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“Apple is working on combining the Magic Mouse’s touch surface with either an OLED or specialized display surface made of collimated optical glass that contains a unique magnifying capability,” Purcher reports. “The display will be able to display a calculator when in use with Apple’s Numbers app or be able to magnify text when using Apple’s Pages app.”
Purcher reports, “The interface could be used for other applications in the future, and an iPhone keypad isn’t out of the question.”
Much more in the full article, including Apple patent application illustrations along with other possible uses, here.
I suggested this idea over two years ago right here on MDN. Needless to say, I like it.
Microsoft: “Stop the manufacturing of our recently “design” muse.. Apple just… sorry, “We Just” came out with a new feature for it…”
I just mentioned on the last article how smart Apple is by sustaining a competitive advantage by reducing the cost of supply by purchasing bulk.
Key pad on my mouse?
I love it!
I hate not having a key pad but love the smaller “non-windows” keyboard. As much as I love 8 BILLION KEYS for everything under the sun.
This could form the basis of an amazing remote control for Apple TV.
Don’t get this. If you go into a screen mode, you move the position of your hand to see the screen then start tapping it. Try this with your existing mouse. Your mouse would start moving all over your desk.
@Gilby
I tend to agree. I don’t see the attraction of this concept. Perhaps the intent of the patent is to protect Apple from a future infringement lawsuit. The best defense is a good offense.
does anyone know when the new macbook pros will be available???
Calculator on the mouse while I’m in Numbers and maybe an iPhone interface on my mouse would be great. The patent looks like there could be a means to use the mouse as a scanner. Now that would be wild!
Clever, but a mouse ultimately needs to be something you can use without having to look at it. This is the inherent difference between Mac OS X and iOS. In iOS, you interact directly with what you see. In Mac OS X, you interact “indirectly” through an input device, such as keyboard and mouse-equivalent. Your eyes need to stay on the screen, not the input device.
The idea of being able to call up a calculator or iPhone keypad interface onto the surface of the mouse is interesting and has some appeal. It could be used to customize the mouse’s appearance with a photo. Simple idea, but one that would be really fun.
Yet I wonder if there’s a built-in scanner in this mouse. That’s what it looks like by showing the piece of paper under the mouse. Why else show that? I think there’s more to this idea and that would be helpful for quick graphic and business card scans. Just my 2 cents.
They could also replace trackpads on laptops with touchscreens……. Useful for watching movies, (pause play, rewind) so there’s no annoying toolbar that pops up every time you breathe
@ You Be Trollin. Nice idea
That just goes against all the Interface guidelines.