Apple's touch sensitive mouse design axes scroll ball

We're sure we've seen two intriguing Apple patents in the span of 24-hours before, but following up on Cupertino's modular media center gizmo from earlier today comes a slightly modified mouse design that, above all, still doesn't sport a tried and true right-click. All weeping aside, the newfangled design seems to center around a haptic approach, which curiously does away with the scroll ball currently used on Apple's critters and replaces it with a touch-sensitive casing. Apparently, the device would be "capable of switching between operational modes based on the way a user holds or grips the enclosure," which could simplify (or complicate, depending on dexterity levels) all that panning and resizing you currently do manually. Still, there's plenty of mice out there with oodles of macro-love just waiting to be utilized, and while the pseudo-click on the Mighty Mouse may appease some, we can't say we're blown away.

[Scott @ Apr 12th 2007 9:42PM]

Lots of times, patent applications are filed with what used to be termed "informal" drawings, and these were replaced with "formal" drawings, typically prepared by a professional draftsperson, after the application was allowed. Even though the PTO gave up on making a distinction several years ago--a drawing is either suitable for publication (e.g., it meets the regulatory requirements) or it isn't--many practitioners still act as if there's a difference. If you're rushing to get something on file, it isn't unusual to hand-sketch stuff and then amend by replacement later, once your draftsperson has had time to make pretty drawings.

As to the squiggle, I don't think that's in the regulation. I think it's just a case of "it's always been done that way."

[Mickey Jones @ Apr 12th 2007 11:18PM]

I know, I'd be extremely concerned if MY hand looked like that.

Scott, I think the comment was more of a rhetoric observation but thanks for the info.

[Evan @ Apr 13th 2007 9:35AM]

I have a patent that includes a drawing of a hand holding a cell phone. I photographed my own hand and traced the photo. It was quick, easy, and looked professional! I'm surprised this inventor didn't think of that.

[cs32 @ Apr 12th 2007 7:01PM]

Maybe rather than spending all their time on patents, Apple should, oh, I don't know, try to release an OS. I have gone through the patent process for my small software company, and it takes a day or so for each person who worked on that feature that is being patented. After that, I vowed never to do it again. Apple obviously do not care about the legions of fanboys, of course, Steve can eat babies, point and laugh at people with aids, and pollute the environment, and the apple fans would defend them to the end.

[l2k @ Apr 12th 2007 7:20PM]

One thing apple has NEVER been good at is designing Mice. Sorry.

[BradStar @ Apr 19th 2007 10:37AM]

Interesting... they did make the first mouse... And floppy too if I remember...

[eVp @ Apr 12th 2007 7:22PM]

The hand in the picture sure looks comfortable.

[wWw @ Apr 12th 2007 7:42PM]

reality distortion field. That's what Steve Jobs wants us to think ;)

[wWw @ Apr 12th 2007 7:36PM]

Oh Apple, why do you keep making frustratingly unusable mouse? Good at everything else, but the mouse!

[kuzu-b @ Apr 12th 2007 7:52PM]

Form over function MAY work well for output devices, like say, a unique monitor. It does not work for an INPUT device. EVER. When will Apple learn this?

[DoctaDJones @ Apr 12th 2007 7:53PM]

Tactile-less buttons don't work on devices you aren't looking directly at.

Just try an use one of those fancy touchscreen TV remotes to change the channel without looking at the damn thing. I wasted my money on one of those once......ONCE!!

And that is why I still use a Microsoft explorer mouse with my Mac to this day.

(Sorry I got a bit of topic...those remotes piss me off)

[amiga_tone @ Apr 12th 2007 8:03PM]

Sorry I disagree, your saying you can't use a laptop trackpad without looking at it?

Then there is a problem with you perceptions there.

[amiga_tone @ Apr 12th 2007 8:01PM]

Okay, I'm kind of lost with what this article is about, patent aside, the Mighty Mouse right click works - end of story. To be honest I think it's one of the better designes of any mouse out there:
- The track ball removes the restriction of scrolling just left and right
- It has a "virtual" right mouse button (you right click and it mimics any kind of right mouse button action)
- You have middle mouse button click as well and it is configurable.

To be honest if I could get the full feature set working on a PC I would use that over a standard multifunction mouse any day.

The Mighty mouse works out of the box without complication.

If your a legacy Mac user then set the mouse to perform like a one button mouse - there is minimal effort.

Personally I'd like to know what problems people encounter with the Mighty mouse because so far I have not sported any problems at all.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I can tell from the patent image above, all they are doing is removing the trackball and making the surface of the mouse touch sensitive - so what, it is no different to having the trackball there.

[bprince @ Apr 12th 2007 8:01PM]

Im a huge apple fan but this just seems to complicate things even more... technologically advanced gadgets are great but whats the point if theyre unnecessary. is the scroller ball that bad?

[Chris @ Apr 13th 2007 11:41AM]

trackpad != button

[Craig @ Apr 12th 2007 8:04PM]

Apple, put the damn scroll ball on top of the mouse like where most scroll wheels are. Anybody ever use those scroll ball mouse that use your thumbs, might as well make the computer $30 bucks more to buy another mouse.

[Pat @ Apr 12th 2007 8:11PM]

LOOK AT THAT CLAW

[erin @ Apr 12th 2007 8:11PM]

that drawing is ugly.

[StevO @ Apr 12th 2007 8:14PM]

I'm surprised no one mentioned this, but I think it might have something to do with Job's new obsession with Multitouch. After all, during the iPhone keynote, he compared it with the UI like the mouse and the clickwheel. I'd say Apple has more plans for it than just putting it in the iPhone. Wasn't there also a rumor that Leopard would include lots of Multitouch features?

[uros @ Apr 12th 2007 8:23PM]

I like the Mighty Mouse. I love the fact that it's Mac-like and has 4 buttons. The only thing that is bad is how the scroll ball gets dirty... every two months. Therefore, yes, I seriously hope this product gets released!

[sean @ Apr 12th 2007 8:27PM]

they have a chip installed on each product that flashes subliminal messages: "you like this product"

so no matter how what the design is... you'll love it eventually.

[rp @ Apr 12th 2007 8:49PM]

Yeah, Apple really sucks at designing mice. That's why mice were very prevalent in computing before Apple became popular and reached out to consumers with their incredibly crappy GUIfied OS. We all know that EVERYONE was using one mouse or another, most with two or three buttons, with their awesome text-based OS'. I mean, c'mon, Apple couldn't possibly know much about the mouse. As a matter of fact, Apple is terrible at just about everything! Down with Apple and their inability to make a useful mouse! Keyboard commands? BAH! WE WANT TIME CONSUMING CLICKABLE MENUS! You and your "functionality" and "innovation" can kiss my ass, Apple. XEROX FOREVER BITCHES!

[Jedd @ Apr 12th 2007 9:25PM]

Stevo, yeah, instead of a mouse+mousepad you have a big multitouch pad. That solves the issue of having to extend your arm to touch the iMac's screen. I think that's got to be it/

[Bloobie @ Apr 12th 2007 10:03PM]

Oh Apple. Just release an ergonomic mouse that actually feels comfortable in your hand, as opposed to this oval piece of plastic. While you are at it, why not redesign the wireless keyboard into something ergonomic as well so I can toss out this black Microsoft wired keyboard? :)

[t-bone @ Apr 12th 2007 10:17PM]

Engadget, I love clicking the "2" at the bottom of the comments and being presented with a page devoid of comments. That's a really unprofessional bug.

Ontopic:
I can see it now: spread your fingers apart and the image grows. Move them together and it shrinks. If all of these adjustments are centered on the mouse's position, those little handles on every corner and side of a picture can disappear. That would be neat.

[michael @ Apr 12th 2007 11:49PM]

Why did Engadget get rid of my comment without telling me? I remember that I submitted a comment about how Apple makes too much patents over little things, and how it would be a better world if there weren't any patents restricting companies from making better products. I know for sure that I made that comment. Yet Engadget got rid of it, and didn't even tell me about it. I can't believe they would do this to a loyal user. Engadget, could you please explain why you did this?

[Joe Cincotta @ Apr 13th 2007 12:19AM]

WTF! How in the hell did this patent make it past the legals team at Apple - let alone to the public domain. Can you say Saitek Obsidian? http://www.saitek.com/row/prod/obsidian.htm How is this not prior art? Oh I forgot - Apple make them in white...

[Kevin @ Apr 13th 2007 1:18AM]

Ugh, why must they make us go through strange contortions to do something that's worked simply for years? Buttons aren't evil! On the current mighty mouse, to do a right click, you must LIFT your finger from the left side, and push down while ONLY touching the right side. Very unnatural. This makes it look like you'll have to touch some "hot spot" on the mouse in order to scroll. That SUCKS. I'd sooner use a Wiimote on my computer (many already do).

[Reid Conti @ Apr 13th 2007 2:04AM]

Sorry, the Mighty Mouse sucks. Yes, it technically has a right-click, but you have to LIFT your left finger off the left button for it to work. It is unnatural and painful after just a handful of clicks. .but I never get carpel tunnel doing anything else.

I'll stick with the Logitech MX-1000 on my Mac Pro, thanks...

[Sapo @ Apr 13th 2007 2:21AM]

http://rychlicki.net/en/2007/03/05/167/

[supermeerkat @ Apr 13th 2007 4:16AM]

Why can't Apple get someone who is better at drawing to work on their patent applications. My first thought upon seeing it was a mouse for people with misshapen hands.

[MPG @ Apr 13th 2007 5:45AM]

So where is the "haptic approach" on this mouse?

I learn something new about Engadget editors every day: One day it's "Engadget editors are clueless about Star Wars (=aren't really geeks)", then it's "Engadget editors think that a patent means that there are actual product plans", then it's "Engadget editors don't know what 'haptic' means".

Or was the idea just to put some interesting buzzword into the article?

[[e-mail] @ Apr 13th 2007 8:50AM]

I've always liked the mighty mouse, if only for the ability to squeeze the sides, but the twp problems it suffers from are that you must lift a finger to right click and the wheel gets clogged. They should really go all out and include a multitouch, pressure sensitive top so that you don't have to lift your fingers to use it and they can add an extra two clicks if only one finger is on top. Hell, they could really go all out and make the upper portion have an oled display that glows blue and can adapt for different programs. Okay, that last bit was a pipe dream but the first two are sensible.

[AG @ Apr 13th 2007 9:33AM]

@eVp

Using a mouse without a wrist is never comfortable

[amiga_tone @ Apr 15th 2007 3:23PM]

button != tactile device!

[lj @ Apr 13th 2007 1:11PM]

> Personally I'd like to know what problems people encounter with the
> Mighty mouse because so far I have not sported any problems at all.

Mighty Mouse often misinterprets my right clicks as left clicks, possibly because my hands are big and my right-click (i.e. middle) finger sits close to where the cord comes out.

It is also very difficult to squeeze Mighty Mouse without either repositioning your hand, or moving the mouse.

[Shawn @ Apr 13th 2007 7:27PM]

Seems like they are searching for an entry level sort of multi-touch interface. I like the idea only in the sense that I REALLY want multi-touch to catch on (maybe in 5 years time?)

Anyhow, the current Mighty Mouse is 4 buttons even if it only looks like one (very confusing I know) - so this article isn't fair in saying it doesn't have a right click.

Regardless, I'll stick to my Logitech 8 button trackball which I've used since I started using macs two years ago...

[miyna @ Apr 23rd 2007 12:43PM]

i actually have the original Mighty Mouse, and i don't see the problem. it works fine for me, including the right-click function. in fact, i haven't stopped using it since i got it. the only time i use something else is when i'm using Photoshop, in which case, i use my Graphire tablet. =/

so, i don't see what all the complaining is about. what must people be doing that they can't get the mouse to work?

and i think as much as Apple fans tout Apple products, non-users complain about them. it's about even, and it's pretty stupid on both ends.