USB-C Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Trackpad May Show Up in Early 2024
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Apple could finally release USB-C versions of its Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad as soon as spring 2024.
That rumor comes courtesy of Weibo user Instant Digital, who claims that all three of Apple’s popular Mac accessories that currently sport Lightning connectors could receive a USB-C update in the early spring of next year.
Instant Digital did not mention whether or not the accessories will receive any new features other than the USB-C connections. All three accessories still look mostly the same as they did when they received their last major update, which came in October 2015, although there have been minor changes, such as an updated 2021 Magic Keyboard that boasted a Touch ID button, a switch to braided cables, and new color options exclusive to the colorful 24-inch iMac lineup.
Hopefully, one of the changes will be a different location for the Magic Mouse’s connector. While the Magic Mouse can usually go a month or more between charging sessions, the Lightning port used for charging is on the bottom of the mouse, making it impossible to continue using the mouse while it is being charged. Users of the Magic Mouse will certainly appreciate a change in the charging port’s location, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Apple has been making the transition from Lightning connectors to USB-C for a while now, and many of us have been anticipating a similar move on its peripherals. However, no such change has yet taken place. While many observers had expected Apple to announce such a switch when the company unveiled its new iMacs back in October, all three accessories continue to be equipped with Lightning ports for both charging and pairing.
So far, Apple has moved most of its products to use USB-C connectivity, including its entire iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineups, the most recent generation of its iPad lineup, second-generation AirPods Pro, a new Apple Pencil, and the Apple TV’s Siri Remote.
Along with the Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad, the only other current-generation Apple products that continue to make use of a Lightning connector are the iPhone SE, standard AirPods, and AirPods Max. Lightning accessories such as the MagSafe Battery Pack and MagSafe Duo were discontinued following the debut of the iPhone 15 lineup; it’s unclear if Apple plans to eventually release USB-C versions of those.
While Apple updating its “Magic” peripherals this spring (March 19 through June 20) might seem a bit off-schedule due to its recent refresh of the iMac, it could make sense. Apple is reportedly planning releases of new iPads and MacBooks in that timeframe, and that’s also likely when the Vision Pro headset will go on sale.
So, how is Instant Digital’s track record when it comes to rumors like this? Meh, it’s somewhat mixed. It scored with rumors about the iPhone 14’s springtime addition of yellow to the device’s color options, Spatial Video on the iPhone 15 Pro lineup, and the minor refresh of the Apple Watch. However, it was a swing and a miss when it came to several iOS 17 features and the debut of a new iPad Air in October.
We won’t know until the spring whether or not Instant Digital’s rumors about the Magic peripherals will pan out, so don’t hold your breath waiting, as blue is not your color.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
