Switched On: Mighty Mouse has some wrongs to right
In the early days of Mac versus Windows flame wars, the debates about secondary mouse buttons often quickly degenerated into something that looked like the end of the Dr. Seuss classic The Sneetches. Both sides would split hairs over what became an arbitrary issue of personal preference. (This was in stark contrast to the debates over the use of function keys. Now that was a war worth fighting!) Once Apple adopted USB, Mac users gained access to a number of very good multibutton mice from Logitech, Microsoft and others and the argument seemed moot. Mac users who saw the benefit of such mice could get them, and those who didn't need the extra functionality soldiered on with one finger.
Still, for many years even after the arrival of Mac OS X, which supported multibutton mice out of the box, Apple held its ground with the one-button mouse. It did this even though it had supported right-click-friendly features such as contextual menus since at least the days of System 8. Now, as Apple has brought out its (corded) first multibutton mouse, it's treated its reversal with atypical facetious self-depreciation on its Web site: "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?" Behold Mighty Mouse, the namesake of the animated resilient rodent celebrating his 50th anniversary this year. Apple is using the name under license from Viacom, otherwise known as Mighty Media.
How has Apple, previously a one-click pony, fared in its first four-button derby? Most importantly for veteran Mac users who consider second buttons on mice as superfluous as second tails, Apple has done an extraordinary job of preserving the simplicity of the one-button mouse. For Mac users, particularly if you�re right-handed, Mighty Mouse will replicate the functionality and feel of Apple�s old reliable out of the box. (Perhaps future versions will include a way of determining what side of the keyboard they�re on and switch the default �left-click� button automatically.)
Apple uses touch sensors to determine which side of the mouse is being clicked, but Mighty Mouse still delivers a tactile depression just like its �buttonless� predecessors. This right-click sensor works well as long as you remember to lift your left finger. However, if you�re used to resting your finger on the left-click button, Mighty Mouse may not respond to a right-click.
Apple is not the first company to create a mouse that includes a 360-degree scrolling device. IBM-branded mice with Trackpoints have done this for years. Apple�s Scroll Ball requires less pressure than a mini-joystick but doesn�t have the traction of a ridged scroll wheel. While at least one promising alternative would obviate reintroducing a mechanical Scroll Ball, the ball works very well. Apple is targeting the flexibility toward users of programs such as Photoshop, who will certainly derive benefit, but the ball is also useful for scrollathons like real-time strategy games.
The side buttons, though, are really where Mr. Trouble hangs around. First, they are a bit counterintuitive in that they both activate the same function; the multiple placements accommodate lefties and righties. The buttons are also a bit stuff. While they can be activated with the thumb with a bit of effort, Apple suggests squeezing the mouse. This, however, results in an uncomfortable tightening of the hand muscles or reorienting of one�s hand for a stronger grip. Simply making the side buttons easier to press with the thumb would save the day.
If Apple decides to make Mighty Mouse standard equipment, it will lower yet another barrier for would-be switchers from Windows. As an aftermarket product, it holds its own. It may not work as well on the sea as on the land, but it gets the situation well in hand.
Ross Rubin is director of industry analysis at NPD Techworld, a division of market research and analysis provider The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On, however, are his own. Feedback is welcome at fliptheswitch@gmail.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dude @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Although, I *love* the design and flexibility in functionality this mouse brings - the lack of tactile feeling of a physicall depressing a button and the need to lift my fingers each time sounds pretty bad for a user perspective.
But, of course, I have yet to try it - so this is just speculation.
Justin Cepelak @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I won't know if I like it until I have used it for a week. And I won't buy one until there is a bluetooth version - why didn't you introduce the bluetooth version at the same time Apple? You expect me to buy it twice?
No no no my friend.
Shade @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
>>1.
It does click physically.
Josh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
What do you think of that all you Micro$oft devotees?
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
But, of course, I have yet to try it - so this is just speculation
-----
HAHAHAHAHA....
Seriously.. from what I hear.. there's a HUGE difference between the people who've used it and the people who've.. read about it.
Basically..try it out.. the 'lifting your finger' thing is a myth.. the 'it doesn't feel like i'm pushing down' is a myth..
apparently (I've read actual reviews from people who own them) it's just like the current Mac mouse.. the whole body pushes down.. the sensors are just there because apple didn't want to have physical buttons
once you get past the FUD.. it's actually a pretty damn sweet mouse.
PS. Using a mouse for something like Doom 3 is just insane. Come on.
Colin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
self depreciation ^________^
Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Get your facts right. Clicking one side button does nothing. You have to squeeze the mouse and click both at the same time to trigger their effect.
Glue @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I definitely want one
Jeremy Wood @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I've been using mine for about 5 hours today.
The Strong:
1.) The scroll bar/ball thing on the top is very nice. Much smoother feel than any scroll wheel I've used (cheap Logitech's and MS Intelli. mostly).
2.) The little ball is a more effective left-right scroll than the tilt wheel on MS (and other) mice, IMHO.
3.) Left or Right click feed back is good, nice solid click (mechanical and audio wise).
The Weak:
1.) I find that I get right clicks when I don't mean to. Apparently, when I use an Apple lozenge mouse, I click with my middle finger at least 40% of the time. What used to be an easy way to click is now a liability. My tendency to false right click makes me wonder about claims that users might "graduate" up to using the dual click function: those users might be likely to have this very problem. I've found myself several times today clicking a couple times, only to find out that I've been right clicking, so nothing happened.
2.) Squeeze my donkey. This squeeze thing is not so smooth. Maybe I can get used to it.
In all, an interesting device. I'm proud to be a live test subject for this HI experiment.
Johnny @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I think to much time is being spent discussing a simple mouse.
borg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I'm gonna re-use my comment from the previous Mighty Mouse post:
I can't really comment on Apple vs. the world, but interface becomes transparent in xp, tiger, or linux when you adapt to it...if you can adapt to it. To me its all the same, except that I like expos?but prefer IM using trillian. Can you account for taste?
That much said, to be completely objective, I agree with dan g regarding just picking up the apple pro mouse and having it work intuitively - both the full body clicking and the side buttons which lock the click in place. If you don't have a death grip and ultimately relaxed hand position, then you will have problems with it. So the design is not for everyone. The new mouse feels about the same, but at least has replaced the white functionless hard points on the side of the body with some that activate when you give them a good firm squeeze.
Getting back to hand position and this mouse and the pro: clicking does not feel much different than clicking an actual button on a regular mouse. Like I said, it becomes transparent in time and really is not such a different motion than using a mouse with buttons. If you have been using it by pressing with your entire palm then you should be using a mouse that is friendlier to your style. And the ball, well i just like it better than rocking a wheel to the side. Maybe a real nubbin would be better. Always loved that thinkpad. just 'think' and it moves. Anyway...
Different bodies; different minds: different abilities. Some people are ambidextrous, have heightened manual dexterity and sensitivity, extremely high level spacial awareness, quick adaptation and muscle memory. The other end of the spectrum are those who suffer from chronic pain (and thus are disadvantaged technically) due to the discomfort of poor ergonomics, require almost excessive feedback in order to interface with technology, and never form that physical and mental 'callous' that is a sign of the hand and mind adapting to the tool.
The mighty mouse doesnt fit either one of those perfectly. Apple, and almost everyone else just try to fit somewhere in the middle. I don't dare suggest that either pole of computing ability described above is referring to either Apple or any other manufacturer. But taste aside, those may be some of the reasons we just can't all get along without resorting to nothing more than fallacious comments (don't dare accuse me of pedantry either). Thems the facts. I don't have a problem with the apple pro or the mighty mouse.
macsucks @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
where are the fools that run around saying Mac is great and don't need multibutton mouse? Where you at now, MAC and its users are truly lame... little graphic artists... what a joke.
Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
what does a MS devotee like me think of this? well if i was like apple fanboys i would say that apple was copying MS, but i wont say that, ill say they did a bad job of trying to make an apple computer easier to get used to by wintel to apple would-be switchers, making the apple computer less intuitive, which to window powerusers makes it seem harder
borg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
None of us have commented on the ability to be able to 'right click'. Notice that?
petro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
okay people... calm down. the mouse clicks just like all the previous apple mice did. it's a one button mouse that senses whether you click-down on the left or right side of the mouse.
the squeeze function is an entirely unrelated additional feature.
KDtFD @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
#9 (macsucks) NEEDS A LIFE! if you are spending your time reading blogs looking for opportunities to insult Apple computers, the people who use apples, and most importantly "Little Graphic Artists",you should really try spending your time on something more interesting. . . . say masturbation.
L?shz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I second KDtFD!!!!!!
borg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Ok, the only plus for now about being able to right click (in safari): it sure saves time when you want to "save pr0n as" when only one appendage is free.
Jesse Quijano @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I have to plug www.dvforge.com for their great mac product "the mouse" it looks oem and has a very nice subtly nochy scroll wheel.
sabastian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
well i think i want a mighty mouse but at the same time, i do love one button mice. i find the habit of holding mod keys much more powerful than 2 button mice. example in safari, i want to download something: option+click, i want a new tab/window: command+click, i want a contextual menu: ctrl+click. that always seemed a hell of a lot more powerful than basic 2 button mice that come with PCs. i won't be getting a mighty mouse for right-click, my left hand is already on my keyboard near the mod keys, i want one for expose.
Spyvie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
The third post in two days about a stupid mouse.
Revolutionary I guess.
Or deliberate flame war bait
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
where are the fools that run around saying Mac is great and don't need multibutton mouse?
---
for god sakes.. Windows user interface standards are nowhere to be seen, such that, you COULD NOT use Windows with out the contextual menus, whereas in Mac OS X, it's definitely optional.
you could almost say.. it's a crutch for bad software designers... but that would be a clich?
plasmoidia @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
#4, Are you implying that all people who don't use Macs are Microsoft devotees? Perhaps not, but from other posts there seem to be an awful lot of Mac people who equate PCs with MS and Windows, which is not correct.
#16, Being someone who has always used a two-button (or more) mouse, I greatly prefer that. Specifically, I like three buttons and a wheel (where middle button is the wheel). The idea of having to push a key to get right click sounds inconvenient.
The way of doing the right click with this mouse, though, seems rather awkward since I usually rest my whole hand on the mouse (index, middle, and ring fingers on the left, middle, and right buttons, respectively). It sounds like that would not work for this, especially from #7's comments.
The ball scroll is an interesting idea. Though I wonder about the mechanics of it (is it similar to the old ball mice?) and about how hard/easy it is to scroll only vertically or horizontally.
Oh, so Mac is licensing the name. Does that mean they are paying money to call this thing the "Mighty Mouse" ? That's just a little too cheesy to actually pay to use, if you want my opinion. (sorry about the pun)
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
It's just a mouse what is the big deal. It would be a bigger deal if the os had not previously supported multi-button mice but it has for years. All the buttons on my MS trackball explorer work even.
Bobby Walshsky @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Insulting all Mac users: bad Insult
all PC users: bad
(I use both)
BUT - many Mac people, not all, said mindless lemming things like, "Steve and Apple know what's best. One button is better, or else Apple would give us two."
It was a foolish thing to say then. If you don't realize that now, you never will.
valdesign @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
People People
Just buy a Logitech laser mouse and be happy.
met @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
This has been a surprise mouse from apple.
Think of what a casual not-so-techie shopper at the apple store tries out this mouse? Hey how does it know which side I pressed...There are no visible buttons. ==== Wow.. space age products :)
I have been eyeing the logitech V500for a few months now ... I think I'll still stick to the logitech (if only it was bluetooth)
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=9508
Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
What I really want to know is how is it with gaming??.............
Arpan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Has anyone thought about why the design is so similar to the pro mouse, and why it defaults to only a single click (ie, for right click, you have to configure it)
Apple probably wants is considering using this as standard equipment. So for the newbie, the mouse will work as a single button mouse, and that will be easier for them to handle.
For the power-user, all he/she needs to do is configure the other three buttons, and he has a 4-button mouse.
Just like OS X - simple for the new-comer, yet powerful and feature rich for the power user.
Michael Levy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
PS. Using a mouse for something like Doom 3 is just insane.
1)
I never use the mouse in Doom 3. It takes like eight hits before the zombies fall over. It's faster just to use the pistol.
2)
What the hell else would someone use? A trackball? A tablet? A joystick?
The right side of the keyboard?
3)
I've never been to a video game competition, but I would guess 98%+ of the players use normal mice (optical or laser, corded or wireless, but nothing more exotic than that)... I mean, Thresh is selling mice.
Michael Levy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Oops, I don't know why I thought Thresh was selling mice. He did (does?) have an endorsement deal with M$, so my statement wasn't strictly false. I will be more careful in the future :-(
Bruce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Intel CPU's
Two Button Mice
The sign of the apocalypse ...
In a few weeks Steve Jobs plans to admit that Microsoft bought out Apple secretly and he plans to retire.
John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
#3
I does physically click, But it detects which finger had more pressure on it.
You don't have to "lift" your left finger. just put less pressure on it.
it will work just that same as a 2 button mouse.
Fappy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
stevie boy must of had trouble swallowing his pride to finally give in. next step is to put an eject button on the case and call it 'revolutionary'
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
My god, you are the most boring people I've ever encountered. Go outside. look at the sky, the trees! That's all real that is! DO SOMETHING IN THE REAL WORLD!
Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
I agree with Matt.
Matt Rix @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
"for god sakes.. Windows user interface standards are nowhere to be seen, such that, you COULD NOT use Windows with out the contextual menus, whereas in Mac OS X, it's definitely optional."
This is simply not true. You can do just as many things on a pc with one button as you can on a mac.
Furthermore, if this mouse had been released by any 3rd party manufacturer, mac users would have totally ignored it, and nobody would probably even know about it. It's surviving on the strength of the brand alone.
And to the person who was commenting on how they'd rather use the mod keys than right click, that is a stupid argument. First of all, the mod keys are definitely going to be less efficient, and secondly, using right click does not turn off the mod keys... it just adds even more possibilities and combinations. And btw, PC's have mod keys too.
Neil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
7. Although both side buttons access the same function, there is no need to 'squeeze' the mouse. Pressing one button works just the same as two.
katman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Hold it a minute, is it me who has noticed that the company thats sueing everyone left and right infringing on the rights of trademark name "mighty mouse" shouldn't someone be sueing the them like NOw!
Kjell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
#39
Jesus Christ, do you even read anything of the previous comments? This is like a freackin' wheel of responses, where we just begin all over again after 25 comments...
J'evon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Man you guys make my mouth water I just started dreaming of the mouse I never seen before. Now I have to get one, and dream some more of the soon to come G5 Powerbook with touch keyPad (keyboard) insteads of keys. :) Ofcourse I'm just dreaming this in my mind and have no clue wth Apple is going to release. Hope it was good reading though. ;)
teknogreek @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
If an OS could live with 1 button then u know its an elegant simple OS BUT... I ended up hating macs purely because my college had the promouse. Right Click u get so used to!
So what we really want is a wireless vesrions with a SW patch that allows a) side button functionality variation L/R and 2gether. b) right click recognition if left finger is low! so only ever have to rise the right finger (or vice versa!!!)!!! AND AND AND for those of us who want it a phsyical click version.
Personally despite its flaws its beautiful and fucntional.
Tom Conad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
Why Mighty Mouse matters: http://tomconrad.blogspot.com/2005/08/why-apples-mighty-mouse-matters.html
er_or @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM
this seems great... no bluetooth?
nah, i think bluetooth is now a common thing. apple should just produce its mouse with integrated bluetooth.
overall, still got to digg more info