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Severed Hand of Skywalker · Aug 21, 2003, 11:26 AM

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/...21115836.shtml

However -- if you attempt to use the new Panther build's Bluetooth keyboard and mouse functionality, you are given these error messages (if you don't have the proper bluetooth hardware):

"If you are using an Apple Wireless Mouse, slide the cover on the bottom of the mouse to expose the LED"

"If you are using an Apple Wireless Keyboard, move the switch on the back of the keyboard towards the LED"

::maroma:: · Aug 21, 2003, 11:33 AM

Sweet! I'm not particularly excited about the wireless part, just that they are designing a new keyboard and mouse! But the wireless aspect will be nice too. Let's hope that they aren't plagued by any of the issues with current wireless keyboards and mice.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Aug 21, 2003, 11:37 AM

What I am wondering is how pissed are the people who just dropped a few grand into a G5 going to be when they see they got the same keyboard and mouse as an eMac.

osxisfun · Aug 21, 2003, 12:30 PM

>What I am wondering is how pissed are the people who just dropped a few grand into a G5 going to be when they see they got the same keyboard and mouse as an eMac.

Doh. That;s one of the two reasons why i have not ordered my dual 2 gig.

the other reason is i am wating for apple to say free panther to g5 owners...

MaxPower2k3 · Aug 21, 2003, 12:35 PM

yay! i've been waiting for this for a while. And it's good to hear that it'll have an 'on/off' switch (the LED cover) since i've never understood why current wireless mice don't (why is all of the power-saving stuff necessary when you could just flick a switch and use no power.)

the warning didn't happen to mention holding the right mouse button and turning the scroll wheel on this Apple Wireless Mouse, did it?

GORDYmac · Aug 21, 2003, 12:50 PM

Oh Hell Yea!!!

::maroma:: · Aug 21, 2003, 01:22 PM

Kind of OT, but since Apple is releasing a new keyboard and mouse, what are the chances of us getting newly designed displays? I still think the current design doesn't go well with the G5's.

GORDYmac · Aug 21, 2003, 03:33 PM

Why, Quicksilver was faux metal, why would the real thing look bad? IMHO, metal & glass look great together.

AssassyN · Aug 21, 2003, 05:39 PM

Oh, it's true...it's true...

RooneyX · Aug 21, 2003, 07:00 PM

New monitors are definitely on the way to match the new G5s. It's sooo obvious. It's part of the design ethic for the Mac range. No doubt it will be Aluminum and really sleek. Will look sweet next to a Powerbook.

The new keyboards and mice will have to get rid of the transparent plastic look too.

WinsOBoogi · Aug 21, 2003, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by RooneyX:
New monitors are definitely on the way to match the new G5s. It's sooo obvious. .

You really think so?

Damnit! I need a new G5..and I need a new monitor. And I'd like a wireless keyboard, and I'd like Panther.

But I NEED a new G5. Aaaah! What do I do?!

But, seriously...if they had plans for new displays and keyboards for the near-immediate future, wouldn't they have unveiled them WITH the G5's?

MaxPower2k3 · Aug 21, 2003, 10:39 PM

i don't think it's SO obvious that new monitors are coming. the Brushed Metal and Aqua themes coexist in the Operating System, so why not in the physical computers?

vmpaul · Aug 21, 2003, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by MaxPower2k3:

the warning didn't happen to mention holding the right mouse button and turning the scroll wheel on this Apple Wireless Mouse, did it?

That would be nice, wouldn't it?

I can just imagine the flame-throwing threads it will spawn.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Aug 21, 2003, 11:50 PM

Actually, I don't even know what the big deal is. I never long for a wireless mouse or keyboard.

Macfreak7 · Aug 22, 2003, 04:08 AM

Wireless mice are yummy. esp. if you're gaming on a laptop.

Immortal K-Mart Employee · Aug 22, 2003, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Macfreak7:
Wireless mice are yummy. esp. if you're gaming on a laptop.

Why?

subego · Aug 22, 2003, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
Why?

No cord.

Immortal K-Mart Employee · Aug 22, 2003, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by subego:
No cord.

On the plus side you also got to worry about batteries.

Macfreak7 · Aug 22, 2003, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by Immortal K-Mart Employee:
On the plus side you also got to worry about batteries.

Negative side you.
But i'd rather worry about batteries than bother with a cord.

GORDYmac · Aug 22, 2003, 12:52 PM

I'd imagine that 2 AA's would last over a month (remember the original PalmPilots?)--especially if it turned off after periods of inactivity. Regardless, whatever Apple presents to us will address any concern we might have, I'm sure.

Eug Wanker · Aug 22, 2003, 02:41 PM

I just hope the feel of the keyboard is as nice as the old IBM ones, but I'm sure it won't be.

I just hope it will have a two-button mouse, but I'm sure it won't be.

Oh well, I'm sure I won't be buying...

(By the way, even the Microsoft wireless RF keyboard and mouse work fine already, with excellent drivers. The mouse is two-button of course, but the keyboard also has that crappy feel most current keyboards have.)

RooneyX · Aug 22, 2003, 04:28 PM

AA batteries are lame and old fashioned. We should have a lithium rechargable battery in them that recharges when they are plugged into USB for recharging or used as normal wired.

Eug Wanker · Aug 22, 2003, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by RooneyX:
AA batteries are lame and old fashioned. We should have a lithium rechargable battery in them that recharges when they are plugged into USB for recharging or used as normal wired.

Plugging in the keyboard... Don'cha think that defeats the purpose of a wireless keyboard?

RooneyX · Aug 22, 2003, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
Plugging in the keyboard... Don'cha think that defeats the purpose of a wireless keyboard?

Just for recharging. Why not? They don't ask us to use replacable batteries in the iPod. If they did I wouldn't have bought one. I won't be buying the keyboard and mouse if they use AA or AAA batteries. I hate them. Not one thing in my house uses them. Everything - laptop, mp3 player, digital camera, all rechargable.

thePurpleGiant · Aug 22, 2003, 07:29 PM

I agree. I cannot possibly imagine Apple selling a device that runs on AA batteries. No sir.

Eug Wanker · Aug 23, 2003, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by thePurpleGiant:
I agree. I cannot possibly imagine Apple selling a device that runs on AA batteries. No sir.

AA batteries for a wireless keyboard/mouse is WAY better than having to deal with cables.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Aug 23, 2003, 08:51 AM

What is it with you people and cables? Do I sit at the computer every day grinding my teeth over the fact that I have a cable running one foot from my keyboard to my usb port on my monitor?

You people make it sounds like the damn thing is strangling you or something.

-Q- · Aug 23, 2003, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
AA batteries for a wireless keyboard/mouse is WAY better than having to deal with cables.

I so disagree. Nothing would annoy me more than during the middle of a project or a presentation to have my keyboard or mouse fail due to battery drain. Being 'tethered' has never been a problem.

thePurpleGiant · Aug 23, 2003, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
AA batteries for a wireless keyboard/mouse is WAY better than having to deal with cables.

I agree in so far that *I* would find that easier...but I cannot imagine Apple doing it.

*I* would have found it easier if they included things like SCSI on my powerbook, but in no way did I expect them to do it.

Eug · Aug 23, 2003, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
What is it with you people and cables? Do I sit at the computer every day grinding my teeth over the fact that I have a cable running one foot from my keyboard to my usb port on my monitor?

You people make it sounds like the damn thing is strangling you or something.

It's just inconvenient if you have a lot of stuff on your desk. (It definitely gets in the way at work, and I can't get a wireless keyboard because NT doesn't support USB.)

Originally posted by -Q-:
I so disagree. Nothing would annoy me more than during the middle of a project or a presentation to have my keyboard or mouse fail due to battery drain. Being 'tethered' has never been a problem.

Then the wireless keyboard isn't for you.

Anyways, it doesn't fail right away. What ends up happening is the signal gets weaker gradually (at least for RF-based keyboards).

koffinkanser · Aug 26, 2003, 12:24 PM

it's definitely coming soon. the latest build of 10.2.7 has a revamped keyboard and mouse prefs. it's now combined into one like panther, and it has a bluetooth tab in it as well.

vmpaul · Aug 26, 2003, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by koffinkanser:
it's definitely coming soon. the latest build of 10.2.7 has a revamped keyboard and mouse prefs. it's now combined into one like panther, and it has a bluetooth tab in it as well.

Maybe at the Paris Expo. I heard Jobs is doing the Keynote.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Aug 27, 2003, 12:49 AM

So what is the appeal of a wireless keyboard again?

cSurfr · Aug 27, 2003, 03:48 AM

Well, I don't know about you, but my current desk has the all hated keyboard drawer, and the cord coming from the keyboard to the tower is always getting in the way as it hangs down a bit. That is more than enough reason for me to have a wireless keyboard. When I get my new desk, there won't be ANY wires showing at all as the keyboard will be on my desktop.

-cS

::maroma:: · Aug 27, 2003, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
So what is the appeal of a wireless keyboard again?

Less clutter. More freedom (if you need it). That's all I can think of right now.

Socially Awkward Solo · Aug 27, 2003, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by ::maroma:::
Less clutter. More freedom (if you need it). That's all I can think of right now.

In theory that is all fine and good. But how does one little cord create clutter? Do we need wireless monitors and power supplies as well.

Freedom? All I know if I use my keyboard or mouse from the other end of the room I won't be able to see what the heck I am doing. Perhaps if you are one of those web TV folks but other then that

::maroma:: · Aug 27, 2003, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by Socially Awkward Solo:
In theory that is all fine and good. But how does one little cord create clutter? Do we need wireless monitors and power supplies as well.

Freedom? All I know if I use my keyboard or mouse from the other end of the room I won't be able to see what the heck I am doing. Perhaps if you are one of those web TV folks but other then that

Yeah, as far as clutter, you should talk to my dad. He's insane about cord clutter. He just replaced his PC with an iMac, and loves the fact that it uses less cords than the tower/monitor set up. I mentioned Apple's plans to offer a wireless KB and mouse and he was all excited. He says that there should be ONE cable, the power cable. All others should be wireless.

<shrug> To each his own, I guess.

blackbird_1.0 · Aug 28, 2003, 11:09 AM

one cord, with other cord, creates catastrophe,
hell, j have frinends thst are against even wireless internet,

scaught · Sep 3, 2003, 10:41 AM

how long can we expect the batteries to last in a mouse/keyboard?

vmpaul · Sep 3, 2003, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by scaught:
how long can we expect the batteries to last in a mouse/keyboard?

I use rechargeable NiMH's 1800mAh for my Logitech mouse. They last about two weeks before I recharge again.

I don't know if that's comparable to any Apple designed cordless duo.

Eug · Sep 7, 2003, 08:37 PM

From Chaosmint:

From Macbidouille:

thePurpleGiant · Sep 7, 2003, 11:52 PM

Hmm this is sounding all a bit too inconvenient really.

Turnign the keyboard off? Typing too quickly for the connection? Replacing batteries? Running a very Windows like 'New device' wizard just for the Mac to connect to them...

Either sounds like a fake description, or Apple has gone crazy.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Sep 8, 2003, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by thePurpleGiant:
Turnign the keyboard off? Typing too quickly for the connection? Replacing batteries? Running a very Windows like 'New device' wizard just for the Mac to connect to them...

Exactly. Totally stupid.

SomeToast · Sep 8, 2003, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by Eug:
From Chaosmint:

It's so important to keep spare batteries handy that they mention it twice!

blackbird_1.0 · Sep 8, 2003, 11:30 AM

it said it sticks w/ some EXTERNAL D-LINK

anyway, i type slow anyway, so a wireless keyboard and mouse would work for me.