Apple Mighty Mouse
Encyclopedia
The Apple Mouse is a multi-button USB mouse
manufactured and sold by Apple Inc. It was announced and sold for the first time on August 2, 2005, and a Bluetooth
version was available from 2006 to 2009. Before the Mighty Mouse, Apple had sold only one-button mice with its computers, beginning with the Apple Lisa
22 years earlier.
On October 20, 2009, the wireless Mighty Mouse was discontinued and replaced by the multi-touch
Magic Mouse. The wired version of the device remains available, but was renamed the "Apple Mouse" as of the same date, due to trademark issues with another manufacturer of a device named "Mighty Mouse".
on the mouse's face. The mouse has four functional "buttons": a left capacitive sensor
, a right capacitive sensor, a track ball with a pressure sensor and side squeeze sensors. The track ball enables users to scroll a page or document in any direction, including diagonally. Two of the above-mentioned inputs are not physical buttons. Rather, the touch-sensitive topshell (mentioned below) and the pressure sensing trackball allow the mouse to detect which side is being touched or whether the trackball is being held in.
The scroll ball emits a sound when it is being rolled, but this sound is not a product of the actual hardware. The sound is actually played back from a tiny speaker within the mouse itself. There is no way to disable this feature other than physically disabling the speaker inside the mouse.
Currently, Mac OS X
is the only operating system that fully supports the mouse without third party software. When used with Mac OS X, the sensors can be set to launch applications
or trigger features of the Apple operating system, such as Dashboard and Exposé
. If not used with Mac OS X, the mouse behaves as a four "button" mouse with a vertical and horizontal scroll wheel. There are third-party drivers (XMouse, AppleM) that provide more functions to users of other platforms such as Windows.
The Mighty Mouse does not report whether the right and left sensors are activated simultaneously. In fact, it reports a right-click only when there is no finger contact on the left side of the mouse. Thus a right-click requires lifting the finger off the mouse, then right-clicking. This also means that the Mighty Mouse cannot support mouse chording
, used by CAD software, games, and other applications where multiple functions are mapped to the mouse.
The model number of the old version of the Mighty Mouse is MA272LL/A, and the new Mighty Mouse's model number is MB111LL/A.
The scroll ball will eventually become clogged with dust and require cleaning. While there are methods to clean the ball without dismantling the mouse some users have complained that the Mighty Mouse is difficult to clean because the scroll ball mechanism is hard to take apart.
, as owner of the Mighty Mouse
cartoon series, the title having been registered in the U.S. as a trademark
with respect to various merchandise (such as T-shirts and multivitamin
s) associated with the character. However, the trademark did not cover computer peripherals, and CBS did not apply to trademark the term in the U.S. with respect to computer mice until mid-2007.
On May 21, 2008, it was announced that Man & Machine Inc., a supplier of keyboards and mice to laboratories and hospitals, had sued Apple Inc. for trademark infringement over its use of the name Mighty Mouse. Man & Machine Inc. had four registered or pending trademarks on various computer pointing related technologies, including "Cool Mouse", "Really Cool", and "Man and Machine and Design". The particular Mighty Mouse trademark in dispute was first filed by Man & Machine Inc., on December 18, 2007 with the description "Computer cursor control devices, namely, computer mice" — after CBS's filing, but claiming first use in 2004, before the introduction of the Apple device.
Following opposition proceedings on both sides against the other, CBS subsequently withdrew its application, allowing Man & Machine to register the U.S. trademark for computer mice. As a result, Apple stopped selling mice under the "Mighty Mouse" name on October 20, 2009, when it introduced the wireless Magic Mouse and renamed the existing wired mouse the "Apple Mouse".
Incidentally, CBS was successful in registering "Mighty Mouse" as a trademark for computer mice in some other countries, including Canada, although Apple nevertheless chose to change its product name internationally.
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...
manufactured and sold by Apple Inc. It was announced and sold for the first time on August 2, 2005, and a Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
version was available from 2006 to 2009. Before the Mighty Mouse, Apple had sold only one-button mice with its computers, beginning with the Apple Lisa
Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa—also known as the Lisa—is a :personal computer designed by Apple Computer, Inc. during the early 1980s....
22 years earlier.
On October 20, 2009, the wireless Mighty Mouse was discontinued and replaced by the multi-touch
Multi-touch
In computing, multi-touch refers to a touch sensing surface's ability to recognize the presence of two or more points of contact with the surface...
Magic Mouse. The wired version of the device remains available, but was renamed the "Apple Mouse" as of the same date, due to trademark issues with another manufacturer of a device named "Mighty Mouse".
About the mouse
The Mighty Mouse is made of white plastic and has a recessed Apple logoLogo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
on the mouse's face. The mouse has four functional "buttons": a left capacitive sensor
Capacitive sensing
In electrical engineering, capacitive sensing is a technology based on capacitive coupling that is used in many different types of sensors, including those to detect and measure: proximity, position or displacement, humidity, fluid level, and acceleration...
, a right capacitive sensor, a track ball with a pressure sensor and side squeeze sensors. The track ball enables users to scroll a page or document in any direction, including diagonally. Two of the above-mentioned inputs are not physical buttons. Rather, the touch-sensitive topshell (mentioned below) and the pressure sensing trackball allow the mouse to detect which side is being touched or whether the trackball is being held in.
The scroll ball emits a sound when it is being rolled, but this sound is not a product of the actual hardware. The sound is actually played back from a tiny speaker within the mouse itself. There is no way to disable this feature other than physically disabling the speaker inside the mouse.
Currently, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
is the only operating system that fully supports the mouse without third party software. When used with Mac OS X, the sensors can be set to launch applications
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
or trigger features of the Apple operating system, such as Dashboard and Exposé
Exposé (Mac OS X)
Exposé is a feature of the Mac OS X operating system. First previewed on 23 June 2003 at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference as a feature of the then forthcoming Mac OS X v10.3, Exposé allows a user to quickly locate an open window, or to hide all windows and show the desktop without the need...
. If not used with Mac OS X, the mouse behaves as a four "button" mouse with a vertical and horizontal scroll wheel. There are third-party drivers (XMouse, AppleM) that provide more functions to users of other platforms such as Windows.
The Mighty Mouse does not report whether the right and left sensors are activated simultaneously. In fact, it reports a right-click only when there is no finger contact on the left side of the mouse. Thus a right-click requires lifting the finger off the mouse, then right-clicking. This also means that the Mighty Mouse cannot support mouse chording
Mouse chording
Mouse chording is the capability of performing actions when multiple mouse buttons are held down, much like a chorded keyboard. Like mouse gestures, chorded actions may lack feedback and affordance and would therefore offer no way for users to discover possible chords without reference...
, used by CAD software, games, and other applications where multiple functions are mapped to the mouse.
Versions and sell dates
- On August 2, 2005, Apple introduced Mighty Mouse, at the suggested retail price of US$49.
- On 12 October 2005, Apple began shipping a Mighty Mouse with every iMacIMacThe iMac is a range of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers built by Apple. It has been the primary part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its introduction in 1998, and has evolved through five distinct forms....
, and on 19 October 2005, with the PowerMac G5 line as well. The user has a choice to upgrade to an Apple Wireless KeyboardApple Wireless KeyboardThe Apple Wireless Keyboard is a wireless keyboard built for Macintosh computers and the iPad. It interacts over Bluetooth wireless technology and unlike its wired version, it has no USB connectors or ports. Both generations have low-power features when not in use.-History:On September 16, 2003,...
and Apple Wireless MouseApple Wireless MouseThe Apple Wireless Mouse is a one button mouse built for Macintosh computers. It was released in September 2003, although it is not widely recognized that it was Apple's primary wireless mouse until 2005. It interacts over Bluetooth 1.1 wireless technology...
. The only option to not purchase this mouse offered at the time was with the Mac MiniMac MiniThe Mac Mini is a small form factor desktop computer manufactured by Apple Inc. Like earlier mini-ITX PC designs, it is uncommonly small for a desktop computer: 7.7 inches square and 1.4 inches tall. It weighs 2.7 pounds...
. - On 25 July 2006, Apple released a wireless Mighty Mouse which uses BluetoothBluetoothBluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
2.0. The new version uses two AA batteriesAA batteryAn AA battery is a standard size of battery. Batteries of this size are the most commonly used type of in portable electronic devices. An AA battery is composed of a single electrochemical cell...
, but can run on a single AA battery to reduce weight. Wireless Mighty Mouse was priced at $69. - On August 7, 2007, Apple slightly updated the Mighty Mouse, changing the color of the squeeze areas to white. As of September 2009, the wired version of the Mighty Mouse costs $49, while the wireless version costs $69.
- On October 20, 2009, Apple was forced to rename the Mighty Mouse the Apple Mouse due to legal issues regarding the name.
- On the same day, Apple announced and released a completely new mouse called the Apple Magic MouseApple Magic MouseThe Magic Mouse is a multi-touch mouse manufactured and sold by Apple, and it was announced and sold for the first time on October 20, 2009. The Magic Mouse is the first consumer mouse to have multi-touch capabilities...
, built with an aluminum base with a multitouch panel. Like the trackpads on the Macbooks, this new version also introduced gestures. This version uses two AA batteries and will be priced at $69.
- On the same day, Apple announced and released a completely new mouse called the Apple Magic Mouse
The model number of the old version of the Mighty Mouse is MA272LL/A, and the new Mighty Mouse's model number is MB111LL/A.
Technical features
- Touch-sensitive top shell
- 360 degree enabled clickable track ball
- Force-sensing side "squeeze" areas
- Optical (LED) tracking in wired version
- Laser tracking in wireless version
- Compatible with Macintosh, Windows and Linux PCs (wireless version is Mac-only)
- Programmable functions for the four "buttons"
- Auditory feedback with built-in speaker
Criticism
Although the Mighty Mouse can sense both right and left clicks, it is not possible to press both sensors simultaneously. The user must learn to lift the left finger off the sensor surface before attempting a right-mouse click.The scroll ball will eventually become clogged with dust and require cleaning. While there are methods to clean the ball without dismantling the mouse some users have complained that the Mighty Mouse is difficult to clean because the scroll ball mechanism is hard to take apart.
Name
Prior to launching the device, Apple received a license to the name "Mighty Mouse" from Viacom, and subsequently CBS OperationsCBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution is a global television distribution company, formed from the merger of CBS Corporation's two domestic television distribution arms CBS Paramount Domestic Television and King World Productions, including its home entertainment arm CBS Home Entertainment...
, as owner of the Mighty Mouse
Mighty Mouse
Mighty Mouse is an animated superhero mouse character created by the Terrytoons studio for 20th Century Fox.-History:The character was created by story man Izzy Klein as a super-powered housefly named Superfly. Studio head Paul Terry changed the character into a cartoon mouse instead...
cartoon series, the title having been registered in the U.S. as a trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
with respect to various merchandise (such as T-shirts and multivitamin
Multivitamin
A multivitamin is a preparation intended to supplement a human diet with vitamins, dietary minerals, and other nutritional elements. Such preparations are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pastilles, powders, liquids, and injectable formulations...
s) associated with the character. However, the trademark did not cover computer peripherals, and CBS did not apply to trademark the term in the U.S. with respect to computer mice until mid-2007.
On May 21, 2008, it was announced that Man & Machine Inc., a supplier of keyboards and mice to laboratories and hospitals, had sued Apple Inc. for trademark infringement over its use of the name Mighty Mouse. Man & Machine Inc. had four registered or pending trademarks on various computer pointing related technologies, including "Cool Mouse", "Really Cool", and "Man and Machine and Design". The particular Mighty Mouse trademark in dispute was first filed by Man & Machine Inc., on December 18, 2007 with the description "Computer cursor control devices, namely, computer mice" — after CBS's filing, but claiming first use in 2004, before the introduction of the Apple device.
Following opposition proceedings on both sides against the other, CBS subsequently withdrew its application, allowing Man & Machine to register the U.S. trademark for computer mice. As a result, Apple stopped selling mice under the "Mighty Mouse" name on October 20, 2009, when it introduced the wireless Magic Mouse and renamed the existing wired mouse the "Apple Mouse".
Incidentally, CBS was successful in registering "Mighty Mouse" as a trademark for computer mice in some other countries, including Canada, although Apple nevertheless chose to change its product name internationally.
External links
- Mighty Mouse
- Review of the mouse by Ars TechnicaArs TechnicaArs Technica is a technology news and information website created by Ken Fisher and Jon Stokes in 1998. It publishes news, reviews and guides on issues such as computer hardware and software, science, technology policy, and video games. Ars Technica is known for its features, long articles that go...
- Apple Mighty Mouse unofficial driver for Windows (Allen Tang), installation guide for the Windows drivers XMouse and AppleM Pro