Apple's New Mouse is Magic, Has Multitouch

Mouse doesn't have to be mighty with it's magic.

Multitouch seems to be the new hotness in the computing industry. Be it multitouch screens or trackpads, it's all about multi-fingering your computers. Apple's had multitouch on its notebooks and iPhones for years now, and now the company is bringing multitouch to the mouse.

Apple today introduced the new wireless Magic Mouse, which does away with mechanical buttons, scroll wheels or scroll balls. Instead, the entire top of the Magic Mouse is a multitouch surface.

Magic Mouse features a seamless touch-sensitive enclosure that allows it to be a single or multi-button mouse with advanced gesture support. The single click is done with the index finger, and the right click is done with the middle finger (at the top corner of the mouse, depending on handedness). The mouse also supports gestures for scrolling, panning, and swipes for page navigation.

Lastly, the new mouse has very thick glide feet--much thicker and longer lasting than many, if not all other mice on the market.

Like most Apple input peripherals, it's Bluetooth only, but it does have a battery life of around four months and range of 10 meters. Magic Mouse comes standard with the new iMac and is available at the end of October for a suggested retail price of $69 (US).

For those wondering, yes, the mouse is indeed a 2 button mouse with a real right click. It just has the appearance of a button-less mouse.

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3

LePhuronn , October 21, 2009 5:15 PM

Was Steve Jobs raped by a giant button when he was a child? That's the only thing I can think of to explain his loathing of them.
0

mi1ez , October 21, 2009 5:15 PM

eugh
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LePhuronn , October 21, 2009 5:27 PM

I'm sorry, but if you're going to multitouch a mouse, why bother with the mouse at all? Touchpad and just use your fingers.
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devilxc , October 21, 2009 5:46 PM

FPS with touchpads just don't work.

The mouse is ugly but the concept it good. I had this idea a while ago. As long as it is easy to click and not scroll instead it could be good. It also needs thumb buttons.
2

LePhuronn , October 21, 2009 5:54 PM

Funny because it's the other way round to me - the mouse is gorgeous but the concept is poor.

And why would a Mac need a thumb button? They've only had 2 buttons for a few years - why confuse a Mac user with a 3rd button when you can just replicate its function by holding down 3 keys and quadruple-clicking?
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tstebbens , October 21, 2009 6:59 PM

LePhuronnThey've only had 2 buttons for a few years - why confuse a Mac user with a 3rd button when you can just replicate its function by holding down 3 keys and quadruple-clicking?

I spat my tea out reading that. Cheers! Time to go clean out my keyboard.
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LePhuronn , October 21, 2009 7:30 PM

^^ sorry dude!
1

flaminggerbil , October 21, 2009 9:08 PM

LePhuronnWas Steve Jobs raped by a giant button when he was a child? That's the only thing I can think of to explain his loathing of them.

"Now show me on the doll where the button touched you"
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LePhuronn , October 21, 2009 9:35 PM

FlamingGerbil"Now show me on the doll where the button touched you"

"He made me double-click my self and I had to use two hands"
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will_chellam , October 22, 2009 12:01 AM

hmm, not liking the lack of tactility for button presses - i know for a fact that when i'm thinking and music is on my mouse finger taps, or when im thinking about what to do - i can imagine the ensuing desktop chaos already - no thanks.
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flaminggerbil , October 22, 2009 12:22 AM

will_chellamhmm, not liking the lack of tactility for button presses - i know for a fact that when i'm thinking and music is on my mouse finger taps, or when im thinking about what to do - i can imagine the ensuing desktop chaos already - no thanks.

Hadn't thought of that, just tried to imagine playing a game such as CoD4 with FF on using this mouse...
But even for other purposes, like you said, the lack of physical resistance would drive me nuts in a very short space of time.
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tinnerdxp , October 23, 2009 3:42 PM

Nice design, horrible concept, not usable with games, limited support and limited possibilities (read the apple forums about what this mouse can and cannot do), a bit of a miss really... why bother with touch-mouse - if you can just have a touchpad? Not to mention the above "issue" with "right mouse button"... which you have to enable in preferences first, otherwise you need keyboard to "right click".
Hmmm... let me summarize - it's a trackball of the XXI century. Useless but sort of innovative - some people might like it - especially those not doing much with their computers and those who appreciate the comfort of a normal mouse and compatibility with other computers.