...if the idea was to shut the trolls up, they'll have to make this the standard bundled mouse with their desktop systems. I just checked, and it's not even a BTO option right now.

I'd bet that once this has been around for a little while, the manufacturing costs will come down and it will become the standard bundled mouse. The smart move would be for OS X to be configured out of the box to still see the mouse as one-button (for the n00bs), and let those who want more functionality enable the features.

~Philly

I suspect that Apple is waiting to see the consumer response to the tethered version before introducing a Bluetooth version. It makes sense: why go through the effort of manufacturing a more expensive Bluetooth version if very few people will use it.

I also suspect that a Bluetooth version is already designed and ready to be manufactured.

the term scroll-pea™ and scrollpea™

Man, that scrolly thing is small. I'll reserve judgment until I see it in person.

Hey... if my cartoon past rings a correct bell... didn't Mighty Mouse whoop the living @#$% out of those big bad cats and such... well,.. I guess this little Mighty Mouse will help users really tame their Tigers, Panthers etc.... and really help harness the power of the Mac OS GUI... and that Mac experience too.

I always loved Mighty Mouse and this new Mouse is better dressed... and no cape... as Edna would say... no no no capes... to Mr. Incredible, hehehe

A multi-button mouse from Apple? My brain just exploded.

A $500 computer and a 5-button mouse. Be still, trolls.

People whine and b**** about Apple not having a two-button mouse, so Apple finally releases a two-button mouse, and what happens? People still whine and b****. Man, who would've guessed?

The only problem I see is that there is no visual feedback that this mouse has 2-button functionality...you have to *know* the functionality to use it properly as a multi-button mouse.

For the single user this is no problem at all, but in large computer labs (higher-ed), the only way that people will know about the new functions is if we post signs (Mac users will probably know about the new mouse, but Windows users will (as usual) have no clue). Would it have killed them to make 2 separate buttons? :)

I'll buy one for the squeeze... i can see myself walking my grandpa thru something on the phone... "ok, grandpa, now give it a squeeze" (shuddering at the thought)

I recently got a new imac and for the first time ever I tried that single button mouse... for a week. What are they thinking? Once you've used a mouse that can actually make you more productive who would ever use one of these things? At last years Macworld ('04) when Steve was showing something or another you could briefly see the mouse he was using. It was a multi button with a scroll wheel. Even he knows these things are ridiculous. They need to make this standard equipment.

I recently got a new imac and for the first time ever I tried that single button mouse... for a week. What are they thinking? Once you've used a mouse that can actually make you more productive who would ever use one of these things? At last years Macworld ('04) when Steve was showing something or another you could briefly see the mouse he was using. It was a multi button with a scroll wheel. Even he knows these things are ridiculous. They need to make this standard equipment.

Guess I'm just unproductive, because I've never used a multi-button mouse with any of my macs. Well, I did try to use one with my iBook, but half the time I kept forgetting to use the mouse at all, let alone that it had a second button on it. I just never missed the second button, or the scroll wheel or whatever. And I use a PC at work as well, with all those snazzy options and stuff.

its a multisensor mouse. get it right

Apple is moving into position..... Intel, $499.00 System, Multi-Button Mouse, Tiger, iPod

http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/gallery/

i would buy this mouse right now if it was wireless.

i will never buy a corded mouse.

too bad...

First Apple moving the Mac to Intel, then articles saying MacIntels will use "Trusted Computing DRM" BS, now this? OK, who are you and what the h*** have you done to the real Steve Jobs?!!

The world is going to h*** all around us...The end is near.. I need a drink.. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?

i will never buy a corded mouse.

And I will never buy a mouse that requires a battery.

Now we're all happy.

Can it play itunes through it?

I am not shelling out $50 for it until I see it in person. Off to SouthPoint I go!

iTunes? Probably if you're into micro house or minimal techno.

I'll stop by The Grove tonight to give it a try.

And yeah, they should have Bluetooth, but I don't want a battery-powered mouse. Bring on the cords!

I won't buy it because I want a bluetooth with a rechargable battery and optional cable to charge the battery or for battery failure. They are available and I will get one BUT the fact that I or anyone can now get a multi-button mouse with a new machine is a sea-change in Apple's take it or leave it general attitude (and it will cut down on the new plastic wrapped one button mice in the waste stream). They may still leave the wireless market for the third parties for now but this is a sign of increased mass market intelligence that is required if they really want staying power in the bigger marketshare arena. Finally…

I don't want a battery in my mouse either... although, has any company toyed with the idea of a mouse whose battery is recharged by the motion of the rollers? I'd think Apple would be the ones to try a crazy stunt like that.

ok, we get the picture, this thing would be perfect if it had:

bluetooth, rechargeable batteries, retractable cable, minispeakers, a scroll-wheel and....

...an FM tuner!

1) Did everyone read that this mouse is Windows compatible (minus some features, of course).

2) Tiger is needed to take advantage of its full programability.

I'm very pleased with 1), not very happy about 2)

Force sensing buttons..uh oh.

This thing is cool. It's just like that bluetooth trackball that was sold by that one company. Press right, right click, press left, left click. Although this left and right stuff is just lame. At least call it control-click or something like that. So like I was copying stuff from a 165c to via floppy to a aibook and I couldn't believe apple ever abandoned the two button design, let alone the trackball..and now we have this. I'm sure the left click right click stuff works fine and for those people who can't use it then that's just a one click and the force sensors as a second click.

It all comes together if you watch somebody's hand while they use an apple mouse. Fingers over all the right parts.. Now the trackball...um ok..hope it doesn't accept accidental inputs. As for size v a scroll wheel.. What part of finite finger length don't you understand? The ENTIRE benefit of a wheel or ball is you don't have to keep moving your arm. Just spin it and stop it. If you think those slow wheels that don't spin are cool you just lack the skills and should have been cool when video arcades were.

Labs...give me a break. If someone is too stupid to ASK or the admin too feeble to explain or configure then they shouldn't be allowed near a computer or anything electronic.

Finally Apple can put a multi-button trackpad in their powerbooks (which we've all been waiting for and wondering why then didn't)...and get rid of the god awful size trackpad on the ibook.

It sucks that there isn't a bt option available, but it makes a damn cool usb mouse for when you boot and don't have bt (hardware test etc).

I never thought I'd see the day when Apple would release a multi-button mouse. News of this sort is not revolutionary in any way - there's got to be thousands of multi-button mice on the market today, all purporting to be better and more innovative than the next - news like this is however, the stuff of legends. More: http://sambot.com/2005/08/i-never-thought-id-see-day.html

ok, we get the picture, this thing would be perfect if it had:

bluetooth, rechargeable batteries, retractable cable, minispeakers, a scroll-wheel and....

...an FM tuner!

Hey, don't forget the stopwatch! A multi-clickable mouse is pretty much useless without the stopwatch. Plus it needs a display. Without a display, you have no idea what direction you're moving in, what's coming up next, what radio station you're trying to tune to, etc (Holy c***, tune the radio station with the track ball! Man, we're onto something here, me thinks!).

Oh, and if its got a rechargeable battery, I'm going to be the first one suing apple when its battery life dwindles after a year of use! All you others, get in line!

You mean there's finally an Apple mouse with almost as much functionality as the 5-button Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer I've been using for the past few years?!?

I will buy a USB one as soon as its available in the UK. What a great mouse.

You mean there's finally an Apple mouse with almost as much functionality as the 5-button Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer I've been using for the past few years?!?

Shocking!

Apple doesn't sell a two-button mouse and everyone's all "Apple needs to sell a multi-button mouse! WTF is Jobs thinking!". Now Apple sells a multi-button mouse, and people still aren't happy.

Again, how shocking!

Did anyone out there think Apple was ever going to release one, and, if so, make one that's somehow super better than every other mouse out there? Please... Since when is Apple in the business of making the best of anything for everybody. All their software they produce is about simplicity and not overwhelming the user (for example, that's why such high-end features like cookie control and password storage/usage never make it into safari, they're not trying to be the end-all/be-all of browsers, just good enough for most users).

It's amazing this tiny ball. I doubted it, but it's very functional and unobtrusive. I don't know how this will hold up for a gamer's mouse because it's still not ergonomically friendly for the hand.

Because there is no tactile feedback due to the tiny ball and touch sensitive control, they had to build a tiny speaker to provide it with the "clicking" sound to create that feedback. Seems weird at first, but it honestly works.

I would understand with the features it doesn't have a cordless version, at first release. I honestly don't see the need for a corded mouse when the monitor is right in front of your face. I do understand the need when one has a giant screen and you're on your cordless keyboard and mouse on the sofa or bed.

All in all a good product even for USD49.00. For others who have a third party mouse already, I would hold off until the next release.

Honestly, this has got to be the funniest release I've ever seen from apple. I couldn't believe it when I saw it- "Mighty Mouse"? WTF? I'm a mac user of 15 years, and even I feel like I'm going to puke. I mean I know they need to find a way to sell this thing, but seriously:

"Mighty Mouse features the revolutionary Scroll Ball"... yea, like every other mouse/trackball combo that's ever existed. Or like MS' rockerball that lets you scroll left and right along with up and down.

"Use it any way you work: Stick with single-button simplicity or click with multibutton efficiency."... kudos to apple for trying to find a way to bridge the gap between annoying mac one-button nOObs and those of us who were embarrassed that apple even kept trying to sell their pathetic one-button mouse. Unfortunately, saving the one-button design continues to keep apple's mouse from being ergonomic, which sucks.

"Unlike any other mouse on the market, Mighty Mouse was designed specifically to work with Mac OS X Tiger." ... so I guess we can forget all of the logitech and MS mice that have drivers for OS X?

And it comes down to: "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?" ... it's sad that apple only thinks intuitive, elegant design comes from them. A one button mouse was never elegant- it forced the user to accomplish multibutton tasks some other way. Elegance is not refusing to do what the rest of the industry is doing, elegance is simply elegance. Using the best technology available. Multibutton mice are simply a better technology, and it's about time apple finally realized that.

"Labs...give me a break. If someone is too stupid to ASK or the admin too feeble to explain or configure then they shouldn't be allowed near a computer or anything electronic."

Why don't you pull your head out of your a** and realize that not everyone has your incredible intellect and technological skill.

We have ~1800 Macs scattered among 20+ buildings, and 90% of our students are Windoze users who avoid Macs like the plague because of the one-button t***. In the middle of the night (or on the weekend, when our staffing is spotty), there is no admin to ask...and WTF do you mean "configure"? How can we configure it so that the function is explained to them? You've obviously never had to support anything more than a few computers.

Oh yes, only you should be allowed near computers...everyone else is an idiot. I'm sure you're a real expert on the 1 or 2 computers you use.

Apple doesn't create a multibutton mouse, they lose. Apple creates a multibutton mouse, they still lose. What the h*** is it with you people? If you don't like the singlebutton mouse, don't use it. If you don't like Mighty Mouse, don't use it. Let the rest of use enjoy it if we like it.

"kudos to apple for trying to find a way to bridge the gap between annoying mac one-button nOObs and those of us who were embarrassed that apple even kept trying to sell their pathetic one-button mouse. "

I've been using Macs for 15 years as well - just because I like the one-button mouse design doesn't make me anymore of a "nOOb" than you. Have some respect and quit this ridiculous superiority complex of yours. There's nothing "pathetic" about it. It's simple. It makes immediate sense to users. I know a lot of Windows people who to this day are utterly bewildered by multi-button mice. These people aren't idiots and they aren't pathetic.

"Unfortunately, saving the one-button design continues to keep apple's mouse from being ergonomic, which sucks."

You're probably trying to use the mouse like a Windows user. No joke, I've observed how most Mac users grasp their mice vs Windows users. Windows folks tend to rest their hand on the mouse - in which case, yes, it's probably not the most ergonomic design. I, and virtually every Mac user I know, rest their palm on the desktop and clasp the mouse with the thumb on the left and fourth finger on the right. The index finger and middle finger rest in the two button positions.

I hate most PC mice, especially the ones with multiple buttons and side buttons that prevent me from clasping the mouse the way I like. Now Apple has released a design that might just work for the rest of us. If you don't like it, don't use it, but quit your bloody bitching. Certainly Apple's product designers and usability experts know a lot more about creating a user friendly mouse than you do, so your smug superiority only makes you look like an a**.

Then why not put cheapo logitech 2-button scrolly mice on the Macs then? They work out of the box with absolutely no configuration whatsoever.

Honestly, who the h*** cares? Why do the users need to know that the mouse has two-button functionality? Is this suddenly a requirement now that Mighty Mouse exists? If the Mac lab operated fine on Apple single-button mice before, why exactly is now a requirement that you post advertisements in people's faces about second buttons? Who cares? The people who do care, will know. Those who don't, don't care, and won't need to know.

Really all you're doing is putting up a lame strawman argument. Go home, troll.

"Guess I'm just unproductive"

that'd be my guess.

a mouse with one-eye. And this cyclope mouse is staring at me, whisperng "buy me! Buy me!" Now, if we can put two small external speakers on each side then we it would have "ears"...He-he :-). Seriously I'm glad Apple has found a way to introduce a multibutton mouse without sacrificing its elegance and simplicity which is Apple is known for. I guess after years of being trapped in the I.T. standardization war with WinTel, Apple has found enough confidence to go beyond its original standards-- thanks to iPod/ iTunes phenom. Heres one less reason why wintel users would think Apple is not for them.

This must mean the PowerBook G5 is coming!

http://www.detroitmac.com/index.php?content-mightymouse

I have now had MM for 18 hrs. 1. Same great solid construction quality as other Apple mice and hardware. (what is it with windows mice - they are plastic rattle traps. need to fire whatever soviet design teams they hire for these things. This has been true since 1984 and the org. ADB mice. Only my Wacom mouse come close to Apple on the feel and quality aspects...but not in looks)

2. the software install is simple and requires restart. full all button functionality requires 10.4.2. software installs new mouse-pref panels in sys prefs. These control all aspects of the buttons, etc. You can assign various functions to the keys.

3. I have been using it in "standard" mode - all buttons assigned according to their appropriate position. I wanted to see what programs are making standard left/right/3rd/4th button mouse calls - particularly my 3D packages. in this mode, right button acts as "control" modifier

4. the right/left button sensitivity works like a charm - no misses yet. Seems very natural once you are aware that there is actually a reason to hit the right button - contextual menus pop right up

5. the 3rd (top) button and scrolling works great and is naturally places for the index finger - even with my large hands. The mouse "eye" gives you a slight indexed click feed back while scrolling and the pace of scrolling can be adjusted. I keep mine on "as fast as possible". the eye and sensitivity might be a little touchy for some - at least until you get used to it. much smaller touch area that most scroll mice I have seen in the past.

6. the squeeze (4th button) is the only one that seems not to fit my large hands. you have to squeeze both sides at once and feedback (click) is hard to hear...so it might take some getting used to. I haven't found any standard 4th button assignments yet, so I assigned it to "application switcher" to get used to it.

7. suggestion for v2 or utility writers out there: it would be very nice to be able to create "assignment sets" for different applications that would change when you move across applications. don't know if that is even possible.

I agree with the assessment - NBD! if you are attracting and want to attract more windows users and they are used to a multi-button mouse, then produce one. If for no other reason than how *bad* windows mice are constructed and how bad they look hanging off that highly designed G4/G5.

....forgot to add..... I suspect someone will rattle around a lawsuit about the name of the mouse and the name of the cartoon Mighty Mouse. don't know if the "Mighty Mouse" name is registered/trademarked, but sure hope apple lawyers have done their homework on that one.

For those of you who didn't read it on CNET:

"For those who remember another Mighty Mouse, Apple did in fact license the name from Viacom Consumer Products, owner of the rights to the cartoon hero."

I guess they are learning!

Didn't they learn their lesson with the "hockey-puck" mouse? Concentrate on making the machines faster and cheaper, Steve.