We all knew that Apple would never release a multi-button or scroll-wheel mouse unless it was very different – everyone and his brother sells scroll-wheel mice.
Has Apple’s time come? Take a look at this patent filed on Thursday. It describes a mouse with a scroll wheel something like the wheel on an iPod, giving the user both up-down and left-right scrolling capability, flush with the surface of the mouse.
Loop Rumors says that the mouse includes iPod and phone capabilities, with a hard drive that carries the user’s home directory around with it. This sounds a little unlikely to me, as it would result in a heavy multipurpose device that seems unwieldy. Time will tell, I suppose – like many other people, I look forward to Apple product announcements like others look forward to the next American Idol.
