Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense'

[MacRumors]

An upcoming version of the Magic Mouse with voice control for AI would "make sense," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today, though he claimed that he has heard no rumors about the feature so far.

A report from Korean leaker "yeux1222" this morning suggested that Apple has created a prototype Magic Mouse that includes a mix of touch, voice controls, and hand gestures. Gurman said on social media that the functionality is logical in light of AI, but he also claimed that the rumor is "just an incorrect back-and-forth translation" of a line from a report that he shared earlier in December about a future Magic Mouse.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1873823834123755601

https://twitter.com/x/status/1873831058065809689

It's not clear whether the rumor from yeux1222 is based on Gurman's original report, but Gurman did clarify today that Apple plans to focus on a more ergonomic design and unspecified gestures with the refreshed mouse.

If voice control is included in the next Magic Mouse, it could be used for Apple Intelligence, with users perhaps able to summon Siri or perform specific actions using voice-based commands. Gurman claims that even if there isn't a clear use case in the near future due to Macs already supporting such voice-based features, there could be one in five to 10 years.

Adding voice control to the Magic Mouse could be done for future proofing given the long update cycle. So far, Apple has not frequently updated the Magic Mouse, and it has not received notable updates since the Magic Mouse 2 was introduced in 2019. In fact, Apple has only added new colors and swapped the Lightning port for a USB-C port.

Earlier this month, Gurman said that Apple is planning a "full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse, with a more modern design. He said that Apple will finally move the charging port from the bottom of the device to an easier to access location, but he did not mention voice controls or gesture support at the time.

Both Gurman and the information shared by yeux1222 suggest that the Magic Mouse will launch in 2026, and it is possible it will come alongside an OLED MacBook Pro, which is also rumored to launch that year.

Article Link: Gurman: Voice Control for Next Magic Mouse 'Makes Sense'

 

[Anonymous Freak]

 

[letsrollmonami]

In what scenario would you need to use a mouse where there isn't a mic nearby? Laptops have mics built in – would this be for Mac minis?

 

[mansplains]

iPhone 17 will offer a continuity feature, Continuity Mouse. The microphones for voice controls are already there, it has a multi-touch surface, USB-C placement that doesn't render it unusable, it's about as ergonomic as the current magic mouse, is sold on its own in a variety of colors...

The camera bump will be flat for smooth movement, and include an optical sensor. Continuity Mousepad with inductive charging for $200.

Edit: It also has buttons on its side!

 

[coffeemilktea]

Sign me up, I'm ready to talk to a mouse like I'm in my Disney princess era. 🤪

...seriously though, how is AI voice control on a mouse a good idea? It's not even a good location for a mic, unless you like picking up mice and shining bright red LED lights at yourself while talking. 😵

 

[UltimaKilo]

This rumor is so “out there” that it is worth dismissing.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

...seriously though, how is AI voice control on a mouse a good idea? It's not even a good location for a mic, unless you like picking up mice and shining bright red LED lights at yourself while talking. 😵

Most mice use infrared LEDs/sensors these days, not bright visible red.

 

[xraydoc]

Sticking a microphone in a mouse is a good idea? That'll really help ease people's concerns about surveillance and all that... 🤦‍♂️
If they do, it better have a hard switch on the bottom that can cut off the microphone as I'm certain there are going to be people who are not going to want an always-on microphone sitting next to them.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

"Hey, Siri, move my mouse four inches to the right."

 

[fguerraz]

Surely Apple has now reached innovation rock bottom?

 

[Alameda]

Hello, Computer?

 

[Think|Different]

"It makes sense."

Wow, powerful stuff.

 

[ChromeAce]

This is so blatantly dumb I can’t see how anyone could take this seriously.

 

[asdfjkl;]

"full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse, with a more modern design = Charging port still on the bottom.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

"It makes sense."

Wow, powerful stuff.

Very powerful! Not making sense is the lynchpin of the Chewbacca Defense.

 

[jonnysods]

“Hey Siri, click the mouse”

“I’m not able to do that, but here is a list of websites that talk about mouse clicking”

 

[asdfjkl;]

“Hey Siri, click the mouse”

"I'm not able to do that, would you like me to use ChatGPT?"

 

[reyesmac]

The same company that makes you use an app to find just the right strap size for their headset cannot make 1 mouse with 5 different sizes for various sizes of users hands? Would love a mouse that fits my hand perfectly. Nobody is asking for more devices that have to listen to you or look at you constantly in order to work. Your computer is off? Don't worry, the microphone on your mouse is still listening to you don't worry.

 

[Daalseth]

Click click scrape scrape Hey Siri Click click scrape scrape
Why won’t Siri Answer?

 

[3304614]

So the thing that you cup with your full-hand by design… that’s the thing that gets a microphone?

At least with a phone or TV remote you aren’t fully-covering it with your hand (the microphone is accessible). But a mouse? The top gets covered by your hand and the bottom gets covered by the desk/table.

This rumor seems quite silly. Except it’s not even a rumor. It’s very specifically not a rumor, lol. It’s basically just him saying the equivalent of: Wouldn’t it be cool if…

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

It makes no sense Mark, none.

 

[DunedinD]

Magic Mouse 2 was introduced in 2015, not 2019.

 

[gtmead09]

Once again let's see what Gurman can throw at the wall and get to stick.....

 

[FernMam]

Finally, a Mac rumor worthy of the name on a Mac rumor site. Love it. The good old times are back.

 

[TechnoTiger3000]

Gurman is delulu AF. Sure, he’s got some little birds feeding him insider info, but he’s notoriously bad at connecting the dots and thinking like the company.