Category: Accessory

Posted on

QuickTake 150 (1995)

The QuickTake 150 was Apple’s second consumer digital camera, replacing the QuickTake 100. The camera was built by Kodak and had a resolution of 640×480 pixels at maximum resolution (0.3 Megapixels). 

Compared to the QuickTake 100 before it, the QuickTake 150 could store 16 full-resolution images (instead of 8) and could connect to a Windows computer. Further, the QuickTake 150 included a clip-on close-up lens.

In my experience as a school Technology Director, we used QuickTake 100, 150, and 200 digital cameras extensively for class projects. They were relatively easy to use and connected to a Mac serial port for quick transfer to the Mac. Although the QuickTake line was not the first digital camera, it was among the first successful consumer cameras available.

This QuickTake 150 camera is shown both with and without its protective black leather case. The case was very comfortable and made the camera difficult to drop with its Velcro strap.

Several other accessories were also available for the QuickTake 150. These included a black leather case with an embossed Apple logo, a shoulder strap for the leather case, a neck strap for the QuickTake 150, and a wide-angle lens for the QuickTake 150 in its original protective wrap inside its vinyl case.

Source: Wikipedia.com

Posted on

iPod Socks (2004)

iPod Socks were arguably among the most unusual accessories created and sold by Apple. While visually interesting, their functionality and user interface are questionable because they provide limited protection and allow no access to iPod controls. 

When Steve Jobs introduced iPod Socks in 2004, even he seemed unconvinced, saying tongue-in-cheek that Apple was introducing “a revolutionary new product for your iPod.” Among other descriptions, Jobs noted that iPod Socks “keep your iPod warm on cold days,” all while the audience laughed along with his description of the product. 

Six Socks were released in November 2004 (in time for the holidays) in six colors: gray, pink, blue, green, purple, and orange. They retailed for $29.

The Socks were knit from cotton and each had a two-sided logo tag with an Apple icon on one side and an iPod logo on the other. When they were released, the box specified that they were compatible with all iPods. At the time, that included iPod Generation 1–4, iPod mini, iPod photo, and iPod shuffle.

These were so unusual that I wanted an example for my collection. Unfortunately, my iPod socks shipped incomplete from an Amazon third party, missing the gray sock.

Source: iLounge.com

Posted on

World Travel Adapter Kit (2015)

The World Travel Adapter Kit includes seven plugs with prongs that fit the different electrical outlet types found around the world. The plugs work with iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac laptops using Apple USB-C Power Adapters; MagSafe/MagSafe 2 Power Adapters; 10W and 12W USB Power Adapters; and Portable Power Adapters.

AC power outlets supported include: North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil.

This version of the World Travel Adapter Kit was released in 2015 and revised from the previous version by removing the iOS cable. According to MacRumors.com, “The new kit that Apple’s selling no longer includes a 30-pin to USB cable, and rather than adding a Lightning to USB cable, Apple has instead opted to ship the kit with no cable and drop the price by $10. ” The price for this kit was $29.

Source: Apple, MacRumors.com

Posted on

Apple Watch (original, 42 mm, silver stainless steel with black leather loop, 2015) and Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock

On September 9, 2014, Apple announced the Apple Watch and called it its “most personal device ever—featuring revolutionary new technologies and a pioneering user interface with a beautiful design.” The Watch debuted the Digital Crown that Apple described as the “most revolutionary navigation tool since the iPod Click Wheel and iPhone Multi-Touch.”

The original Apple Watch required that the user pair it with an iPhone 5 or later and carry the iPhone 5 to access all of the Watch’s functions.

The original stainless steel Apple Watch models were sold in ten configurations:

  • silver stainless steel body with white Sport Band
  • silver stainless steel body with black Sport Band
  • silver stainless steel body with black classic buckle leather band
  • silver stainless steel body with Milanese loop
  • silver stainless steel body with black leather loop
  • silver stainless steel body with bright blue leather Loop
  • silver stainless steel body with stone leather loop
  • silver stainless steel body with light brown leather loop
  • silver stainless steel body with stainless steel link bracelet
  • space black stainless steel body with space black stainless steel link bracelet

In addition to the Digital Crown, the original Apple Watch had a Retina display with Force Touch capability. The 42 mm Apple Watch featured a 312×390 display with a protective sapphire crystal layer with a zirconia ceramic back and sapphire crystal lenses that connected to the wireless charger.

My original stainless steel Apple Watch was boxed with a black classic buckle leather band, but the Apple Store allowed me to swap the band for a black leather loop band because the classic buckle did not fit my wrist.

Also pictured is the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, a 4.1-inch diameter charging pad for the Apple Watch that uses the same inductive charging connector that comes with Apple Watch. According to Apple, “you can charge your Apple Watch in a flat position with its band open, or on its side. When docked on its side, your watch automatically goes into Nightstand mode, so you can also use it as your alarm clock.”

Sources: EveryMac.com, Apple.com (announcement, charging dock)

Posted on

iPad (original, 3G, 16 GB, 2010) and iPad Keyboard Dock

In a January 27, 2010 press release issued by Apple, the company announced the iPad and described it as, “a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more.” It was described by Steve Jobs as, “a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price” that “defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

At the time of its release, the iPad could run the 140,000 apps on the App Store and iTunes content including 11 million songs, 50,000 TV episodes, and over 8,000 films. Apple had also recently announced the iBookstore (now called Apple Books) and a new version of iWork for iPad (including Pages, Keynote, and Numbers).

The original iPad used a 9.7-inch multitouch display (1024×768 at 132 ppi) and ran the same operating system as iPhone, which at the time was referred to as iPhone OS 3.2.

Internally, the original iPad had a 1 GHz Apple A4 processor; 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage; 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi; an accelerometer; an ambient light sensor; a digital compass; GPS; two mono speakers; and a built-in microphone. The iPad was 0.5 inches thick and weighed 1.6 pounds.

This iPad model also had 3G wireless data support. The Wi-Fi version of the iPad was released in March 2010, and this 3G wireless data version was released a month later in April 2010.

The keyboard on the iPad Keyboard Dock measures 11 inches wide, 4.5 inches deep, and stands 0.65 inch tall toward the back, sloping to 0.25 inch at the spacebar. A white plastic dock is fused to the back of the keyboard making the device a total depth of 7.25 inches and 2 inches tall. The dock weighs 1.4 pounds.

Although the keyboard resembles the Mac keyboards of the time, the escape and function buttons found at the top of a Mac keyboard were replaced with 13 keys that control iPad-specific features, including: home screen, search, brightness, picture frame, onscreen keyboard toggle, music track control, volume, and screen lock. Each function is represented by an icon.

Sources: EveryMac.com, Apple.com, Cnet.com

Posted on

iPad (Generation 3, cellular, 32 GB, white, 2012) with iPad Smart Case (green)

The iPad Generation 3 was significantly more powerful than the two previous iPad models and introduced the “Retina” display, a 9.7-inch multitouch screen at 2048×1536 (264 ppi). Internally it used a dual-core 1 GHz Apple A5X processor with quad core graphics; 1 GB of RAM; 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage; a rear-mounted 5 megapixel iSight camera (1080p); a front-mounted FaceTime camera; 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0.

This specific iPad model supported 4G LTE connectivity on Verizon’s network in the US.

According to Cult of Mac, the iPad Generation 3 had the “shortest lifespan of any iPad in history. Apple debuted the fourth-gen model just 221 days after the iPad 3 went on sale. The iPad 4 added the Lightning connector, making the iPad 3 the last iPad to support the old 30-pin dock connector.”

The Smart Case for was made of polyurethane and fit several iPad models including iPad 2 (2nd generation), iPad (3rd generation), and iPad with retina display. The Smart Case offered full protection and the cover was magnetic so when the case was open the iPad woke up and automatically went to sleep when closed.

The interior of the case was made of a soft, color-matched microfiber lining that helped keep the display clean. By folding the cover into a triangle, Apple advertised the case positions as a “FaceTime and movie stand” while upright and a keyboard stand to “tilt iPad into a comfortable typing position” when flat.

Sources: EveryMac.com, Cult of Mac

Posted on

iPhone (original, 16 GB, 2007) and iPhone Bluetooth Headset (2007) and Dock

The original iPhone was officially announced on January 9, 2007, and was released on June 29, 2007. The original iPhone was available in 4, and 8 GB capacities, with a 16 GB capacity released on February 5, 2008. Soon after the original release, Apple dropped iPhone prices by $100. As a concession to early adopters (after criticism), Apple offered a $100 store credit. I used my store credit to purchase the $99 Apple Bluetooth Headset.

The original iPhone introduced the “multi-touch” display that allowed control by dragging one or more fingers across the glass display, although no interface controls required multiple fingers in the iPhone OS 1.0. This iPhone has sensors including an accelerometer (to detect landscape or portrait orientation), an ambient light sensor (to control screen brightness), and a proximity sensor (to turn off the display when held to the ear).

Other features include Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 2.0 megapixel camera. The case is 2.4 inches by 4.5 inches, is 0.46-inch thick, and weighs 4.8 ounces.

Source: EveryMac.com and AppleInsider.