is a good idea. Let's leave it at that then.

Yes, because one has to do with the other.

You were the one who said we shouldn't re-invent the wheel, not I. If one has nothing to do with the other then you shouldn't have brought it up in the first place.

Seriously, it should be obvious that I was simply citing those examples to prove a point. In this thread we are reading comments along the lines of, "The mouse is simple, it's fine, don't change it". The same argument could have been made for other devices at a time when they were deemed to be adequate. But once again, I'll go back to one of my initial points - think outside the box and look at the big picture. Try and understand where these types of advancements could potentially lead us and what part it could play in the advancement of technology. Striving to innovate is important, even if you make a few missteps along the way.

 

[MonkeyClaw]

This sounds interesting. Presumably some way off actually making it out into the public market though?

As far as I understand, thats how the mouse and pen work for the waccom tablets. We have some in our MMAS lab (30 G5's!!!) and basically the mouse has no removable batteries and it only works on the tablet which functions as the mouse pad. The pen also will only work on the tablet. So as far as I gather from people who know more than I, the mouse is powered via the manner that was just described. Its pretty cool.

 

[ironring2006]

I know that some of you get this, but I'm surprised that more people haven't commented on this. This is where the multi-touch technology is going, not on a 30 in touch screen display. That old linked post of a trackpad grafted to the surface of the mouse is the best description of this.

This gives you the advantage of both the mouse and the touchpad. I know personally I find the mouse itself is much better as a pointing device than the trackpad, but I love the finger scrolling on my Macbook. Flipping through album covers in iTunes coverflow really does feel like flipping pages in a book. They're not really getting rid of buttons. Think of every discrete point on the surface of the mouse as a button.

Think of choosing a colour wheel by feeling around the surface of the mouse.
Think of adjusting volume in iTunes by "turning" the mouse in your fingers like a dial.
Think of inertial scrolling that you can stop by putting your finger "in" the page.
Think different.

 

[~Shard~]

I know that some of you get this, but I'm surprised that more people haven't commented on this. This is where the multi-touch technology is going, not on a 30 in touch screen display. That old linked post of a trackpad grafted to the surface of the mouse is the best description of this.

This gives you the advantage of both the mouse and the touchpad. I know personally I find the mouse itself is much better as a pointing device than the trackpad, but I love the finger scrolling on my Macbook. Flipping through album covers in iTunes coverflow really does feel like flipping pages in a book. They're not really getting rid of buttons. Think of every discrete point on the surface of the mouse as a button.

Think of choosing a colour wheel by feeling around the surface of the mouse.
Think of adjusting volume in iTunes by "turning" the mouse in your fingers like a dial.
Think of inertial scrolling that you can stop by putting your finger "in" the page.
Think different.

Thank you for reinforcing what myself and others here are trying to explain to anyone who might be challenged with "thinking different" at times. These are exactly the types of advancements I am referring to.

 

[Gasu E.]

Ahoy-hoy! Who needs another useless, new-fangledy gizmo to get lost behind the icebox?

Now leave me to wind my Victrola in peace.