[driven]

A multi-button mouse from Apple:
http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/

[buggsuperstar]

looks interesting...

[Ghoser777]

excellent... but will it ship standard with all new macs, will it be an option, or will you have to pay extra?

[mdc]

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=265211
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=265208
i want a bluetooth version

[dreilly1]

I'll sorry to announce that I'll be away from the forums for a while...
I'll be busy eating hats, paying off bets, and dying so someone can throw this mouse over my dead body.

[ort888]

No Bluetooth?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by dreilly1

I'll sorry to announce that I'll be away from the forums for a while...
I'll be busy eating hats, paying off bets, and dying so someone can throw this mouse over my dead body.

It shows.

-t

[ort888]

I'm confused about the buttons on the side. On the current mouse, you need those to click and lift the mouse if you run out of space. Won't you activate dashboard or whatever every time you try and lift your mouse?

[MacMan4000]

I guess they're not too worried about "Mighty Mouse" already being used for other Mac software?

[mitchell_pgh]

Very interesting... I think it is GREAT, but shouldn't ship standard.

[E's Lil Theorem]

Wow, sweet! They went from 1 button to 4!! Pretty nifty. But, umm, like 90% of the people around here, I'll wait for the BT version. Maybe next January at SF.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Very interesting... I think it is GREAT, but shouldn't ship standard.

Why?

[jasonsRX7]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Very interesting... I think it is GREAT, but shouldn't ship standard.

[videian28]

it should ship standard, it can be customized to act as a one button mouse for you die hards

one button mouse needs to go the way of the dinosaurs (waaaay past due)

[ManOfSteal]

Hmmm, I'm not impressed.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

I want it NOW!

[driven]

Originally Posted by MacMan4000

I guess they're not too worried about "Mighty Mouse" already being used for other Mac software?

Why? They didn't worry about iWork. (Now called iBiz)

Also: I have the Apple 1 button Bluetooth mouse for my Powerbook. I love it. However for my desktop I'd want a wired multi-button mouse. This might fit the bill.

[ManOfSteal]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

I want it NOW!

Amazingly enough, it's a new product that is actually available NOW...

Whodathunkit.®

[suvsr4terrorists]

Well this is only about FIVE YEARS OVERDUE.

[jasonsRX7]

No, I hate using a one button mouse, but I do think they should continue to ship one button mice with macs for no other reason than to force developers to design apps with one button in mind.

Most regular users don't know how or when to right click. I'm sorry, it's just something I feel really strongly about, since I work in an enviornment that supports hundreds of Windows users. Most of them really have no clue what right clicking can do. The only time they right click is by accident, and it often results in them making a mistake.

Making a right button a standard feature means that designers can just dump random options into a contextual menu, much like you see in just about every Windows app. But this is a dead horse that gets beaten all the time, so I won't dwell on it.

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by suvsr4terrorists

Well this is only about FIVE YEARS OVERDUE.

Tru but better late than never...cant wait to try one out

[driven]

Originally Posted by jasonsRX7

No, I hate using a one button mouse, but I do think they should continue to ship one button mice with macs for no other reason than to force developers to design apps with one button in mind.

Most regular users don't know how or when to right click. I'm sorry, it's just something I feel really strongly about, since I work in an enviornment that supports hundreds of Windows users. Most of them really have no clue what right clicking can do. The only time they right click is by accident, and it often results in them making a mistake.

Making a right button a standard feature means that designers can just dump random options into a contextual menu, much like you see in just about every Windows app. But this is a dead horse that gets beaten all the time, so I won't dwell on it.

I actually agree with you!


I also remember telling a user of a Windows CE / PocketPC device to "right-click" (which is click & hold) ... he actually switched the hand that he was holding his stylus in and complained that it didn't perform any different.

[wdlove]

I certainly hope that Apple will announce that "Mighty Mouse" will ship standard with new Mac's. A Bluetooth version would also be nice, that awesome wireless look.

[driven]

[starman]

This isn't the right forum for this.

[AB^2=BCxAC]

Well, at least it doesn't have the camel toe (ahem) look of regular two button scroll mice.

[loki74]

lol I think the mouse looks pretty cool, and at least now I can get all my Windows-loyal friends to stop whining about the mouse! (well, I use an MX500 anyway...)

I do like the minimalistic look, as well as the 360˚ scroll ball. Some things that do concern me though are that due to the smaller size of the scroll ball, will it be as precise as a wheel, which can afford to take up more space on its axis (seeing as how it only has one?) Also, 4 buttons doesn't seem like a lot. My MX500 has 8, but I only use 5 of them. I can't say how convenient it is having all 3 Expose actions on one hand.

Still looks very cool, though. Apple.

[awaspaas]

/Waits impatiently for the Bluetooth version

[ghporter]

While this isn't the first multi-button, scroll mouse compatible with Macs, it is certainly the first one that Apple has been behind, and it is indeed innovative. I'm looking forward to seeing how well it works for everyone. It may actually be multi-platform compatible (to include all the fancy features, not just moving and clicking one or two buttons). And for the first time I've seen an official Apple mouse that seems to be complex enough to justify its cost-$30 or so for a standard, one-button mouse is just out of the question when you go to replace the original mouse!

[dav]

"Now Hear This:
Mighty Mouse even sounds as good as it feels. The audio feedback built into Mighty Mouse provides an aural sensation that responds to your movements. A tiny speaker inside Mighty Mouse produces button-clicking and Scroll Ball-rolling sound effects."

[Kevin]

I'll save my comments till I use it.

[thunderous_funker]

Multi-button trackpads for laptops soon? I certainly hope so.

Demands a test drive. Gotta see just how touch sensitive it is.

As near as I can tell, it is not a 4-button mouse. From the software spiel it appears to be a 3-button mouse--the side buttons appear to only work as one button. I hope I'm wrong, cuz that would suck.

[videian28]

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Multi-button trackpads for laptops soon? I certainly hope so.

Demands a test drive. Gotta see just how touch sensitive it is.

As near as I can tell, it is not a 4-button mouse. From the software spiel it appears to be a 3-button mouse--the side buttons appear to only work as one button. I hope I'm wrong, cuz that would suck.

good catch.....now I almost wish I had not ordered it already lol, I thought those were independant

still curiousity keeps me from cancelling, it is truely a new way to mouse, worth $40 to give it a go

[Randman]

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Multi-button trackpads for laptops soon?

That would be the worst thing possible. Use Sidetrack if you need multiple button options.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by dav

"Now Hear This:
Mighty Mouse even sounds as good as it feels. The audio feedback built into Mighty Mouse provides an aural sensation that responds to your movements. A tiny speaker inside Mighty Mouse produces button-clicking and Scroll Ball-rolling sound effects."

This actually concerns me a bit. I think tactile feedback is at least as important as audible feedback. And I fear this mouse will completely lack tactile feedback.

[esXXI]

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Multi-button trackpads for laptops soon? I certainly hope so.

Demands a test drive. Gotta see just how touch sensitive it is.

As near as I can tell, it is not a 4-button mouse. From the software spiel it appears to be a 3-button mouse--the side buttons appear to only work as one button. I hope I'm wrong, cuz that would suck.

1 = Left
2 = Right
3 = Scrollball press
4 = Side "Squeeze" buttons

[starman]

Are they in Apple Stores yet?

[thunderous_funker]

Ah, good eye. The scroll button. Thanks.

Still, i'm really turned off that the side buttons only work as a single button.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Why?

It forces developers to "keep it simple." While I have a multi-button mouse... and many others here do as well...I firmly believe that it keeps everything in check regarding the general design of applications and the OS.

I LOVE the pro like speed and features the right mouse button offers, but if you can't get there with a single mouse button, you need to rethink the approach. As we move more and more to touch screens, notebook computers, etc. I think it will become more apparent why it is so important. Try "right clicking" with your index finger...

There are also major inconsistencies with how the right mouse button is used.

NOTE: I'm VERY happy to see a two button mouse... but it should be an option... not the standard.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally Posted by Randman

That would be the worst thing possible. Use Sidetrack if you need multiple button options.

ew. ew. ew. How can you possibly argue that that monstrous software is more simple, elegant, easy to use than simply adding one more freaking hardware button?

"tap-slide-grope-click with your bottom-left, leeward thumb......." Yeeeeesh

[Kevin]

None of us have tried it yet....

It could really be cool. Or it could kinda suck.. like I expect too...

But I have to really try it I guess.

[suvsr4terrorists]

I agree. I put a 1 button mouse on my grandma's PC and she's been much better using it. Right clicking is only for the people who are down with technology, but for the large stupid masses, 1 button seems to be the way to go.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by suvsr4terrorists

I agree.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by jasonsRX7

No, I hate using a one button mouse, but I do think they should continue to ship one button mice with macs for no other reason than to force developers to design apps with one button in mind.

Most regular users don't know how or when to right click. I'm sorry, it's just something I feel really strongly about, since I work in an enviornment that supports hundreds of Windows users. Most of them really have no clue what right clicking can do. The only time they right click is by accident, and it often results in them making a mistake.

Making a right button a standard feature means that designers can just dump random options into a contextual menu, much like you see in just about every Windows app. But this is a dead horse that gets beaten all the time, so I won't dwell on it.

Couldn't agree more!!! I DO NOT like the one button mouse... but I think it's what places the pressure on the application designers to keep their applications in check.

[thunderous_funker]

So once all the people too stupid to master the complexity of 2-button mouse computing die off can we finally end this debate?

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

So once all the people too stupid to master the complexity of 2-button mouse computing die off can we finally end this debate?

Not everyone spends hours and hours every day on their computer.l

[thunderous_funker]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Not everyone spends hours and hours every day on their computer.l

Then their preferences shouldn't count for much.

Seriously. Every time this issue comes up, we get a swarm of anecdotes about people who just can't figure out right-clicking. I guess I don't see any reason to halt the march of progress for people without the mental capacity or motor skills to master a 2-button mouse. It should be a 1-button mouse that is the novelty option, IMO, not the other way round.

[driven]

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Then their preferences shouldn't count for much.

Seriously. Every time this issue comes up, we get a swarm of anecdotes about people who just can't figure out right-clicking. I guess I don't see any reason to halt the march of progress for people without the mental capacity or motor skills to master a 2-button mouse.

That's the approach Microsoft takes with just about every aspect of Windows.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally Posted by driven

That's the approach Microsoft takes with just about every aspect of Windows.

I'm struggling to find anything in my post that could accurately describe MS tactics.
1) innovation
2) erring on the side of progress rather than octegenarians and their fragile comfort zones

Seems to me that almost everyone uses a multi-button mouse. Certainly sounds like most people here do. The counter-argument is usually in favor of people who admittedly don't spend a lot time around computers.

So why shouldn't a multi-button mouse be standard and a 1-button mouse be the novelty option for those who can't/won't figure out the joy of scrolling and right-clicking?

I can see the argument for the "default" config being the most basic but if even Jobs has finally realized that millions of Mac users are replacing their "default" mouse, maybe its time to change the default. Of course, that would mean not being able to squeeze an extra $50 out of every Mac buyer.

[jasonsRX7]

Originally Posted by thunderous_funker

Then their preferences shouldn't count for much.

Except for that they're the majority.

Seriously. Every time this issue comes up, we get a swarm of anecdotes about people who just can't figure out right-clicking. I guess I don't see any reason to halt the march of progress for people without the mental capacity or motor skills to master a 2-button mouse. It should be a 1-button mouse that is the novelty option, IMO, not the other way round.

But right clicking isn't a static function that stays the same in every application. It's easy to show someone a mouse and point to the right button, and they'll realize that there's two buttons. It's not because the users are stupid or retarded that they have trouble. It's trying to learn the logic behind why you should right click for this, left click for that, click in the menu bar for this, right click the desktop for that...

If the two button mouse starts shipping standard with macs, rejoice in the fact that you will no longer have to spend $20 on a two button mouse. But don't complain about Mac applications that start to look and feel more like Windows, with hidden options that you can only access by right clicking on an unlabeled column (-AdAware).