New 'Magic Mouse 2' and Apple Wireless Keyboard With Bluetooth 4.2 Appear in FCC Filings

[MacRumors]

A group of filings posted to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission website yesterday (via SlashGear) reveal impending upgrades for Apple's Magic Mouse and wireless keyboard accessories. Images accompanying the filings point to the Magic Mouse's successor to simply be titled "Magic Mouse 2," but no specific name for the new wireless keyboard has been revealed.

The internals of both devices will see a notable overhaul in their Bluetooth capabilities, with each device getting a bump from Bluetooth 2.1 to Bluetooth 4.2. The upgrade will bring about Apple accessories that should see a noticeable increase in battery life and more robust communication between the input devices and the main computer.

Also of note is the inclusion of integrated lithium battery packs, which users will have to charge instead of the swapping in traditional AA batteries as seen in the current generation of the Magic Mouse and Apple wireless keyboard. The change is noticeable on the wireless keyboard in particular, with Apple able to do away with the barrel shaped feature on the bottom of the existing keyboard where the replaceable AA batteries are housed.

Both the Magic Mouse 2 and wireless keyboard have undergone testing with "pre-production" builds of each device, so the possibility of a release sometime before or on Apple's upcoming September iPhone media event may be likely.

Article Link: New 'Magic Mouse 2' and Apple Wireless Keyboard With Bluetooth 4.2 Appear in FCC Filings

 

[Cape Dave]

Can you say backlit??? Otherwise, it is useless. Also a num pad. I mean really, this is 2015.

 

[bekiil]

I hope they change the shape of the mouse to fit my hands
Rechargeable is very nice.

 

[jamesryanbell]

I don't type in the dark, so I don't ever need backlit anything. Just give me longer battery life, and I'm fine.

 

[AngerDanger]

The bluetooth efficiency of the new Magic Mouse will be rivaled only by its lack of ergonomics.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

When the existing Magic Mouse runs low on battery, it sure is nice that downtime is only the length of time it takes to swap 2 rechargeable AA batteries for the 2 that are drained (no more than about 30-60 seconds). While the Lithium option probably means a much longer time between charges, I hope that one doesn't have to swap mice when they forget to charge it when it's close to empty... or more regularly monitor for "low battery" so you can catch it on the day before it is going to be exhausted.

 

[DanTheAppleMan]

Rechargeable peripherals have never sat well with my workflow. It's much easier to swap AAs than to be inconvenienced while it charges. Hopefully there's an elegant solution in the works.

 

[Garsun]

I hope they make a fullsize keyboard. My old Bluetooth full sized keyboards are getting a bit long in the tooth

 

[albebaubles]

haptic touch magic trackpad -- what's the damned hold up?

 

[Cougarcat]

Can you say backlit??? Otherwise, it is useless. Also a num pad. I mean really, this is 2015.

Can't tell if you're trolling, but I like my extended wired keyboard and can't help but think its days are numbered. Maybe I should stock up on them like Gruber stocks up on his Apple II keyboards.

Backlit keyboards are nice in laptops because you can't always control your surrounding lighting, but for a desktop I don't really see the point. Especially for a wireless keyboard--it'll just make for worse battery life.

 

[acmeplus]

Here's hoping this is to introduce a new series of Magic Mouse (and probably Magic Trackpad) with Force Touch.

 

[tombiscuit]

I'll be stunned if the mouse doesn't have Force Touch/haptic feedback.

 

[KylePowers]

Keyboard needs backlit!

Would like to see the inductive charging shown off in the AW applied to these devices too, since built in battery and whatnot.

 

[mojolicious]

I love the 'magic' of the current MM, but the 'mouse' is poor. Hopefully MM2 will be less movement-resistant (whilst not sliding around when you're using the magic bit, obviously).

No interest in backlighting, but having the option of an integral keypad would be nice.

 

[navaira]

I'm extremely curious how they are going to implement Force Touch on a mouse.

 

[Planey28]

Rechargeable peripherals have never sat well with my workflow. It's much easier to swap AAs than to be inconvenienced while it charges. Hopefully there's an elegant solution in the works.

Magnetic inductive chargers like the watch? Maybe you'll be able to snap on a magnetic charger and use it like a corded mouse as it charges?

 

[MarkusD]

Touch ID ! Do it !

 

[iSee]

Can you say backlit??? Otherwise, it is useless. Also a num pad. I mean really, this is 2015.

A number pad would be an anachronism. Anyone doing specialized data entry that would make one useful should get a specialized keyboard, not a mass market one.

Now, a tenkeykess (full cursor key area, no number pad), that would be useful.

A backlight would be great however.

And the Magic Mouse should have force-touch, if Apple is serious about it.

 

[Soccertess]

When the existing Magic Mouse runs low on battery, it sure is nice that downtime is only the length of time it takes to swap 2 rechargeable AA batteries for the 2 that are drained (no more than about 30-60 seconds). While the Lithium option probably means a much longer time between charges.

Let's hope for wireless charging!

 

[Force10]

haptic touch magic trackpad -- what's the damned hold up?

Yes, do want that - forcetouch in Pixelmator is win.

 

[Force10]

The bluetooth efficiency of the new Magic Mouse will be rivaled only by its lack of ergonomics.

It demands a completely different way of holding a mouse that, once you get used to it, works very well and it is hard to go back to a big mouse

 

[subjonas]

Sadly this is the most exciting Apple news I've heard in awhile, in regards to something I might actually buy. Not sure I want rechargeable peripherals though... Let's see what Apple does with it.
Mostly waiting for news on iPad pro! Also hoping for a 5.5" iPod touch.

 

[aaronvan]

Magic Mouse 2...two as in 2 buttons?

Yeah, right.

 

[iregret]

Apple, please give me a trackpad with Force Touch and Touch ID. Thank you.

 

[Dreadnought]

It's about time Apple! And please fix the following: when putting the mouse off with the off button on the back it shouldn't wake your Mac from sleep mode! Does anybody else have this frustration?