Apple Readies Wireless Keyboard, Mouse

According to AppleInsider sources, Apple's peripheral team has been hard at work on yet another revision to the Apple Pro keyboard and mouse. Expected to be wrapped up in time for the release of Panther, the new input devices will sport a Power Macintosh G5 aluminum color scheme, but contain no wires.

For the first time, Apple will soon offer consumers a choice of keyboard and mice via the Buy To Order (BTO) option of the Apple Online Store. The standard retail configurations of Apple's Power Macintosh G5 computer will include the current, wired Apple Pro mouse and keyboard. For an additional cost, consumers who purchase the Wireless Bluetooth module will have the option of buying the first Apple-branded Bluetooth Wireless Pro Mouse and Keyboard.

"Apple already has the associated code built into pre-release versions of Mac OS 10.3 (Panther)," one source said. The software apparently sports on screen notification of wireless keyboard and mouse connectivity and disconnectivity, and will allow third parties to easily develop compatible devices of their own. "When Panther detects a wireless keyboard or mouse a Bluetooth connectivity image fades in and then out of the screen to alert the user."

The new wireless peripherals will be made available for the Power Macintosh G5, and successive hardware products that will ship with Mac OS 10.2.7 or higher, sources said. While consumers are initially expected to shell out slightly more for wireless functionality, sources say that they will be included as standard with all Apple desktops within the next 12 to 14 months.

The first lot of single processor Apple Power Macintosh G5 systems are set to reach consumers by the 3rd week in August, with high end dual processor configurations arriving sometime in September.

If you have further information on this report or information for a potential future AppleInsider story, please contact [email protected]. We also offer [email protected] for more sensitive information