Brief: Apple Severs Mighty Mouse Tail

Apple on Tuesday launched a Bluetooth version of its multi-button Mighty Mouse, the pointing device that's been blasted by some users for its easily-clogged scroll wheel.

The $69 wireless Mighty Mouse sports the same features as its $49 wired cousin, including four programmable, touch-sensitive buttons under the shell, ambidextrous design, and support of Mac OS X 10.4's Spotlight, Dashboard, and Expose.

The Bluetooth version is powered by one or two AA batteries, and extends battery life by automatically powering down when not in use.

Apple unveiled the original Mighty Mouse -- its first multi-button pointing device -- almost a year ago. The Mighty, however, has been slammed by users on message boards for a quick-to-clog scroll wheel that's difficult to clean.

"I'm on my 3rd mouse," wrote a user identified as "John" on a MacDailyNews comment area. "They last about a month then clog up."

Mighty Mouse supporters, however, were unimpressed with the complaints. "If you quit picking your nose when using the mouse, it will work great," wrote a reader IDed only as "Jack."