Sunday, October 25, 2015

Apple Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Mouse 2

Relax, this isn't fanboy stuff as we don't like either one of them and have used both, on and off, for years.  The 'on' times are when something else is broken.  The Magic Mouse is somewhere on the desk but no idea where.  It's not important.



If you would rather skip the article and review a trackball that really works, here's one:  Kensington Expert Mouse for $99.00


These things are almost indestructible and tolerate enormous abuse and that's not hyperbole but rather years of experience with them on many computers.  Note the scroll ring around the trackball.  That's not always so reliable but that's the only weakness I've discovered in one.




And here's why the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad are not important.  The first part is the description for the Magic Trackpad 2:

Applying these new rich input and haptic feedback features on Mac almost "magically" makes you feel at one with your computer. Force Touch works well in native apps such as Mail, Safari, and Photos and is supported by some third-party apps. As I used Trackpad 2, it quickly became second nature to press on a link in a website to pop out a preview in a smaller window, or invoke a lookup window that was previously only available via three-finger tap.  (AppleInsider: Review: Apple's Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Mouse 2 open new doors for Mac)

So, in case you're needing some haptic feedback features, this is your huckleberry, baby.  The first sentence may give the best reason not to buy one.  Who the hell wants to be 'at one' with a computer.

(Ed:  what are haptic feedback features?)

You seriously care??  There is an Apple Trackpad on the desk here and it's hardly used because a real trackball is faster, more accurate, and does not require batteries.  I have never had an application for Force Touch and do not have one now.  It would only slow me down to screw with it.

One of my favorites in the Magic Trackpad 2 review is this one:

Plugging a Lightning cable running from your Mac into the trackpad's charging port instantly pairs the device, no configuration needed. A confirmation message pops up onscreen to let users know that their trackpad is ready to use over Bluetooth.

Um, I don't mean to a nitpicky stickler, Dagwood, but, after connecting the Lightning cable, who the hell cares about Bluetooth.  The purpose of Bluetooth is elimination of cables.

So, no sale on the Magic Trackpad 2 because it's an improvement to something which wasn't particularly useful in the first place.  Here's another reason not to buy it:  selling price of $129.


The Magic Mouse 2 promises a revolution also and ... well ... 

We see this again:

Like the Magic Trackpad 2, Mouse 2 pairs instantly when connected to your Mac via Lightning cable. The mouse I tested came with a 92 percent charge which should offer many weeks of use.

After this one, it seemed logical to conclude the reviewer has not previously used a Mac and probably not much technology at all except some crumby cellphone to play "Angry Birds."

Note:  I have never played the game and have no idea nor do I have any interest in why the birds are angry.

Here's some description on WIKI: Lightning

The above explains to Lightning Boy that a Lightning cable is designed to carry power, etc and there is no need for batteries after connecting one because the computer supplies it over the cable.  The same applies with the Magic Trackpad 2.  It's the same reason discussion of Bluetooth is irrelevant.  Bluetooth is the typical way to connect these devices and this 'revolution' is to go back to cables ... we guess.  Who knows, who cares.  These devices are simply not that good.  They are highly clever but that's about all.

Another example of clever uncleverliness from the reviewer:

Unlike the new keyboard and trackpad, you cannot continue to use Mouse 2 while it's charging since Jony Ive chose to position the Lightning port on the underside of the device.

This one appears to be no more than fanboy name dropping.  The reality version is it doesn't matter because any sensible person has a spare pair of batteries and charges them in an Apple charger.  Waiting to use the mouse while the batteries charge is decidedly unmagical and in English it's fookin' stupid.

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