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This Apple-branded adapter allowed a powered microphone with RCA inputs (red and white plugs) to be plugged into a Macintosh with a 3.5mm microphone jack.
The adapter features an Apple logo (on the RCA plug end) and Apple’s microphone icon (used in the 1990s) on the 3.5mm plug. The adapter is made in the platinum color used by Apple throughout the 1990s until the release of the iMac in 1998.
This anti-static mat was part of a Portable Field Service Kit manufactured by 3M after 1984. It is light gold in color and printed with a black Apple logotype in the Apple Garamond font, Apple’s corporate font used between 1984–2003. Note that the logotype uses a monotone Apple logo (as opposed to the multi-color logo more common at the time) and “Apple Computer, Inc.” (Apple changed its name to Apple, Inc. officially in 2007).
A former Apple repair technician described the mat:
“This utilitarian static mat has turned into a rare collectors’ item from way before Apple was mostly known for their iPhones. It’s a light Gold color, 4 layers thick with soft foam on the bottom and 36 inches long x 23 3/4 inches wide x 3/16 inches thick.”
The upper-right corner of the mat includes a snap to connect grounding cables to prevent electrostatic discharge that could short an electrical component.
According to the Apple repair technician’s post, the mat shipped with an Accessory Package For Portable Field Service Kits that contained the electrostatic wrist strap, a grounding cable, a brochure/manual titled “Static is a touchy business,” and a large yellow workspace sticker that read “ATTENTION STATIC SAFEGUARDED WORK AREA.”
The Apple Logotype Anti-Static Mat in my collection was owned by a former Apple employee and was well used, but in good condition.
Thanks to Randy (AzAntique) for posting photos and a description of this relic!
Source: Randy – AzAntique via WorthPoint, Wikipedia
The AirPort Extreme was a wireless base station that combined the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, Network-Attached Storage (NAS), and other features. Apple released a total of seven AirPort Extreme Base Station models. This Generation 6 was the final model.
The original version of the AirPort Extreme Base Station used the “flying saucer” form factor. Generations 1–5 used a flat square form factor with rounded corners. The final Generation 6 model kept the concept of a square with rounded corners, but the base station used a tower design, measuring 3.85 inches x 3.85 inches and 6.6 inches tall.
The Generation 6 AirPort Extreme 802.11ac was announced on June 10, 2013. It offered three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi at 1.3Gbit/s (three times faster than 802.11n). Time Machine was supported in this model using an attached external USB hard drive.
The packaging listed the following features:
The AirPort Extreme was a wireless base station that combined the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, Network-Attached Storage (NAS), and other features.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station Generation 4 (model A1354) was released in 2009 with a white, rounded-rectangle design that was similar to the look of the first-generation Mac mini and original Apple TV. AirPort Extreme Base Station Generations 1–5 shared the same design until a tower-like design was used for the final Generation 6 model.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station measured 6.5 inches square, 1.3 inches tall, and weighed 1.66 pounds. It supported 802.11a/b/g/n wireless network protocols.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station Generation 4 had the follwing interfaces:
Apple announced their AirPods Max over-ear headphones on December 8, 2020, and they shipped one week later on December 15. The original press release touted:
“AirPods Max feature incredible high-fidelity audio, Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, and spatial audio”
The headphones featured a brand new design and included the Digital Crown from the Apple Watch as the primary control interface. Materials included a “breathable knit mesh canopy” that spanned the headband to reduce pressure on the head while wearing the headphones for extended periods. The headband frame was made from stainless steel and telescoped to allow a custom fit. The ear cushions were made from a “custom-designed mesh textile [that] wraps the ear cushions to provide pillow-like softness while listening.” The outer ear cup was aluminum in a rectangular shape with rounded corners (as opposed to a round or oval design seen on other over-the-ear headphone designs).
The audio technology included “H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio.” The battery on AirPods Max was advertised at 20 hours.
AirPods Max headphones were available in five colors: space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink. The colors consistently referred to the color of the outer ear cup of the AirPods Max—since each color option used a different combination of accent colors. Space gray used space gray outer ear cups with black ear cushions and headband. Silver used silver outer ear cups with white ear cushions and headband. Sky blue used light blue outer ear cups with light blue ear cushions and a dark blue headband. Green used light green outer ear cups with light green ear cushions and a pale green (white tinted with green) headband. Pink used pale pink (similar to Apple’s rose gold) outer ear cups with dark pink ear cushions and a red headband.
AirPods Max Ear Cushions were also sold separately by Apple as replacements—or to allow users to customize their headphone style. By mixing and matching the Ear Cushions, 25 color combinations were possible, or 125 combinations if two different ear cushion colors were used.
The AirPods Max shipped with an arguably unusual case design that provided little protection, but allowed the headphones to go into “an ultralow power state that helps to preserve battery charge when not in use.” The case was frequently maligned by critics.
When AirPods Max were released, they were almost universally praised for their superior sound quality and noise-cancelling features, but panned for their high price of $549. The primary technical issue shared by some reviewers was the tendency for AirPods Max to “form condensation under the earcups and the water that is formed gets inside the drivers causing ear detection problems.”
This set of AirPods Max headphones is Space Gray.
Sources: Apple (Newsroom, AirPods Max, ear cushions), Wikipedia
This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in Fall 2019. The packaging described this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”
The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations that matched one or more Nike shoe or clothing products upon release. This example is called “Royal Pulse/Lava Glow” and appears light gray on a black background with flecks of light blue and link. Nike Apple Watch styles tend to use more abstract descriptions of colors than Apple designs. In this case, the “Royal Pulse” description likely refers to the light blue threads, while the “Lava Glow” threads are likely the pink threads. Inside, the Apple WATCH | Nike logo and the 44mm size is set in bright green.
Apple described the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:
“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”
Source: Apple, Bandbreit app
The Apple Watch Sport Band was made from a flexible rubber material called fluoroelastomer with a metal pin closure. Sizes ranged from S/M, M/L, or L/XL. When purchasing an Apple Watch Sport Band, the S/M and M/L sizes are included in the box, allowing the band to fit wrists 140–210 mm.
Apple describes the Apple Watch Sport band:
“Made from a custom high-performance fluoroelastomer, the Sport Band is durable and strong, yet surprisingly soft. The smooth, dense material drapes elegantly across your wrist and feels comfortable next to your skin. An innovative pin-and-tuck closure ensures a clean fit.”
The Apple Watch Sport band has been available in the most colors so far. As of October 2022, 117 Apple Sport Band colors were available with an additional 41 Nike Sport Band colors (according to the Bandbreite app).
This example is Red with a stainless steel pin and is part of Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED line. The box states, “Apple is proud to join (RED) in funding programs to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”
Source: Apple, Bandbreite app
This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in Fall 2020. The packaging described this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”
The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations that matched one or more Nike shoe or clothing products upon release. This example is called “Obsidian Mist.” Close inspection of the threads reveal that the design is primarily gray thread, but also includes black and green thread. The plastics are all in a shade of gray matching the gray thread. Inside, the Apple WATCH | Nike logo and the 44mm size is set in hot pink.
Apple described the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:
“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”
Source: Apple, Bandbreit app
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41 mm and 45 mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200 mm wrists (41 mm) and 145–220 mm wrists (45 mm). This band is the much rarer XL size, offered only in the 45 mm size to fit 170–245 mm wrists.
This Blue Jay/Abyss Blue band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Blue Jay,” a shade of bright blue, and the other was a darker “Abyss Blue,” with edges in a shade of bright orange. The connector plastics matched the “Blue Jay” shade of blue, and the closure plastic was orange to match the thread color of the edges.
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.”
Source: Apple, Bandbreit app
The Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Silicone Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:
“Made from liquid silicone rubber, the Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design with no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts that’s ultracomfortable to wear and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Each band is specially treated with UV to give the band a silky, smooth finish. It’s also swim proof and sweat proof so it can go just about anywhere you want to wear it.”
The color of this band is Nectarine, a shade of bright orange. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths, and was sold in specific wrist sizes. The 41mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.
According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.
This snug-fitting design allowed Apple Watch sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.
Source: Apple, Bandbreit app
