Magic Mouse 3 Could Have Force Touch Capability, Patent Suggests

It appears Apple is planning to trickle down its Force Touch pressure sensitive technology to its Magic Mouse. According to a recently granted patent, the company is working on a Magic Mouse with a Force Touch capability - expected to be called the Magic Mouse 3.

Patent tracking website PatentlyApple has spotted a patent which gives away the supposed plans. The description suggests that Apple is planning to add some Force Touch sensors on the Magic Mouse, which would add a number of functions. These sensors would be able to gauge different levels of pressure, and trigger a range of function.

The description reads, "[...] the selection elements typically only detect whether or not a force exceeding a particular threshold has been applied and cannot determine the actual amount of force that has been applied within a range of force amounts. [...] A force sensing input device (such as a force sensing mouse) includes at least one force sensor and at least one top portion movably connected to at least one bottom portion."

Apple introduced the Force Touch capability in MacBook last year. The feature allows the trackpad to gauge different levels of pressure and accordingly trigger a range of actions. Since then, Apple has also brought the feature, albeit with a different name, to its iPhone, with 3D Touch display, and to Apple Watch with Haptic Engine.

The Magic Mouse 2, which Apple introduced last year, received a lot of flak from users. Many believed that placing the charging port at the bottom of the mouse - which practically made it impossible for someone to use the mouse when charging it - was an absurd design decision. The company may want to replace that product soon.

Numerous reports suggest that Apple is planning to refresh its MacBook, iMac, Mac, Mac Mini, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro lineup later this year (possible at WWDC), embracing Skylake processor. The company may utilise the event to also launch its Magic Mouse 3 at the event, though that's just speculation on our part.