Apple's new $49 Mighty Mouse--first with right click and no buttons
By Ryan Block 
posted August 2nd 2005 9:18AM
posted August 2nd 2005 9:18AM
It's been a couple of years since Apple had any
significant updates to their peripheral line, but it looks like they've finally bumped that Optical Pro Mouse and
changed a few key things. Namely that after more than 20 years they've released their first two button device. (Man,
Jobs must be feeling rather risky in his advancing years—or maybe it's two buttons to match their new x86 processors.)
But it's actually a "no-button" device, since the input on the Mighty Mouse is done with capacitative sensors, like a
touchpad; they didn't just stop there. You've got a "scroll ball" up on top, and left and right "squeeze" buttons, too.
$49, friends, and it'll play on your PC just as nicely.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
What the.... A CORDED MOUSE? Are they totally disconnected with the real world? They finally release a mouse with more than one button, and they fail to make it a Bluetooth device?
The only advantage I see here is the silence. If you were recording audio or doing something else that requires silence, this could, in theory, possibly, in some cases, to some people, maybe, be useful.
I agree with #1. At least RF, Apple!
This rules. I know 2 button mice have been around for pretty much ever, but to have built in support for OSX and the awesome industrial design of Apple – awesome. I wonder how much of this is people switching from pc's and still wanting to right click.
Hmm... the only reason I am not getting this mouse (aside fro having purchased a $100 desktop set) is because I tap my fingers on my mouse buttons as I surf the web and listen to music. So if they are touch sensitive, then each tap is a click. No thanks.
Wireless mice are over-rated. Sure sometimes you may need one, but in most cases you don't. I've had the MS Bluetooth Mouse, the Logitech Laser wireless mouse, and they are pretty much both crap. The MS Mouse just ate batteries all day, and the Logitech laser mouse had a whole list of issues. I am now using a wired kensington mouse I got at best buy for like $15.
Silence... Not so fast, if you read the side bar info on the Design page it mentions that there is a TINY SPEAKER in the mouse to give aural feedback of clicking and what not... GOD I hope you can turn that "feature" off.
seems rather complicated for an apple product...
And this is important... why? My logitech two button mouse with four way scroll already plays with OSX just fine. I'll probably get one for studio work as mentioned for the hallowed silence, but right now buttonless mice don't really ring right in my ears.
Oh no, not those bloody sensor buttons. Not on a mouse, I can see that being annoying.
And what have they done to the look? Looks like a peice of crap made by 'MACALLY' or somone.
C'mon where is the bluetooth version of this?
It doesn't seem particularly intuitive. And it's got a cord, so I'm not interested.
Yeah, I'd have to agree wih Scoobydoo. Without bluetooth, this is kinda disappointing. $50 for a wired mouse??? come on.
Yea! Maybe some smart manufacturer will bring back touchpoints on pc mouses. I used an IBM touchpoint-scrolling mouse five years ago in college, but haven't seen one since. The touch point was so much more comfortable than a scroll wheel and it allowed me to control of the speed of scrolling and to naturally scroll left to right.
I will say the looks aren't quite on par with past Apple mice. I liked how translucent the current wired mouse is. This one's more opaque like Apple's Bluetooth Optical Mouse.
Jesus, are you guys idiots?
First of all, yeah, it sucks that it's corded. Give it a bit, and no doubt there will be a Bluetooth version.
Second, NO, they're not goddamned touch-sensitive...you can still idly tap on your mouse just fine and it won't think you've clicked.
Third, it's not a "touchpoint". The scroll ball is just that: a BALL. That rolls. And it's quite intuitive, and I'm betting that once I (or anyone else) uses it, the first reaction will be, "Why in the HELL has someone else not done this by now? Why is it always Apple that is advancing technology in new ways?"
Christ, people, haven't you ever used an Apple product before? The industrial design, attention to detail, and functionality is second-to-none.
#5... i suppose that would be a concern. But no one is really sure how this mouse will behave in that situation. Maybe it's pressure sensitive. You'll just have to try it.
I'm sure a BT version is coming. It's the next logical step.
AFAIK you still ne the push the mouse down (as seen with the pro mouse) to click on something. the sensors just register which finger you used.
flo
#13:
The current Apple mouse is not translucent. They have been in the past, but the newer ones are basically opaque.
personally, i also think applie mice are too small. but maybe i just have long fingers. I have always found large mice more comfortable to work with.
Has no one here ever used the current Apple mouse? It doesn't have a "button", either, but it's not touch sensitive. The shell depresses, and the mouse actively and audibly clicks, just like any mouse. It feels and works just like a normal mouse, and there is absolutely no doubt this one will work just the same.
Before anyone asks something retarded like "BUT, OMG, HOW CAN THEY DO THAT FOR ***TWO*** BUTTONES/???S? HOW CAN THE SHELL TELL WHICH SIDE THEY PRESSXORED DOWN ON?!?!??111/!1111ONe", I would say, first of all, you're a complete idiot, and second, and I repeat from my post above, have you not noticed until now that Apple's industrial design and engineering is universally viewed as top-notch in the industry, regardless of whether or not you think MAC (sic) and/or Apple sucks? The shell will behave and feel just like an ordinary two button mouse. It will not click when you're not actually pressing with the intent of clicking, and it won't incorrectly click the opposite button. I mean, two astronauts are going out on a son-of-a-bitching robotic arm to remove some separation material from heat protective tiles while the Shuttle is IN ORBIT AROUND THE EARTH, and you think we don't yet have the skill to make a mouse with a uniform outer cover that can determine mechanically when you mean to left or right click?
Ah, awesome. It took 14 posts. but we finally reached the "foaming at the mouth" Apple fanboi status of this thread. FWIW, I have a Logitech Bluetooth mouse, and my batteries last for 2 weeks, plus it is dockable to charge, so why Apple can't pull that off I don't know. And gimme a frikkin break; "mightymouse"??? Which marketing genious came up with that gem?
#16 is right. You can tap away as much as you like. The placement of the finger when you push down as in the Apple Pro 'buttonless' mouse is what registers the click.
Wait until yo've tried it until you knock it. People are putting it down before they've even used it which is short sighted in my view. It won't suit everyone obviously but that scroll ball is brilliant and will be great for many. :-)
Yes, that ball is just SO revolutionary.
MS have had the tilt wheel for years, does exactly the same thing.
I agree with Doug, a little too many buttons for the average mac user to suddenly cope with seeing as they've been used to just one.
What are those squeeze buttons for, are you supposed to squeeze them harder as you get more and more fed up with apple ripping you off for over priced products and feeding you techno babble about how cool they help make you? Does it then sense you might jump ship to an intel product (sorry, a PC, forgot they'd already made that switch themselves!) and start playing you some soothing music (which it downloads instantly from Itunes, charging you for the privalidge) to try and calm you down?
If so that would be way cool.
"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?"
That definately gave me a chuckle reading through the Mighty Mouse product pages
#19... here, here, well said... now maybe everyone can get on with their lives. Or is the world about to come to an end? I mean, Apple really *did* come out with a multi-button (er, "button") mouse, right? Right? *pushes panic button*
This could potentially complicate my life.
I *heart* this mouse.
.mCr.
why did they have to try and futz with the mouse. first of all, that nipple on top looks like it would be impossible to scroll down websites effectively because it's too damn small. first of all, you'd have to take short strokes with it rather than long strokes on a wheel. then on top of that, it looks like you'd have to make a conscious effort not to veer off to the side when scrolling.
And then the no-button design.
are buttons so evil that apple had to get rid of them and then simulate the press of buttons with clicking noises? i for one like buttons because they are intuitive. i know when i have pressed them and on top of that because they are tactile. Plus you can't accidentally press a real mouse button just from resting your palm on the damn thing. its counter-intuitive apple. what's next, a keyless keyboard?
Why did they have to go and reinvent the mouse? Just to "Think Different," perhaps? i think it sucks. there was nothing wrong with the old mouse. the only worse thing is if they make a wireless one because then it would guzzle down batteries.
how ghey.
"The current Apple mouse is not translucent. "
The dual G5's my company recently bought came with translucent mice. I used mine for one day before I'd had it up to here with it and went out and got my own proper two-button mouse.
This thing here seems pretty ludicrous, though, not because it's wired or expensive but because it's got a touchpad instead of buttons? What kind of moronic shit is that? Does Apple understand how people use mice? You rest your fingers on it and press them in to press the buttons. This mouse will require you to pick up your fingers to tap, which over an eight hour day, 250-some odd days a year, however many tens or hundreds of thousands of clicks over that time, is a recipe for carpal tunnel syndrome.
I already have a two button wireless mouse (made by microsoft no less) and I see no reason to switch to that. But I have to admit the right click functionality that is built in to OSX is quite useful.
Ok -
1) The ball is VERY cool - although I'm sure plenty of non-mac users have thought of it before
2) It's really ugly. Sorry, so much for "industrial design"
3) I hate the feeling of the one body-button mice - why should I move my whole hand when I can just move one finger? Sorry - Apple mice are behind the times (except with the ball thing).
4) Yeah... it does have a real button. Still less than impressed.
5) Wow, Dave, calm down. Some people just read the engadget post - it took me a while to find on the Apple page that it was a body-button mouse with touch sensitivity.
6) Is anyone else bothered that it's called the mighty mouse!? That's perhaps the worst product name ever, not to mention derivative.
I'm looking forward to getting an intel-based Mac (so I can run Windows on it... I like OS X, but not so much that I want a dedicated computer for it), but not Apple's perhiperals (what about their keyboards!? They're impossible to type on without hitting other keys).
Marty:
It's not a nipple.
It's a ball. It rolls. And, as I've said twice now, if Apple's previous industrial design and attention to detail is any indication, it probably works exceedingly well in use. Further, there is probably intelligence to take into account the fact that the user may veer slightly when vertically scrolling, and there will be a reasonably high threshold you'll have to pass before it would start scrolling sideways or horizontally. I find it amusing that you're arguing for LESS functionality. Classic.
Also, you apparently have never used Apple's current mouse. The button IS tactile, and there is an audible click you can hear and feel. There is appropriate resistance, and it feels and works just like a normal mouse. This mouse will no doubt be essentially the same.
Further, you can't accidentally click Apple's current mouse by resting your palm on it. The bottom half does nothing. You could "accidentally click" it if you "rested your palm" (WTF?) on the TOP half of it. Just like you could with a real mouse. Oops.
Next time, try to get at least *one* thing in your "ghey" post correct.
I like the new design, though I don't think I'll be trading my MX900 for one... might trade it out for the MX300 on my home computer though!
A couple comments:
The new Apple mouse is actually pretty price competitive (at least at MSRP) with some of the nicer Logitech mice like the MX5xx series.
It's fully configurable per-user, so a user can disable any particular function they're having trouble with. (But I imagine someone this novice would just stick with the regular 1-button variety anyway) Also of note: this is probably one of the best (if not the best) symmetrical mice on the planet, for all those southpaws- or people who just like 'em. (I do, though I got used to the logitech shape too)
I think the most compelling feature of the mouse is the 360 degree scrolling, which hasn't really been done well on the Mac, except maybe by Kensington on their trackball. I find Microsoft's tilt wheel a little unergonomic, and Logitech's drivers for horizontal scrolling definitely leave something to be desired.
re: 20
Scoobydoo, you rule. My first good laugh of the day. Thanks. :)
#29. You don't have to pick up your fingers. It senses which side has the more pressure, the same as when you push on a mouse button. You can keep both fingers on it and the side with the most pressure is the one that registers even if you keep your finger on the other side.
Do you really think they wouldn't have thought that one through? I think it's great people are 'Thining Different'. If comapnies didn't we would never get anywhere. If you don't like it don't buy it but TRY IT FIRST BEFORE YOU KNOCK IT!!!!!!
Justin:
Apple licensed "Mighty Mouse" from Viacom. See the bottom of their web page.
No more love for Southpaws.
A quote from the Apple site about the sound feature... ::SHUDDER::
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.
Bah. Logitech will have one out in a month that's wireless, cheaper, stronger, and comes in black or silver to match HTPC cases.
Why the hell does the advance fuctions only work with Tiger 10.4.2?? I'm still rocking 10.3.9... oh well...
this is apples first go, they want to see how the wired version works and to see consumers reactions to the touch sensitive clicking before they go all the way.. it's a totally different way of mousing and they wnat to test it out first!
Dave:
It's still a terrible name. I had no doubt they licensed it properly, because Apple is respectable company,.
What will the trolls at slashdot have to complain about now??????
i think it would be very funny to hack that small speaker to make a moo sound every time you scroll with the "nipple"...
or a little moan when you squeeze the sides...
This makes sense to me. Macs don't run very much software anyways and they never wanted you to right click on anything to modify properties. If we remove any options, you can just move the cursor around on your screen all day. Eventually they'll make a keyboard with no keys - it is going to take these gentle nudges to wean people from their Macintosh icraps. Crash and burn different.
http://rochess.net/?p=Apple
http://www.roosterteeth.com/archive/download.php?id=499
OMG, left handed people can use this mouse. I don't understand all the hate for this mouse. No one has used it so no one knows how it feels to use it. I mean who knows, maybe the mouse is perfect or possibly terrible but for now lets just say its perfect. That would mean a TON of wannabees will be out soon. I mean Apple hasn't had many problems making devices they usually improve and make the right decisions. If the mouse bombs well no big loss its just a mouse but i have full faith that the mouse is going to rock.
"awesome industrial design"--yeah, and zero ergonomic design. Looks like crap, mouses like crap. This is the same Apple that gave us the hockey puck and that hates the idea of a mouse that conforms to the hand's shape. The ball looks decidedly too small and the idea of having a two button mouse without a discrete left and right button is, let's just admit it, totally moronic.
But Apple has long been form over function. Microsoft and Logitech have been the leaders in usable input devices, Apple is not even in that game. They make stuff that looks pretty next to a Mac (if you like the anal retentive toilet-porcelain Apple aesthetic). Ironically now that this mouse exists Apple zombies can start saying how essential two button mice are, unlike say two days ago when they weren't needed at all for anything.
#36 "Designate either top-shell button as your primary — the perfect solution for southpaws."
Every time I come to this site, I am scared by sudden singing from the Crazy Frog ad. I actually haven't been coming back because of it, but the news of Apple's nouse forced me to check what Engadget wrote -where I got burned by the Frog AGAIN!
Anyway as for the mouse, I think it has great potential, and I will be buying one and trying it for myself before I pass judgement.