It appears plans for future Apple wireless accessories have (again) been spoiled by the FCC. According to a pair of filings that hit the organization’s website yesterday, Apple is preparing to soon debut new versions of its Bluetooth Magic Mouse and Wireless Keyboard. According to images indicating the FCC label location on the accessories, the new mouse will be called the “Magic Mouse 2.” As for the new wireless keyboard, there are no indications of a name change as of yet.
The images, unfortunately, do not show any notable new design details on the devices (save for what appears to be a small power switch on the top left side of the keyboard), but it would make sense for the accessories to be tweaked externally in someway. With new iPad-centric Bluetooth keyboard controls in iOS 9, perhaps the iPad-compatible Apple Wireless Keyboard will receive new special keys for access to iPad applications or features. As for the mouse, some readers have speculated that Apple could be using the new accessory to port Force Touch support over the desktop. Internally, however, the new input devices are certainly set for a significant upgrade: Bluetooth 4.2 Low-Energy.
The current Apple keyboard and Magic Mouse utilize the older Bluetooth 2.0 standard, so this upgrade to 4.2 serves as a significant improvement. According to the official website for Bluetooth, Bluetooth 4.2 is faster, more secure, and more power efficient. Playing into the power efficiency, there are indicators in the new FCC filings that the new accessories will have integrated Lithium-Ion battery packs, which could mean that the days of switching out AA batteries in your mouse and keyboard are over. These will also be Apple’s first Bluetooth 4.2 products, assuming they launch before the new iPhones and iPads.
Here are the sections of the FCC test documents describing the new Bluetooth and battery components:
New Magic Mouse
New Keyboard
Apple is scheduled to be holding a media event to introduce the new iPhones, iPad mini, and Apple TV on September 9th, so perhaps the new accessories will make their way to Apple’s website on that day. However, given that these new input devices are not major new products, there is a possibility that they could go on sale before Apple’s next major event. Just yesterday, Apple released updated Apple Watch accessories including Link Bracelet extension pieces and a larger Sport Band.
Updates:
– The FCC image of the Magic Mouse 2 has been replaced with an image of a rectangular object, likely to Apple’s request.
– External testing images, user manuals, and more are only scheduled to be unsealed from the FCC’s database in February 2016, but we unsure if this is connected to a launch date.
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Make a MagicMouse with Force Touch. Would be awesome.
Macs can’t click.
> The current Apple keyboard and Magic Mouse utilize the older Bluet00th 2.0 standard
What’s with the 00 typo in Bluetooth.
This is incredibly awesome :) I was just thinking about buying a new Apple keyboard…looks like I should wait a couple more weeks ^_^.
“The images, unfortunately, do not show any notable new design details on the devices (save for what appears to be a small power switch on the top left side of the keyboard),”
Why do you keep saying “left side of the keyboard?” The pictures show that the button is on the right side of the keyboard.
iPad pro accessories, anybody?
The keyboard, maybe. The Mouse, no.
It’s obvious these will be released in October alongside the 21″ 4k retina iMac, upgraded 27″ 5k iMac and upgraded Macmini
The iMac’s will get rolled out sooner if these FCC approvals get out out as soon as past devices like Airport Extrems and Time Capsules. I see new iMac’s before or during the iPhone event. The 21″ model could be announced, but go on sale in October with Apple s recent history of poor rollouts of iMac’s and other Macs.
I have money burning a hole in my pocket for a 4K 21″ iMac.
Force Touch and TouchID (under the Glas) for the Mouse and/or TouchID in the KeyBoard.
Additional a Power-Button in the Keyboard…
:-)
I hope with magic mouse 2 apple is going to put comfort level over design. Magic mouse 1 is heavy and almost flat which makes it really uncomfortable!
Magic Mouse is nothing but heavy. I know what I talk about, I had one and it’s very light. Then I bought a MB with its superior trackpad and I didn’t need it anymore.
There is a product called Magic Mouse Fix, which is a silicon wrist rest that uses suction and sticks on the mouse — it works perfectly, the only problem I have with it is that it always falls off as the suction wears, but that’s not really that big of an issue, since it only costs like $5. I found that the MMFix makes the magic mouse useable, and it doesn’t block you from doing gestures or anything like that either. http://mmfixed.com
I’d love to see easy device switching between Mac, iPad, iPhone, etc. I also prefer having a num pad.
I really like the Magic Mouse however it lacks being ergonomic like the Mighty Mouse.
I thought the iPod Touch now used Bluetooth 4.2?
http://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/specs/
“Bluetooth 4.1 wireless technology”
I wonder if the new keyboard takes some design influence from the new macbook keyboard with the butterfly hinges. I have to say that I find it a huge improvement, now I’m used to it.
I’ve spotted a small design change on the keyboard though: There appears to be a small button or slider in the top left corner of the keyboard-image (which would be the top right corner of the keyboard when in front of you). The current generation of wireless keyboards does not have anything there…
Maybe this is the model with integrated backlight that was briefly mentioned last year but has yet to debut… It’s the only thing I miss on my Apple BT keyboard now. Oh, and the “A” and “S” glyphs as they’ve worn off – in fact the plastic on those two keys is getting very thin. ;) This keyboard has been in near-constant use since Spring 2007.
No mention of the Magic Mouse 2 no longer have a door for AA batteries and the filing details mentioning a dedicated lithium battery pack?!
I think I’ll change my current Magic Mouse for this. Hope it’ll works via cord if it plugged in USB. And also hope it’ll get Force Touch and/or Touch ID :)
Most of my friends and people I know which are using Macs do not use the default Apple Mouse, most of them, like me opt-in for Logitech and I know even a person using an old Microsoft mouse. Reason – when you have to work 10+ hours in front of the computer, Apple Mouse is really not that great, especially when your hand can’t rest easily on it, it produces fatigue. Also it is not that great if you tend to use a lot of Excel or Photoshop like me. I am also using SmoothMouse to combat the way OS X accelerates the mouse and introduces an initial starting lag. It helps me reaching closer objects more accurately and makes the experience when I work with Photoshop a lot more pleasant. I know many people complain about the Apple mouse and the way OS X handles its movement. The trackpad may be the best, but the mouse is one of the weakest point for Apple according to me. It is ironic that they made it to the mass market yet since years with few exceptions the design and comfort of it were very bad :( I like Apple, I just wish they do better here. It may look fashionable but it is not practical.
that is true! The Magic Mouse is one if the worst Apple products. It would be better with integrated battery because with AA cells these are way too heavy. I think this will come in that next release.
Use Energizer Lithium batteries, makes the mouse much lighter.
Seems to me that the Magic Trackpad would be a better candidate for implementing force-touch. Apple’s Magic Trackpad is my primary input device for my iMac (after the keyboard that is) and I like it alot. I don’t use a mouse since quite a while now.
Doesn’t look like I’ll get my wish for an EXTENDED Bluetooth keyboard with black keys and LED backlighting. Come on Apple – a lot of photo and video professionals need the additional F keys on the extended keyboard as well as the numeric keypad. We also work in low light environments where the backlit keys would be appreciated.
I just hope the top of the mouse is made from glass. I hate how easily the plastic one scratches.
“but we unsure if this is connected to a launch date.”
you guys rappers now?
will they be available for 4.0 bluetooth in imac 2013?
No-one seems to have spotted the mention of lithium batteries. Looks like these new devices come with their own rechargeables.
I said the same in my comment above 2 days ago. A glaring oversight by 9to5Mac.
A magic mouse that you can hold for more than 10 minutes without getting a cramp would be nice! Also a wired keyboard without a numpad would be nice.. Or just add the option to plug in the wireless one ( and charge it too). Same with the mouse. Add a plug for charging/wired use. If you don’t put batteries then it just operates as a wired mouse/keyboard.
A wireless keyboard with number pad would be very nice.