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.
Me too. I use the Trackball Explorer at home, the Trackball Optical at work. Personally, I prefer the Explorer, but I prefer them both to a mouse. Ditto my natural-style keyboard; it's another of those things that once you get used to it, you never want to go back.
Only the WACOM beats the turbomouse in photoshop (IMHO, of course).
I'm happy with my toys...
= )
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
There's feedback alright. The buttons are integrated into the mouse surface, ala Logitech's MX500/510/700/900/1000, and there's a speaker that makes a clicking sound when one of the buttons is pressed.
If I didn't already have an MX1000, I'd be interested in the Bluetooth variant. Actually, I might have to buy a Bluetooth version of this thing anyway, since I take my laptop to classes.
My husband's first question, "Is it Windows-compatible?" Looks pretty cool!
I have the older mouse but my iBook is out and in use so often that I just use the trackpad. I'm a righty anyways when it comes to mousing and of course the USB ports is on the LEFT of the laptop - so using the mouse can be awkward.
It did take a while to adjust to not having a right-click but that too is like second nature now. I like the single-button but I want to hit the Apple store and try this one out.
CC: I'm with you...
Once you go cordless you can never 'really' go back...
B59
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I usually use a Microsoft Intellimouse Optical. USB plugs and plays nice.
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I hate to admit it, but that's what I use too. Set me back $12 and works great.
It's a scrollBALL, not a scrollwheel. Kinda neat idea if'n y'ask me.
Um, actually, no. We want a multibutton input device, we go and get one that meets our wants and needs.
OH BOY! a multi-button mouse for my PC! These Apple people are so smart.
To get the same thing as the scrollbar on a PC, you just press the wheel and side the mouse in the direction you want to go.
Turns out that's not quite true. Check out a review. But it's even better. Like their old mouse, the whole shell depresses with a real click, but apparently the pressure sensitive buttons tell which finger you used to do the click. It apparently takes some getting used to the faint feedback on the side buttons.
Apparently pressing the whole mouse as you would the old Mac mouse does a left-click, which is why they said it can be a one- or two-button mouse. You'd never know the difference unless you purposely pressed only on the right side.
Apple celebrates doing something everyone else did 20 years ago? No wonder they are at a 5% market penetration.
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