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 with 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 (so far), including Generations 1–4.
The model number of this accessory is MGYX3ZM/A, and its color is deep navy, a shade of dark blue.
On May 9, 2023, Apple introduced this new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Band. This Sport Band was introduced along with a matching watch face and iOS wallpaper. The design is a first for Apple and includes the most colors ever incorporated into a Sport Band. Apple described the Sport Band:
“…the new Sport Band design showcases the original pride flag rainbow colors and five others — black and brown symbolize Black and Latin communities, in addition to those who have passed away from or are living with HIV/AIDS, while light blue, pink, and white represent transgender and nonbinary individuals.”
Even the band’s manufacturing process is unique to this design:
“This year’s design integrates a joyful rainbow of geometric shapes on a white base, which are compression-molded into the final band. In the forming process, the base material flows around each individual shape, creating small variations in their layout. No two bands are exactly alike, reflecting the individuality of all members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
The following organizations are supported by Apple’s sales of this Sport Band:
The Apple Watch Trail Loop was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra on September 7, 2022. The Apple Watch Ultra “brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure.”
In the original press release, Apple described the Trail Loop as one of its “New Bands Designed for the Great Outdoors.” Apple added:
“Designed specifically for endurance athletes and runners, the Trail Loop band is the thinnest Apple Watch band to date. The lightweight woven textile is both soft and flexible, allowing it to cinch to the optimal fit, and the convenient tab is designed for quick and easy adjustment.”
Apple’s product page described the Trail Loop:
“The thin, lightweight Trail Loop is made from a nylon weave creating a soft band with increased elasticity for a comfortable fit. The band is infinitely adjustable with a convenient pull tab for quick adjustments on the go.”
This Trail Loop is Yellow/Beige. The main inner field of the band is beige. One edge of the band is light gray and the other edge is yellow. The connectors are made of the same color titanium as the Apple Watch Ultra. The band has a beige closure tab that is stitched to the main band with yellow thread.
All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Trail Loop is made primarily of nylon.
The Apple Watch Alpine Loop was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra on September 7, 2022. The Apple Watch Ultra “brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure.”
In the original press release, Apple described the Alpine Loop as one of its “New Bands Designed for the Great Outdoors.” Apple adds:
“With explorers in mind, the Alpine Loop band features two integrated layers made from one continuous weaving process that eliminates the need for stitching. The top loops, interspersed with high-strength yarn, provide adjustability and a secure attachment for the titanium G-hook fastener.”
Apple’s product page described the Alpine Loop:
“The rugged Alpine Loop is made from two textile layers woven together into one continuous piece without stitching. High-strength yarns reinforce the top loops, and the corrosion-resistant titanium G-hook slides easily into the loops for secure fit.”
This Alpine Loop is Starlight, a shade of off-white. The connectors and the “G-hook” closure are made of the same color titanium as the Apple Watch Ultra. Although splitting hairs, a more apt name for the hook would be a “g-hook” since it matches the shape of a lowercase—not uppercase—“g.”
All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Alpine Loop is made primarily of polyester.
The Apple Watch Alpine Loop was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra on September 7, 2022. The Apple Watch Ultra “brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure.”
In the original press release, Apple described the Alpine Loop as one of its “New Bands Designed for the Great Outdoors.” Apple adds:
“With explorers in mind, the Alpine Loop band features two integrated layers made from one continuous weaving process that eliminates the need for stitching. The top loops, interspersed with high-strength yarn, provide adjustability and a secure attachment for the titanium G-hook fastener.”
Apple’s product page described the Alpine Loop:
“The rugged Alpine Loop is made from two textile layers woven together into one continuous piece without stitching. High-strength yarns reinforce the top loops, and the corrosion-resistant titanium G-hook slides easily into the loops for secure fit.”
This Alpine Loop is Green, in a shade that could be described as Army Green. The connectors and the “G-hook” closure are made of the same color titanium as the Apple Watch Ultra. Although splitting hairs, a more apt name for the hook would be a “g-hook” since it matches the shape of a lowercase—not uppercase—“g.”
All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Alpine Loop is made primarily of polyester.
Apple described the Smart Cover for 9.7-inch iPad:
“The Smart Cover for iPad is constructed from a single piece of polyurethane to protect the front of your device. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed. You can easily fold the Smart Cover into different positions to create a stand for reading, viewing, typing, or making FaceTime calls. And it’s easy to remove, so you can snap it on and off whenever you want.”
iPad Smart Covers were first offered with the iPad 2 in 2011 and are still available as of 2023. All Smart Covers offer protection only for the front of the iPad, attach magnetically to the side, and use magnets to wake and sleep the device. Smart Covers use a 3-fold design that, when folded, allows the iPad to be used as a stand in two different positions.
This Smart Cover is compatible with iPad models including iPad Air 2, iPad Air (1st generation), iPad (6th generation), and iPad (5th generation). The color of this cover is (PRODUCT)RED.
According to Apple’s website, “Apple and (RED) are committed to fighting AIDS. In 16 years, we’ve contributed more than a quarter of a billion dollars, helping provide lifesaving treatments to people living with HIV.”
When Apple introduced the M1 iMac in 2021, seven “vibrant” colors were offered—green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver—that Apple reported would bring “a sense of joy to any space.”
One interesting detail of the iMac M1 was that it shipped with color-matched braided cables. The cables included the power cable (from the iMac to a power brick) and this USB-C to Lightning cable.
The purpose of the USB-C to Lightning cable was to charge the color-matched keyboard and mouse that shipped with the iMac M1.
A color-matched braided cable set is, admittedly, a small detail. But this is the kind of attention to detail that many Apple customers enjoy. This pink USB-C to Lightning cable shipped with the pink M1 iMac. Close inspection reveals that the cable is braided with both pink and white.
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). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes. This band is the much rarer XL size, offered only in the 45mm size to fit 170–245mm wrists.
This Tornado/Gray band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was olive green and the other was a dark gray with edges in dark green. The connector and closure plastics were in a dark green color that matched the thread edges.
Apple’s use of green hues in a color named “Tornado” can be explained by science. According to Accuweather, when the sun’s “…setting light is transmitted by a massively thick cloud composed of water droplets and ice particles, the results are a green sky.”
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 Ocean Band and Ocean Band Extension were released along with the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022. Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra debuted three additional new band designs, the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and the Ocean Band.
The Ocean Band was described by Apple:
“The Ocean Band is molded in a high performance elastomer with a tubular geometry allowing it to stretch for a perfect fit, even over a wetsuit. The corrosion-resistant titanium buckle and adjustable loop secure the band during high-speed water sports. A band extension is sold separately to fit over your thickest wetsuit.”
Apple described the Apple Watch Ultra Ocean Band Extension:
“Made from the same high-performance elastomer as the Ocean Band, this band extension lengthens the 49mm Ocean Band by an additional 50 millimeters — perfect if you need extra length to wear the band over your wetsuit. The extension comes with an extra adjustable, corrosion-resistant titanium loop which you can place in any tube to tuck the excess band into. This extension must be used with the regular Ocean Band.”
This band was available in three colors: white, midnight, and yellow. This example is yellow. The Ocean Band Extension paired with the Ocean Band was compatible with Apple Watch models including 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm.
The Ocean band was advertised as “One Size (Fits Most),” and fits 130–200mm wrists. Although the XL Ocean Band Extension was made to wear over a wetsuit, I was hoping that it would allow me to wear the Ocean band with my 215mm wrist because it provides “an additional 50 millimeters” and “comes with an extra adjustable, corrosion-resistant titanium loop, which you can place in any tube to tuck the excess band into.”
Unfortunately, the additional 50mm must be folded back over itself, thus creating a three-layer stack of the band that neither looks good nor feels comfortable. I have provided a few photos of the comically inappropriate back-and-forth looping required to wear this band with a larger wrist. I do not recommended this band or extension.
The Ocean Band was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022. The Apple Watch Ultra also debuted three additional new band designs, the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and the Ocean Band shown here.
The Ocean Band was described by Apple:
“The Ocean Band is molded in a high performance elastomer with a tubular geometry allowing it to stretch for a perfect fit, even over a wetsuit. The corrosion-resistant titanium buckle and adjustable loop secure the band during high-speed water sports. A band extension is sold separately to fit over your thickest wetsuit.”
The band is advertised as “One Size (Fits Most)” and fits 130–200mm wrists. My 215mm wrist required the Ocean Band Extension that is sold separately.
Apple offers additional information about the Ocean band in its Apple Watch Ultra press release. Apple notes that “the Ocean Band is designed specifically for extreme water sports and recreational diving with a titanium buckle and corresponding spring-loaded loop.”
The Apple Watch Ultra was advertised, among other uses, as made for “Ocean and Water Sports Enthusiasts.” In all of Apple’s press examples, models who were engaged in water activities were wearing the yellow Ocean band.
A feature new to the Apple Watch Ultra was also mentioned: “When submerged, Apple Watch Ultra automatically launches a new Depth app, which displays time, current depth, water temperature, duration under water, and max depth reached.”
This band was available in three colors: white, midnight, and yellow. This example is yellow. The Ocean Band was compatible with Apple Watch models including 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm.
