Following the successful overhaul of the Magic Mouse, Kuleshov has opted not to keep his enhancements confidential.
Since its debut in 2009, the Magic Mouse has encountered criticism due to its suboptimal ergonomic design. One particular point of contention has been the inconvenient positioning of its charging port beneath the mouse. Note that it has consistently caused frustration among users.
Revamped Magic Mouse
Ivan Kelshov, a systems engineer at JetBrains known for enhancing Apple products, directed his efforts toward enhancing the Magic Mouse. Showcasing his redesigned Magic Mouse on Twitter, Interesting Engineering reported that Kelshov asserts it to be “the world’s inaugural ergonomic Magic Mouse without any drawbacks.” The physical changes are apparent, incorporating a 3D-printed base that is wider and deeper, providing a more comfortable grip. Despite the apparent simplicity of the adjustment, Kelshov emphasized the extensive engineering efforts in a blog post. He outlined the various design iterations undertaken before arriving at the final version.
How Kuleshov Did It?
Kuleshov took a methodical approach by dividing the mouse into two halves. He utilized a 3D-printed frame adapter to maintain the functionality of the buttons. The outcome is an ergonomic design secured with a combination of soldering, double-sided tape, and hot glue. In response to a common critique of the Magic Mouse, Kuleshov’s redesign incorporates a user-friendly USB-C charging port, as shared on his X account. This modification enables simultaneous usage while charging.
Additionally, Kuleshov addressed a common feature lacking in budget mice: the ability to use the mouse while charging. He showcased the careful rewiring of battery connectors to guarantee uninterrupted usage during charging. It effectively resolved a persistent flaw in the Magic Mouse. In the pursuit of improving ergonomics and minimizing potential sensor issues, the strategic decision was made to split the mouse into two halves. While anticipating the necessity to extend the cable from the top part, Kuleshov was pleasantly surprised to discover that the standard length proved sufficient.
Recognizing the mouse’s debatable convenience, the innovator drew inspiration from two distinct video clips. The initial video sparked an immediate solution for the presented issue upon viewing. A year later, a second video catalyzed initiating their project. Acknowledging the necessity to tackle the outlined problem, Uplab disclosed that Kuleshov formulated a straightforward yet efficient solution: charging the battery without the need for connecting mouse schematics. This method produced positive outcomes, accompanied by some noteworthy discoveries.
Enhancing Accessibility in Design
Following the successful overhaul of the Magic Mouse, Kuleshov has opted not to keep his enhancements confidential. Instead, he has openly shared all the specifications and details of the redesigned Magic Mouse on GitHub. He also urged fellow enthusiasts and engineers to delve into, modify, and possibly refine his innovations. In addition to ensuring fundamental functionality, Kuleshov has committed efforts to ongoing improvements. These include things such as the integration of backlighting for enhanced convenience.
While acknowledging that his work is just one of several endeavors to tackle the limitations of the Magic Mouse, Kuleshov understands the importance of ongoing refinement. In a tech environment fueled by innovation, Apple has persisted in supporting the Magic Mouse’s design, which some consider subpar. Nevertheless, individual innovators like Kuleshov have the potential to prompt a reassessment. This helps bring attention to the possibility of an improved Magic Mouse.
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