Reports on the Internet highlight a recent patent application [1] 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 [2] and PCJoint [3] 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!