Cleverly, jitouch 2 only adds new gestures; it doesn’t interfere with or replace any of the built-in commands. As well as extending the existing gestures — like making a quick three-finger tap open links in a new browser tab — jitouch 2 also introduces what it calls “Character Gestures,” which enable you to draw characters on the trackpad or Magic Mouse to carry out certain functions; an F opens the Finder, for example.

Here’s a video showing some of jitouch 2′s trackpad gestures in action:

The range of new gestures is extensive, but even though they’re logically designed and intuitive to use, it would take some time to learn them all. However, if you typically use the mouse/trackpad rather than the keyboard that time would be very well spent, because jitouch’s new gestures should provide a considerable productivity boost. I particularly like that it adds to the gestures available on the Magic Mouse, as I’ve always felt that its touch surface wasn’t being used to its full potential.

jitouch 2 works with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard). It’s free to try and can be downloaded from the jitouch website, while a license costs a very reasonable $5.99.

Let us know what you think of jitouch 2 in the comments.

Related GigaOM Pro content (sub. req.): Enabling the Web Work Revolution

(Via One Thing Well)

It took a while, but I finally found one in stock at an Apple retail store, and I’ve spent the past couple days using it as my primary mouse. How well suited is it to web work? I suppose that depends on your work environment, but it won’t be replacing my usual desktop mouse anytime soon, and I’ll tell you why.

First, let me provide some context. For some time now, I’ve been using the Microsoft Explorer BlueTrack mouse. I have big hands and that device is ergonomically designed to accommodate a larger grip. Also, tracking has never been an issue, nor has connectivity with the included dongle. So it would be fair to say that I’m coming from a rather satisfied position.

That said, I did enjoy my time with the Magic Mouse. I went in with a fair degree of skepticism, since my only previous experience with Mac mice had always been disappointing. I used the Mighty Mouse supplied with my iMac for about three days before mixed up right and left clicks and erratic tracking sent me screaming into the arms of another.

Both right and left click differentiation, and tracking are completely fixed with the new Magic Mouse. A new laser replaces the old optical tracking component, and despite the fact that there’s still a single, unbroken surface for both clicks, Apple’s engineers have improved the device’s guts.

There’s also the matter of the Mighty Mouse’s scroll nub, which used to frequently stop working due to dust and dirt build-up. Now it’s gone completely, replaced by touch scroll functionality. Just drag your finger down the surface of the mouse, around 3/4 of the length of the device, and it scrolls. It works very well, and supports both horizontal and vertical scrolling.

The reasons the Magic Mouse will never become my primary desktop mouse are twofold. For one, it’s too small for comfortable use for extended periods of time, in my opinion. Second, it lacks a third button, which means that I can’t assign Exposé functions to said button. Considering how often I use that feature of OS X in the course of my work, I can never give it up. A recent post at our sister site TheAppleBlog shows I don’t have to, but a simple button click is still much simpler than using that workaround.

If you’ve managed to get hold of a Magic Mouse, let us know what you think of the device below.

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