By Chris Scott Barr
Remember that cool video I showed you not long ago from Microsoft? I’m referring to the one that showcased all of their ideas for a multi-touch mouse. Well in a completely unsurprising move, Apple has released their own such mouse, dubbed the Magic Mouse.
This new mouse is the first to incorporate multi-touch technology. It uses only a single button, much like every other mouse Apple has released. However, the surface of the mouse tracks exactly where your fingers are, and issues commands based on that. For instance, clicking on the right side will result in a right-click. You can also use some gestures (much like the trackpads on newer MacBooks), though they are limited to scrolling, zooming and navigation back-and-forth through web pages.
Apple hasn’t always delivered the best mice, so I wouldn’t be surprised to find that this one isn’t quite up to snuff. However, I’m curious to try one out myself. You’ll find these being sold along with the new iMacs, or you can purchase it separately for $69.
That mouse looks a little small to be ergonomical, I like the principles behind it though. I perfer my 20$ microsoft standard optical mouse, I've had one for many years and it still hasnt broken (estimated over 1 million clicks)
I have been pretty happy with my wireless mighty mouse from apple. I'd be interested to try this, but I have been pretty happy with my wireless mighty mouse from apple, and it doesn't seem worth $69 to upgrade right now.
Too bad they don't make one for PC but I would expect something similar from another company provided they can get around patent protection.
I love the Mighty Mouse, so much so that it is hard to use scroll wheels when I use someone else's computer. The only drawback is that I have to go to the Apple Store every few months to have the scroll ball cleaned, but it is worth it. When the news about this new mouse came out, I was very excited, until I realized it is missing two of the most important features of the mighty mouse, center click and squeeze click. If it is a true multitouch screen, center click would be an easy software fix, just write a patch to recognize a three finger click, but from the pictures I don't see any side buttons, and I can never go back to using F9 for Exposé.
I think it will be hard to take advantage of the multi-touch surface when the darn thing is sliding across the table when I'm not able to hold it still during a scroll or something.
cool. it's about time there was some innovative new mouse tech.
Ugh… I am one of those people that drools over everything Apple ever puts out.
I WANT IT…
AKA I am going to buy it- pronto.
Interesting concept, too bad it looks like a half used bar of soap…
I can't really see why this is worth $69. Its novel and cool, but almost $70? Seems a little steep for a mouse like this. Maybe this will be the first of a new touch sensitive mouse market that will have affordable prices and more features in the future.
…or maybe I should just shut up and go buy one.
I agree with you in every way. the only downside to the mighty mouse is that the scroll ball gets really dirty. I use the center click and the squeeze every time I am at my iMac. Apple should really consider adding these to the magic mouse. I wonder why they overlooked this critical aspect of the mouse.
Just seems like another fad apple item to me. Tried to find the dpi for it but i can't find the specs for this thing anywhere. For those of u wondering, it connects wireless via bluetooth. I know most Mac users love their “apps” and goofy, expensive, and most of the time useless Macware and this mouse fits the criteria.
I Think that the idea is great. I haven't had the best luck with Apple mice but i like the concept.
Me too. I use centre click for Exposé and squeeze click for Desktop Exposé on my Mighty Mouse every day….As much as it looks great there's no way I could buy a Magic Mouse unless it can emulate these two clicks.
When are Nintendo and Apple going to realize they belong together? Where is my multitouch Wiimote mouse?
Well said.
Well said.