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 Abyss Blue, a shade of dark blue. 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.
Apple’s retail store bags have been used at Apple Stores beginning in 2001 when the first Apple Store opened. Please refer to my blog post, 20 Years of Apple Store Bags (2001–2021), for more details.
In November 2023, Apple began an email, web, and Apple Store campaign using the tagline “All kinds of wonderful” online and “Wonder awaits” on Apple Store windows. The visuals included a stylized white Apple logo with a gift bow and winter scene.
A simplified version of the logo was printed on Apple’s retail store bags to replace the typical solid gray Apple logo. This paper bag is one example of the 2023 holiday Apple Store bags.
The blog post includes a photo I captured of the winter logo on the window of the Apple Store Michigan Avenue in Chicago on November 5, 2023.
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (Late 2011) used the Intel Core i5 “Sandy Bridge” 2.4 GHz processor with two cores. It had a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, a SuperDrive, an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor, and an integrated FaceTime HD webcam. Its display used an LED-backlit 13.3-inch widescreen TFT active-matrix glossy display (at 1280×800 resolution).
Wireless connectivity included AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1. Wired ports included Gigabit Ethernet, one Firewire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports, audio in/out, an SDXC card slot, and a Thunderbolt port.
According to EveryMac, this laptop was identical to its predecessor, the MacBook Pro 13-inch (Early 2011) except for the faster processor. In fact, EveryMac indicated that this Late 2011 model was “quietly unveiled without a press release.”
This laptop was 0.95 inch high, 12.78 inches wide, 8.94 inches deep, and weighed 4.5 pounds. It originally shipped with OS X Lion.
This Smart Folio is designed for the iPad Generation 10. According to Apple:
“The Smart Folio for iPad 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.”
This Smart folio was released in four colors that complemented the iPad Generation 10. The Sky option matched the Blue iPad 10, the Watermelon option matched the Pink iPad 10, the Lemonade option matched the Yellow iPad 10, and the White option matched the Silver iPad 10.
This example (part number MQDU3ZM/A) is Sky, a shade of light blue.
This is my 1,000th post on my Apple Collection blog!
When Apple released the iPad Generation 10, a press release noted that it featured “a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, the powerful A14 Bionic chip, advanced cameras, fast wireless connectivity, USB-C, support for the new Magic Keyboard Folio, and more.”
The iPad Generation 10 was the first base-level iPad to include an all-screen design and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It used an A14 Bionic chip, and both the front and back camera were 12 megapixel with an Ultra Wide front camera for an “even better video calling experience.”
This was also the first base iPad to use USB-C charging. Despite the list of new technologies, the iPad 10 supported the Generation 1 Apple Pencil, released in 2015—seven years before this iPad.
Apple highlighted creative uses of the iPad 10:
“Express yourself, draw, and brainstorm on a flexible creative powerhouse. The stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display makes an incredible canvas. So you can doodle, take notes, mark up documents, and a lot more with Apple Pencil.”
The iPad 10 was available during 2022–2023 at a time when online commentators noted consumer confusion in the iPad lineup. MacRumors ran an article on October 2022 expressing the sentiment with the headline, “Apple’s New iPad Lineup Causes Potential Confusion With Inconsistent Features.”
At the time, six basic iPad models were available, with several sharing similar characteristics. As of 2023, iPad Pro models were available in 12.9- and 11-inch configurations, an iPad Air had a 10.9-inch display, this iPad 10 had a 10.9-inch display, an iPad mini had an 8.3-inch display—while Apple continued to offer the 10.2-inch iPad Generation 9.
This iPad 10 is the 64GB, Wi-Fi 6 model in Blue. The anodized texture and brightness of the color add a depth to this iPad’s finish.
The Smart Keyboard for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro was released along with the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and Apple Pencil on June 5, 2017. Apple press released noted:
“Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, available for purchase separately, bring breakthrough levels of precision and utility to iPad Pro. Advanced sensors in Apple Pencil measure both pressure and tilt for natural drawing, annotating and note-taking. A new full-sized Smart Keyboard has been custom designed for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, offering a thin yet durable keyboard that never needs to be charged or paired over Bluetooth and is easily foldable into a protective Smart Cover.”
This Smart Keyboard used strong magnets to attach to the side of the iPad pro, but offered no back protection for the device. When in use, the Smart Keyboard folded into a triangle that allowed the iPad to sit back at an angle to allow for comfortable typing.
A 9to5Mac review from July 2017 noted that: “The Smart Keyboard makes a living by being thin, unassuming, and easy to tuck away when it’s not in use. It’s basically a Smart Cover with a little bit of extra thickness that allows it to double as a keyboard.”
This unique item appears to be a bright orange zippered accessory case with a silver carabiner attached, but when opened it reveals a battery-powered portable speaker and a pocket for a music-playing device such as an iPod or iPhone.
The speaker is powered by 2 AAA batteries and has an ON/OFF switch. A wire with a standard stereo headphone plug extends from the speaker to connect to a device.
The case is bright orange and is printed with the Apple Distinguished Educator logo in white in the Apple Myriad font. Apple Myriad was Apple’s corporate font used approximately between 2003–2017.
Apple describes Apple Distinguished Educators as “the educators who are looking to change the world. They are active leaders from around the world helping other educators rethink what’s possible with iPad and Mac to make learning deeply personal for every student.”
I became an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) in 2007. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the event where these speakers were offered, but an ADE friend of mine gave me this speaker for my collection.
This magnetic lapel “pin” features the Swift programming logo in bright red on a black metal background. Although it looks like a lapel pin, it uses a strong magnet, instead of a pin, to attach.
The pin measures 24x17mm and is on a 3-inch white cardboard square in a clear plastic pouch.
Apple describes Swift as “The powerful programming language that’s also easy to learn.” In addition, “Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language for all Apple platforms. It’s easy to get started using Swift, with a concise-yet-expressive syntax and modern features you’ll love. Swift code is safe by design and produces software that runs lightning-fast.”
This pin was distributed at an Apple Education event that discussed different uses of Swift programming in K–12 school programs.
Apple challenge cards are sent to Apple employees who participate in company-sponsored events, usually with a gift to celebrate the accomplishment of successfully completing the challenge.
These challenge cards include:
Close Your Rings Challenge (2023)—Hat’s off to you! Congrats! You finished strong. We hope you’re moved to keep on moving—and finding motivation even beyond this Challenge. Your exclusive Apple-branded hat will be an ongoing reminder to keep your body active and your head in the game. You deserve it.
[Editorial note: I wonder how many Apple employees looked at the grossly misspelled headline “Hat’s off to you!”—with the completely unnecessary apostrophe—before thousands of them were printed in metallic gold. Someone’s head was not in the game!]
Mindful Minute Challenge (2023)—One sip at a time. Cheers to you for completing the Mindful Minute Challenge. Enjoy this mug to help remind you to pause and practice mindfulness with something as simple as a sip. Or create your own mindful practice by slowly tracing the logo while taking a few breaths to find your own inner comfort.
Apple released the iPhone 15 series on September 12, 2023. The iPhone 15 Pro Max press release began, “Featuring a strong and lightweight titanium design with new contoured edges, a new Action button, powerful camera upgrades, and A17 Pro for next-level performance and mobile gaming.”
The iPhone 15 Pro Max was made with aerospace-grade titanium. Apple described the finish as “a strong and lightweight titanium design—a first for iPhone. This premium alloy—the same used in spacecraft—has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal, making this Apple’s lightest Pro lineup ever.”
Apple described this iPhone’s camera capabilities:
“Powerful camera upgrades enable the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max.”
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were the first iPhones to include an Action button, an idea borrowed from the Apple Watch Ultra. According to the press release, the:
“Action button replaces the single-function switch used to toggle between ring and silent, offering additional options so users can choose between quickly accessing the camera or flashlight; activating Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or using Shortcuts for more options. A press-and-hold gesture with fine-tuned haptic feedback and visual cues in the Dynamic Island ensure the new button launches the intended action.”
The iPhone 15 Pro cameras were the first to be able to record spatial video for the Apple Vision Pro. The feature was added in an iOS 17.2 software update on December 11, 2023. In a press release, Apple announced:
“iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can now record spatial videos—a groundbreaking new capability that helps users capture life’s precious moments—and relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro, starting early next year.”
Because spatial video can only be viewed on Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos appear as 2D videos on all other devices. Apple explained:
“Spatial video capture on iPhone arrives ahead of the debut of Apple Vision Pro, so iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can begin capturing moments with family and friends to enjoy on Apple Vision Pro from day one.”
The iPhone 15 Pro Max was available in capacities of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. This model has 256GB of storage. Its 6.7-inch (diagonal) Super Retina XDR OLED display had 2796×1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi. The A17 Pro chip used a new 6‑core CPU, a new 6‑core GPU, and a new 16‑core Neural Engine.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera system was similar to the iPhone 15 Pro, but had a few enhanced features. Both cameras had:
48MP Main camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture
12MP Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture
12MP 2x Telephoto camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture
The Pro Max model was enhanced with:
12MP 5x Telephoto camera with ƒ/2.8 aperture with tetraprism design (the Pro model had 3x Telephoto)
5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range (the Pro model had a 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range)
Digital zoom up to 25x (the Pro model had up to 15x digital zoom)
The iPhone 15 Pro Max measured 3.02 inches wide, 6.29 inches high, and 0.32 inches thick. It weighed 7.81 ounces.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were available in “four stunning new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.” This example is an iPhone 15 Pro Max in blue titanium.
