More Details on Next-Generation Mighty Mouse?

[MadCow42]

The remote and the mouse are going to be the exact same thing. Anyone using the iPhone Remote app is pretty much already using the same thing they'll be getting with this change.

Actually, that might make a good app: with the camera on the back of an iPhone (or nano, or future Touch), you could theoretically use it as a mouse. Use the screen/wheel as a click, and connect over bluetooth or wifi, and Bob's your Uncle.

Even an out-of-focus image would be easy to use to tell directional movement of the phone - as long as there was a little bit of light getting under.

(I'm not saying this is their plan, just that it's pretty trivial to do if it were useful)

 

[GQB]

I've been using my iPhone with the Air Mouse app as a trackpad for a bit now, and really love it.
Since iPhone and Mighty Mouse are both hooked up, I find that I instinctively reach for the mouse some times, and occasionally, the mouse feels a bit more accurate than using a track pad.
I'm not sure if I'd prefer the combo track/mouse described here or just a multi-touch trackpad.
No reason they can't supply both.

The downside to using the iPhone with Air Mouse is that the lighting means battery drain unless its on USB, and a dedicated multi-touch trackpad wouldn't need lighting.

But I am looking forward to getting rid of my gunked up Mighty Mouse.

 

[GQB]

Forget the mouse, what I want is a bluetooth multi-touch trackpad.

If you have an iPhone or touch, try out Air Mouse.
You need to tether it with USB and turn off sleep, but it works really well.

 

[thibaulthalpern]

Is this appleinsider or what? Almost every single post is repeated from there, sounds like macrumors is becoming lazy.

Well, to be fair, they are a rumours website so what do you expect? They repeat what they hear on the grapevine, which in this case happens to be AppleInsider ;-) ;-)

LOL

 

[Takeo]

The puck was my favourite single-button mouse too.

Ya... it was SOOO awesome when you'd go to mouse across the screen horizontally and the pointer would shoot off diagonally. Nothing better.

 

[Takeo]

A MORE slender form factor?! So dumb. I'll just stick to my Logitech mice.

No kidding. That's one of my biggest issues with the current mouse... way too slim... doesn't go up into the palm at all.

I hate to say it... but I LOVE my Microsoft Laser 7000 mouse. Best mouse I have ever owned. Hands down. It has a better shape and lighter weight than the Logitech MX Revolution. Plus I've never had a Logitech mouse last much longer than a year. Very poor quality. I haven't used an Apple mouse since the ADB II. That's the last good mouse Apple ever made.

 

[dernhelm]

About time, the Mighty Mouse is one of the worse Apple products ever. I can't stand that stupid tracking ball, that immediately clogs up and is impossible to clean.

A-M-E-N

Mighty Mouse == FAIL.

I would say epic fail, but that's just soooooo overused.

If they make "yet another mouse" I sure hope they get it right this time. I don't know why they can seem to, but the sure 'nuf can't.

 

[Manderby]

I can already hear: The new mighty mouse, now with no buttons at all!

If they really do a touchy mouse, they should include an option when ordering computers whether to get this mouse or a 3rd-party-product. Because I don't like the touch-concept at all. Make buttons and I'm happy. Note the s at the end of button!

The keyboard is gigantically great! Why can't the mouse be like that? Scrolling in two dimensions was a great novum. I don't want to miss that. Squeezing is also a nice thing but just a nice-to-have. But regarding everything else, Apple just did not designed a great mouse.

One word: ButtonS!!!

(yes I know, there is right- and middle-click, but I'm thinking of physically separated buttons)

 

[talkingfuture]

Engadget have some pics via the FCC

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/new-apple-bluetooth-keyboard-arrives-at-the-fcc-new-mouse-rumor/

New Keyboard too!

 

[125037]

Actually, that might make a good app: with the camera on the back of an iPhone (or nano, or future Touch), you could theoretically use it as a mouse. Use the screen/wheel as a click, and connect over bluetooth or wifi, and Bob's your Uncle.

Even an out-of-focus image would be easy to use to tell directional movement of the phone - as long as there was a little bit of light getting under.

(I'm not saying this is their plan, just that it's pretty trivial to do if it were useful)

I am not using my iPhone as a mouse.

 

[Takeo]

One word: ButtonS!!!

No kidding. And maybe don't make the entire thing one big button. It makes the mouse difficult to lift and reposition while clicked. You have to seek out those two tiny little pads on the side and make sure you're fingers are positioned just right... and hope you don't squeeze them too hard to trigger an unwanted "squeeze" action. Seriously. Apple hasn't designed a good mouse in over a decade.

 

[aresinferno]

If you have an iPhone or touch, try out Air Mouse.
You need to tether it with USB and turn off sleep, but it works really well.

I have that application on my 3GS and I also have a trackpad on my uMBP. I don't want to tether it with USB and I know that when using it wirelessly, it drains the phone battery and isn't as responsive as my trackpad.

I would prefer to have a dedicated blue-tooth wire-less button-less multi-touch track-pad that feels like the one on my MBP. I am not often in a position where I can use a mouse and I do not like trackballs.

 

[AAPLaday]

Seems funny really, Microsoft and Logitech seem to be able to spit out fantastic mice almost every time but Apple has left us with the same lacklustre design for so long.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

The mouse is one of the best simple inventions of all time.

And yet, it can be horribly inefficient and contribute to musculoskeletal problems.

The significant rise of hand, wrist, and elbow RSI and carpel tunnel syndrome can be mostly attributed to the venerable computer mouse.

 

[125037]

Engadget have some pics via the FCC

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/new-apple-bluetooth-keyboard-arrives-at-the-fcc-new-mouse-rumor/

New Keyboard too!

AN EVEN SMALLER KEYBOARD!!!! OH, HELL NO.

 

[Takeo]

I found a spy photo of the new Apple Mighty Mouse! It combines the amazing mono-button of the current mouse with the retro styling of the puck! Whoa!

 

[MadCow42]

Ya... it was SOOO awesome when you'd go to mouse across the screen horizontally and the pointer would shoot off diagonally. Nothing better.

Yep... I'm always amazed that such an innovative company with amazing industrial design talents and intuitive User Interface skills could consistently create such crap-tastic mice.

They've been mousing longer than just about anyone... yet they're clearly the worst at it.

I'd guess that well less than 1/2 of the Macs out there are still using Apple mice. I have 3 brand-new Apple mice in my drawer because I refuse to use them now.

 

[Takeo]

And yet, it can be horribly inefficient and contribute to musculoskeletal problems.

The significant rise of hand, wrist, and elbow RSI and carpel tunnel syndrome can be mostly attributed to the venerable computer mouse.

I don't doubt that this is an issue for some people of course. It's a fact. By anecdotally speaking anyway... I've been using regular ol' mice for over 15 years... for hours a day... and I've never developed any issues at all. If you do have issues though and aren't keen on going the trackball route... the Microsoft Natural Mouse is one to look at. It keeps your wrist at a natural angle.

 

[MadCow42]

I am not using my iPhone as a mouse.

Not even for your MacTablet or MacBook? Sure, on your desktop it doesn't make sense, but while traveling it's something you have with you, and often it's easier to use an external mouse for some types of uses.

I'd suggest a case though, so you don't scratch up your phone too bad - and gel probably would suck.

 

[125037]

Not even for your MacTablet or MacBook? Sure, on your desktop it doesn't make sense, but while traveling it's something you have with you, and often it's easier to use an external mouse for some types of uses.

I'd suggest a case though, so you don't scratch up your phone too bad - and gel probably would suck.

The actual functionality of it might work (and be cool) but my battery blows hard enough, this would be like a power leech!
And I would DEFINITELY need a case but miPhone is too sexy to wear clothes, I like it naked.

 

[BigJohno]

This would be a nice update. I can't tell you how many mouses I went through because the roller ball got all filled with gunk.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Apple designs a LOT of good stuff. They're really quite impressive... their mice suck.

1) Stop moving the hand
2) Give 5 buttons
3) Just design something like the MS thumbball device, since it trumps everything else, though it isn't produced anymore.

I understand they want something that looks streamline and seductive, but they need to work on making something ultra-functional.

 

[spritelyjim]

Yep... I'm always amazed that such an innovative company with amazing industrial design talents and intuitive User Interface skills could consistently create such crap-tastic mice.

The problem comes when Apple tries too hard to not be like a PC. Remember how long it took for Apple to get context sensitive menus? It seems they didn't want to be accused of copying MS. They were really handy once Apple finally gave in, though. Well, I think this mouse issue is even worse than that. Because Apple has yet to find a good Apple-only way to implement a 2-button mouse, instead of just using a frickin' normal 2-button mouse, they seem to feel they must resort to really crappy Apple-only solutions to be different. Perhaps the touch-mouse will finally redeem them. Until then, whenever I buy a new computer I just hand my Mighty Mouse to my 2-year-old son to play with and plug in a Logitech.

 

[jonnysods]

I'm sure someone has already suggested it, but perhaps get rid of a physical mouse altogether, and create a keyboard that has a gap in the middle for a glass trackpad?

Do you remember those old Microsoft keyboards that had the keys on different angles for your hand/wrist comfort? Make the gap a little smaller and put the trackpad there. I reckon that would be pretty cool.

A little weird, but cool.

 

[GQB]

3) Just design something like the MS thumbball device, since it trumps everything else, though it isn't produced anymore.

wow... the demand for it was apparently so overwhelming that it blew up the manufacturing facility?