Posted on 08/02/2005 8:43:02 AM PDT by Dont Mention the War
Apple Introduces Mighty Mouse
New Multi-Button Mouse Features Innovative Scroll Ball
CUPERTINO, California—August 2, 2005—Apple® today introduced Mighty Mouse, its next generation mouse with several innovative new features that make using a Mac® even more powerful and easy. Mighty Mouse offers power users up to four independently programmable buttons, without compromising simplicity for users who prefer just a single-button mouse. Mighty Mouse also introduces an ingenious Scroll Ball that lets users scroll in any direction—vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. With the Scroll Ball, users can scroll with natural, fluid movements, making Mighty Mouse perfect for applications from viewing web pages and photographs, to video editing and music creation. Mighty Mouse is priced at just $49.
“With Mighty Mouse, we’ve simply built a better mouse,” said David Moody, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Mac Product Marketing. “With its innovative Scroll Ball and unique integration of multiple buttons, Mighty Mouse adds functionality while retaining the elegant, easy-to-use Apple design.”
Mighty Mouse is the first multi-button mouse that retains the simplicity of a single-button mouse, and can be used as a single- or multi-button mouse depending on the user’s preference. Mighty Mouse features a single seamless enclosure with programmable touch sensors that act as primary or secondary buttons. With a simple click on the upper right or left side of the mouse, users can instantly access features such as contextual menus found in Mac OS® X and other applications. Mighty Mouse’s two other buttons are activated by pressing its Scroll Ball and squeezing its sides, and can be easily programmed to give users one-click access to Mac OS X version 10.4.2 “Tiger” features such as Spotlight™ , Dashboard and Exposé™, or to launch any application such as Safari™ or iChat.
Mighty Mouse features an easy-to-use design that comfortably fits the left or right hand and an optical tracking engine for responsive and accurate cursor movement on almost any type of surface. With up to four programmable buttons, Mighty Mouse makes it easy to access key features of Tiger with the side buttons and Scroll Ball providing quick, one-click access to Spotlight, Dashboard and Exposé.
Pricing & Availability Mighty Mouse is available immediately through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $49 (US). Mighty Mouse requires Mac OS X, Windows 2000 or Windows XP and easily connects to Mac and Windows systems; Mac OS X version 10.4.2 “Tiger” is required to customize buttons for one-click access to Spotlight, Dashboard and Exposé or to launch applications. Mighty Mouse is compatible with either USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 ports.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
Press Contacts: Teresa Weaver Apple (408) 974-6851 tweaver@apple.com
Pam Bennett Apple (408) 974-7608 pamb@apple.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website, or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.
LOL!
Why would any of the PC types need one of these, for that price we've been able to get much better mice for a while:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7105919&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat23200050023&id=1109233585993
In seperate news...
CUPERTINO, California—August 2, 2005—Apple® today introduced AirPort Canned Air, its next generation canned, pressurized air with several innovative new features that make using a Mac® even more powerful and easy. AirPort Canned Air offers power users up to four independently programmable air release speeds, without compromising simplicity for users who prefer just a single-button can.
AirPort Canned Air also introduces an ingenious Scroll Ball that lets users direct the stream of air in any direction—vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. With the Scroll Ball, users can direct air with natural, fluid movements, making AirPort Canned Air perfect for applications from dusting off keyboards and photographs, to blowing out dirty fans and clearing smoke-filled cubicles.
AirPort Canned Air is priced at just $549 per can.
Sooooo...for $49, I can get something that's less ergonomic and has roughly the same functionality as my $30 Logitech MX410. Damn if that ain't Apple marketing in a nutshell right there.
Of course, we're hoping to get one of the semi-infamous surplus Henrico County, VA iBooks for $50 next Tuesday, so maybe I'll need to spend another $50 on a mouse, ya think?
}:-)4
Wow, such innovation. A multi button mouse that can scroll? Those idiots on the PC side would never have come up with such a brilliant idea!!!!
Why does it seem like every apple product announcement in the last 6 months seem like satire?
That having been said, the Scroll Ball is an interesting concept, but like I said, whether it works remains to be seen.
Uh, geniuses, thats not a scroll WHEEL, its a scroll BALL. Not a very common feature on mice offered today. I have not tried this Apple mouse, and probably wont anytime soon, but lets get our facts straight here..
Not sure about the scroll ball myself. Microsnot has a tilt wheel thingy that's supposed to do horizontal and verticle scrolling. I've got a trackman myself (corded, haven't gotten into the cordless thing, I still remember when it was new and sucked), always been addicted to Logitech peripherals, great ergonomics, great feature set, and amazing durability. This "new" Apple mouse has caught up to where Logitech was back in 97 or 98 (except for the scroll ball, they just had a scroll wheel back then), for about the same price Logitech was charging back then.
Now, this is a trackball!
= )
I tried a scroll ball mouse once and it really sucked -- not in concept but in quality. I assume Apple did better?
< I usually use a Microsoft Intellimouse Optical. USB plugs and plays nice. >
I have the itty-bitty one. Love it.
Yes, continuous scrolling without having to lift your finger from the mouse - like the iPod scroll wheel. That is an innovation for a mouse.
No, that's putting the scroll 'button' from a laptop on a mouse.
Oh well, I guess apple is proving the pt barnum saying...like their cinema displays that they charge mroe for but are idential to cheaper displays.
< Of course, we're hoping to get one of the semi-infamous surplus Henrico County, VA iBooks for $50 next Tuesday, so maybe I'll need to spend another $50 on a mouse, ya think?
>
I begged my niece in Richmond to get one for me. She says there is no way in he$$ she will stand in the line for me. I even tried a bribe. Didn't work.
Let us know how yours turns out.
As a long time Mac user, I have often wondered why Apple has stayed with the one-click mouse. I use both the one-click, and have a Kensington for games which require them.
But can't talk my husband into using the Kensington for anything. He doesn't game.
I wonder what the theory/philosophy behind Apple's single click mouse is. Does anyone have any ideas?
I wonder why it isn't Bluetooth. I'd buy it if it was. I hate cords.
I tried a Microsoft trackball once; never could get used to the un-ergonomic setup (I don't have Andre the Giant-sized hands, which is what Microsoft made their trackballs for). I don't feel like burning the desk space for a mouse, so those are out.
I still use my Kensington ADB trackball on my G4 (picked up a USB/ADB converter). Nothing finer than the older ones - the newer ones just don't seem to have the roll/mass.
Well, they had to move the sale from the Henrico County school system warehouse to a building out at the State Fairgrounds complex (i.e., Richmond International Raceway). Sale starts at 9, lineup starts at 7, and supposedly they will have security out there to prevent overnight camping. They fielded 1500 inquiries the first day the sale was announced. Apparently, even though these things are probably loaded down with teenage pr0n and God-knows-what-else, lots of other people consider a used iBook for $50 a pretty good deal.
Here's hoping we get a good one, if we get one.
}:-)4
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.