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Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - Confirmed
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Bluetooth mouse sharing
Yes, provided:
1) You make sure and pair the PC to the mouse at one time, and pair it to the mac at a totally different time. The range is 30 feet each way. Don't want interference.
2) The mouse is supported natively in OS X 10.2.
3) The mouse has drivers for OS X 10.2 if it isn't supported.
That's all it takes. You will have to set the mouse to discoverable on both machines.
But if the two computers are within 60 feet of each other, you might wind up with interference issues including controlling both cursors with one mouse at the same time. (Not likely, but it could happen)
Jaedreth
Yes, provided:
1) You make sure and pair the PC to the mouse at one time, and pair it to the mac at a totally different time. The range is 30 feet each way. Don't want interference.
2) The mouse is supported natively in OS X 10.2.
3) The mouse has drivers for OS X 10.2 if it isn't supported.
That's all it takes. You will have to set the mouse to discoverable on both machines.
But if the two computers are within 60 feet of each other, you might wind up with interference issues including controlling both cursors with one mouse at the same time. (Not likely, but it could happen)
Jaedreth
I'm surprised that no one's asked this question yet of those that have the new builds of Panther:
Has anyone tried using existing Bluetooth mice (like Microsoft's product) with Panther yet?
I mean, Bluetooth is a pretty tight spec, so anything that acts as a Bluetooth pointing device should theoretically work (though I've heard that Microsoft implemented the spec a little bit differently with their products...)
Still, the screenshots clearly imply that Panther will support third-party Bluetooth devices.
If no one else has tried it yet, I'll try posting an update in a couple of days. I'm in the process of downloading the latest build and already have both the Microsoft Bluetooth products (for my Windows box) as well as a Bluetooth dongle for my Mac (for syncing my old T68i and printing to my boss' printer...)
Has anyone tried using existing Bluetooth mice (like Microsoft's product) with Panther yet?
I mean, Bluetooth is a pretty tight spec, so anything that acts as a Bluetooth pointing device should theoretically work (though I've heard that Microsoft implemented the spec a little bit differently with their products...)
Still, the screenshots clearly imply that Panther will support third-party Bluetooth devices.
If no one else has tried it yet, I'll try posting an update in a couple of days. I'm in the process of downloading the latest build and already have both the Microsoft Bluetooth products (for my Windows box) as well as a Bluetooth dongle for my Mac (for syncing my old T68i and printing to my boss' printer...)
Re: AA batteries? Too bad... NOT!
Personally I prefer the Logitech cradle. No messing having to find the cable and fiddle with it plugging it in, just drop the mouse in and let it suck up the juice.
As for AA's. That's one of the reasons I went for the MX700! It takes 2 NiMH AA's which are recharged when the mouse is docked. That way when the batteries die after a few years all I need to do is pop out and buy some more or use ordinary AA's.
I'm actually quite bothered by my iPod having an internal battery. What will I do when that stops holding juice? Chuck it away?! Send it off for a replacement which will likely cost more than a new iPod? Only be able to use it when it's plugged in?
Nah! Easily replacable batteries are a much better option IMHO.
e.
Personally I prefer the Logitech cradle. No messing having to find the cable and fiddle with it plugging it in, just drop the mouse in and let it suck up the juice.
As for AA's. That's one of the reasons I went for the MX700! It takes 2 NiMH AA's which are recharged when the mouse is docked. That way when the batteries die after a few years all I need to do is pop out and buy some more or use ordinary AA's.
I'm actually quite bothered by my iPod having an internal battery. What will I do when that stops holding juice? Chuck it away?! Send it off for a replacement which will likely cost more than a new iPod? Only be able to use it when it's plugged in?
Nah! Easily replacable batteries are a much better option IMHO.
e.
Simple isn't pulling out rechargable batteries, charging them, putting them back in, repeat..
that was SO 1991!
21st century? I'd be happy if they just got to about 1998 (wasn't that about the time scroll wheels started getting popular?) or so mouse technology!
Found this image in this MacNN Forums thread. The guy found it while snooping around in Panther's files. It's one of those silhouette images that show up like when you change the volume or eject from the keyboard. Hate to burst your bubbles, but think it means the wireless mouse will look similar to the current one?
What has changed in ten years for Apple to decide that now it makes sense to release a 2 button mouse (I'll accept the scrollwheel) while it was not that useful then?
Whether or not you prefer a 2 button mouse or not, that would mean Apple has been plain stupid during all these years in mouse design.
If it is not one button I do not want it. Am I uncomfortable with 2 buttons? Not I am not, I am a Windows user most of the time and always hand configured lots certain file type's context menues (I mean, Windows' TRUE context menues) to add suboptions related to those particular file-types. But, as amazing as you may find it, my mother does not. She continually mistakes one for another and starts getting frustrated. And I do want my mother to find using the computer pleasant.
Besides, what is wrong with all those VERY GOOD third party 2 button + clickable scroll wheel ou there? Is it that they are not fashionable enough or what?
Whether or not you prefer a 2 button mouse or not, that would mean Apple has been plain stupid during all these years in mouse design.
If it is not one button I do not want it. Am I uncomfortable with 2 buttons? Not I am not, I am a Windows user most of the time and always hand configured lots certain file type's context menues (I mean, Windows' TRUE context menues) to add suboptions related to those particular file-types. But, as amazing as you may find it, my mother does not. She continually mistakes one for another and starts getting frustrated. And I do want my mother to find using the computer pleasant.
Besides, what is wrong with all those VERY GOOD third party 2 button + clickable scroll wheel ou there? Is it that they are not fashionable enough or what?
BOOOOOOOO
Man, I was hoping that it was two button mouse with a scroll wheel... I still will hope, at least until they release it.
Man, I was hoping that it was two button mouse with a scroll wheel... I still will hope, at least until they release it.
Apple's big thing has always been innovation. A one button mouse now-a-days is not very innovative. IMO
It's impossible to tell with just an outlined image, it may have the same shape/form, but that doesn't tell you if there are going to be more buttons or a scroll of some sort...we'll just have to wait and see.
Design
The thing that I just don't understand is why the keyboards need any power at all. I'm not an EE, but it seems to me that the energy generated by typing on keys could easily be captured and stored in a rechargable. As you use the keyboard, it gets more power. When not using the keyboard, the comminications die. they only start again once a key is pressed. Also, I see no reason for the mouse to need batteries. Why not have a pad or a dock where you store the mouse when away, sort of like the recargible electric toothbrushes. Batteries are a bummer.
The thing that I just don't understand is why the keyboards need any power at all. I'm not an EE, but it seems to me that the energy generated by typing on keys could easily be captured and stored in a rechargable. As you use the keyboard, it gets more power. When not using the keyboard, the comminications die. they only start again once a key is pressed. Also, I see no reason for the mouse to need batteries. Why not have a pad or a dock where you store the mouse when away, sort of like the recargible electric toothbrushes. Batteries are a bummer.
I don't know if I'd want to shake the life out of my perhiperals....but that may prove to be quite good for keeping my sanity intact during long hours of studying!
The problem with those good third party mice is that they are terribly inconvenient and libel to start a fight when you are sitting on an airplane with your laptop in front of you and nothing but the pant leg of the person sitting next to you to use as a mousepad. I understand that this is a new product targeted at the desktop, but if Apple finally drags itself out of the mouse dark ages on the desktop, it's probably not long until we see Apple laptops with two mouse buttons. That would just make my day to see new powerbooks with two mouse buttons released with the wireless keyboard and mouse for the desktop.
In order to set up a peizo-electric keyboard, you'd have to have more resistance in the key to capture more energy to power the device.
I imagine when nanotech becomes more widespread you'd get something like self powered keyboards and mice. And you'd also need to have low power wireless communication.
D
I imagine when nanotech becomes more widespread you'd get something like self powered keyboards and mice. And you'd also need to have low power wireless communication.
D
LOL!
Great for a glove box torch but I can just see a dilbert cartoon of this if it were implemented in mice and especially keyboards
Thanks for a big smile!
e.
By the very same reasoning it was not very innovative 10 years ago. Windows used it all over the place, still Apple preferred to simplify instead of causing possible confussion. You still had (have) ctrl+click to access those. Has word processing, image editing, 3d modelling or even navigating the OS UI changed so much in all those years. I do not think so, they still use the same base and the same context menues that they used by that time. What has changed so much according to you.
Maybe it is just that you have discovered context menues since that time? They were there even if you did not know about them. Apple did now about them to, and still thought ctrl+click was better.
Another carrot on a string, why not just include it with new Macs?
I wonder out of the 100,000 powermacs Apple will ship this quarter how many of them will come with the new keyboard? Why isn't this included in the already high $2000 starting price for the new G5's? All those people already have to pay to upgrade to Panther. Is this keyboard not a pro keyboard or Apples new standard for connectivity? Or is it just some new device to enhance your Mac experience and fatten Apples pockets?
They already charge like $60 for keyboards with less features than $20 ones, how much will they charge for this thing?
I wonder out of the 100,000 powermacs Apple will ship this quarter how many of them will come with the new keyboard? Why isn't this included in the already high $2000 starting price for the new G5's? All those people already have to pay to upgrade to Panther. Is this keyboard not a pro keyboard or Apples new standard for connectivity? Or is it just some new device to enhance your Mac experience and fatten Apples pockets?
They already charge like $60 for keyboards with less features than $20 ones, how much will they charge for this thing?
Originally posted by esheep2001
Two! I've been hooked on 3 buttons, scroll + back and forward for longer than I care to remember. The first thing I did when I switched (yes, I'm a 1st gen flat panel iMac switcher now awaiting my dual 2G G5) was try my MS explorer. The apple mouse simply sucks, big time. It was a nice philosophy when 'WIMP's first appeared on the scene but given the guys from Logitech are from the originators of the WIMP concept and themselves advocate these multi-button mice it's time apple followed suit.
Take a look here:
http://sloan.stanford.edu/mousesite/1968Demo.html
for some interesting history.
Note that Doug Engelbart is now director of his company, Bootstrap Institute and Bootstrap is housed rent free courtesy of the Logitech
Two buttons? Nah, bring on the five button + scroll monster at least!
e.
How did you get the forward and back buttons to work with your MS Explorer mouse in OS X? I installed the MS Drivers even and I can't get it to work...
Re: come again
You don't have to worry about the cat chewing on the cord and it provides more freedom of movement because the cords not in the way or dragging on the mouse. On the other hand, it's something small and light that the toddler can pick up and wander off with.
You don't have to worry about the cat chewing on the cord and it provides more freedom of movement because the cords not in the way or dragging on the mouse. On the other hand, it's something small and light that the toddler can pick up and wander off with.
I wouldn't care about the keyboard since I have a PowerBook, but a wireless optical mouse would be awesome to have since it'd be so convenient to just pull it out of your laptop case/pocket/off your desk to take with you whenever and not deal with wires or searching for the USB port at night when your roommates are asleep--just pick it up and go. If that isn't damn cool, I don't know what is. As far as with a desktop unit, I can understand the "why wireless" approach since if you are just sitting at the desk, having it plugged in or not makes little difference.