According to Apple’s new ideas, the Magic Mouse could get a fascinating reboot
Apple has a real knack for designing great products, which makes the tough choices with the Magic Mouse even more apparent. Still, Apple seems to be working hard on ways to improve the device, and while we can’t say whether this will solve the reverse charging fiasco, there are encouraging signs that point to some interesting new features on the horizon.
That’s because a new patent from Apple has revealed some of the company’s ideas to improve the Magic Mouse and expand it into new areas. There’s no guarantee these ideas will be put into practice, but they certainly show that Apple isn’t eager to rest on its laurels.
In the patent, Apple talks a lot about mouse sensors and how they can be used to detect when a user tilts the mouse. The idea is that this new action could give you another way to interact with content on the screen, besides the usual clicking and moving of the mouse.
For example, the patent says that βthe desired function may be any function performed by the computing device, whether visible on a display of the computing device or not.β In other words, you can use this feature to zoom in or out, adjust brightness or volume, change brush size, or anything else.
Rotating, rolling and more
In its patent, Apple not only focuses on tilting a mouse, but also discusses how you could rotate a mouse to perform other actions.
In the accompanying illustrations, Apple shows a variety of circular mice that are very different from anything the company currently produces. If anything, they’re reminiscent of the infamous “hockey puck” mouse that came with the iMac G3 and may send shivers down the spine of anyone who remembers struggling with that particular pointer.
Interestingly, while Apple says the tilted position of a mouse could unlock additional functionality, the transition to that new position could be useful in itself. For example, Apple says that rolling a curved mouse can be used to adjust input βin a similar way to turning a dial or rotating the ball of a thumbball mouse.β
There are many ideas discussed in the patent, and some sound more practical than others. But what’s clear is that Apple is interested in new ways to use a very familiar device. If the company can find a new and interesting way to use the Magic Mouse, it may help restore that product’s reputation to the kind Apple would like it to be.