Apple today introduced Mighty Mouse, its next generation mouse with several innovative new features that make using your Mac or Windows PC even more powerful and easy. Mighty Mouse offers power users up to four independently programmable buttons, without compromising simplicity for users who prefer just a single-button mouse. Mighty Mouse also introduces an ingenious Scroll Ball that lets users scroll in any direction-vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. With the Scroll Ball, users can scroll with natural, fluid movements, making Mighty Mouse perfect for applications from viewing web pages and photographs, to video editing and music creation. Mighty Mouse is priced at just $49.
“With Mighty Mouse, we’ve simply built a better mouse,” said David Moody, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Mac Product Marketing. “With its innovative Scroll Ball and unique integration of multiple buttons, Mighty Mouse adds functionality while retaining the elegant, easy-to-use Apple design.”
Mighty Mouse is the first multi-button mouse that retains the simplicity of a single-button mouse, and can be used as a single- or multi-button mouse depending on the user’s preference. Mighty Mouse features a single seamless enclosure with programmable touch sensors that act as primary or secondary buttons. With a simple click on the upper right or left side of the mouse, users can instantly access features such as contextual menus found in Mac OS X and other applications. Mighty Mouse’s two other buttons are activated by pressing its Scroll Ball and squeezing its sides, and can be easily programmed to give users one-click access to Mac OS X version 10.4.2 “Tiger” features such as Spotlight, Dashboard and Expose, or to launch any application such as Safar or iChat.
Mighty Mouse features an easy-to-use design that comfortably fits the left or right hand and an optical tracking engine for responsive and accurate cursor movement on almost any type of surface. With up to four programmable buttons, Mighty Mouse makes it easy to access key features of Tiger with the side buttons and Scroll Ball providing quick, one-click access to Spotlight, Dashboard and Expose.
Mighty Mouse is available immediately through the Apple Store, at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a
suggested retail price of $49 (US). Mighty Mouse requires Mac OS X, Windows 2000 or Windows XP and easily connects to Mac and Windows systems; Mac OS X version 10.4.2 “Tiger” is required to customize buttons for one-click access to Spotlight, Dashboard and Expose or to launch applications. Mighty Mouse is compatible with either USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 ports.
MacDailyNews Take: Hallelujah! The “Mighty Mouse” looks like it’s designed very well — big surprise — but only using it will tell for sure. We’ll get our hands on one and review it ASAP. (By the way, notice how Apple is methodically picking off Windows users’ inane reasons for not using the superior Mac platform? Processor: check. Multi-button mouse: check. What’s next, a line of Apple computer games? To read SteveJack’s “The time has come for Apple to ship a two-button scroll mouse standard” article from June 09, 2003 and the MacDailyNews’ readers’ feedback to it is fun.
For those wondering, Apple has licensed the name “Mighty Mouse” from Viacom Consumer Products, owner of the rights to the cartoon hero.
[UPDATE: 1:35pm EDT: Added “for Mac and Windows” to headline, updated photo.]
Advertisment: Order your Apple “Mighty Mouse” now from the Apple Store online!
Related articles:
Enderle: Apple’s new Mighty Mouse ‘just does not feel like a market leader’ – August 02, 2005
Apple’s new ‘Mighty Mouse’ provides audio feedback for clicking and scrolling – August 02, 2005
Apple’s mythical two-button mouse – March 19, 2005
RUMOR: Apple may soon debut two-button mouse – March 15, 2005
Apple’s Pro Mouse is truly a joy to use… for about five minutes – May 29, 2004
The time has come for Apple to ship a two-button scroll mouse standard – June 09, 2003
Should Apple reconsider the one-button mouse? – October 23, 2002
Wohoooo !!!!
I really like this new mouse. I might have to get one. My only question is…is it wireless?
I am intrigued.
Lets see Nintendo out-do this!
Where is the click-wheel? I guess a mini-track-ball could be useful. Squeezable sides is interesting. I am surprised there is no BlueTooth version.
Hopefully this puts to rest the “no two button” mouse nonsense!
– To Infinity and beyond!
Upon further inspection of some of the photo’s I’d say it’s corded. Oh well, I’ll wait just a little longer until Mighty Mouse loses it tail.
This looks pretty good. Now, I wonder if this 360 degree wheel was created/inspired by playing with Google Earth!
My only question: Does this ship as OEM with all Apple desktops?
This is GREAT!
Unless that wire hanging off the top of it is an antenna, then no it isn’t wireless.
Brilliant. I’ve ordered one.
Why didn’t Apple make this bluetooth instead of USB 2.0? They offer a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, why would “mighty mouse” be tethered?
Still, It is a proud day for Apple users who are forced to but Logitech or [dreed] Microsoft input devices for their Macs.
The user experience is about to get much better!
MDN word: Ground
Kind of a stupid name… more fuel for the pc trolls regarding their “Macs are for kids and grandmas” mantra.
It is so pretty!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”big surprise” style=”border:0;” />
Mac System Requirements
– A Macintosh computer with an available USB 1.1 or 2.0 port
– Mac OS X
To customize buttons for one-click access to Spotlight, Dashboard and Exposé or to launch applications, Mac OS X Tiger v.10.4.2 is required.
PC System Requirements
– PC with an available USB 1.1 or 2.0 port
– Windows XP or Windows 2000
Works with standard input driver included with Windows XP and 2000. No additional software required.
I love it! I’ve got an Apple bluetooth mouse that I stopped using because I kept forgetting to turn if off and I was draining the batteries every week. It is in my box of no longer used technology. I’m going back to corded!
I’m gonna drive an hour to go pick one up later today once I call the apple store and see if they have one in stock
Jurassic Park! This mouse looks ace!
It’s good for all the morons out there who can’t keyboard. Keyboarding is faster!
This is not any two-button scroll mouse standard anymore
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” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”cool smirk” style=”border:0;” />
Apple created new Mighty Mouse standard
If it were wireless I would already be on my way to the Apple store to get one. Maybe soon wireless version will be available.
With 2yr old twins in the house the fewer wires for them to pull the better. LOL
odered mine as the apple store does not have it in stock yet
The only thing that isn’t missing on this mouse is the cord. I agree with iSteve that the bluetooth mouse sux, but I do like my 5 button cordless mouse that has the interface that plugs into the USB port. I don’t have to turn the mouse on and off and battery life is good. That is what Apple should have done with this new mouse, clipped its tail. It’s hard to go back to corded once you had a good experience with cordless.
Specifically, this needs Bluetooth support. Once that happens, off to the Apple Store I go!
WOW
Now Hear This
Mighty Mouse even sounds as good as it feels. The audio feedback built into Mighty Mouse provides an aural sensation that responds to your movements. A tiny speaker inside Mighty Mouse produces button-clicking and Scroll Ball-rolling sound effects.
That’s the tiniest trackball I’ve ever seen.
Hell indeed did freeze over this morning…
Great – fabulous – amazing – I want one… but not with a stoneage-era wire coming out of it. Where’s the wireless version??!
wow, first intel and now this. Hell hasn’t just froze over, it’s turned into a big popsicle!
HOLY CRAP!!
WHITE IS EAST!!
BLACK IS UP!!
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!
Intel switchover and now a two button mouse!
Great name. Nice to see a little sense of humor. F*ck the PC trolls who say Apple is for grandma’s. Do you honestly think that Apple should make decisions based on them? Those people will say it no matter what Apple names their stuff.
Hell has truly frozen over.
Too darn bad that they should have done this years ago. Besides the lost revenue, the frustration of trying to work with a wheel-less, one button mouse may have cost them some switchers.
About time.
Looks ugly…
No wireless. No hand shape. And the Apple white thing is getting old.
I’ll stick to my Logitech wireless mouse & keyboard.
Looks ugly…
No wireless. No hand shape. And the Apple white thing is getting old.
I’ll stick to my Logitech wireless mouse & keyboard.
Looks ugly…
No wireless. No hand shape. And the Apple white thing is getting old.
I’ll stick to my Logitech wireless mouse & keyboard.
I agree with the MDN take that Apple keeps working the the Windoze crowd. I can see some PC user with an iPod now thinking, “OK, I can spend $49 on a mouse.” One more piece of brilliant hardware. Eventually they’ll get the Mac Mini after they get a taste of the mouse. We’ll see a slight Mighty Mouse halo effect…
The Dude will be sticking with his wireless Logitech KB & M. I have gotten very used to having left click, right click, scroll click, forward click, back click, and application click… oh, the cruiser buttons on it rock too.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> And this is a GREAT step for Apple. But the Dude likes his buttons…. and fully programable too.
I will admit I am an “Advanced” mouse user.
The Dude Abides.
Though I prefer the single button mouse, because I don’t have to keep fingers stressfully positioned at mouse buttons, etc… this is a pretty cool design, so I may have to pick up one myself.
Another apple product that is way overpriced for the average consumer. It’s past mid 2005 and we are cheering about a two button mouse.
First Apple moves to Intel …. now this!
I’m telling you the end of mankind is near!
I hope they come out with wireless to go with my wireless keyboard.
Looks and sounds interesting. I’m waiting for the feedback once it gets into folks’ hands. I wonder when you can supstitute one of these for the single-button relic for a price less than $49 when you order a new desktop Mac?
Now if only the iBook and PowerBooks would come with a split button under the track pad. By default, both sides would act like usual single-button operation. And add a preference to change behavior to what most of the computing world is used to. All this two-handed cntl-clicking is pain in the arse when single-handed operation is far more elegant.
Wow, this is incredible. I will have to get one. I only hope they still ship the one button mouse standard, so that applications are designed as simply as possible.
“Kind of a stupid name… more fuel for the pc trolls regarding their “Macs are for kids and grandmas” mantra.”
Or a lawsuit from Hana Barbera.
Very nice, although the scrollwheel/ball looks a bit small to my eye, perhaps not from a function perspective but it looks a bit lonely on top there.
I’m a trackball man personally because I like the fact I don’t need to keep space on my desk to move a mouse around but this seems tempting for home. Bluetooth (or some wireless form) is only of use to me if it has a recharging dock of some kind, otherwise I forget to charge it.
Hmmm, I am a trackball man myself but since this kinda has a trackball (even tho it is a scroll ball) I might have to check it out. I don’t know tho, I will probably stick with the trackball because once you get used to them, you can never go back to a move your whole arm mouse.
Now if they would just come out with an optical trackball I would be much more likely to get one.
But what I really want is a Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro Track ball that is optical rather than roller. I have gotten used to having the 13 different clicks and chord combinations so it would be hard to go to fewer.
But I am very glad that Apple finally saw fit to come out with a two button mouse (or whatever the heck it is, of course they had to be really innovative about it
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> ) This is something that I predicted in a previous post and MDN has picked up on it too: Steve is step by step eliminating every objection that windozers have to switching. They have no where to run and no where to hide!
I will dig up my old post and put it below.
“MacDailyNews Take: Hallelujah! The “Mighty Mouse” looks like it’s designed very well — big surprise — but only using it will tell for sure. We’ll get our hands on one and review it ASAP. (By the way, notice how Apple is methodically picking off Windows users’ inane reasons for not using the superior Mac platform? Processor: check. Multi-button mouse: check. What’s next, a line of Apple computer games?”
Now all we need are viruses and spyware, and the windows crowd will come running.
Here is my old post on this. Reproduced for you here just so I can say “I told you so”
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From: Jack Arends
Jun 11, 05 – 01:27 pm
You know, this adds another piece to the puzzle. Think of what we have seen posted in the comments again and again on this site. Think of the areas that windozers choose to attack the Mac on that we have to fight again and again. Think of the things that Mac Addicts voice as areas they wish Apple would do something about. And then look at what Steve Jobs has been doing. He is taking each of the Macs perceived “weak” points and cutting that argument off at the knees.
1. There is no software for the Mac –
What does Steve do?
Switch to OS X which is Unix and lots of software can be ported more easily to work on the Mac. Also making it Unix really appeals to the uber geek crowd where a lot of the new stuff comes from. He focuses a lot on developers, making the WWDC one of the Key points of the year. And increases the number of programs and developers.
2. Macs are too expensive –
What does Steve do?
Brings the costs of units down to where they are on a par for similiar systems, WITHOUT sacrificing the Macintosh Experience and Quality. And then comes out with the Mac Mini!
3. Not enough people are being exposed to the Mac and the stores that do carry them can’t explain them adequately a lot of the time –
What does Steve do?
Mac Specialists in big computer stores carrying Macs and then Apple Stores.
3. We need a headless Mac –
What does Steve do?
Again the Mac Mini.
4. Macs are not good for gamers –
What does Steve do?
Well, what is happening right now? It looks like this problem may be solved by the deal with Intel.
This pretty much leaves us with “The One Button Mouse sucks”, “You can’t build your own Mac”, and “Apple should advertise OS X more”. Will we see an optional two button mouse with a scroll wheel from Apple? My guess looking at the above would be yes. Will we see people get the ability to build their own PC and run OS X? That is much more uncertain but we certainly are once step closer to that with the deal with Intel. At some time I think we will see the third point and a VERY large Advertising campaign come out for OS X and Macs. In the meantime Steve has Apple on everyones mind and is exposing them to the quality of the Mac experience through the trojan horse of the iPod.
This is a long term plan man. Steve gets one piece in place and then we see the next revealed. I think Steve had a good long time to think this all out as to how he would do things differently during his banishment. He has gotten his chance and is making all the right moves while still staying responsive to the changing environment and the wants and needs of the consumers (namely us). You can feel it happening like a giant wave starting to lift you up. The groundswell is coming and now we are starting to see the size of the wave and it’s gonna be a beauty folks.
Im SOOOO Impressed, a two button mouse, Thats so like, 1990
Of particular note, reading Apples description, you can keep it programmed as a single button mouse or as a multi-button mouse. Odds are that it ships in single button mode (or rather that Tiger initially recognizes it in single button mode), and that, as experienced Mac users, you simply go to the preferences and toggle it to multi-button mode. But then that simple task should be a breeze for all us multi-button mouse users. Steve gets his clean simple one-button for newbies design, and experienced users get multi-button functionality; everybody wins. Let’s just hope it works as advertised.
“Well, what is happening right now? It looks like this problem may be solved by the deal with Intel”
No, it wont. The Mac will be a POS OS for gaming until they optimize OpenGL…Support for other graphic standards are terrible, no customizability.
So really, no, it wont change that, or the pricing.
$49?
Thank god they held off on charging $50 for it.
yo WOW, it has 4 buttons (because you are so stupid you can’t even read or see). and a track pad. and you can scroll diagonally. Its so 2005 pal.
Well, I guess for all you people who have been complaining about this, but I’ve never saw a reason to have multiple buttons or a scroll wheel on a mouse. Keyboard shortcuts are faster than using the mouse anyway.
Great, now I’m gonna have this song stuck in my head for a few days.
Here I come to save the day!
That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way!
Thanks Apple.
Please don’t ever use the words “It’s a Small World.”
RE: RE: Jack
We will just have to wait and see but you KNOW that the gaming issue is on Steve’s mind. The deal with intel could also possibly solve the issue by allowing a dual booting machine. Windows for Gaming, OS X for everything else. Not an elegant solution but one that will get you by until they further optimize the syste (if necessary – I am not enough of an Uber Geek to know the details of that – but I HAVE heard that if the games are written to be optimized for the Mac and not just ported they play much better)
Oh and by the way, I agree with ZupChuck, when the Intel Mac Laptops come out (if not before) they should have two buttons under the trackpad. Right now I am using sidetrack with allows you to program different areas of the trackpad for different clicks but it would be better to have mechanical buttons.
It’s about time… thank the gods. But after twenty one years I was losing hope we’d see this one.
I remember in one of Steve’s keynotes some time back he was talking about the contextual menus and how there were ‘so many great features that people just aren’t using’ in there… and all I could think was… well dork, then give us a second mouse button! And their little cog wheel menu in finder windows is wretchedly inadequate for that. What newbie is going to control click when they’re used to right clicking.
I’m so happy. Hopefully this means the laptop line will start getting similar functionality on the trackpads
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They say the sides are force-sensitive. Hmm… Perhaps we truly have turned to the Dark Side. Muuuhhhhaaaa haaaa haaaa! Padme?? Honey, you there? Darn this helmet!
Bet it will sell like hotcakes. Just like the iPod. yum.
‘Should have been, $49 for corded and $69 for wireless. Bluetooth everywhere, then suddenly a retro, wired thingy.
From Apple’s site on the design: http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/design.html
“The Button That Wasn’t
Alas the fate of the one-button mouse in today’s multibutton world. Who has time for intuitive, elegant design when there is so much clicking to do? Thanks to a smooth top shell with touch-sensitive technology beneath, Mighty Mouse allows you to right click without a right button. Capacitive sensors under Mighty Mouse’s seamless top shell detect where your fingers are and predict your clicking intentions, so you don’t need two buttons — just two fingers. Click on the left side to use Mighty Mouse in its simplest, single-button form. Click on the right to access contextual menus within applications and edit, copy, label or download from your mouse. It’s simple sleight of hand.”
“Kind of a stupid name… more fuel for the pc trolls regarding their “Macs are for kids and grandmas” mantra.”
Or a lawsuit from Hana Barbera.
The name “Mighty Mouse” is a trademark of Viacom Consumer Products, Incorporated (not Hanna-Barbera anymore). Apple has licensed the name from Viacom to use as the name of this mouse as well.
You don’t think Apple Legal is going to let the Marketing department bring down the wrath of Sumner Redstone and Les Moonves, do you??!! They’ve got this one covered…
Apple was lightyears behind, now it’s lightyears ahead. But seeing it doesn’t have Bluetooth, I’ll stay with my Mouse BT
So, this multi-button mouse has ignited some serious flame wars across the internet. I just checked Slashdot and I am amazed by the amount of PC-centric flame out there. Then I went to Fark.com and its even worse. The myths they are spreading really shows you what Apple is up against. And the anger, oh the anger of PC people. It’s sad. Most people are monkeys. I think that its our duty as Apple fans to not be over zealous, but to just debunk myths and point out truths.
Why didn’t Apple make this bluetooth instead of USB 2.0? They offer a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, why would “mighty mouse” be tethered?
Because Apple likes to create an upgrade path… using its early adopters who will also buy a BT Mighty Mouse when they come out too.
I’ll add a bit to G Spank’s post.
WOW, it doesnt have 2 buttons, or even 4 buttions. It has 5 buttons and a track ball and half of those “buttons” cant even be considered buttons. Show me one mouse from the 1990’s, or even in 2005 that has touch sensitive left and right buttons, pressure sensitive side buttons, and a track ball that is another button. That being said, it is about %&*$# time apple!
MW is other, as in ‘WOW, MM is like no “other” mouse out there.’
Wonder if this will work with USBOverdrive? Cause from what I see, the extra buttons on this mouse can only launch an application, bring up Widgets or Expose. What I use my scroll wheel button for is to close a window, or if in Safari to go back, and if in Preview to scroll to the next page. USBOverdrive lets me do way more with my mouse buttons than what Tiger is gonna let me do, so I don’t think I’ll be picking up one of these until I know.
But Hell has indeed frozen over (again).
Ugh, the non ergonomic mouse shape continues!!! I don’t know of any company that would allow their workers to use this thing… too much risk of carpal tunnel and workers comp.
Give me a logitech mouse that fits the curvature of your hand (oh wait, I already have a few…).
I can see Apple Resellers offering this as an incentive. “Free Mighty Mouse with purchase of Mac Mini or iMac…”
MW=”change”
Mac & PC guy:
“Looks ugly…
… No hand shape. “
Hand shape? WHOSE hand shape? Yours? Mine? The designer’s? My left-handed wife’s? Her elementary school students’?
Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes.
“Thank God they held off on charging $50 for it.” – Joe McConnell.
I’m sure your post was meant to be sarcastic, but the price can’t be any worse than other $50-plus off-brand rodents I’ve seen in the stores.
Typing is far more likely to give carpel tunnel. I use the standard Apple mouse for hours each day with no problem, but when I try to type a newsletter, I have to take breaks and massage my hands.
I am one who feels that simplicity is very important. Apple has allowed simplicity to remain and permitted users to add complexity if they like. I guess that is the best compromise. The critics are silenced (mostly) and those who were happy before can remain happy. Thank you very much.
Very nice!!!
A one button mouse design with 4 buttons – bloody genius!!
The scroll ball feature is gonna be invaluable for people working in video!
I think it’s clear to say why Apple was voted the most innovative company in world!
Creative or Microsoft WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT OF THIS CONCEPT EVER!!
Im ordering one today to replace my knacked out G4 mouse!
If Apple had only offered a bluetooth version for $79 people would have complained that they didn’t offer a cheaper corded multi-button mouse.
Also they may be waiting on a bluetooth version until after any bugs are worked out, see what adjustments need to be made based on customer feedback.
Introducing corded now allows them to get the product on the market. If they introduced corded and bluetooth at the same time it would be harder to coordinate manufacturing and distribution. They’ll get more publicity when they introduce the bluetooth version in a few months or at MacWorld in January.
mw=finally (how appropriate)
As a designer, I find Battery powered wireless mice way to Heavy. they dont move as smooth and lightly as the chorded (though the chord can be a pain) Most of what I do cant be done with the keyboard, so I nee a great mouse, I just wonder how sensitive the buttons are, I will try one next time Im at an Apple store, I would like to know whether the audio reponse is ok vs the physical response of other mice.
MW change
It still amazes me how many Window People, even tech savy ones, who see me USING a multi-button mouse, still dont think Macs “can use a 2 button mouse” I keep telling people, control + click does the same thing, now maybe they will start believing me
BLUETOOTH VERSION PLEASE!!!
Only one cable on my iMac G5, the power cable. Why would I want to add another? I’d pay and extra $10 or $20 for a BT version.
MW: coming. “When is the BT version coming?”
“Petey: A one button mouse design with 4 buttons – bloody genius!!”
Actually it is a 5 button mouse. The scrollball acts as another button.
This is great for unix geeks like me who use the middle button as a “paste” button.
> dennis wrote: Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes.
If you try designs that are designed to fit nicely in both left and right hands, you may be surprised on the comfort increase.
Mine is a Logitech designed for right-handers and it feels very good. It’s wireless and was bundled with a wireless keyboard that has markings for the Mac as well as Windows.
“Inherently-badly designed” for the “vast majority” eh?
How did you figure that? Survey? Design class? Internet forum?
> dennis wrote: Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes.
If you try designs that are designed to fit nicely in both left and right hands, you may be surprised on the comfort increase.
Mine is a Logitech designed for right-handers and it feels very good. It’s wireless and was bundled with a wireless keyboard that has markings for the Mac as well as Windows.
“Inherently-badly designed” for the “vast majority” eh?
How did you figure that? Survey? Design class? Internet forum?
> dennis wrote: Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes.
If you try designs that are designed to fit nicely in both left and right hands, you may be surprised on the comfort increase.
Mine is a Logitech designed for right-handers and it feels very good. It’s wireless and was bundled with a wireless keyboard that has markings for the Mac as well as Windows.
“Inherently-badly designed” for the “vast majority” eh?
How did you figure that? Survey? Design class? Internet forum?
“JoeKnows: Actually it is a 5 button mouse.”
Sorry, it is only four buttons. Left & right, the scroll ball and the sides. The two side buttons act as one – they are not seperate. See http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/software.html for more info.
Wishlist addition: Completely sealed design.
Reason: Easier to keep clean.
I’ve got a suite of 4 Mac video edit bays. With our editors working morning until night, crud builds up pretty quickly. Wiping down the outside isn’t a problem, but with Apple’s designs, crud gets beneath the transparent outer shell. Yuck.
—
Other than the price, wire tether, and plain design… Apple has a knack implementing simplicity as utility and I’m looking forward to hearing from the early-adopters.
Wishlist addition: Completely sealed design.
Reason: Easier to keep clean.
I’ve got a suite of 4 Mac video edit bays. With our editors working morning until night, crud builds up pretty quickly. Wiping down the outside isn’t a problem, but with Apple’s designs, crud gets beneath the transparent outer shell. Yuck.
—
Other than the price, wire tether, and plain design… Apple has a knack implementing simplicity as utility and I’m looking forward to hearing from the early-adopters.
Wishlist addition: Completely sealed design.
Reason: Easier to keep clean.
I’ve got a suite of 4 Mac video edit bays. With our editors working morning until night, crud builds up pretty quickly. Wiping down the outside isn’t a problem, but with Apple’s designs, crud gets beneath the transparent outer shell. Yuck.
—
Other than the price, wire tether, and plain design… Apple has a knack implementing simplicity as utility and I’m looking forward to hearing from the early-adopters.
Funny… I use a no-button Apple pro-mouse, and since I read the announcement, my fingers intuitively search for a mini trackball on the top
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Thanks for the clarification iSteve. I thought the side buttons could be programmed individually.
I reckon Apple will announce the bluetooth version at Mac Expo in Paris in September
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This is genius. I’ve been shopping for a 2 button mouse recently, and the biggest problem I had was finding one that didn’t go overboard with the buttons. The logitech mice are really nice in most respects.. but there is no way I am really going to use the 8 buttons + left/right rocker + scroll wheel. Not to mention that the side buttons are small and a bit awkward to press. No, thinking back to all the mice that I liked the best- they were simple 2 button + scroll wheel models. The plain microsoft mouse was one of my favorites. The kensington travel mouse (with the retractable cord) was also a favorite. These mice were unobtrusive.. and simple. Plus, I can set it up so that when my wife logs in.. it’s a single button mouse, but when I log in, it’s the double button mouse. nice!
Unsanity, start your lawyers …
see this headline!
“Apple Announces Might Mouse: Deprives us of a Second Button -PowerPage”
http://www.powerpage.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/powerpage.woa/wa/story?newsID=14798
I am like…what’s he smoking? Obviously he didn’t read apple product page for Mighty Mouse very carefully eh. He thought it is still single button mouse with trackball eh. He spelled it “Might Mouse” leaving out the Y I wonder why eh..
The logitic mice are too complex.
Simple, clean design of the new might mouse way surpasses anything logitec has out there.
As usual Apple make complex thing simple.
The standard of award winning design which no of these other companies can ever get right.
I have a Logitech MX510 (8 button with scrollwheel) that I absolutely love (and FYI Joe McConnell, it cost $49.99, so the Mighty Mouse is cheaper!). I tried several before I came to this one and it’s the only one I found with multiple buttons and a scrollwheel that still feels like an Apple mouse. However, the Mighty Mouse looks pretty cool. I’d definitely want to try it before I buy it (learned my lesson from buying “The Mouse” from MacMice – TERRIBLE MOUSE) but I’m impressed and really happy that they finally did this. How long before they start shipping them with the computers? I bet less than a year.
I hope Apple paid Viacom to license the trademark: link
Are the buttons programmable based on Application being used. In Browsers I like to have the secondary button set to open link in a new tab. In other applications the secondary button should do the normal thing and open the contextual menu.
My wireless MS mouse can do this. Will the Mighty Mouse?
I dunno, I’m more of a trackball kinda dude…
“I hope Apple paid Viacom to license the trademark…”
Looks like they have covered it. Check the bottom-left of this page:
http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/
FWIW, I was in the SOHO flagship store at 10:00 am this morning and they say Mighty Mouse won’t be available there until tomorrow.
🙁
Jeff, the ergonomics of a mouse are determined more by its shape in profile than its birds-eye shape. If you look at the Apple mice from the side, it has a curve toward the aft side for the ball of your hand and a sloped area where you rest your fingers. People interact with the top of a mouse for the most part, and not the sides. My Logitech, in contrast, is shaped like a dome and does not support my fingers well.
The zero-button design prevents fatigue, at least in my hands, because the force on the mouse comes from your entire hand rather than a specific finger. Thus the strain on important fingers is reduced.
That being said, if you find the Apple mice uncomfortable to you, that’s great, get another. But I doubt you can point me either to a case of RSI that was caused by the Apple mouse style, or to a respected publication that recommends against the Apple mouse.
Mice are such a personal thing. As nice as this picture seems, the shape will still not work for everyone. I use a Logitech M-BB48 that still has the mechanical ball (not optical) but is a very low profile sleek mouse. This thing is old in comparison but I love the shape. It fits my hand comfortably. I would not give it up. I will bet there are some Logitech users who will sample this at their local Apple store and not be pleased with this mouse shape.
jas: interesting link, but if you read it, Viacom lost the case. It would seem that Apple don’t need to license…
If they really want to make a change they should make something like this the standard mouse – this only furthers the costliness of mac. But it is cool…
Mac Daddy, you are right. They are ripoffs, these are ripoffs….but so cool.
Did Apple get permission from Izzy Klein and Paul Terry to use the name Mighty Mouse? Or is it public domain now?
Buffy:
That should be “corded” not “chorded” unless you are hoping that you could play musical chords in garageband, I “C” Major kudoes for MM!
MW = job
as in, great job Apple!
TerryToons (such as the Mighty Mouse cartoons) are owned by Viacom now. Apple has licensed the name “Mighty Mouse” from Viacom Consumer Products, Inc.
Viacom will NEVER let any of their properties go gently into public domain…
Apple was lightyears behind, now it’s lightyears ahead
—
Yeah.. good thing there are OTHER COMPANIES that specialize in making peripherals … all of which work pretty damn smooth is OS X…
Wow.. Imagine that.. a LOGITECH mouse..
God, there’s only like.. 239 to choose from.. man.. Apple was really drowning there without a 5 button mouse..
I’ll reserve my opinion until I have tried it. To date, Apple has never made a mouse worth a damn.
Just got one. The scroll ball thingy is the best I’ve ever used. It’s going to take a little getting used to the right/left click. You can’t be touching the left side if you want to right click and visa versa. The only other thing is that the horizantal scrolling seems to be a little sluggish. I give it an A-…Can’t wait for the Bluetooth version. BTW…The Apple Store in Detroit only had 3 left.
Amazing.
But come on, it’s not wireless? This is going to stop me from buying it, unfortunately.
But that aside, another amazing innovation from Apple
Thanx for not saying, “I told you so!”
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But, I’ve always been of the mind that…
…the one reason that Apple stuck with the one-button mouse for so long (and why the new Mighty Mouse functions perfectly well as a one-button mouse) was to force developers to make everything accessible with a one-button mouse and not screw up Mac usability by creating functions that were only accessible via a right click of the mouse…
I’m going to entrust that they don’t.
–
PS. I’m not Bill Palmer, nor an enemy of Apple
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Sorry, Logitec……..no more sales to me. I am going Mac………all the way!
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i am posting from the apple store now..new mouse is very cool…very tempting..one thing that i dont like is that the left side and ride side only do the same thing, you can’t make change that.
Mac & PC guy:
>>”Inherently-badly designed” for the “vast majority” eh?
How did you figure that? Survey? Design class? Internet forum?<<
No, yes, no.
I don’t need a survey to tell me that there is a wide variety of hand shapes and sizes in the world. (Ever heard the hyperbolic phrase “one size fits none?”) Even within the realm of computer mice, there is the example of the much-despised hockey-puck, which actually worked just fine for many people with smaller hands. Those popular Microsoft mice feel ridiculously huge to me.
Apple’s mice are as hand-shaped as they need to be.
Thank myself, that I did not buy any logitech two weeks ago… right after WWDC…
The Apple Store in Syracuse had a few in stock so I went up and picked one up and I must say I love it… too bad its not BT but I siill like it… excelent mouse gonna replace my Logitech MX500 that I’ve had for 2 years.. I shoulda bought the iBook a few months back instead of the PB I would have had it color matched
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Actually, I’ve been chuckling about the “innovative” scroll ball.
Sorry guys: It’s been done before.
Actually, I have one of these hooked to my Mac in the office. Three buttons and a track trackball! My opinion: “Eh.”
First, I rarely use the second button–I don’t need to. I do use the scroll-wheel sometimes, but it’s still faster to use the scrollbar on the right side of the window if I need to move around in the document. The scroll wheel is useful only for small scrolls.
Oh, and has anyone else noticed that sometimes mice with scrollbars stop working? I notice that, in Safari, if I position the mouse over MacDailyNews’ grey “Ads by Goooogle” advertisement, I can’t scroll down anymore–I can only scroll up.
(From above)
I guess the link wore out. Search ioGear’s site for “Web Cruiser.”
It’s also $20 cheaper than the Apple one and has real buttons. And considering how well Apple’s touch-sensitive technology worked on the PowerMac Cube, I’m not sure I’d trust it…
It was just pointed out to be my my daughter that the existing Apple mouse has a feature that I don’t recall seeing mentioned anywhere. The white pads at the side are not just for style or hand placement. If you click and hold and then squeeze in on the white pads, you can lift the mouse to reposition it with out losing the click and hold. I may have done this without knowing it was there as a feature. Perhaps I missed something, as a long time Mac user I rarely RTFM. Nice that it seems to be a feature/action that is intuitive. Just like picking something up with your hand and moving it.
cool! MW is “ten” my favourite OS number
> dennis wrote: Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes….Apple’s mice are as hand-shaped as they need to be.
Well, for you perhaps.
My preference is for something a bit more comfortable than anything Apple has offered.
To be hand-shaped doesn’t necessarilly require that you choose the right or the left. Perhaps it takes a more open mind and approach to figure that out.
Apple’s MM, with its simple shape, may appeal to many. I’m completely sure it will!
… But I wouldn’t quite go for the stretch you claim, that everything hand-shaped is inherently bad.
Logitech & Microsoft, Callaway & Ping, Selmer & Fender, Momo, Frigidaire, V-Tech, Craftsman, Bic, and even Apple… would disagree with you.
Perhaps you shouldn’t write off something so completely, just to defend Apple.
> dennis wrote: Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes….Apple’s mice are as hand-shaped as they need to be.
Well, for you perhaps.
My preference is for something a bit more comfortable than anything Apple has offered.
To be hand-shaped doesn’t necessarilly require that you choose the right or the left. Perhaps it takes a more open mind and approach to figure that out.
Apple’s MM, with its simple shape, may appeal to many. I’m completely sure it will!
… But I wouldn’t quite go for the stretch you claim, that everything hand-shaped is inherently bad.
Logitech & Microsoft, Callaway & Ping, Selmer & Fender, Momo, Frigidaire, V-Tech, Craftsman, Bic, and even Apple… would disagree with you.
Perhaps you shouldn’t write off something so completely, just to defend Apple.
> dennis wrote: Anything “hand-shaped” is inherently badly-designed for the vast majority of people, unless it comes in multiple sizes and shapes….Apple’s mice are as hand-shaped as they need to be.
Well, for you perhaps.
My preference is for something a bit more comfortable than anything Apple has offered.
To be hand-shaped doesn’t necessarilly require that you choose the right or the left. Perhaps it takes a more open mind and approach to figure that out.
Apple’s MM, with its simple shape, may appeal to many. I’m completely sure it will!
… But I wouldn’t quite go for the stretch you claim, that everything hand-shaped is inherently bad.
Logitech & Microsoft, Callaway & Ping, Selmer & Fender, Momo, Frigidaire, V-Tech, Craftsman, Bic, and even Apple… would disagree with you.
Perhaps you shouldn’t write off something so completely, just to defend Apple.
re: Actually, I’ve been chuckling about the “innovative” scroll ball.
Sorry guys: It’s been done before.
Actually, I have one of these hooked to my Mac in the office. Three buttons and a track trackball! My opinion: “Eh.”
First, I rarely use the second button–I don’t need to. I do use the scroll-wheel sometimes, but it’s still faster to use the scrollbar on the right side of the window if I need to move around in the document. The scroll wheel is useful only for small scrolls.
Oh, and has anyone else noticed that sometimes mice with scrollbars stop working? I notice that, in Safari, if I position the mouse over MacDailyNews’ grey “Ads by Goooogle” advertisement, I can’t scroll down anymore–I can only scroll up.
CRAP!
Looking at the website – the mouse DOES NOT FEATURE A SCROLL BALL.
It’s so nice to see most everyone is readily accepting this before it’s even been released. Ahhh, the Mac crowd.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> Problems as I see it with this mouse:
1. How do you clean the scroll ball? Remember before optical mice when your mouse wouldn’t move right and you’d have to take the ball out and clean everything?
2. What’s up with this whole “Mighty Mouse’s two other buttons are activated by pressing its Scroll Ball and squeezing its sides” crap? Was it that difficult to just make the buttons push in?
3. It’s ugly as hell and does not appear to be very ergonomic either. I can see a lot of cramped hands.
4. No wireless, no bluetooth. So we’re taking a few steps forward, and taking a few steps backwards at the same time.
5. Most Mac users have already gone out and purchased a scroll mouse with multiple buttons. Only reason to buy this one is to have everything match. . .which I guess matters to some people. But then, it doesn’t really match up with all of the brushed metal Mac stuff either.
The whole thing stinks of Apple trying to catch up, but trying not to look like they are. Basically, the only real innovation this mouse brings is the ability to scroll diagonally. The rest of the unique features are entirely unnecessary.