Since its introduction in 2009, the Magic Mouse has faced criticism for its less-than-ideal ergonomic design. Notably, the inconvenient placement of its charging port under the mouse has been a persistent source of user frustration.
(Photo : Ivan Kuleshov/Twitter)
I hacked the Magic Mouse. And created the world's first ergonomic Magic Mouse with no weaknesses.
Redesigned Magic Mouse
A systems engineer at JetBrains renowned for enhancing Apple products named Ivan Kelshov turned his attention to improving the Magic Mouse. Presenting his redesigned Magic Mouse on Twitter, Interesting Engineering reported that Kuleshov claims it to be "the world's first ergonomic Magic Mouse with no weaknesses."
The physical transformation is evident, featuring a 3D-printed wider and deeper base for a more comfortable grip. Despite the seemingly straightforward adjustment, Kuleshov highlighted the extensive engineering work in a blog, detailing the diverse design iterations before reaching the final version.
Kuleshov's approach involved dividing the mouse into two halves, with a 3D-printed frame adapter to ensure the buttons remained functional. The resulting ergonomic design is held together with a combination of soldering, double-sided tape, and hot glue.
Addressing a prevalent complaint about the Magic Mouse, Kuleshov's redesign introduces a user-friendly USB-C charging port. As posted on his X account, this allows simultaneous use during charging.
Moreover, Kuleshov tackled the absence of a common feature in budget mice - the ability to use the mouse while charging. He demonstrated the meticulous rewiring of battery connectors to ensure uninterrupted usage during charging, addressing a longstanding flaw in the Magic Mouse.
In pursuit of enhancing ergonomics and mitigating potential sensor issues, the decision was made to divide the mouse into two halves. Anticipating the need to extend the cable from the top part, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the standard length sufficed.
Acknowledging the mouse's questionable convenience, the individual behind the idea found inspiration from two specific clips. Upon encountering the first video, they immediately conceived a solution for the depicted problem. A year later, a second video prompted them to embark on their project.
Recognizing the need to address the author's problem, Uplab reported that Kuleshov devised a simple yet effective solution-charging the battery without connecting mouse schematics. This approach yielded successful results, albeit with some intriguing findings.
Making the Design Accessible
After successfully revamping the Magic Mouse, Kuleshov has chosen not to keep his enhancements under wraps. Instead, he has made all the specifications and details of the redesigned Magic Mouse publicly available on GitHub, encouraging fellow enthusiasts and engineers to explore, adapt, and potentially enhance his innovations.
Beyond ensuring primary functionality, Kuleshov dedicated efforts to further improvements, including the incorporation of backlighting for added convenience. Despite being one among several attempts to address the Magic Mouse's limitations, Kuleshov recognizes that continuous refinement is essential.
In a tech landscape driven by innovation, Apple has maintained its support for the Magic Mouse's somewhat subpar design. However, individual innovators like Kuleshov may prompt a reconsideration, shedding light on the potential for an enhanced Magic Mouse.
Related Article: Apple Boasts Magic Mouse in Black-Silver Design Along With New Trackpad, Keyboard With Touch ID
