
Just
as everyone expected,
Apple has released a Bluetooth version of the Mighty Mouse, bringing wireless capabilities to the peripheral for the first time. Like
the recent FCC filing leak suggested, the device is powered by AA batteries, but according to the tech specs on Apple's site the new wireless mouse can be powered by just one battery, although there is room for a second. Another tidbit about the new mouse is that
the tracking is based around a laser, not the optical method used by the wired version. That
should mean greater accuracy. Everything else about the wireless Mighty Mouse seems to be identical (are the side "buttons" an off-white color in the regular Mighty Mouse?) to the wired version.
The new wireless laser Mighty Mouse comes in at $69.99, so it's up to you whether you think the wireless and laser capabilities are worth the $20 premium over the regular wired version.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Stan said 9:29AM on 7-25-2006
Why would anyone want to buy this lame attempt at a 2 button mouse by Apple? It's overpriced also. I'm loving my 2 button Logitech bluetooth mouse that works beautifully with my MacBook Pro. I grabbed it for $49 at my local CompUSA. Apple HAS to release a real 2 button mouse and make all notebook trackpads real 2 buttons.
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betty said 9:39AM on 7-25-2006
Its not available in the UK?
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Marky said 9:43AM on 7-25-2006
I still have my doubts over the Mighty Mouse. The ball on the top is unresponsive on the second that I have. That said the bluetooth version of any mouse is good for us notebook users.
Marky
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Nick said 9:45AM on 7-25-2006
I still don't see why this took so long to be released. Unless Apple have somehow found a way to make battery life incredible in this thing and months of R&D went into that.
Nice to see them using a laser, rather than the optical tracking in the wired version. The surface of my desk is somewhat shiny and reflective, which made it necessary to use a mouse pad with my old mighty mouse. Recently i switched to the Logitech S530 wireless desktop setup (the mighty mouse was causing me strain in my hand, requiring a more ergonomically friendly mouse) and found that the laser tracking in the mouse meant i could get rid of that old dusty mousepad once and for all. Getting rid of that pad was almost as pleasing as not having to deal with wires anymore.
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Dr. Webster said 9:53AM on 7-25-2006
While I've wanted a BT Mighty Mouse for a long time, $70 is too friggin' much. And it's not even any cheaper for education users!
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betty said 9:58AM on 7-25-2006
Stan, You crack head! People will buy it because it looks much better than any other mouse and in my opinion, works better than any other mouse.
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Maimon Mons said 10:05AM on 7-25-2006
My problem with apple mice is the tracking software sucks compared to on Linux or MSWindows. There is third party software available (for a cost) to fix this, but it should be something built into the OS, one would think. :-(
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Dave said 10:08AM on 7-25-2006
I'm not sure that picture of the mouse is big enough.
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Rae said 10:34AM on 7-25-2006
Were this available a couple of months ago when I got my MB, I would've been all over it. As it stands now, I'm perfectly happy with my Microsoft Notebook wireless laser mouse (even though it's USB, not BT).
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kisstheirng said 10:38AM on 7-25-2006
why is Apple still making mice that take AA batteries? Why no internal lithium ion with a charging station?
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Henry Casey said 10:44AM on 7-25-2006
The Real Problems With The Original Mighty Mouse, are as follows: YOU can't right-click if you have a finger sitting idly on the left side of the mouse, NO tacticle feedback from the side-buttons, THE scroll-ball will crash some programs if you use it to scroll left or right, ALSO the scroll ball's "Diagonal" function is weak.
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Andy said 11:00AM on 7-25-2006
The batteries in bluetooth mice make them far too heavy for comfortable use. Maybe this guy will be different if it can run on only one battery.
But for $70....YIKES!
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Geoff said 11:03AM on 7-25-2006
So is it available in the UK?? Its not in the UK store
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Scootash said 11:11AM on 7-25-2006
I have an apple bluetooth mouse and I love it. The weight is perfect and running on AA batteries is GOOD! Rechargeables suck, you can always find AA batteries anywhere. I'll order a bluetooth mighty mouse as soon as the Apple UK store actually sells it...
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kevin said 11:13AM on 7-25-2006
apple has really fuckin lost it with this mouse, as cited by many dissenting fans.
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betty said 11:19AM on 7-25-2006
Think about it guys, batteries are much better for bluetooth / portable mice, say if you are on the move away from home/office, you can pick up a couple of AA batteries anywhere. And they last longer.
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superjeff said 11:25AM on 7-25-2006
My logitech takes batteries AND comes with a charging station. Best of both worlds. Put in rechargable batteries, and I can recharge on the charging station. Away from my desk? Grab some AAs. My vote would have been for an option like this.
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Tony said 11:37AM on 7-25-2006
No thanks. I've tried a couple of BT mice, and hated them. Every so often there would be a slight hiccup while it re-pairs with the computer. It happens automatically, and pretty fast, but it's just annoying enough to drive me crazy. I'll stick to my Logitech wireless (S530 Mac, kbd and mouse.) Rock solid...
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minime said 11:40AM on 7-25-2006
AFAIK the mouse is Bluetooth 2.0 EDR only (www.heise.de). If this is true my PowerMac G5 and my PowerBook both won't support it wich is really disgusting.
Why should mice need Bluetooth EDR? Why can't it be 1.0 compatible?
Pricing isn't cheap but 70 Bucks isn't that expensive for a BT-mouse
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Gmanmac said 11:43AM on 7-25-2006
I hate to keep pounding Apple over this but I think they deserve it. The more time I spend with the mighty mouse the worse it gets. This Bluetooth implementation shows no effort to correct the many flaws, so I think the criticism is well deserved. Bottom line this Mouse is a just bad design, and an example of form over function run amuck. It pains me to say it but my Microsoft intellimouse on my at work pc is embarrassingly better than the mighty mouse in every single function, except looks.
The biggest flaw is the flat shape—there is nothing ergonomic about it. This is a fatal flaw to a device that requires nearly constant hands on interaction. If it’s not comfortable and hurts-something is wrong. There are scores of other designs out there that are far better at this basic and fundamental function. The ergonomics only aggravates the poor implementation of the side click buttons and the right click spot. The scroll button itself works well enough, except for the bi- weekly jamming problems.
I have gotten used to the Mighty Mouse, but familiarity is only breeding contempt for it.
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