Apple Updates Magic Mouse and Keyboard for the First Time in 6 Years

It seems that Apple has finally decided to update its outdated products to newer technologies. We recently saw a refresh come to Apple’s iPod touch, and now the Magic Mouse and Wireless Keyboard are getting some love, too. An FCC leak gave us some inside knowledge on what Apple plans to do with these two accessories.

Apple’s Magic Mouse first debuted in 2009 as the world’s first multi-touch mouse. It was innovative, sleek, and downright cool. The seamless top shell is clean, with no buttons, and a sheer white gleam. The mouse operates off of specific user gestures and utilizes powerful laser tracking that works across almost any surface. It connects via Bluetooth technology, and runs on two AA batteries. However, this device hasn’t received an update in over six years.

According to the FCC details, the new and improved Magic Mouse will get a boost from Bluetooth 2.0 to the more current Bluetooth 4.2 with Bluetooth LE Low Energy, which will drastically extend battery life. Furthermore, Apple will be including non-removable lithium-ion batteries in place of the standard AA batteries. This, in turn, will mean that users simply need charge their Magic Mouse as opposed to replacing the batteries.

Apple’s wireless keyboard was first introduced back in 2003 at the Apple Expo, and has maintained a cable-free and simple design throughout the years. One of the few changes we’ve seen over time is that the battery count has decreased from 4 AA batteries to 2. Other than that, not much has happened in the past six years. According to this new update, however, the keyboard will follow suit with the Magic Mouse and receive a non-removable lithium battery, as well as an upgrade to Bluetooth 4.2 as well.Because Apple is doing away with its long-standing tie to AA batteries, it has brought some speculation as to how Apple plans on charging these devices. Will they go the usual route and be charged using a USB Lightning cable? Or will they take some inspiration from the Apple Watch and consider wireless charging?

According to source Slashgear, they estimate that we might see these new improvements in the next months (and maybe even weeks!) as the devices have already been tested with “pre-production” device builds. BGR suggests that they might roll out alongside Apple’s new iMac models sometime this fall.

Unfortunately, not much else is known about these devices at this time, and the FCC drawings provide little as far as any design elements are concerned. Stay tuned!