Category: Accessory

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Apple Pencil USB-C (2023)

In October 2023, Apple released this new Apple Pencil USB-C model. At the time, this was the third Apple Pencil in the lineup. Apple described the Apple Pencil USB-C:

“Today, Apple is bringing more choice to iPad users with a new, more affordable Apple Pencil. With pixel-perfect accuracy, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, the new Apple Pencil is ideal for note taking, sketching, annotating, journaling, and more. Designed with a matte finish and a flat side that magnetically attaches to the side of iPad for storage, the new Apple Pencil pairs and charges with a USB-C cable.”

This Apple Pencil added the hover feature on M2 iPad models, “allowing users to sketch and illustrate with even greater precision.” The USB-C version of the Apple Pencil also added a new charging method to the Apple Pencil family—this time by sliding the end of the Pencil to reveal a USB-C charging port that both charges and pairs the Pencil.

The original Apple Pencil also used wired charging/pairing via Lightning port, while the Apple Pencil 2 used magnetic wireless charging/pairing. This Apple Pencil USB-C uses magnets to attach to the side of compatible iPad models for storage (like the Apple Pencil 2), but it does not charge.

As of June 2024, this Apple Pencil USB-C was compatible with the following iPad models:

  • iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
  • iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
  • iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
  • iPad (10th generation)
  • iPad mini (6th generation)
  • iPad Air (4th or 5th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th generation)

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Product, Compatibility)

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Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, Cellular, Green Aluminum, Clover Sport Band, 2021)

The Apple Watch Series 7 is similar to the Series 6 that preceded it, but has a larger, edge-to-edge display, a more durable case, and faster charging capabilities. Like all previous Apple Watch models, the Series 7 uses Apple’s Digital Crown and a touch display with haptic feedback. Apple described the Series 7 as having “a reengineered Always-On Retina display with significantly more screen area and thinner borders.”

The Series 7 introduced two new sizes, 45mm and 41mm. This example uses a 45mm display. The display is a 396×484 LTPO OLED (approximately 1.9 inches) and is “Always On.” The display is protected by Apple’s scratch-resistant Ion-X glass.

Apple described the color choices:

“Apple Watch Series 7 introduces five beautiful new aluminum case finishes, including midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and (PRODUCT)RED, along with a range of new band colors and styles. Stainless steel models are available in silver, graphite, and gold stainless steel, along with Apple Watch Edition in titanium and space black titanium.”

The Apple Watch Series 7 has a ceramic and sapphire crystal back. Upon release, Apple offered eleven pre-configured options:

  • Green Aluminum with Clover Sport Band
  • Starlight Aluminum with Starlight Sport Band
  • Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Band
  • Blue Aluminum with Abyss Blue Sport Band
  • (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with Red Sport Band
  • Gold Stainless Steel with Dark Cherry Sport Band
  • Gold Stainless Steel with Gold Milanese Loop
  • Silver Stainless Steel with Starlight Sport Band
  • Silver Stainless Steel with Silver Milanese Loop
  • Graphite Stainless Steel with Abyss Blue Sport Loop
  • Graphite Stainless Steel with Graphite Milanese Loop

Two aluminum Apple Watch Series 7 Nike options were available at release as pre-configured options:

  • Starlight Aluminum with Platinum/Black Sport Band
  • Midnight Aluminum with Anthracite/Black Sport Band

Two Apple Watch Series 7 Hermès options were available at release:

  • Space Black Stainless Steel case with patterned blue and black leather Circuit H Single Tour Band
  • Silver Stainless Steel case with brown leather Single Tour Deployment Buckle

In addition to the included Hermès-designed bands, Apple Watch Series 7 Hermès devices with black housings include a black Hermes Sport Band and models with silver housings include an orange Hermes Sport Band.

This example is cellular 45mm Green Aluminum and shipped with a Clover (medium green) Sport Band. The cellular version of the Apple Watch can send and receive calls without a tethered iPhone for an additional cost of about $10 per month.

Sources: Apple, EveryMac

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AirPort Extreme (Generation 3, Apple Service part, Early 2009)

According to Apple, this AirPort Extreme (Generation 3) provided “simultaneous dual-band wireless 802.11n networking. When you set up your AirPort Extreme Base Station, it creates two high-speed Wi-Fi networks.”

The AirPort Extreme Generation 3 had 5 ports:

  • 1 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN) port (for DSL/cable modem)
  • 3 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) (for Ethernet devices, such as printers or computers)
  • 1 USB port (for a USB printer, hard disk, or hub)

This device is packaged as an Apple Service part and does not include the retail packaging. The box, labeled Part Number 661-4908, contains the three parts needed to repair or replace the device including a power adapter, a power plug (North America), and a base station.

This AirPort Extreme model was available for less than 8 months before it was replaced by the Generation 4 model. It measured 6.5 x 6.5 inches square and was 1.3 inches tall. It weighed 1.66 pounds.

Sources: Apple (manuals), Wikipedia

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iPod photo AV cable (2004)

The iPod photo AV cable (product number M9765G/A) was released in 2004, and at the time it was “Compatible with iPod photo.” According to Apple, this cable had the following features:

  • Provides composite A/V output for viewing photo slideshows with music on a TV
  • Connects your iPod to your TV, stereo, or powered speakers
  • Connects via the headphone port on your iPod or line-out port on your iPod Universal Dock (not included)

In 2005 Apple repackaged this product in a black box under the name “iPod AV Cable” using the same part number. The updated box read, “Compatible with all iPod models with color display.”

Sources: Apple (Identify your iPod model), Best Buy

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iPhone 11 Pro Max Leather Case (black, 2019)

The Leather Case for the iPhone 11 Pro Max was made from “specially tanned and finished European leather, so the outside feels soft to the touch and develops a natural patina over time.” The case included “machined aluminum buttons match the finish of your leather case, while a microfiber lining inside helps protect your iPhone.”

The iPhone 11 Pro Max allowed wireless charging using the Qi charging standard of the time. This leather case was designed to allow wireless charging to pass through the case. (However, the case did not include Apple’s built-in MageSafe wireless charging—it was released a year later along with the iPhone 12.)

This iPhone 11 Pro Max Leather Case is black.

Sources: Apple, Wikipedia

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Leather Sleeve for 15-inch MacBook Pro (black, 2018)

This Apple-designed leather sleeve (part number MTEJ2ZM/A) is made for the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro. Apple described the sleeve:

“The black Apple Leather Sleeve is designed for the Apple 15.4-inch MacBook Pro. The sleeve is made of European leather with a soft microfiber lining.”

Apple adds that “The design of this sleeve allows you to charge your 15-inch MacBook while keeping it protected.”

On September 12, 2023, Apple announced that they would end “the use of leather across all of its product lines.” Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, said: “At Apple, we have a longstanding and proven commitment to leading the fight against climate change. Our focus on renewable energy and low-carbon design has already driven industry-leading emissions reductions, and we’re not slowing down.”

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Abyss Blue, 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 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.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Smart Folio for iPad (Generation 10, Sky, 2022)

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.

Source: Apple

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Smart Keyboard for 10.5-inch iPad Pro (2017)

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.”

Source: Apple, 9to5Mac

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Powered Speaker with Apple Distinguished Educator logo (orange, c. 2011)

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.

Source: Apple (ADE), Wikipedia