I'm having no BT signal problem with the Magic Wand on my 2010 iMac. It is only two feet from the iMac though.
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Tray to hold Apple Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad?
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I'm having no BT signal problem with the Magic Wand on my 2010 iMac. It is only two feet from the iMac though.
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Due to such an overwhelming response from this thread, there is now a 10% discount on any Magic Lapdesk at MagicLapdesk.com.
Just use the code "MACRUMORS" at checkout and get 10% off.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Alex
Returned
The Magic Connector folks have allowed me to the return the device. They say they have had folks where it worked fine and seemed pleased.
The Magic Connector folks have allowed me to the return the device. They say they have had folks where it worked fine and seemed pleased.
Looking at the Bluetooth Keyboard and Trackpad, both have a plastic bottom surface which is where I assume the antennas for the Bluetooth are located so they can radiate from the aluminum body (much like the antennas are behind the plastic Apple logo on aluminum Macbook computers.
I would be concerned that any aluminum or metal tray that effectively covers the bottom surface would greatly attenuate the radio signals and limit the usage range of the keyboard and trackpad when mounted in that tray.
-howard
Has anyone heard of this project?
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ic-trackpad-and-wireless-aluminum-k?ref=email
It's called the aTrackt, seems like the best solution for connecting your wireless keyboard and trackpad together. It's made of aluminum too, in the same metal color as most Apple products.
It's a bit pricey, but seems worth it in the long run. For the simple aTrackt intended just for table use, it's like $40 (personally I think this is a bit pricey for JUST that.) However, the aTrackt Go version, which is intended for lap use or from afar (and the trackpad is actually clickable, a big bonus for me!) is like $90.
Pricey maybe, but definitely looks durable and as a bonus from this project on the Kickstarter site, you could get your logo or whatever laser cut into the aTrackt Go model... sweet idea. I understand why it is expensive though... it's metal, and made in the USA unlike most of these cheapie things made in China. Now I'm not Mr. Patriot or anything, but if it's made in the USA, I fully support it as a American
With the Kickstarter's campaign (now ended), you were able to get discounted prices on the item if you backed it up. Also you'll be the first to get it before it hits the market as they're already in production since like last year. I suppose once I get my order I'll let you all know how it works. I got the Go version with the all metal plated back (no logo needed for me, I just need something that will surely sit on my lap.)
There's a video on the site if you guys wanna peep the product... seems promising if you ask me, and I can definitely see Apple reselling this in their own stores because of the build quality.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ic-trackpad-and-wireless-aluminum-k?ref=email
It's called the aTrackt, seems like the best solution for connecting your wireless keyboard and trackpad together. It's made of aluminum too, in the same metal color as most Apple products.
It's a bit pricey, but seems worth it in the long run. For the simple aTrackt intended just for table use, it's like $40 (personally I think this is a bit pricey for JUST that.) However, the aTrackt Go version, which is intended for lap use or from afar (and the trackpad is actually clickable, a big bonus for me!) is like $90.
Pricey maybe, but definitely looks durable and as a bonus from this project on the Kickstarter site, you could get your logo or whatever laser cut into the aTrackt Go model... sweet idea. I understand why it is expensive though... it's metal, and made in the USA unlike most of these cheapie things made in China. Now I'm not Mr. Patriot or anything, but if it's made in the USA, I fully support it as a American
With the Kickstarter's campaign (now ended), you were able to get discounted prices on the item if you backed it up. Also you'll be the first to get it before it hits the market as they're already in production since like last year. I suppose once I get my order I'll let you all know how it works. I got the Go version with the all metal plated back (no logo needed for me, I just need something that will surely sit on my lap.)
There's a video on the site if you guys wanna peep the product... seems promising if you ask me, and I can definitely see Apple reselling this in their own stores because of the build quality.
I don't know where this bit of lore started, but it's wrong. The wifi antenna for MBPs are in the clutch/hinge. The BT is in the body. There's nothing behind the Apple logo except the display panel.
I'm skeptical of this for the same signal issues mentioned by hfg.
Yeah, I may have gotten ahead of myself. I thought it was in the logo on the latest Macbooks due to their patent application last year for putting it there on both laptops and phones.
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...s-new-kind-of-logo-antenna-for-portables.html
While Apple was undergoing their "Antennagate" moment earlier this year, Apple's engineers were long at work on a new kind of antenna which Apple dubs the "logo antenna." This new antenna is to hide behind the famous Apple logo thereby allowing it to gain a stronger signal without intervening metal or other conductive housing walls interfering.
I don't recall where it is in the aluminum iMacs, but they would have the same problem. They moved the antennas to the plastic bottom on the new aluminum Mac Mini to get the signal out.
That looks interesting. They may have accidentally avoided the bluetooth radiation problems by cutting out the baseplate to conserve weight (and aluminum, milling chips which probably get recycled into the next production batch). They may have trouble with the custom CNC milled logo bases which may block the signals again.
-howard
Accordingly, the person who invented this lives like 15 minutes from the factory who are producing the units so he's tested them and they work. I believe this, can't knock someone who lives next to the production site of his product, so I have all faith that this should work around these so called signal issues.
By the way, for anyone interested, I just learned he launched a site for the product for pre-orders with limited time free shipping. I suggest ya'll order one if you're interested... it looks highly promising. Plus the item is made with glass-beading, aka it has a dead-on similar finishing to actual Apple products made of metal (with the shinny glassy look). Can't get anymore aesthetically appealing than that with good functionality.
Glass beading finish.
Web: http://www.inertialdesign.com/
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Well, yes. Someone posted about it 2 pages ago in this thread, complete with a picture.
Actually, I sort of like the "aTrackt Go" design, it looks pretty rugged and would probably take more abuse than the Magic Wand design. It would be nice if it had the "snap-in" feature like the Magic Wand to keep the keyboard and trackpad in place for sofa surfing, but that would be difficult with the aluminum construction.
It really boils down to the fact that Apple should make a one-piece wireless keyboard/trackpad! It would be much cheaper than buying the separate units and then having to purchase a frame to support them. It would also mean easier battery support, maybe even fewer batteries for less weight.
-howard
It really boils down to the fact that Apple should make a one-piece wireless keyboard/trackpad! It would be much cheaper than buying the separate units and then having to purchase a frame to support them. It would also mean easier battery support, maybe even fewer batteries for less weight.
-howard
My bad, I didn't see it when skimming through this thread
Actually, I sort of like the "aTrackt Go" design, it looks pretty rugged and would probably take more abuse than the Magic Wand design. It would be nice if it had the "snap-in" feature like the Magic Wand to keep the keyboard and trackpad in place for sofa surfing, but that would be difficult with the aluminum construction.
It really boils down to the fact that Apple should make a one-piece wireless keyboard/trackpad! It would be much cheaper than buying the separate units and then having to purchase a frame to support them. It would also mean easier battery support, maybe even fewer batteries for less weight.
-howard
I agree, they should just make one unit that is intended to connect the two easily. However I must disagree about the "snap-in" feature that the Magic Wand has... it's nice that the wand holds the keyboard and trackpad securely, but taking them off the wand for replacing batteries looks like a huge hassle, which is why I like the aTract Go... it might not snap on, but it makes it easy to take off the things to replace batteries.
why cant apple just release a magic trackpad with usb connection with the same shape as the keyboard with numberpad that would automatically snap into place on the keyboard the usb connection is already there and no need to change batteries at all , dont want to make the batttery industry richer and i hate to cause waste for the next thousand years
thats all and not having to worry about empty batteries during work is also very convenient
as that is the only reason for me not to get a magic trackpad at all as i hate wireless , bluetooth and all the rest that is out there without wires , just because of batteries and chargers needed and god if you forget to put the empty batteries in the charger you stuck in the middle of work and cant use your computer any more until the batteries are charged , i like the convenience of a wireless mouse , but only if the batteries last more the 4 month under my usage .. and most just last not even half the time
so as i had seen the inductive charger for the magic mouse i ordered the magic mouse and the inductive charger and it works perfect
so maybe there is a solution to combine my wish
what about a way to have a inductive battery made that fits inside the keyboard and trackpad and use any of these nice ideas on the market to click the both together and integrate a inductive charger in those , so people like me sitting in front of the computer can keep a wire connected and people like you who want to sit on the sofa can do that too
i dont care if that would cost £200 without the trackpad and keyboard ,if it just works!
thats all and not having to worry about empty batteries during work is also very convenient
as that is the only reason for me not to get a magic trackpad at all as i hate wireless , bluetooth and all the rest that is out there without wires , just because of batteries and chargers needed and god if you forget to put the empty batteries in the charger you stuck in the middle of work and cant use your computer any more until the batteries are charged , i like the convenience of a wireless mouse , but only if the batteries last more the 4 month under my usage .. and most just last not even half the time
so as i had seen the inductive charger for the magic mouse i ordered the magic mouse and the inductive charger and it works perfect
so maybe there is a solution to combine my wish
what about a way to have a inductive battery made that fits inside the keyboard and trackpad and use any of these nice ideas on the market to click the both together and integrate a inductive charger in those , so people like me sitting in front of the computer can keep a wire connected and people like you who want to sit on the sofa can do that too
i dont care if that would cost £200 without the trackpad and keyboard ,if it just works!
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Don't get me wrong. I like the design. It's very clean, minimal and keeps extra material to a minimum. In other words, very Apple-y, like almost all of the links, products and personal projects (slipper's wooden tray inclusive) I've seen on this page.
That said, the designer living next door to the plant does nothing for my skepticism. I'd be more interested to know how far away he's tested the keyboard from his computer. Wrapping metal around the location of your antenna does nothing good for your signal. It might be fine when you're immediate to the other BT device, but when I'm on a BT keyboard and trackpad, I'm usually about 5 meters away and not necessarily direct LOS.
Well, I just thought I'd talk about my first week+ with the Magic Wand from someone trying to use it with a Mac Mini HTPC.
In a nutshell, I didn't realize (despite hours of desktop use) that the trackpad's "button" is actually in the two rubberized feet on the bottom. What that means is that if you actually wanted to "push" the button instead of using tap to click (which I loathe), then you're going to have to be on a hard surface.
In a nutshell, for use on your lap, solutions such as the Magic Wand and aTrackt (not the aTrackt Go!) aren't exactly convenient.
Beyond that, I have no issues with the Magic Wand. (However, that's a pretty big one...) I've changed the batteries and it's as easy as you'd expect. It doesn't seem to scratch or mar the keyboard or trackpad in any way so far.
In a nutshell, I didn't realize (despite hours of desktop use) that the trackpad's "button" is actually in the two rubberized feet on the bottom. What that means is that if you actually wanted to "push" the button instead of using tap to click (which I loathe), then you're going to have to be on a hard surface.
In a nutshell, for use on your lap, solutions such as the Magic Wand and aTrackt (not the aTrackt Go!) aren't exactly convenient.
Beyond that, I have no issues with the Magic Wand. (However, that's a pretty big one...) I've changed the batteries and it's as easy as you'd expect. It doesn't seem to scratch or mar the keyboard or trackpad in any way so far.
For trackpad "button pushers", something along the lines of the "aTrackt Go" is necessary. I prefer the tap-to-click on all my trackpads (notebook and desktop), so I am not finding this to be an issue for me.
I have also found it easy to pop it apart for battery changes ... it takes me longer to get the screw-cover on & off than anything else.
-howard
I saw something online a few weeks ago that joins them together well But I can't remember exactly where
I'm a big fan of the Twelve South's MagicWand. I actually just reviewed it yesterday on my new site (I'm totally pimping it, sorry!).
www.bighugenerd.com
I really believe that less is more with this idea, and the MagicWand really is excellent.
www.bighugenerd.com
I really believe that less is more with this idea, and the MagicWand really is excellent.
I decided against purchasing the MagicWand after reading the negative reviews from the Apple Store.
The main problems appear to be the quality (Plastic Tube), the "H-beam stabilizer" limiting the right click function, and the stability requiring use on the desktop only. The $37.00 (Tax and Shipping) price for a piece of plastic made the decision easier as well.
I wanted to jump on the aTrackt! Go, but since they are pricey and not yet shipping, I finally settled on purchasing the MagicConnector.
The ability to move everything as one-piece while maintaining full functionality persuaded me to jump on this.
Hopefully the battery changing issue will not be a major problem.
Magic Connector fuses bluetooth keyboard, trackpad
The main problems appear to be the quality (Plastic Tube), the "H-beam stabilizer" limiting the right click function, and the stability requiring use on the desktop only. The $37.00 (Tax and Shipping) price for a piece of plastic made the decision easier as well.
I wanted to jump on the aTrackt! Go, but since they are pricey and not yet shipping, I finally settled on purchasing the MagicConnector.
The ability to move everything as one-piece while maintaining full functionality persuaded me to jump on this.
Hopefully the battery changing issue will not be a major problem.
Magic Connector fuses bluetooth keyboard, trackpad
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I don't really like the idea of a magnet sitting on my desk, but that's just me. Seems a tad unnecessary, and potentially harmful to other electronics...
I sent an email three weeks ago to the makers of aTrack Go....asking when the unit will be available. Never got a response!
I guess that says it all...these units aren't going out anytime soon.
I'm not going to finance this guys venture any further....by making a pre-order with not even an estimate of delivery time.
Not responding to an email about availability after taking a lot of people's moneys through Kickstarter is very classless.
I guess that says it all...these units aren't going out anytime soon.
I'm not going to finance this guys venture any further....by making a pre-order with not even an estimate of delivery time.
Not responding to an email about availability after taking a lot of people's moneys through Kickstarter is very classless.
I purchased the velcro version, although the magnets seem a bit easier to remove.
I too don't like magnets around electronics either.
The left over propaganda from our floppy disk days, no doubt!
Why not!
Plenty of electronic gear e.g. TV's, radios etc have relatively powerful magnets contained in their loudspeakers. The current iMacs has a number of them to affix the glass screen protector.
Why not!
Plenty of electronic gear e.g. TV's, radios etc have relatively powerful magnets contained in their loudspeakers. The current iMacs has a number of them to affix the glass screen protector.
In the olden days we were all told that a magnet would wipe our floppy disks of all data! Pure apocryphal BS - but we all took it as Gospel!
Of course you would need a super powerful magnet to do any damage (but could be used for degaussing your old CRT monitor)!
Magnet stories are debunked but the old propaganda left its scars on our feeble minds!
With respect to the MagicConnector, I decided against the magnetic attachment method primarily due to the weaker bond and the thicker nature of the system!