Let’s face it, the Mighty Mouse is flawed. Luckily, Apple has filed for numerous patents directly hinting at a multi-touch Mighty Mouse, which could prove to bring us an unexpected treat sometime in the near future.
The Mighty Mouse made its public debut on August 2, 2005 becoming Apple’s first multi-button mouse ever. Its wireless counterpart was released the following year and aside from a minor aesthetic change in 2007, the device has remained practically untouched since its inception. While indeed, the Mighty Mouse brought a well received touch-sensitive top shell, a 360 degree clickable scroll ball, and pressure sensitive side “squeeze” buttons, Apple’s current touch technology and manufacturing methods leave the little old Mighty Mouse in the dust. Time for a change? Perhaps the design below can offer up what may be in store.
The Mighty Mouse is currently made of white plastic, a material that is becoming rare amongst Apple products (iPhone 3G aside). We have seen the white plastic iMac morph into an aluminum gem, and more recently have witnessed the older MacBooks lose their plastic case in favor of an aluminum unibody design. Simple logic would agree that a shift from the current white plastic shell to an aluminum casing would not be out of the question. Anyone who owns or has used a Mighty Mouse for any extended period of time is not only familiar with the gunk that accumulates along the edges but have probably had a problem with dirt building on the scroll ball rendering it useless until thoroughly cleaned. What would would be more amazing than gripping an aluminum Mighty Mouse that utilizes touch action scrolling?
Apple’s touch technology has grown leaps and bounds since the debut of the Mighty Mouse. A 2007 patent application details an “arbitrary shaped grippable member” (don’t get any filthy ideas here) that incorporates positioning and multitouch detection to determine a users action. In essence, it would act as one seamless area from which a user could scroll and pan by dragging a finger over the device’s surface. The mouse would also have the ability to process various movements and gestures assigned to different functions on the computer. “For example, gestures can be created to detect and effect a user command to resize a window, scroll a display, rotate an object, zoom in or out of a displayed view, delete or insert text or other objects, etc.” The patent goes on to detail that “gestures can also be used to invoke and manipulate virtual control interfaces, such as volume knobs, switches, sliders, handles, knobs, doors, and other widgets that may be created to facilitate human interaction with the computing system.”
As the design indicates, an updated aluminum Mighty Mouse could boast sleeker dimensions that are better contoured to the hand. A lower profile body would make touch usability more versatile for complex gestures while still retaining enough height to fit the necessary batteries to power it. Outfitted with a glass front end surface to capture finger movements, this could be the end all be all Mighty Mouse of the future.
62 Comments to “One More Thing: Apple’s New Multi-touch Mighty Mouse”
I can honestly see this as the natural progression for the horrendously dirty and a lot of the time unusable Mighty Mouse. I likey.
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Thanks… http://tinyurl.com/4rdhmc
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I second it!
It seems like Apple is dominating the “touching” gadget.
Matt
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Wow. Aluminum Mighty Mouse would be sweet. Mine gets so friggin dirty right now and the scroll ball gets stuck all of the time. I would buy this in a heartbeat!
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Multi-touch mouse would be cool, but I hope it isn’t aluminum. When I touch the aluminum on the sides of my keyboard, it so cold. I wouldn’t want to have to warm up my mouse before using it, or worst, be forced to freeze my hand to use the multi-touch functions.
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No thanks. I’ve tried 2 Mighty Crappy Mouses before. They couldn’t figure out a right click from a right hand hook. Apple has NEVER made a good mouse, and I don’t think they ever will. I refuse to spend any more money trying out their mice.
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You have to take your index finger OFF the mouse and right click with your other finger. The mouse detects if your index finger is resting on the mouse and if it is when you click it, it registers as a left click. So remove your index finger and click and you get a right click.
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Yes, and that limits usability. For example, games where holding right click while pressing left is required, or a 3D modeling program with right click toggling a camera view, and left click to select things in that view.
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So we have to re-learn how to use a generic tool just because Apple want to make something that looks nice? I mean what the hell is wrong with normal microswitched buttons? The mighty mouse sucks, and to be honest totally detracts from the user’s Mac experience. This is a classic example of marketing hype and style over substance, one of Apple’s key issues IMHO.
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As they designed the mouse in the first place, shouldn’t they be able to say how it works?
Don’t be ridiculous.
Hey Apple…its like a steering wheel in a car or a handle on a frying pan. Microsoft, Logitech and Rocketfish figured that out years ago. Stop trying to reinvent something that should be generic. Some things are best left simple, like pencils.
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Well, I will take the position of disagreeing with all of you. #1 My mouse never gets “friggin dirty” and the scroll ball never gets stuck. All it takes is clean hands. #2 The right click works absolutely great. The problem is with the user, not Apple. #3 It’s personal taste, of course, but after using Windows PC’s for years and loving my Logitech mouses, and initially doubting I would like the Mighty Mouse, I quickly grew to love it. Now when I use a Logitech or Microsoft mouse, I really hate their scroll wheel. The smooth scroll ball is, imho, vastly superior. What do they say? YMMV and it’s all a matter of personal opinion. I just wanted readers to know that not ALL Mac users hate the MM.
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Gotta agree… I’ve used all sorts of mice but nothing better than my Mighty Mouse.
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I disagree with Dick T.
#1 I don’t think users have dirty hands. It is suppose to work for any type of hand. #2 User can never go wrong. Product should work well for any types of users. Might Mouse didn’t really hit the market as their other products & it says its need improvement.
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With a widespread problem, as soon as you hear someone say “the problem is with the user”, you KNOW that the problem is actually with the product.
I loved my Mighty Mouse – when it was working. I kept a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and a box of cotton buds(Q-tips) next to me, and needed to use them every second day. That’s just not good enough! A mouse is a productivity tool, it needs to just work. I had one replaced under warranty, and persisted with the next one for two years.
Finally I cracked. I got a Logitech mouse, I enjoy using it, and have had no problems or annoyances with it. Obviously, YMMV. Apple needs a modern mouse.
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I call BS that your scroll ball never stops working…. I don’t know of anyone Might Mouse owner that actually uses their computer frequently that hasn’t had this problem. It is inevitable, the rubber ball picks up debris, the plastic rollers then get coated, and the mouse stops functioning correctly. I have owned 3 of them, and will never buy another with a scroll ball. Does anyone remember the roller ball mice? They functioned the same way, except they had a cover for the ball that allowed it to be removed, and the rollers to be cleaned… Apple would rather you buy a new one, then be able to get inside and clean the rollers. Fortunately you can open the mouse up and do that, but it does indeed void your warranty, and most of the time the white bezel around the bottom breaks off. When I pay over $50 for a mouse, it’d better work, and work all the time.
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Well now im gonna have to both agree and disagree with you. My mighty mouse does work great (most of the time). The right click works as it should. But my scroll ball does tends to get stuck occasionally, and I have to say that I am a freak about washing my hands. Its inevitable that dirt will get in there. I do like this concept though. If it can function the same with the added bonus of the multi-touch then i would like it. The only issues i ever have are with that damn scroll ball.
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My Logitech rules. It fits my hand perfectly, and I have more buttons and the scroll wheel has left right plus a button. There are two buttons for the thumb. I am a mac user and use the mac keyboad but their desire for simplicity is ruining their mouse. I prefer this one, even though it is uglier and more complex and not an apple style device.
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Wow. Even thinner. Even less support for the hand. Can’t understand people that use Apple’s mice. They suck. I’ve used Mac computers for years, all of them suck. 2 buttons and a scroll “Just works”.
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The Might Mouse was crap, I gave it to a cousin when it came with an older system of mine. Bought a Razor Death Adder (dorky name but it’s a comfortable, accurate device). I hope this attempt at an Apple modern-mouse succeeds though.
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Just one point –
“Even less support for the hand”? Honestly, whenever I use a bloated mouse from another manufacturer, my wrist has to be kinked upwards all the time — partly to keep from accidentally pressing any of the other buttons all over its surface (which means that my wrist is in constant muscle tension) and because the mouse is so friggin’ tall. The flatter the mouse is, the lower I can leave my hand, the straighter my wrist can be, and I won’t have to rely on another damned wrist pad to prevent carpal tunnel.
Flat mice for me. Scroll ball beats scroll wheel, smart virtual buttons beat dumb multiple real buttons… and this multitouch idea looks even better.
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You know, it is interesting. All of my mac-loving friends have mighty mice and seem to love its contour. When I use it, I can’t rest my hand on it or button access is strained, so I end up physically holding my hand above the mouse at all times.
-Try putting your hand flat on the table. ‘click’ with your index or middle finger. Your hand is flattened instead of in a naturally curled position, and you have less leverage to press down.
A flatter mouse would mean less leverage for clicking, meaning more strain on fingers. A mouse with hand arch support lets most of the finger rest while you only move the tips.
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How much leverage do you really need to click? I suppose people with larger hands may have a problem with smaller mice and i can see your point with being able to rest the majority of your fingers on the mouse and just use the tips. That being said, I love my mighty mouse (yes, when it works), and have seen thinner mice in computer stores that upon a casual test, were very unnatural. I think Apple’s mighty mouse would be perfect with a multitouch replacement for the scroll ball. If it weren’t for that darn thing getting stuck it’d be perfect imho.
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Well done dude!
jess
http://www.anonymity.at.tc
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My logitech is bluetooth with ‘friggin lasers’….
it has a thumb rest, forward/back browser buttons, horizontal/vertical scrolly wheel, bunch of extra buttons.
it was cheap and almost never needs recharging.
so why exactly should i hop on this bandwagon?
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How about allowing me to tilt this wireless mouse, 22, 45, 75 to 90 degrees, off-axis, forward end, back end, on it’s sides, too….right now, they just slide about on 2 dimensions…
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alluminum?… OR GLASS!
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Glass is what i thought… if you want to eliminate gunk; having two different maerials means you need to join them and there will be a gunk-sucking gap. Don’t drop it though…
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Lulz ..all is going according to plan… >:]
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First question is this… have any of you tried a new mac book pro …with its new multitouch? I picked one up a week after they came out… when i started using it was a little akward… now.. i cant touch an “normal” click pad with having trouble. Multi touch = amazing hand gestures are incredible. if this new mouse works like multi touch on the pad.. then it might be work it… but… I must agree my Mighty Mouse is kinda Wack.
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Still no “Back” thumb button?!?
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Would be so nice to use an Apple Keyboard with Multi-touch trackpad or an EXTERNAL Multi-Touch trackpad connected to keyboard.
I use my MBP with an Apple external keyboard, a Cinema Display 30′ and a MOUSE because KB has no “Multi-touch Trackpad” features !
I’m quite sure that no mouse would be required if such external device was available… and all Mac Pro users would be also happy.
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kinda cute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763vmCrRBDg
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Apple makes the best computers and the worst mice. I will never understand what the mental block is at Apple with mice. Funny thing is M$ actually makes great mice. Like earlier posters said “it just works”.
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Interesting ideas, but I do not like the concept of a thinner profile. Not everything needs to be as small as possible, especially a device where ergonomics are so important. It needs to fit the hand first, look cool second. I think the current gen mighty mouse is too small as it is. For a full-size mouse it seems to feel more like travel mouse.
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I hate apple’s mice, definitely form over function.
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I’d definitely give this a try. I’ve already lost two Mighty Mice to gunked up scroll balls.
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I got a wireless MM in March. Nine months later, Apple is sending me a third replacement. I cannot keep the scroll ball clean for more than a few days. My Apple Store trainers and the Apple Protection Plan people have recommended cleaning on a clean piece of paper; using alcohol swabs; they sent me a special cloth from Apple; etc., etc. They usually say that no one else seems to have a problem with the grit – but they send me a new mouse anyway! I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one with skin that must be oily even with washing and with a room that must be the dustiest in town.
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I had a similar idea last May when I bought my MacBook. I said to my wife, “Why not have a mouse with a trackpad-like area on it?”
Oh well….
I’d buy three of these in one trip to the Apple Store, one for each Mac.
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I think it the picture of the ‘new’ Mighty Mouse (obviously NOT an Apple design) looks like a dickhead, don’t you agree?
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Still no “Back” thumb button?!??
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I hate apple’s mice, definitely form over function…
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’d definitely give this a try. I’ve already lost two Mighty Mice to gunked up scroll balls..
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Well, if you implement the multi touch then you do not need a mouse, just make it as a touch pad and use both hands…
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Still no “Back” thumb button?!???
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I think it the picture of the ‘new’ Mighty Mouse (obviously NOT an Apple design) looks like a dickhead, don’t you agree??
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Yes, it looks just like my dick, which coincidently has an Apple logo in the exact same spot.
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What a funny dick that would look like. I dunno what you’re imagining dude!
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A multi touch mighty mouse would be incredible. I cant wait
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I’ve stuck with the Apple Wireless Mouse (the one that looks like MM). It might lack a ball/scrollwheel which can be a bit annoying when needing to scroll through webpages (clicking and dragging scrollbar can be tedious) but due to the lack of enthusiasm all round for Mighty Mouse and hefty £47 pricetag that Apple think their product deserves, I’ll stick with this mouse until they produce something worthy (and cheaper, har, har!).
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hope it comes out soon ive just broken my MM
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I’m far more keen on the Razer Mamba that’s coming out than the Apple mighty mice.
Razer and Logitech have been competing to make mice much more accurate and fast, as well as having more functionality while still being simple to use – i.e. you have extra buttons (in easy to press locations, in a mouse shaped for your hand) that do common tasks, that make things much easier and more natural.
the mighty mice just seem to exist to match the Apple looks; they aren’t well designed in terms of ergonomics, they are pretty ordinary in terms of tracking, and their functionality is limited – which means you have to do more work to do the same thing (eg. you have to move your mouse to buttons on the screen, such as back/forward and click them, instead of having the buttons on the mouse itself)
Right now I’m using a Logitech G5 and a Razer Lachesis, and I’m loving them. Though I’m quite keen on getting a Mamba aswell.
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Fools!
A back button is so 2007!
Use Opera mouse gestures…
Oh, are you still using Safari?
I have been using a wired MM 8+ hours a day for 2 years…ON A PC! I bring it to work and take it home every day. Why? Because the scroll ball, albeit vertical only in windoze land, is far more precise than anything Logitech or M$ have to offer. I use 3D CAD apps exclusively, and have NEVER had a problem with multi-button commands on the MM. The light weight also makes for more accurate mousing with less fatigue. Besides, if you are really doing 3D work professionally, you should be using a spaceball anyway. Fools.
As far as “leverage” uhhh…. the MM is a TOUCH sensitive mouse, not a crow bar. Sheesh! With you hands flat on the table, notice how relaxed they are. Now put a fatty Logitech MX1000 under your hand and remove it, leaving your hand suspended above the table. Still relaxed? Telegraph operators knew a century ago that the wrist should always go down, not up, for minimizing fatigue during long periods of operation. Wrists havent changed.
Lay off the friggin’ cheetos!
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do you the release date?
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free typing software
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it woud be cool to add a gyro in it so you could use it for presentations too.
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I honestly don’t know about you other people, but I’ve never once had any problems with my Mighty Mouse scroll wheel, it (the mouse) takes a nice cleaning once a week as any mouse should, and the right click is so easy that even a PC user should be able to handle it.
Expensive, overpriced? Yes. Fully functional? Yes.
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to clean the roller ball just turn the mouse upside down on a sheet of paper and press down hard and scroll it in all directions. the dirt will adhere to the paper and it will work fine again. no solvents needed.
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The mighty mouse is designed to make it easier and more efficient to work with. The mac was originally built for designers and as a designer i can happily say the mighty mouse is perfect in terms of usability. expose and switching applications becomes a breeze. as a designer we do this all the time switching between all the various adobe apps and mighty mouse is perfect for that. yes it does need an update because as mentioned before the ball does attract dust and dirt and grime and can prevent some features working but all in all the mouse is great.
so i say bring on the next model for us ‘true’ mac users. for all you others, get off the bandwagon and go back to your microshit pc and microshit mouse!
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hey guyz
does anybody know the new mighty mouse is coming out
thanks a lot
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I dont understand people that say they need support, after analyzing this in a test group of about 100 people most dont notice this but they are not hugging/resting their hands on the mouse when they are using it…only when at rest. I was even one of the people that thought they did, i have a logitech revolution mx for that very reason and even that relativly large mouse doesnt touch most of my hand.
the natural resting position is generally with the balls of the palm or on their wrists with their fingers free…much the same as your typing position.
i guess its a matter of trying to advance the usability and functionality at the risk of loosing a minority…which i say is reasonable for a company. At the end of the day those minority arent short of mice….even mac style mice :/
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