The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm).
This Winter Blue band is a slate blue color with slightly darker slate blue edges. The connectors are darker shade of blue, and the closure plastic is a contrasting shade of purple.
Apple described the Apple Watch Sport Loop band:
“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Sport Loop features a hook-and-loop fastener for quick and easy adjustment. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm).
This Light Pink band is a pale shade of pink and has slightly darker pink edges. The connectors are a matching light pink color with a contrasting dark pink closure plastic.
Apple described the Apple Watch Sport Loop band:
“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Sport Loop features a hook-and-loop fastener for quick and easy adjustment. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”
The M3 iPad Air 13-inch was announced on March 4, 2025, and was described as being up to 2x faster than the M1 iPad Air. The press release also touted:
“iPad Air with M3 brings Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to iPad Air for the first time—taking its incredible combination of power-efficient performance and portability to a new level… Available in two sizes and four gorgeous finishes that users love, the 11-inch iPad Air is super portable while on the go, and the 13-inch model provides an even larger display for more room to be creative and productive.”
Apple mentioned that “The faster Neural Engine in M3 means iPad Air [is]…up to 60 percent faster for AI-based workloads…and support for advanced accessories, including the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro.”
The 11-inch and 13-inch M3 iPad Air devices were available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB configurations. This example is the 13-inch version of the iPad Air in Space Gray with 128 GB storage.
This 13-inch iPad Air Wi-Fi is 11.04 inches (280.6 mm) x 8.46 inches (214.9 mm), is 0.24 inch (6.1 mm) thick, and weighs 1.36 pounds (616 grams).
The Liquid Retina display is 2732 x 2048 pixels at 264 ppi and can display up to 600 nits brightness. It is powered by Apple’s M3 chip (8-core CPU with 4 performance cores; 4 efficiency cores; 9-core GPU). It has a 16-core Neural Engine.
The back camera is a 12MP Wide camera with ƒ/1.8 aperture that allows digital zoom up to 5x using a 5-element lens. It can capture Panorama photos up to 63 MP. It can record video up to 4K at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps. The front camera is a landscape 12 MP Center Stage camera with ƒ/2.0 aperture that can record video at up to 1080p (HD) at 25, 30, or 60 fps.
Its dual microphones can be used for calls, video recording, and audio recording and has landscape stereo speakers.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO5 and Bluetooth 5.3. Its sensors include Touch ID, 3‐axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, and an ambient light sensor.
This iPad Air is using the Symmetry Series Folio case (for iPad Air 13-inch M2 and M3) by OtterBox in their “Starry Night” (black, clear, grey) color. The hinged folio design provides an adjustable stand, screen protection, magnetic sleep/wake, and protects the Apple Pencil while allowing charging while in storage.
Beginning in 2024 Apple began offering the entry-level AirPods 4 product in two versions: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. These AirPods 4 are the “base” model without the additional features.
As Apple often mentions, “AirPods 4 are the best headphones Apple has ever created.” The updated headphones offer “open-ear design, setting an entirely new benchmark for fit and comfort.”
Apple improved the fit and comfort of these AirPods:
“The new design is built with an unparalleled data set that uses advanced modeling tools, like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, to precisely map and analyze thousands of ear shapes and over 50 million individual data points in total. This process helped refine the design to deliver the most comfortable AirPods ever with one shape that naturally fits even more users around the world.”
AirPods 4 offer the following core technologies:
Custom high-excursion Apple driver
Custom high dynamic range amplifier
Voice Isolation2
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking3
Adaptive EQ
Vent system for pressure equalization
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation add 4 features, including Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness. These additional features also allow this model to use Live Translation for communicating across languages.
AirPods 4 are powered by Apple’s H2 headphone chip. Built-in sensors include:
Dual beamforming microphones
Inward-facing microphone
Optical in-ear sensor
Motion-detecting accelerometer
Speech-detecting accelerometer
Force sensor
These sensors offer many new features not available in previous “base” AirPods models:
“With the H2 chip, AirPods 4 unlock intelligent audio experiences only Apple silicon can deliver, such as Voice Isolation, enabling clearer call quality no matter the environmental conditions, and Siri Interactions, allowing users to simply nod their head yes or gently shake their head no to respond to Siri announcements. For even more control, AirPods 4 also feature a new force sensor on the stem to play or pause media and mute or end calls with a quick press.”
Each AirPod 4 is 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) x 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) and 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) deep. Each weighs 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams). The AirPods 4 case measures 1.82 inches (46.2 mm) x 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) and is 0.83 inch (21.2 mm) deep. The case weighs 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams).
The base AirPods 4 allows only USB-C connector charging, while the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation adds Apple Watch or Qi‑certified charging. AirPods 4 allow up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge, however, 5 minutes of charging provides around 1 hour of listening time.
This is a somewhat rare example in my collection of a Beats accessory. Beats has been owned by Apple since 2014 as “a leading audio brand founded in 2006 by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine” that primarily sells “premium consumer headphones, earphones, and speakers.”
The Beats website offers the headline for the Beats Solo Buds: Designed for music first. They describe that “Every design decision was focused on accurate music reproduction—from the drivers to the vents to the position of each intricate component inside…[resulting in] cleanly balanced tuning that gives you the full range and emotion of all your music, as the artists intended.”
Apple’s website describes these headphones as the “tiniest case we’ve ever made” and touts that “these mighty small earbuds are packed with incredibly big sound.” Each of the product’s features are outlined:
Designed for music first
Custom dual-layer drivers
Laser-cut venting
Four eartip sizes
Battery all day
iOS and Android friendly
Crystal-clear calls
The case measures 2.6 x 1.4 inches and is 0.9 inch thick. The case weighs 22 grams. Each earbud measures 0.75 x 0.81 inch and is 0.73 inch deep. Each earbud weighs 5.7 grams. The entire product including the case and 2 earbuds weighs 33.4 grams.
Wireless connectivity includes Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth.
The Apple and Beats websites offer the Beats Solo Buds in 4 colors: Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple, and Transparent Red. However, this Matte Ivory color is available exclusively at Walmart in the United States.
The Apple Card was a Mastercard credit card created by Apple and issued by Goldman Sachs. The Apple Card was designed primarily to be used with Apple Pay on an Apple device (e.g., iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac), but also included a physical credit card made of Titanium. The Apple Card was only available in the United States and reportedly had 12 million cardholders as of 2024.
This [expired] physical Apple card is made of titanium and could be used at locations where Apple Pay payments were not accepted. The logos and cardholder name on the card were laser-etched. The card does not have a card number, CVV security code, expiration date, or signature. Apple described the card:
“With laser etching and clean styling, Apple Card is designed with the same craftsmanship we bring to all our products. And it’s the only credit card made of titanium—a sustainable metal known for its beauty and durability. When you use the card, you’ll get 1% Daily Cash back on every purchase. Since Mastercard is our global payment network, you can use it all over the world. For apps and websites that don’t take Apple Pay yet, just enter the virtual card number stored securely in your Wallet app.”
These features are part of Apple’s philosophy of security. Apple explains:
“With advanced security technologies like Face ID, Touch ID, and unique transaction codes, Apple Card with Apple Pay is designed to make sure you’re the only one who can use it. The titanium card has no visible numbers. Not on the front. Not on the back. Which gives you an enhanced level of security. And your data isn’t sold to third parties for marketing or advertising.”
MacRumors offers a periodically updated Guide about the Apple Card that explains its features. The resource includes information such as:
If someone finds or steals your card, there’s no real way for them to use it, at least for online purchases.
There’s still a traditional magstripe on the back, along with a built-in chip. While the card number and CVV are not on the card itself, you can find them in the Wallet app if you need them.
The physical Apple Card does not support contactless payments itself — you need to use your iPhone for Apple Pay payments.
There is no cost for the card and there is no fee associated with replacing it if you lose it.
Monthly Apple Card statements are provided in the Wallet app. You can save a PDF of the statement from the Wallet app so that you can access it on other devices.
Apple described the Smart Folio for iPad Pro 11-inch:
“The Smart Folio for iPad Pro is thin and light and offers front and back protection for your device. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed. The Smart Folio attaches magnetically, and you can easily fold it into different positions to create a stand for reading, viewing, typing, or making FaceTime calls.”
The Smart Folio design was released along with the Smart Keyboard Folio design for the iPad Pro Generation 3. The Folio form factor added the functionality of allowing both folios to attach to the back of the iPad with strong magnets. Both Smart Folio designs offered back protection, while previous Smart Cover designs only offered front protection.
This Smart Folio is compatible with all iPad Pro 11-inch models released until 2023, including Generations 1–4.
This Smart Folio is Charcoal Gray, a shade of dark gray.
The World Travel Adapter Kit includes seven plugs with prongs that fit the different electrical outlet types found around the world. The plugs work with iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac laptops using Apple USB-C Power Adapters; MagSafe/MagSafe 2 Power Adapters; 10W and 12W USB Power Adapters; and Portable Power Adapters.
AC power outlets supported include: North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil.
This World Travel Adapter Kit is model MD837AM/A. The box measures 5.276 x 5.276 inches and is 1.93 deep.
Beginning in 2020 Apple began offering Apple Watch band designs that were specifically sized to wrists. These bands included the Apple Watch Solo Loop and the Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop. These Apple Watch bands were available in sizes 1–12.
In order to allow individuals to determine their Apple Watch Band size, Apple provided three methods:
Printable Tool (online PDF)
Everyday items (using a “tailor’s measuring tape” or a narrow strip of paper)
Sizing Tool (in-store paper tool)
The first 2 options were available online. After measuring your wrist, Apple provided an online converter that allowed users to enter their wrist size to a maximum of 10 15/16 inch (although the Solo Loop only fit wrists to a maximum of 8 2/16 inches).
This third Sizing Tool option was available to Apple Store Customers. The tool includes the directions on the outer package, instructing individuals using diagrams to open the package, peel back an adhesive dot, wrap the tool around the wrist, and determine the band size based upon the location of arrows printed on the Sizing Tool.
This example is unopened and was obtained at the Deer Park (IL) Apple Store in December 2025.
The Apple Watch Series 5 looked similar to the Series 4, but had an “Always-On” Retina display “that never sleeps,” a faster processor, and more storage. The GPS model required an iPhone tether to use the phone features (higher-end models had built-in wireless cellular). This watch added international emergency calling that allowed calling “emergency services directly from Apple Watch in over 150 countries, even without iPhone nearby.”
Like all previous Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 5 uses a Digital Crown and a touch display. The screen is OLED at 368×448 with haptic feedback and a Force Touch display. New health and fitness features with Series 5 included Cycle Tracking, the Noise app and Activity Trends.
Previous Apple Watch models used screens that went black to conserve power. The Always-On screen in the Series 5 was made possible by the OLED display and other hardware and software. According to Apple:
“Each watch face has been carefully optimized for the new display and to preserve battery life, the screen intelligently dims when a user’s wrist is down and returns to full brightness with a raise or a tap. Several advanced technologies work together to deliver this new feature, including the industry’s only low-temperature polysilicon and oxide display (LTPO), ultra-low power display driver, efficient power management integrated circuit and new ambient light sensor.”
Three different stainless steel options were available: gold, silver, and space black—all three available on the previous model. The Series 5 introduced the “Apple Watch Studio,” both on the Apple website and on the Apple Store app. The Apple Watch Studio allowed the opportunity for buyers to select a “preferred case and band combination to create a look that is uniquely their own.”
New materials were also offered with the Series 5, including natural titanium and space black titanium. Aluminum cases in silver, gold, and space gray were offered in “100 percent recycled 7000 series aluminum.”
This unopened Apple Watch Series 5 is Space Black Stainless Steel in the 40 mm (a rare inclusion in my collection of mostly large-size Apple Watch models). This example includes a matching Space Black Milanese Loop.
