Makeover for Apple's Mighty Mouse?

Is it time for Apple's Mighty Mouse to get a tune-up?

That's the question many people on the Internet are asking as MacBlogz has published images of what it expects Apple to do with the multibutton mouse. Extrapolating from Apple's patents on multitouch, MacBlogz's prototype features a sleek profile and aluminum body.

This mockup shows one vision of the Mighty Mouse's future.

(Credit: MacBlogz)

The report notes that a 2007 patent application calls for an "arbitrary shaped grippable member" that would utilize positioning and multitouch detection to interpret a user's movement. Basically, it appears that the button would be replaced by a multitouch trackpad. "In essence, it would act as one seamless area from which a user could scroll and pan by dragging a finger over the device's surface," the report says.

The prototype's aluminum body is drawn from a parallel with the iMac and MacBook, which have shed their white, plastic shell for aluminum. The change in materials would also eliminate the build-up of gunk on the edges, the blog post suggests.

As far as shape goes, the prototype's lower profile would be "more versatile for complex gestures," while maintaining enough height to accommodate its batteries.

The mouse may be still be in the dream stage, but it's one Apple users would embrace.

[TheDudeandHis360]

Sounds like a better design than the current ******** like ball on the Apple Mouse. Gets clogged with dirt and gunk fairly quick, and I lhave to clean it off with alcohol a couple times a month.

[random truth]

Ya, I agree. I like the idea of the scroll ball. But it craps out under regular use.

[BlitzBoy1120]

That'd be cool. It's like you would use two fingers and swipe on the mouse just as you would on a track pad to scroll down. much much much better than that tiny frickin ball for a scroll wheel. I'm seriously waiting for this :D

[blezea_dotmac]

Doesn't anyone there use spell check?

[Perry_Clease]

I do, but I am not sure that all browser and operating systems used by visitors have live spell checking.

[Seaspray0]

Yess, we doo. Butt its moor fun making yu figour out what weer tieping.

[bonesbautista]

Two points. I'm with TheDude - some days the crap in the ball's "well" is enough to get me to demand my money back. Grrrrr.

And, what's a Might Mouse? Your title is incorrect - it's the "Mighty Mouse".

[stevenmusil]

Thanks for pointing out my typo.

[bonesbautista]

S'alright. Peace.

[Mr. Dee]

One of the pictures make the Mighty Mouse seem as if its wearing panties or briefs.

[man_w_balls]

do you want to hump that mouse?
i hope not - it would be futile
but it makes you wonder if they intentionally or subconsciously made the front of it like a woman's pubic area (what was it that sells products again?)

jokes aside, this could be part of the new 3D apple system plan (3D desktop, multitouch-screen, etc)

[lonestarState]

I must say the Mighty Mouse design really sucks and so does that tiny ball. I am all apple except for the mighty mouse. Auctioned mine off. Logitech rules with mice!

[rhsc]

This is possibly the most mundane and inconsequential topic I've ever seen written about on cnet

[William Crow]

I love the tiny ball but its time to clean mine. Its quit working - again. Mine's not wireless so it may not be "mighty."
Should Al Gore and his jack booted minyans even allow mouse(s)/mice that runs on a battery? Think how much toxic refuse they generate.

The new design shown here looks a bit too flat but Apple designers aren't chumps. It'll likely work pretty well.

[Perry_Clease]

I am all for going back to the Apple "hockey puck" shaped mouse :)

Seriously a track pad on the mouse could be real handy.

[bsubshea17]

This sounds like it would be very helpful! I really like the mighty mouse as is right now. When I use other mouses, I realize how nice the mighty mouse is. But too have some sort of touchable surface to zoom or scroll or whatever, would be awesome! I hope this idea gets to Apple, if it hasn't already.

[bobmarleypeople]

i've replaced my standard might mouse with a nameless generic wireless mouse 5 buttons and a wheel instead of the mighty mouse' 4 buttons and ball. Balls are nice (lol) but indeed it does crap up.

I'm liking the idea of a multi touch mouse. Just as long as I can scroll with a finger still resting on the right mouse button. Oh and make the sides 2 buttons instead of one button that you "squeeze". Or better yet, have an option to get them to do different things like the left and right click.

[sage631]

Hello ppl they hav optical laser mouses

[Seaspray0]

Yes they do. You can get a mouse with multiple buttons, scroll/click wheels, laser tracking, even ergonomically friendly ones work like a mouse but allow you to easily grab and stear it with a stick. Now Apple is talking about replacing an antiquated ball mouse with what is the equivalent of a touchpad when the competition already has touch screens? An apple mouse is obsolete these days. Get one from another company and you'll discover a whole new world in usefulness.

[ralfthedog]

sage631 , we are not talking about the part of the mouse that contacts the mouse pad, we are talking about the scroll wheel.

PS. is anyone else disturbed that we are talking about, "arbitrary shaped grippable member's" and mouse balls?

[AppleSuxLeo]

So this means Mac users will be able to MultiTouch themselves ;)

[Daler]

This is so exciting. I want to poke my eye out with my big toe. Maybe this will be the big MacWorld thing that Steve won't show up for? They should have a clapper/finder kinda function where you clap and they start to vibrate then you can find them. Unless, of course....

[Perry_Clease]

Don't use "vibrate" in a story about "arbitrary shaped grippable members and mouse balls" :)

Interesting. It seems like only yesterday, but it was probably Friday, when Tom Krazit had a story about "Files in Mac OS point to new iMacs, Mac Minis." Macs come with a mouse and if there are new models in the offing then we may see a new mouse. A mouse that his similar control features to the track pad on the new MacBooks.

[mementh]

glad i am not a apple fan boy..
this is not a mouse.. this is a unknown..
I am all for the enhanced functionality but i have BIG HANDS!!!! which means I need a Hump to rest my palm on so that i am not having to hold my hand in the air.

then again i love the clicking sound of a REAL BUTTON and think buttons are beautiful!!!!

[adasha76]

I agree. I imagine a mouse like this would become uncomfortable to use pretty quickly - unless they could build in some kind of click like the Blackberry storm screen

[jscott418]

I am not big on the low profile design. I do not even like the Mighty mouse now. I went back to Logitech and really do not see a need to change. I feel the same way about the scroll ball. If you have any oil or soil on your hands fingers the ball keeps getting clogged. This is Apple's weakness in design. They sometimes overlook common sense in the design.

[nicmart]

Isn't the present mouse the one which has the little ******** at the top?

[nicmart]

The actual names for parts of the anatomy are considered expletives to delete by CNET? I was simply referring to the cleetooris. Nothing vulgar about that.

[toosday]

I don't think it could possibly be WORSE than the current Mighty Mouse in terms of durability, that's for sure. It was a nice idea, but poorly executed. After a couple of decades worth of two-button mice (and later, more buttons than two) you'd think Apple would've knocked the Mighty Mouse out of the park.

[gsmiller88]

When I first got my iMac back in o6, that's how I thought the mouse worked. This would, indeed, be awesome.