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IOS Operating Systems Software Apple Technology

Mouse Support In iOS 13 and iPadOS Includes USB and Bluetooth Devices (appleinsider.com) 69

TheFakeTimCook writes: According to an article on Apple Insider, both iOS and iPadOS 13 will contain mouse support for USB-C and Bluetooth pointing-devices, as part of the "Assistive Technology" features in those Operating Systems. "Apple confirmed both wired USB and Bluetooth mouse models will work in iOS and iPadOS, though the company has not compiled an official list of compatible devices," the report says. "That includes Apple's own Magic Mouse. Interestingly, [developer] Troughton-Smith on Monday discovered the feature works, at least unofficially, with Apple's Magic Trackpad. Apple [said] the 'foundation' of mouse support in iOS and iPadOS goes back 'a couple years.' Mouse integration can be enabled through the AssistiveTouch menu in iOS 13 and iPadOS, and will be available to users once those operating systems launch this fall."
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Mouse Support In iOS 13 and iPadOS Includes USB and Bluetooth Devices

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  • by Anonymous Coward

    Steve Jobs must be rolling in his grave.

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
    • Re: (Score:1, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward

      It's important to iPads as well. It's been hobbled as a laptop replacement due to lack of mouse support.

      Pretty soon iPads are going to start looking like Microsoft Surface tablets.

      • I'd say it's more important for iPad users than for anyone else. Android users have had adequate mouse support (both USB and bluetooth) for ages, since gingerbread at least, if not earlier. By default the RMB maps to back which may cause problems in some remote access contexts, but I haven't tried it on Pie or Q yet, maybe they've improved that finally. You can even sideload the bluetooth settings prefs onto a TV device like a Fire TV stick, pair a mouse and use it there. The only thing I wish they'd implem

      • Why did they wait so long, though? It's like Apple actively didn't want mouse support of any kind.

        I can see why they may not have wanted it on the iPhone, but on the iPad it always made sense for full-screen apps for which touch was never useful, especially if you had a keyboard connected.

        • So is this Apple's equivalent of Microsoft's Surface books? Since they're not making Macbooks touch capable, so the only option is to add this and a keyboard to an iPad to make it a laptop.
          • What I would have expected was for Apple to allow BT mouse pairing, but only made it available via a separate mouse API that developers had to specifically use if they wanted mouse support in their apps.

            This would have allowed to keep the UI default touch-only, especially in Apple's apps, but allow third party apps (like RDP or other full-screen productivity stuff) to make use of them.

            IMHO, the iPad would be a more compelling competitor to existing notebooks now and probably have a stronger following. I fe

          • by tepples ( 727027 )

            So is this Apple's equivalent of Microsoft's Surface books?

            One key difference is that a Surface (other than the RT ones) can still run a compiler in a pinch, unlike an iPad.

  • by JoeyRox ( 2711699 ) on Wednesday June 05, 2019 @06:46PM (#58716336)
    And all will be forgiven Apple.
    • I tried a USB floppy drive on my Android and it works fine. Also 8 years ago on my Samsung Galaxy S2 I was using a bluetooth mouse, or a corded keyboard with a USB OTG, nothing new here?!? Same on my old Nexus 7.

  • by Anonymous Coward

    iPads are already more powerful than what basic-level consumers really need in a computer. Given the change to a dedicated iPadOS, and now a clear path for non-touch based human input interfaces (bluetooth keyboards were already supported), this feels like they're setting up to release a new MacBook(not Pro) that is literally an iPad with detachable peripherals.

    Don't worry, this Macbook will still cost $900.

    The stand will be $999

  • by msauve ( 701917 ) on Wednesday June 05, 2019 @08:00PM (#58716672)
    News for Nerds: Apple now supports 15 year old technology.
    • by Uberbah ( 647458 )

      Technology that nobody uses - like USB back in the 90's before Apple threw all their chips in on the new bus before 2.0 speeds made it a no-brainer replacement for parallel and serial ports.

    • Just gonna say, Android has done this for many years.
  • by Anonymous Coward

    First of all, let me say that I came here to see the user comments because sometimes they are inciteful. Today is not that day. WTF is wrong with you guys with the libtard / reichtard bullsh*t? Just stop, it has nothing to do with this post on technology. There is no political spin here. Go take your petty fight somewhere else where we don't have to see it. Thank you.

    That said, IMHO, this support of traditionally desktop peripherals for their tablets may be an important data point to explain which direction

    • MacOS apps that are 32 bit only are either: Apps where the developer hasn't bothered recompiling in the last five years, or apps that are still using 32-bit only technology, like the "Carbon" framework that was introduced in about 2001 in the first MacOS version. On iOS, Apple's new processors actually don't have the ability to run 32 bit code anymore; it's not a restriction of the OS, but the processor itself.

      But in 64-bit territory, Apple is now completely independent of the processor, so switching bet
      • by tepples ( 727027 )

        MacOS apps that are 32 bit only are either: Apps where the developer hasn't bothered recompiling in the last five years, or apps that are still using 32-bit only technology, like the "Carbon" framework that was introduced in about 2001 in the first MacOS version.

        Or C. They're Windows applications that someone is running in Wine.

    • by Zak3056 ( 69287 )

      First of all, let me say that I came here to see the user comments because sometimes they are inciteful. Today is not that day. WTF is wrong with you guys with the libtard / reichtard bullsh*t? Just stop, it has nothing to do with this post on technology. There is no political spin here. Go take your petty fight somewhere else where we don't have to see it. Thank you.

      I'm confused... You said you were looking for inciteful comments, and petty politics is one of the most inciteful subjects there is. Granted, the comments are not especially insightful, but one can't have everything.

  • Welcome to 2010 (Score:2, Insightful)

    by ledow ( 319597 )

    Just about every Android phone on the planet's been able to do this for nearly a decade.

    • by Pieroxy ( 222434 )

      Just about every Android phone on the planet's been able to do this for nearly a decade.

      Have you been using it ?

      • by ledow ( 319597 )

        Yes.

        My phone takes a bluetooth mouse.

        I have a bluetooth mouse that I use expressly for that purpose.

        Think RDP control of your servers, on a phone, with only a tiny bluetooth mouse to carry around with you as extras. Also takes Bluetooth keyboards, and I have a combined Bluetooth keyboard/touchpad in the form of one of those cheap Chinese handheld keyboard/touchpad controllers.

        Also has volume controls and pause buttons on that keyboard, which actually control the phone volume (for when it's streaming / Chro

  • Now I can carry 2 dongles around to use mice with my devices.

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