Multi-Touch on a mouse?

Reports on the Internet highlight a recent patent application describing a mouse that features a similar technology to Multi-Touch.

The filing shows an input device that has a form of a computer mouse with a touch sensitive surface on the top part of it. The device accepts similar gestures to those the iPhone can understand, such as pinch in/out, double taps or the movement used for scrolling.

The device described can easily simulate any number of buttons or a scrolling wheel like the Mighty Mouse's one.

Patent applications rarely become released products but hint at the possibilities Apple has considered working on.

Both Hrmpf and PCJoint provide detailed analysis of the patent filing.

Our take: Apple, never-mind if you don't make anything to revolutionize input devices in the short term, we just want you to replace this Mighty Mouse with something usable! Thanks!