Mindful Minute Fleece (2019)

This Mindful Minute fleece was only available to Apple employees who participated in and completed the “Mindful Minute” challenge.

According to MacRumors writer mikedop, who has extensively researched and written about the challenges:

“Those who completed the 2019 Mindful Minute challenge received a soft fleece blanket. The blanket measures four feet by six feet in size (4×6) and contains no designs except for an embroidered mindfulness icon and Apple logo in a light teal.”

The blanket is made from black fleece. For the logo design, the mindfulness icon was simplified to use six interlocking circles in a circle. The design is similar to the Breathe app (which uses eight transparent interlocking circles).

Source: MacRumors

iPod nano Generation 6 (graphite, 2010)

The iPod nano Generation 6 was a major design change from previous iPod nano models. This iPod nano came in silver, graphite, blue, green, orange, pink, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. Its design was a square aluminum and glass case with a clip on the back. It used a 1.54-inch Multitouch screen at 240×240 pixels.

Although its interface looks similar to iOS, the iPod nano Generation 6 cannot run iOS applications or games compatible with previous iPod models. Its features include a pedometer, FM radio with live pause, Nike+iPod functions, VoiceOver, and Shake to Shuffle.

This example is graphite—a shade of gray that was darker than silver.

Notably, some third-party manufacturers, such as Belkin, offered a watch band accessory for this iPod nano that took advantage of its built-in watch face app and the device’s clip. Using this accessory, the iPod nano Generation 6 could be worn on the wrist like a watch.

Source: EveryMac.com

Apple iPod from HP (iPod Generation 4, 20GB, 2004)

On January 9, 2004, HP’s then-CEO, Carly Fiorina, announced an “iPod+HP” partnership between Apple and HP. The first iPod+HP device was this Generation 4 iPod, available with 20GB and 40GB of storage. Three more iPod+HP models were added during the partnership, including iPod mini, iPod photo, and iPod shuffle.

During her speech at the Consumer Electronics Show, Fiorina announced the partnership and held up an example Generation 4 iPod+HP device, reporting that the Apple iPod from HP would be sold in a custom “HP blue” color, a powdery shade of blue resembling the color of faded denim. Based upon the demo unit she held, the iPod front and scroll wheel were blue, while the back remained polished chrome. When the iPod+HP device was released, it was not offered in blue, but remained white. However, the back of the device was engraved with the Apple logo, the word “iPod,” and the “HP invent” logo.

According to the Stories of Apple website, “this was the first (and only) iPod license ever allowed: Apple would manufacture a version of the iPod for HP and the iTunes software would be pre-installed on all HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario computers.” The partnership was not successful and was terminated after 18 months.

Regarding the iPod+HP design and functionality, the device was very similar to the Apple iPod Generation 4 sold by Apple at the time. According to EveryMac: “There is extremely little difference between Windows-compatible Apple iPods and the corresponding models that were offered from Hewlett-Packard. Each are identicial except HP added an HP logo below the Apple logo on the back of each player and shipped their models in a box that matched the design of other HP products.”

This model originally contained a 20GB or 40GB 4200RPM ATA-66 hard drive that could hold 5,000 or 10,000 songs. It uses a ClickWheel for navigation and has a 2-inch grayscale screen at 160×128 resolution. Its battery supported up to 12 hours of continuous music playback with features including Shuffle, voice record, games, and an alarm clock.

Perhaps to make up for the inexplicably non-blue iPod color offering, HP used its extensive printer and printing accessory experience to sell “HP printable tattoos” for the iPod. An HP press release reported, “Digital music enthusiasts can now personalize the look of their Apple iPod from HP as easily as they customize their playlists with the launch of HP Printable Tattoos.” The stickers were butterfly-shaped and included both pre-printed designs and blank sheets so “digital music enthusiasts” could design their own iPod skins.

This iPod+HP model originally contained a 20GB hard drive; however, this device has been retrofitted with a new battery and flash memory storage.

My collection also includes this same model with the original hard drive intact. This iPod is in slightly worse condition than the example shown here. I acquired the non-retrofitted iPod in late 2023.

Sources: EveryMac (FAQ, specifications), Wikipedia, iLounge, HP, Stories of Apple

iPod mini (Generation 2, 4GB, blue, 2005)

When the original iPod mini was released in 2004, Apple described it as “the smallest portable music player ever to hold up to 1,000 CD-quality songs.” Originally, it was available in silver, gold, pink, blue, or green, but the second generation iPod mini from 2005 offered brighter versions of the pink, blue, and green and dropped the gold option. In addition, the Generation 2 models matched the printing on the ClickWheel to the color of the exterior case.

The iPod mini Generation 2 also increased battery life from 8 hours to an impressive 18 hours and was offered in 4GB and 8GB configurations. Both iPod mini models used the same size case: 3.6 x 2.0 x 0.5 inches. The iPod mini Generation 2 weighed 3.6 ounces and used a 1.67-inch grayscale display. The iPod mini Generation 2 charged with an included USB 2.0 cable with a 30-pin connector.

This iPod mini is blue and has 4GB of storage. Please note that this particular device has been retrofitted with a flash memory storage upgrade and a new battery.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom), EveryMac

Let them learn by doing. Introducing iLife ’08 and iWork ’08. Apple Education brochure (2007)

This large, full-color brochure measures 11×17 inches and folds out into a 2-up layout with a total measurement of 22×17 inches. The brochure was provided to Apple Education customers and explains how iWork ’08 and iLife ’08 could be used in the classroom.

The cover includes three students using white MacBook notebooks with USB science probes in a classroom. Upon opening the brochure, the first spread is a striking photo of a teacher working with a student with an all-black facing page with white text (in the then-current Apple Myriad font). The text reads:

“There has never been a more exciting time to be an educator, because there have never been so many creative ways to connect with students. When you bring movies, music, and photography into the classroom, amazing things happen. Core subjects come to life; students are more inspired to communicate and collaborate; and without even realizing it, they get an enormous head start with 21st-century skills. We believe that creativity is the key to unlocking every child’s genius, and that media-rich learning is the key to greater creativity. The time has come to reimagine what’s possible, and to redefine our expectations. Rethink.”

The center, 2-page spread is on an all-white background and outlines six features of iLife ’08 pictured along with a white MacBook. The text reads:

“Grab their attention, and don’t let go: Introducing iLife ’08. Incredibly easy tools for incredibly amazing schoolwork. Meet iLife ’08, a fully integrated suite of digital authoring tools—iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb and iDVD. Together, they let students create amazing projects such as photo books, slideshows, documentary movies, podcasts, music, and more. The tools all work together beautifully and couldn’t be more intuitive: learn just one, and you’ll soon master them all. iLife ’08 is simple enough to build confidence in kindergartners, yet powerful enough to engage the most media-savvy high schoolers—not to mention teachers and parents…”

The third and final spread, also on an all-white background, features iWork ’08 and a photo of a silver iMac. Its text reads:

“Productivity has a new best friend: Introducing iWork ’08. Simple, powerful tools that teach students real-world skills. Meet Keynote, Pages, and Numbers- otherwise known as iWork ’08. Whether you want to create cinema-quality presentations, exciting reports, or visually compelling spreadsheets, iWork ’08 themes give you a giant head start. Even the most dynamic features-from charts to movies to animation-can be added to projects in a flash, and you can easily import from and export to Microsoft Office and AppleWorks…”

The back of the brochure uses the headline “Inspiration enclosed.” It features product boxes of iWork ’08 and iLife ’08 and includes Site License pricing and contact information.

Source: Apple

The future has already arrived Apple Education brochure (April 2008)

This brochure was sent to education customers and had purple/violet space-themed cover art that resembled the Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) default wallpaper. It had the text: “The future has already arrived at www.apple.com/education/hslabs.” The text is printed in Apple Myriad, Apple’s corporate font used at the time.

The back of the mailing is all white and included address and postal information. The folded piece measures 8.5 x 14.25 inches.

The bottom of the mailing includes the following text:

© 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Boot Camp, and iLife are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft product screenshots) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation. *Windows XP and Windows Vista sold separately. April 2008 L363415A

This brochure remains in its original plastic.

Source: Apple

iPad packaging (Generation 9, 2021)

The iPad Generation 9 was released on September 14, 2021. Apple described the device: “The 10.2-inch iPad features A13 Bionic, Center Stage, True Tone, and now starts with double the storage, all at an incredible value.”

This packaging is from a 10-pack education purchase. It is the same envelope-like container that is included with a single iPad in retail packaging, but only one is included in a bulk 10-pack purchase. The items include the following (all measuring 4 3/16 x 6.75 inches):
Cardboard envelope
4-color pamphlet (the inside briefly describes features including Apple Pencil, Top Button, Touch ID, Lightning Connector, Control Center, and Dock and App Switcher; the back describes the Smart Connector and Tips app)
2-sided regulatory sheet
Apple stickers (2 white stickers on one sheet)

Sources: Apple (Newsroom)

Apple Studio Display internal packaging (2022)

This version of the Apple Studio Display was announced on March 8, 2022, along with the Mac Studio. Apple described the display: “A big, beautiful window into new worlds, Studio Display draws you in from the moment you turn it on. It has a slim, all-screen design. And it’s packed with a phenomenal set of features so everything you do springs to life with gorgeous color and spectacular detail.”

The 27-inch display featured a 5K Retina display at 5120×2880 resolution (218 pixels per inch), a built-in 12MP Ultra Wide camera, a high-fidelity six-speaker system, and was powered by the A13 Bionic chip.

This packaging was included inside the Apple Studio Display and housed an included all-black Thunderbolt cable and a selection of paperwork, including:

  • Regulatory notes and safety information (two 2-sided sheets)
  • A color booklet explaining the display’s basic features
  • Apple stickers (2 black stickers on one page)

Please note that the all-black Apple logo stickers were considered somewhat rare in 2022 and were general only included with “Pro” Apple hardware.

This cardboard package measures 95 x 165 x 37 mm. Inside, it includes a pocket for the paperwork and a unique, all-cardboard structure to neatly pack the 1-meter Thunderbolt braided black cable.

Apple (Newsroom, product page)

Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (44mm, Size 12, Electric Orange, Spring 2021)

The Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Textile Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Each Braided Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design that’s ultracomfortable and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments in each band are interwoven with thin silicone threads using advanced braiding machinery then laser cut to an exact length. The 300D construction offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant.”

The color of this band is Electric Orange, a shade of bright orange. It was available in 40mm and 44mm widths. The 40mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 44mm Braided 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.

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Dark Cherry, Fall 2021)

The Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Textile Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Each Braided Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design that’s ultracomfortable and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments in each band are interwoven with thin silicone threads using advanced braiding machinery then laser cut to an exact length. The 300D construction offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant.”

The color of this band is Dark Cherry, a shade of dark red. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths. The 41mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Braided 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.

Source: Apple