Category: Accessory

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iPod touch Loop (yellow, 2012)

The iPod touch Loop is a custom wristband that shipped with iPod touch Generation 5 models with a capacity above 16 GB. The included iPod touch Loop matched the color of the iPod touch: black (shipped with the slate and later Space Gray models), white (shipped with the silver model), pink, yellow, blue, and red.

For owners of the 16 GB iPod touch Generation 5—or for anyone who wanted to customize their iPod touch—the Loop could also be purchased separately in packs of two including one color (pink, yellow, black, blue, or red) and one white Loop for $9.

The iPod touch Loop attached to a pop-out nub on the lower-left-back corner of the iPod touch. This pop-out nub was unique to the iPod touch Generation 5. The back of the packaging shows an excellent diagram of the installation of the Loop.

When I acquired a 16 GB Generation 5 iPod touch and noticed its pop-out nub, I immediately began looking for an iPod touch Loop to accompany it. I found this one on eBay from a German seller in 2020. I selected the “yellow” option because its unusual shade seems more green to my eye than yellow.

Source: EveryMac

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iPhone 12 Pro Max Clear Case (MagSafe, 2020)

When Apple introduced all of the iPhone 12 models, they included a new method of wireless charging with an old name: MagSafe. Originally used for laptop power cables that used a magnet to safely attach and prevent a laptop from accidentally falling to the floor from a cord trip, this version of MagSafe used a strong magnet that caused an iPhone to fall to the floor with a cord trip. Thus, it is unknown why Apple continued to use the “MagSafe” name when no safety features were offered.

The case was crystal clear, and Apple specified that it resisted yellowing. The pattern on the back of the clear case was a white open circle with a downward dash. The downward dash allowed a MagSafe charger or an iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe to attach with the magnet and align perfectly.

According to Apple:

“Thin, light, and easy to grip — this Apple-designed case shows off the brilliant colored finish of iPhone 12 Pro Max while providing extra protection. Crafted with a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and flexible materials, the case fits right over the buttons for easy use. On the surface, a scratch-resistant coating has been applied to both the interior and exterior. And all materials and coatings are optimized to prevent yellowing over time. With built-in magnets that align perfectly with iPhone 12 Pro Max, this case offers a magical attach experience and faster wireless charging, every time. When it’s time to charge, just leave the case on your iPhone and snap on your MagSafe charger, or set it on your Qi-certified charger.”

This Clear Case is also pictured on an iPhone 12 Pro Max in Pacific Blue. Both items were purchased at the same time for my day-to-day use in November 2020.

Source: Apple

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AirPods with Charging Case (Generation 2, unopened, 2019)

AirPods with Charging Case are the second generation wireless headphone product by Apple.

According to Apple:

“The new AirPods deliver the wireless headphone experience, reimagined. Just pull them out of the charging case and they’re ready to use with your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac. After a simple one-tap setup, AirPods work like magic. They’re automatically on and always connected. AirPods can even sense when they’re in your ears and pause when you take them out. To adjust the volume, change the song, make a call, or even get directions, simply say ‘Hey Siri’ and make your request. You have the freedom to wear one or both AirPods, and you can play or skip forward with a double-tap when listening to music or podcasts.”

Since the first version of AirPods, Apple touted an easy setup experience. For all intents and purposes, the setup has been truly simple, perhaps “magical” as Apple has claimed, from the start. The initial pairing process begins simply by placing a new set of AirPods in proximity to an iPhone or iPad. The pairing process takes just a single tap on the device.

The design of the original AirPods and AirPods Generation 2 is identical on the outside for both the AirPods and the charging case. Internally, original AirPods use a W1 chip and AirPods Generation 2 use the H1 chip that adds the hands-free “Hey Siri” feature and better battery life.

The name, “AirPods with Charging Case,” differentiates this product from the “AirPods with Wireless Charging Case.” AirPods with Charging Case offered charging only with a Lightning connector cable. For an additional $40 at the time of purchase, the AirPods Wireless Charging Case allowed a user to “set the case down on a Qi-compatible charging mat and let it charge. The LED indicator on the front of the case lets you know that your AirPods are charging.” To purchase the Wireless Charging Case for AirPods separately cost $79.

When purchased online, Generation 2 AirPods also offered free case engraving. “Engrave an emoji, name, initials, phone number, or date. Only at Apple.”

Source: Apple (Wired, Wireless)

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Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band (42mm, Navy/Tahoe Blue, Stainless Steel Buckle, 2016)

The Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band was available from Spring 2016–Summer 2018. Woven Nylon bands were originally available in seven colors. The original colors included gold/red, gold/royal blue, royal blue, pink, pearl, scuba blue, and black. This band design was the first to include plastic connecting “lugs” to attach to the watch.

This Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band in Navy/Tahoe Blue was available during the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 seasons. This example fits the 42mm Apple Watch and had a Stainless Steel Buckle.

According to Apple:

“Every Woven Nylon band is made from over 500 threads woven together in a unique, colorful pattern. Monofilaments connect four layers of the weave to create a single durable band with a comfortable, fabric-like feel. Available in seven vibrant colors.”

Unlike the Apple Sport Loop bands that shipped with two sizes in one box, each Woven Nylon box included one size band with twelve notches. The 38mm version was designed to fit wrists 125–195mm, and the 42mm fit 145–215mm wrists.

Apple Watch Woven Nylon band styles were discontinued in Summer 2018.

Source: 9to5mac, Apple

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Apple Watch Series 6 (Red Aluminum Case, 44mm, GPS, 2020)

The Apple Watch Series 6 was nearly identical to the Series 5 models, but the Series 6 added some new internal features: faster chip, a new Blood Oxygen sensor (SpO2), and an altimeter that was always on. Externally, the Apple Watch Series 6 was available in colors including blue aluminum and (PRODUCT)RED aluminum, in addition to aluminum in space gray, gold, and silver; stainless steel in graphite, silver, and gold; and titanium and titanium space black.

This 44mm Apple Watch Series 6 is an aluminum (PRODUCT)RED model that shipped with a (PRODUCT)RED Sport Loop. This model has GPS capability, but it lacks the cellular capability of higher-end options.

Like all previous Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 6 uses a Digital Crown and a touch display. The screen is OLED at 368×448.

When purchased online at the Apple Store, the aluminum Apple Watch Series 6 models were available in four additional color combinations: Blue Apple Watch with Deep Navy Sport Band; Gold Apple Watch with Pink Sand Sport Band; Silver Apple Watch with White Sport Band; and Space Gray Apple Watch with Black Sport Band.

Along with the Apple Watch Series 6, two new band designs were released including the Apple Solo Loop, a soft and stretchable “liquid silicone” loop band with no mechanical closure; and an Apple Braided Solo Loop, a loop band made from stretchable, silicone-infused thread with no mechanical closure. Both the new loops were sold in sizes.

Source: Everymac, Apple

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Numeric Keypad (for original Macintosh, M0120, 1984)

When the original Macintosh was introduced in January 1984, this Numeric Keypad was also announced as an accessory for an additional $99. The keypad uses the same telephone-cord-like interface as the Macintosh to attach in a daisy chain to the keyboard or computer.

The exterior packaging, included with this example, uses a stylistically similar “Picasso” abstract rendering of the product and Apple logo as the packaging of the original Macintosh.

The interior packaging is white styrofoam with an embossed Apple logo.

Source: Wikipedia

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SIM-eject tool (from iPhone SE Generation 1, 2017)

Over the years, Apple has included a SIM-eject tool with iPhone and iPad models with a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) tray. Early Apple SIM eject tools were more substantially designed than this version and were made from an alloy named Liquidmetal.

This version of the SIM eject tool shipped with an iPhone SE (2017). While a previous version of the tool was solid, this SIM eject tool is essentially a bent wire. It is unknown as to whether this tool is made from Liquidmetal.

Interestingly, Apple’s official Support web pages refer to the “official” SIM-eject tool, but picture a bent paper clip in their how-to diagrams for removing SIM cards.

Sources: Mac Rumors, Apple

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iPad Smart Keyboard (for iPad Generation 7/8, unopened, 2019)

According to Apple’s website, “The Smart Keyboard is a full‑size keyboard made for iPad. It delivers a comfortable typing experience wherever you are and converts into a slim, durable front cover when you’re on the go.”

This keyboard uses Apple’s proprietary Smart connector so the keyboard does not require its own power. “Just attach the full-size Smart Keyboard to your iPad and start typing — no charging or pairing required. And when you’re finished, it folds up to become a slim, lightweight cover.”

The iPad Smart Keyboard is Apple’s first case-integrated keyboard for the base-model iPad. It is compatible with iPad (Generation 7 and 8), iPad Air (Generation 3), and iPad Pro 10.5‑inch.

Source: Apple (iPad Keyboards, iPad)

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iPhone 5c Case (Yellow, unopened, 2013)

The iPhone 5c Case was a unique design by Apple to protect the colorful and popular iPhone 5c. The case was made of silicone with a microfiber interior. It added a slight “lip” to the front of the case to protect the screen from contacting a surface when placed flat. This is a yellow example of the case unopened in the original packaging.

The case was available in the same colors as the iPhone 5c and also black: pink, yellow, blue, green, and white. Perhaps becuase the phones were made of polycarbonate, the case colors were somewhat more muted than the phone colors. The unique design of these cases includes a 5 x 7 grid of holes in the back of the case, allowing the iPhone color to show through. With five iPhone 5c colors and six cases, Apple noted that 30 color combinations were available; however, since most people only own and use one iPhone at a time, the number of combinations was likely only six for most users.

Many reviewers noted that the hole pattern in the case obscured the “iPhone” product name and changed it to read “hon.”

Source: MacWorld

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iPhone 11 Pro Max Clear Case (2019)

The iPhone 11 Pro Max Clear Case is made for the iPhone 11 Pro Max and was touted as “Thin, light, and easy to grip.” According to Apple’s website:

“Made from a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and flexible TPU materials, the iPhone 11 Clear Case provides a solid, comfortable feel. The back is designed to be sturdy, while the sides are made from a softer, more flexible material that fits right over the buttons for an improved grip. And when it’s time to wirelessly charge, just leave the case on and set your iPhone on your Qi-certified charger. On the surface, a scratch-resistant coating has been applied to both the interior and exterior. And all materials and coatings are optimized to prevent yellowing over time.”

This is the case I used with my personal Midnight Green iPhone 11 Pro Max so I could fully enjoy the color of the iPhone while getting adequate protection. Although I seldom subject my personal iPhone to extreme conditions, I did have an unfortunate accident that tested this case while on an outdoor walk. The iPhone slipped out of my pocket on a steep, muddy hill, and the case protected well as it slid down a muddy and rocky hill. The case was scratched, but the iPhone remained completely unscathed.

Source: Apple