Subj : The Magic Mouse could get a fascinating reboot, according to Appl
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Thu Mar 28 2024 16:45:05

The Magic Mouse could get a fascinating reboot, according to Apple's new ideas

Date:
Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:37:02 +0000

Description:
A recent patent shows Apple exploring ideas for using the Magic Mouse in new 
and interesting ways.

FULL STORY
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Apple has a real knack for designing great products, which makes the awkward 
choices evident in the Magic Mouse even more obvious. Yet Apple seems to be 
hard at work on ways to improve the device, and while we cant say whether it 
will fix the upside-down charging fiasco , there are encouraging signs 
pointing towards some interesting new features on the horizon. 

Thats because a fresh patent from Apple has revealed a few of the companys 
ideas for improving the Magic Mouse and expanding it into new areas. Theres 
no guarantee well see any of these ideas put into action, but they at least 
show that Apple is not happy to rest on its laurels. 

In the patent, Apple talks a lot about mouse sensors and how they could be 
used to detect when a user is tilting the mouse. The idea is that this new 
action could give you another way to interact with on-screen content, beyond 
the usual clicking and moving of the mouse. 

For instance, the patent says that the desired function can be any function 
carried out by the computing device, whether visibly apparent on a display 
screen of the computing device or not. In other words, you might use this 
function to zoom in or out, adjust the brightness or volume, change a brush 
size, or something else. Rotating, rolling and more (Image credit: Majed Khan 
/ Unsplash) 

Apple doesnt just focus on tilting a mouse in its patent  it also discusses 
how you might be able to rotate a mouse to carry out other actions. 

In its accompanying illustrations, Apple depicts a variety of circular-shaped 
mice that are quite unlike anything the company currently produces. If 
anything, they are reminiscent of the infamous hockey puck mouse that came 
with the iMac G3 and may well send shivers up the spine of anyone who 
remembers struggling with that particular pointer. 

Interestingly, while Apple says that a mouses tilted position could unlock 
extra functionality, the transition into that new position could itself be 
useful. For instance, Apple says that rolling a curved mouse could be used to 
adjust inputs in a similar manner to rotating a dial or spinning a sphere of 
a thumb ball mouse. 

There are a lot of ideas discussed in the patent, and some of them sound more 
practical than others. But whats clear is that Apple is interested in new 
ways of using a very familiar device. If the company can pull off a new and 
interesting way to use the Magic Mouse, it might go some way to restoring 
that products reputation to the place Apple would like it to be. You might 
also like The best wireless mouse 2024: top cable-free mice The best MacBook 
Air accessories 2024: top kit for Apple laptops 5 peripherals that go great 
with your new Apple iMac



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/computing/the-magic-mouse-could-get-a-fascinating-re
boot-according-to-apples-new-ideas


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