Friday, December 29th 2006

Apple receives patent for low-powered mouse that uses both scroll wheel and optical tracking

by
zekrahminator
 Discuss (18 Comments)
Apple recently patented a wireless "hybrid" mouse that would lower power consumption. It would be a low powered mouse by only turning on the optical tracking feature when absolutely necessary, leaving a manual scroll wheel to do the rest to save power, making the mouse "hybrid". It would use bluetooth tech to be a wireless mouse. There is no mention on how Apple plans on deploying the mouse (replacing the current Macintosh mouse with this one or selling it as an extra), and there is no specified release date.
Source: EnGadget

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18 Comments on Apple receives patent for low-powered mouse that uses both scroll wheel and optical tracking

#1
mout12
The problem with 1 button mouse, you have to use your other hand to press a button on the keyboard for the same effect as a right click. I don't know if they think a 1 button mouse is easy to use, but it actually makes things more difficult. Noobs.
Posted on Reply
#2
jocksteeluk
that good of Apple, they can stick that on the surplus pile as soon as someone develops a rival device as was usb2 for firewire.
Posted on Reply
#3
wazzledoozle
I really doubt the led on a mouse uses that much power. Maybe Apple should also remove all those 'power-hungry' message led's from their computer cases while theyre at it...
Posted on Reply
#4
ex_reven
i just want to express
how god damn ugly
that mouse is...
Posted on Reply
#5
wazzledoozle
ex_reveni just want to express
how god damn ugly
that mouse is...
Thats an ancient 80's Apple ll mouse (or something close to that)

This new mouse will look similar to this-
Posted on Reply
#6
ex_reven
wazzledoozleThats an ancient 80's Apple ll mouse (or something close to that)

This new mouse will look similar to this-
OHHH!!!!

Well then...
id just like to express
how ugly that mouse
really is....really :p
Posted on Reply
#7
zekrahminator
McLovin
wazzledoozleThats an ancient 80's Apple ll mouse (or something close to that)

This new mouse will look similar to this-
Oh...I wonder why EnGadget had that picture posted then.
Posted on Reply
#8
ex_reven
zekrahminatorOh...I wonder why EnGadget had that picture posted then.
trying to discourage sales ;)
Posted on Reply
#9
XooM
call me stupid, but isn't bluetooth stupidly power-hungry, comparatively speaking?
Posted on Reply
#10
KennyT772
long live logitech mice! they are muuch better looking then the crappy bluetooth mac mice. hell ive played around with some crappy wireless mice but they were all better then the mac one.
Posted on Reply
#11
Casheti
Careful, bluetooth lowers sperm count and damages females reproductive...um...shit. SO YOU DO LEARN SOMETHING IN SCHOOL
Posted on Reply
#12
Casheti
KennyT772long live logitech mice! they are muuch better looking then the crappy bluetooth mac mice. hell ive played around with some crappy wireless mice but they were all better then the mac one.
LOGITECH MX1000 FTW
Posted on Reply
#13
PVTCaboose1337
Graphical Hacker
CashetiLOGITECH MX1000 FTW
Agreed, best mouse ever.
Posted on Reply
#14
Unregistered
wazzledoozleThats an ancient 80's Apple ll mouse (or something close to that)

This new mouse will look similar to this-
that thing would just be awkward to use, looks like it has a lil nip on top, is that to click or to scroll?
#15
Casheti
I've used one that's really really like that before. It was hard to use.
Posted on Reply
#16
XooM
that atrocity, the mighty mouse, is one of the worst mice ever conceived (Right down there with the hockey-puck iMac mouse of days of old). Its ludicrously expensive for a wired, 2 button + scroll mouse, right click is awkward and quirky, and the itty bitty ball for scrolling is a PITA to use. Apple really needs to stop trying to make mice; all they make are monstrosities.
Posted on Reply
#17
Jimmy 2004
Just get a mouse with a rechargable dock - they hardly use much power as it is, from my experience most wireless mice can go more than a month without new batteries. The bluetooth will use more power than the optical part of it anyway I expect.
Posted on Reply
#18
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
Retarded. No wonder Apple lost to IBM in the PC market.
Posted on Reply
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