In spite of the relative newness of the Magic Mouse, some complaints have begun emerging on Apple's support forums. Anticipated drag and swipe functions are sometimes said to be failing, leaving only regular click commands available. When the special wireless mouse software is applied, a Mac may still fail to detect a Magic Mouse.
Apple has finally begun shipping its new Magic Mouse wireless controller. The necessary software updates for Leopard and Snow Leopard arrived on Tuesday, enabling the operating systems to recognize the Multi-Touch gestures for scrolling, swiping, clicking and double clicking.
Apple's new MacBook and iMacs are solid but merely evolutionary products, argues Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg. The MacBook is praised for incorporating the MacBook Pro's large trackpad, and being "fast and reliable," booting cold in 22 seconds. It is also described as lighter than its predecessor at 4.7 pounds, and armed with a powerful battery, though likely to fall short of Apple's promised seven-hour lifespan in most cases.
The forthcoming Mac OS X 10.6.2 update will be required for Magic Mouse compatibility in Snow Leopard, an Apple support document reveals. The mouse's user guide -- quietly published on Apple's website yesterday -- mentions that a "full range of features" will not work without v10.6.2. Leopard users must have a combination Mac OS X 10.5.8 and the unreleased Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0.
Apple has confirmed the existence of the Magic Mouse, a new Mac controller. The device is said to borrow the multi-touch technology used in iPhones and MacBooks, eliminating the need for a scrollwheel, as well as any mechanical buttons. Users instead perform various taps and swiping gestures, which execute configurable controls.
Years after having taken both Apple and CBS to court, Man & Machine has announced that it has at last been awarded registration of the "Mighty Mouse" trademark. The small accessory maker previously filed a 14-page complaint, claiming it had developed a desktop waterproof mouse under the same name over a year prior to the debut of Apple's product. The company also accused Apple of intentionally buying up search keywords for the phrase "Mighty Mouse," which further diverted people from finding their Mighty Mouse model or its website.
Microsoft is exploring the concept of multi-touch mice, a new research paper reveals. The paper is being presented today as part of the User Interface Software and Technology conference, and identifies five different prototypes, each based on different sensor technologies. The devices also rely on different ergonomics, and in some cases enable different functions.
The Mighty Mouse could receive "significant" changes in the near future, possibly by the end of the year in order to coincide with new iMacs, a report claims. Authors cite sources saying the current version of the mouse is on a two-week backorder through at least one of Apple's direct fulfillment channels. The situation is unusual, given otherwise uninterrupted supply over the course of the past two years.
Accessory maker Belkin has announced a new line of notebook peripherals, the Comfort Mice. The key model, the Bluetooth Comfort Mouse, is designed to fit both left and right hands, and connects to a Bluetooth-ready computer using the 2.4GHz band. A wheel permits vertical and horizontal scrolling, and tracking is made more precise through the use of a laser sensor. Black and white variants are available.
3Dconnexion has begun selling the SpacePilot PRO, a mouse the company is considering its newest flagship. The device is designed explicitly with engineering tasks in mind, and revolves around a "cap" controller, which can be tilted, rotated or pushed in order to navigate through 3D environments. Separating the PRO from other 3Dconnexion mice is the LCD Workflow Assistant, a color display that by default lets users browse key assignments for different programs, or view calendars and e-mail from Outlook. The Assistant's software can be customized for varying purposes.
Logitech has announced a new mouse for notebooks, the V450 Nano. The mouse uses a laser sensor to achieve greater precision than optical mice, and like other Nanos operates wirelessly, using a tiny 2.4GHz receiver that plugs into a notebook's USB 2.0 port. This receiver can also be stored inside the mouse, in order to prevent it from being knocked out of a notebook during travel. Controls include left and right buttons plus a scrollwheel.
