Apple updates its $199 Magic Keyboard, $99 Magic Mouse, and $149 Magic Trackpad with USB-C, keeping the same pricing; all three have used Lightning since 2015

Apple is finally removing the Lightning port from its lineup of Mac accessories. Earlier today, the company announced a new iMac …

The Verge 2024-10-29 Umar Shakir

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple’s desktop input devices had remained on Lightning even after the M3 iMac generation still shipped with Lightning-equipped accessories, making the connector a conspicuous holdout in the Mac lineup.

The update extends a product family introduced with the second-generation Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse and later expanded with standalone, Apple-silicon-compatible keyboard options.

First-order effects

Mac accessory buyers can charge the updated Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad with USB-C while their listed prices remain unchanged.
Apple removes Lightning from these current Mac accessories, simplifying the connector choice for customers buying them alongside an iMac or Mac.

Second-order effects

The move reduces the need to keep a Lightning cable solely for these peripherals; it follows Apple’s earlier sale of a USB-C-to-Lightning adapter and USB-C charging cables during the broader connector transition.
Retailers and Mac-focused accessory ecosystems will increasingly orient bundled charging and replacement-cable choices around USB-C rather than Lightning for new purchases.

Third-order effects

If Apple continues replacing remaining Lightning accessories without price premiums, USB-C becomes the default maintenance and charging interface across a wider share of its hardware portfolio.
The transition may gradually reduce the practical value of Lightning-specific accessory inventory, though the corpus does not establish a timetable for remaining products.

The trend: This is another step in Apple’s gradual consolidation of its device and accessory ecosystem around USB-C.

Discussion

@tomwarrenuk Tom Warren on threads
Apple put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom again. Whyyyyyyyyyy??? https://www.theverge.com/...
@viticci Federico Viticci on threads
I didn't think this was possible but the real disappointment of the day isn't Apple Intelligence - it's the “updated” Magic accessories. They literally just...swapped the Lightning port for USB-C. No multi-device pairing, no design changes, nothing else. The mouse still has the…
@vicmsong Victoria Song on threads
At least it's compatible with the polishing cloth.
@mehtology Ivan Mehta on threads
Started from the bottom still here.
@davemark6628 Dave Mark on threads
About the new Magic Mouse announced today (as part of the new iMac announcement): - The mouse matches the color of your iMac. Purple iMac, purple mouse. I really like this a lot. - the mouse features a USB-C port, as expected. And also as expected, I guess, the port is on the …
@amelia_lewis Amelia Lewis on threads
How often do y'all need to charge your mouse that the port offends you so much? I love my Magic Mouse and use it all day every day, and I only need to charge it a few times a year (for not even an hour at a time).
@deepstate_neolib @deepstate_neolib on threads
Because that way people can't use keep it all the time on the wire charging it, and it looks more elegant without huge hole for charging.
@stalman Tyler Stalman on threads
Because it works fine? I doubt you really expected it to change
@jaronschneider Jaron Schneider on threads
Because they didn't have to redesign it. That's the simplest answer anyway.
@armstrong@mastodon.design Chris Armstrong on mastodon
“Designed by supply chain” feels true for more and more Apple products these days. There's no user-friendly reason for this. — https://www.theverge.com/...
@tuomas_h@mastodon.social @tuomas_h@mastodon.social on mastodon
Five years since the MacBook Pro returned to the “inverted T” layout for its arrow keys, the new Magic Keyboard with USB-C still comes with double-height left and right arrow keys. — One would think Apple would like to keep their keyboard layouts in sync between laptop and desk…
@stroughtonsmith … Steve Troughton-Smith on mastodon
It has been over nine years since Apple began the shift to USB-C, and though there are still a couple legacy iPhones in the lineup without it, I guess we can finally say the transition is complete?
@canoopsy @canoopsy on x
best apple announcement of today [Screenshot: “Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac models with Apple silicon (USB-C)-...”
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
We are down to exactly two remaining Lightning products [Pictures of iPhone SE 2 and iPhone 14]
@techcrunch @techcrunch on x
The most inconvenient charging port lives to see another day. Apple has begun selling USB-C versions of its desktop accessories, but the refresh comes with disappointment as Apple has stayed firm on its decision to put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom. The awkward [i…
@rsgnl Joe Rossignol on x
I've confirmed the new Mac Pro also ships with the new USB-C Magic Mouse + Keyboard now. No other changes to the Mac Pro today.
@snazzylabs Quinn Nelson on x
@MKBHD Is it typically fine? Yes. Could it *always* be fine if they just moved the damn thing? Yes. Also, giving it USB fallback would be nice for Apple's computers with garbage Bluetooth (aka M1).
@snazzylabs Quinn Nelson on x
I don't have a problem with Apple retaining the Magic Mouse charge port on the bottom. I have an issue with them persistently shipping a product they so clearly do not care about, solely because they're too cheap to include the (actually useful) Magic Trackpad.
@maxwinebach Max Weinbach on x
You know, it's actually great to see them double RAM without increasing prices. Makes these things a way better value and increases longevity You can really see how long these are used based on the comparisons to Intel iMac still
@basicappleguy Basic Apple Guy on x
Old v. New iMac Colours [image]
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
Another iMac without target display mode is another iMac I will never buy
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
@SnazzyLabs The hot takes about how the bottom charge port is actually fine are always funny to me. I guess it can be fine AND also objectively the worst... but still fine
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
The new iMac M4 is a great upgrade! Here's what's new: - M4 chip - 16GB RAM minimum - Refreshed colors - Magic Accessories with USB-C - 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View - Nano-texture display option - 100% fiber-based packaging [video]
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
So here's the deal—Apple's Magic Mouse has a flaw that's gnawing at me. Sure, it's sleek, it's a Johnny Ive dream in sculpted aluminum, but there's a ticking time bomb tucked under its glossy surface: a non-replaceable battery. This sucker degrades, and once it's toast, you're …
@dylanmcd8 Dylan on x
Hot take but I'm really tired of these. The only good ones have been the iPad mini and MacBook Air M3 wallpapers. They limit the wallpaper creators' creativity and the concept as a whole is getting old.
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
Hot take: this charging port location is fine. [image]
@aaronp613 Aaron on x
Apple purposely not displaying an image that shows where the port is on the new Magic Mouse 😂 [image]
@linuz90 Fabrizio Rinaldi on x
Apple is selling the black Magic Mouse now, but the small Magic Keyboard is still only in white right? 😐
@impatrickt Patrick on x
@MKBHD Apple updating the Magic Mouse charge port to USB-C but keeping it on the bottom so that in another 15 years they can release the Magic Mouse 3 which can be used while charging. [image]
@basicappleguy Basic Apple Guy on x
Apple released a new Magic Mouse with USB-C [image]
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
@matt_vanswol I have bad news
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
For the memes. (But honestly because it was cheaper to just redesign the port instead of a 10 year old design that itself was a minor update to a design from 2009.
@parkerortolani Parker Ortolani on x
turns out Apple does in fact have a new Magic Keyboard with USB-C and no num pad! https://www.apple.com/...
@mlozada Miguel Lozada on x
@tomwarren Optimization in charge mode placement. [image]
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Apple put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom again. Whyyyyyyyyyy??? https://www.theverge.com/...
@matt_vanswol Matt Van Swol on x
@MKBHD ...but where is the port located Marques?
@basicappleguy Basic Apple Guy on x
USB-C Magic Trackpad, Keyboard, and Mouse also available separately (in white & black) [image]
@sdw Sebastiaan de With on x
OK but the most exciting news today is that you can now get a really nice woven black USB-C cable from Apple with a Magic Keyboard, Trackpad or Keyboard. [image]
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
So I see Apple's flagship desktop mouse has finally gotten a long overdue update... to USB-C 🫠 [image]
r/mildlyinfuriating r on reddit
After 15 years, Apple continues to place charging port for mouse on bottom, rendering it unusable while charging.
r/technology r on reddit
Apple put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom again
r/applesucks r on reddit
Apple put the Magic Mouse's charging port on the bottom again

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