Future Apple mouse could include multi-touch display
updated 12:50 pm EST, Thu January 20, 2011
Patent would allow context-specific input
A newly published Apple patent application hints at the possibility of a mouse with a multi-touch display, notes Patently Apple. Titled Computer Input Device Including a Display Device, it depicts a mouse with the display mounted on top. While it could simply be used to show information, it could also be used to provide contextual controls, such as a numeric keypad.
Other examples given include magnifying text, or operating like a calculator in an app such as Numbers. The patent further suggests that the concept could extent to products beyond mice, such as an iPhone, an iPod touch or a MacBook trackpad. Apple could potentially be interested in making multi-touch displays an integral part of Mac OS X, although the closest the company has come so far is allowing the Remote app for iOS to control iTunes.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
Mouse? No. Trackpad? Yes
The mouse is meant to move around, covered by your hand, making the display mostly useless unless you plan to use it as a small scanner.
This would make a bit more sense on the trackpad, giving you your keypad back if you're using the wireless keyboard as well.
Maybe I'm missing something