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Apple ships Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, Magic Keyboard
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MacNN Staff
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Apple has launched new "Magic" accessories for the Mac, shortly after they surfaced in code for the OS X 10.11.1 beta. The Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2 improve upon the original versions of each peripheral, while the Magic Keyboard joins the Magic range, with all three incorporating reusable lithium-ion batteries rechargeable over Lightning within two hours, replacing the previous reliance on removable AA batteries.
The Magic Keyboard borrows heavily from the Apple Wireless Keyboard, using an aluminum frame on top and a plastic base, with the major changes being the removal of the large battery tube on the rear, and an overall reduction in size of 13 percent. The scissor mechanism has been improved to provide 33 percent more key stability and to optimize key travel, while the letters and symbols on the keys have been changed to use the new San Francisco font.
The new battery system has allowed Apple to change the internal structure of the Magic Mouse 2, allowing it to have fewer moving parts compared to its predecessor. It is also lighter and sturdier than the earlier version, and has an optimized foot design allowing it to have a smoother glide. Magic Mouse 2 also includes a multi-touch surface, allowing for gestures to be made without requiring a separate Magic Trackpad.
Lastly, the Magic Trackpad 2 adds Force Touch to the device for the first time, including support for new gestures such as Force click. As well as using four force sensors in its body, the Magic Trackpad 2 has an edge-to-edge glass surface that's almost 30 percent larger than the earlier version, with it also having a lower profile design prompted by the battery change.
All of the new magic devices have a battery life of around one month when fully charged, and also include Bluetooth connectivity with automatic pairing and a usable range of up to 30 feet. Available now, the Magic Mouse 2 costs $79, the Magic Trackpad 2 for $129, and the Magic Keyboard for $99. Both the Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Keyboard will come as standard with new iMacs, with the Magic Trackpad 2 available as an optional extra.
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Last edited by NewsPoster; Oct 13, 2015 at 11:30 AM.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Back in the Good Ole US of A
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$129 for the Magic Trackpad!!?? Really? I honestly envision them laughing as they pull these prices out of their ass.
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Managing Editor
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Yeah, we're... surprised at the price here in the MacNN newsroom.
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Senior User
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Yeah, nearly twice as much as the original, the TrackPad seems overpriced. I get the rechargeable batteries benefit, but not $60 worth. So I can only imagine the Force Touch feature is extraordinary...I've yet to see much less try it out. Don't think I'll start by getting a TrackPad to see.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Oct 2015
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And still no extended keyboard? Yikes, Apple.
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Aug 2010
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So I need 10.11 to use a bluetooth keyboard? Not quite sure why. Yes, I know support for the new peripherals is in El Capitan, but . . .
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maitland, FL
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OldMacGeek: that confused me a while back (for previous BT 4.0 peripherals), so I asked. Turns out that its because of BT 4.2 power management. All these BT 4.0 things will *likely* connect to older machines, provided they have BT 4.0 on board (say 2012 and later), but the software requirement optimizes the interaction between peripheral and computer.
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Charles Martin
MacNN Editor
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Those prices, when you add european taxes on them, up to 25 or 27%, that will bring the mouse at a price level where you can buy a netbook. Simply ridiculous.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
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Also, the Magic Mouse 2 is 89€ including taxes. That's gotta be one hell of a "netbook".
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Ham Sandwich
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[1] Is the new keyboard a mistyper like the old one that also bends after a few weeks of frustrating use like my old one?
[2] Is the new keyboard so loaded up with metal that it feels ice cold and scratchy to use like the old one?
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Not to mention the static shocks. I've got a bunch of users in the office that still refuse to use any of these metal keyboards, especially during the winter.
Now that I'm thinking about it, I wonder if those rubbery, crumb-protecting keyboard cover dealies are any good for that purpose. Hrmm.
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