Apple's wireless Mighty Mouse revealed (photos)

Apple Computer plans to release a wireless Bluetooth version of its popular mutli-button computer mouse, a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission has revealed.

In the May 6th filing, Apple provided both interior and exterior photos of the device, which it referred to as both "M6" and the "Apple Bluetooth Mouse" in accompanying documents.

Based on the photos, M6 is aesthetically equivalent to Apple's current USB Mighty Mouse peripheral, sans the USB cable. It requires a Bluetooth enabled Mac, Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later and a USB mouse and keyboard (which are used for setup purposes), according to a draft of a user manual also made available through the FCC.

The mouse will also function as a multi-button scrolling mouse with versions of Mac OS X earlier than 10.4.6, the documents state, though other features will be disabled.

"The Apple Bluetooth Mouse, model number A1197, operates in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical band and uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum," Apple wrote in the filing. "This device uses the CSR BC417143B BlueCore4 External which is a single chip radio and baseband IC for Bluetooth 2.4 GHz system. Technical Information on the Apple Bluetooth Mouse is provided in the table below."

Along with the filing, the traditionally tight-lipped Apple made a request for confidentiality to the FCC, asking that certain documents such as schematics and block diagrams not be published.

"These documents contain detailed system and equipment description and related information about the product that Apple Computer, Inc. considers to be proprietary, confidential, and a custom design and, otherwise would not release to the general public," Apple EMC and wireless engineer Mike Kreige wrote.

"Since this design is a basis from which future technological products will evolve, Apple Computer, Inc. considers that this information would be of benefit to its competitors, and that disclosure of the information in these documents would give competitors an unfair advantage in the market."

Apple introduced its wired USB Mighty Mouse nearly a year ago, calling it a solution for power users that offers up to four independently programmable buttons, without compromising simplicity for users who prefer just a single-button mouse. It also features a "Scroll Ball" that lets users scroll in any direction — vertically, horizontally and even diagonally.

Word of the latest Bluetooth Mighty Mouse filing first appeared on the technology Web site DailyTech.