Apple Introduces the ‘Magic Mouse’

Left with no option but to change the name of its “mighty,” point-and-click device, Apple has not only given its mouse a new name (“Magic Mouse” for the new model, “Apple-mouse” for the old, wired model), but also equipped the wireless one with new capabilities. The device boasts a superb design, while the control is now done by gestures – a first for the industry. The new mouse comes standard with the new iMac line and will be sold as an accessory for $69.

“Apple today introduced the new wireless Magic Mouse, the first mouse to use Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch technology,” the official announcement from Apple reads. “Pioneered on iPhone, iPod touch and Mac notebook trackpads, Multi-Touch allows customers to navigate using intuitive finger gestures. Instead of mechanical buttons, scroll wheels or scroll balls, the entire top of the Magic Mouse is a seamless Multi-Touch surface.”

Going deeper into the new functionality of the Magic Mouse, Apple reveals that the device can be a single or multi-button mouse with an advanced gesture support, thanks to its seamless, touch-sensitive enclosure. Users can easily scroll through long documents, pan across large images or swipe to move forward or backwards through photos, Apple explains, by using intuitive gestures. Left-handed or right-handed users can fire up System Prefs and easily configure multi-button or gesture commands, just like with older peripherals.

“Apple is the Multi-Touch leader, pioneering the use of this innovative technology in iPhone, iPod touch and Mac notebook trackpads,” Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said. “Apple's Multi-Touch technology allows us to offer an easy to use mouse in a simple and elegant design.”


Apple's new Magic Mouse, the fist mouse ever to use Multi-Touch gesture-based technology
Credits: Apple
Apple adds that its Magic Mouse laser tracking engine provides a smoother, more consistent experience across more surfaces than a traditional optical tracking system. The Bluetooth device works from up to ten meters away and uses an advanced power-management system to extend battery life. Speaking of which, the mouse is powered by two AA batteries, which users can easily replace, just like with the former Mighty Mouse.