The Apple Watch Series 3 models looked identical to the Apple Watch models before them (original, Series 1, and Series 2), were available in the same sizes (38 mm and 42 mm), but were more powerful. The Series 3 had a faster processor, GPS, a barometric altimeter, and Siri support. This Apple Watch Series 3 is a Space Gray, 42 mm model.
The Series 3 Apple watch was the first to offer cellular service as an option, although this model is the GPS-only version. Apple described the Series 3 Watch in a press release:
“The third-generation Apple Watch is an amazing health and fitness companion with intelligent coaching features, water resistance 50 meters and a new barometric altimeter that measures relative elevation. Apple Watch Series 3 comes in two models, one with GPS and cellular, and one with GPS, both featuring a 70 percent faster dual-core processor and new wireless chip.”
This Apple Watch had a 312×390 OLED screen with Ion-X glass and a 7000 series anodized aluminum housing. Apple estimated the battery life at “up to 18 hours.”
The Apple Watch Series 3 used Apple’s S3 processor, “which allows for quicker app launch times and smoother graphics, and, for the first time, enables Siri to speak using the built-in speaker.” It also included a new W2 wireless chip that made Wi-Fi 85% faster and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 50% more power efficient. The watch shipped with watchOS 4.
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.”
The iPhone 8 was announced September 12, 2017, at the same time as the iPhone X (iPhone ten). Except for a glass back (replacing a metal back), the iPhone 8 (and the iPhone 8 Plus) were similar in design to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models that preceded them. The iPhone 8 was arguably eclipsed by the iPhone X with Apple’s first edge-to-edge screen with no Home button and a design that hinted at future designs of iPhone and iPad devices.
The iPhone 8 had a 4.7-inch Retina HD touchscreen (1334×750 at 326 ppi). Its solid-state Home button used Apple’s Taptic engine and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Its front camera was a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, and its back camera was a 12-megapixel 4K camera with a six-element lens system with augmented reality (AR) support.
The iPhone 8 was first offered in gold (white front with gold glass back), silver (white front with silver glass back), and space gray (black front with dark gray glass back), and Apple later added a (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition model (black front with a red glass back).
Internally, the iPhone 8 used an A11 Bionic processor with six cores, 2 GB RAM, and was offered in storage options of 64, 128, and 256 GB. Wireless connections included 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE (4G), and NFC (Apple Pay). Its only wired connection was the Lightning port (the headphone jack had been removed from the previous iPhone 7 models).
Qi wireless charging was also introduced with the iPhone 8—and also the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, introduced at the same time.
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 10.5-inch iPad Pro in 2017, they described it as having “the world’s most advanced display and breakthrough performance.” This 10.5-inch iPad Pro was released along with a similar 12.9-inch pro model.
Apple’s press release described the features in detail:
“Apple today introduced an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro and a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, featuring the world’s most advanced display with ProMotion technology and incredible performance with the new A10X Fusion chip. The new 10.5-inch model reduces the borders by nearly 40 percent to fit into an incredibly compact package that still weighs just one pound. Combined with powerful new iPad features in iOS 11 coming this fall, like the all-new Files app, customizable Dock, improved multitasking and deeper integration of Apple Pencil, iPad Pro gives users the ability to be even more productive and creative.”
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro (model A1701) was available in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold. It was originally priced at US$649 for the 64GB with Wi-Fi model and US$$779 for the 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
This iPad was 9.8 inches high, 6.8 inches wide, 0.24 inch deep, and weighed 1.03 pounds. Its touch screen was 10.5-inch (diagonal) with an LED-backlit Multi-Touch display, at 2224×1668 resolution (264ppi).
This 10.5-inch iPad Pro is a WiFi version with 64GB in Space Gray.
The original Apple Watch SE was released on September 15, 2020, and was described as “The ultimate combination of design, function, and value.” The Apple Watch SE was released with the Apple Watch 6 as an entry-level model. At the event, Apple COO Jeff Williams said, “Apple Watch SE combines elements of the Series 6 design with the most essential features of Apple Watch, all at a more affordable price.”
This version of the Apple Watch SE is an Apple Watch Nike version. The non-Nike version was available in silver, space gray, and gold aluminum, while the Nike version was available only in silver and space gray aluminum. This example is space gray aluminum and shipped with the Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band.
Apple noted in the press release:
“Apple Watch SE features the same accelerometer, gyroscope, and always-on altimeter as Apple Watch Series 6, and with the latest motion sensors and microphone, it offers robust health and safety capabilities including fall detection, Emergency SOS, international emergency calling, and the Noise app.”
The Apple Watch SE used the S5 System in Package (SiP) and dual-core processor. Like all Apple Watch models, it used a Digital Crown with haptic feedback.
This 44mm Apple Watch SE had a 368 x 448 pixel display with an area of 977 square mm. It used a Retina LTPO OLED display with 1000 nits brightness.
Its wireless connectivity included LTE and UMTS5 (GPS+Cellular model), Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz), and Bluetooth 5.0.
The dimensions of the 44mm watch were 44mm high, 38mm wide, and 10.7mm deep. This 44mm GPS+Cellular model weighed 36.36g.
The iPhone X was introduced ten years after the original iPhone and was described by Apple as “the future of the smartphone.” The iPhone used “X” in its name, pronounced “ten,” as a nod to Mac OS X—which also used the Roman numeral X and marked a major milestone in the evolution of the Mac operating system.
The iPhone X was announced on September 12, 2017, at the same time as the lower-cost iPhone 8, Apple’s base iPhone at the time. Somewhat curiously, Apple skipped the iPhone 9 model and continued naming its iPhone models after the iPhone X with typical numerals.
The iPhone X introduced many firsts, including:
It was the first iPhone to use “a gorgeous all-glass design with a beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display,” removing the Home button and replacing it with a swipe-up from the bottom to unlock.
The iPhone X was the first iPhone with an “all-screen” display. It used the “first OLED panel that rises to the standards of iPhone…for a more natural, paper-like viewing experience.”
The iPhone X was the first to use FaceID to unlock, authenticate, and make payments. This technology was enabled by a “TrueDepth camera” that was “made up of a dot projector, infrared camera and flood illuminator…powered by A11 Bionic to accurately map and recognize a face.”
The TrueDepth camera also allowed the iPhone X to bring “emoji to life in a fun new way with Animoji.” The camera “captures and analyzes over 50 different facial muscle movements, then animates those expressions in a dozen different Animoji, including a panda, unicorn and robot.”
The iPhone X was the first iPhone to offer wireless charging using the Qi standard. “The glass back design enables a world-class wireless charging solution.”
This iPhone introduced a “notch” design at the top-center to allow the display to stretch “edge-to-edge” and allow a place for the front camera system. The design choice was polarizing. The Verge wrote that “There’s a mix of surprise, sarcasm, and intrigue that Apple has chosen to go with a screen layout that leads to design compromises,” and added the oft-repeated speculation that “Steve Jobs would have never let that happen.”
The iPhone X was available in two colors, silver and space gray, and offered 64GB and 256GB storage options. This example is silver. The sides of the phone were described as “surgical-grade stainless steel [that] seamlessly wraps around and reinforces iPhone X.”
The Super Retina HD display was 5.8-inches diagonal at 2436 x 1125 resolution (458ppi). The device measured 5.65 inches (143.6 mm) high x 2.79 inches (70.9 mm) wide x 0.30 inch (7.7 mm) deep, and weighed 6.14 ounces (174 grams). Its A11 Bionic chip included a Neural engine that enabled artificial intelligence machine learning.
The iPhone X camera system featured a 6‑element lens with 12 Megapixel wide-angle and telephoto cameras. Portrait mode on the iPhone X introduced Portrait Lighting (listed as a “beta” feature in specifications). Other camera features included panorama (up to 63MP), autofocus, tap to focus, auto HDR (photos), auto image stabilization, burst mode, and geotagging. It could record video at 4K (24, 30, or 60fps), 1080p HD (30 or 60fps), or 720p HD (30fps) with features including optical image stabilization, slo‑mo video (1080p at 120 or 240 fps), cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p), and continuous autofocus. The front TrueDepth camera offered 7 Megapixel resolution, portrait mode, Portrait Lighting (beta), Animoji, and recorded video at 1080p HD.
The iPhone X included 6 sensors, including Face ID, barometer, 3-axis gyro, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and an ambient light sensor.
Like previous iPhone models, the iPhone X included a set of custom wallpapers, two of which were featured on the product’s packaging and prominently in advertisements. 9to5Mac reported that Spanish artist Ana Montiel created the art that inspired the iPhone X wallpaper set:
“‘Fields’ is the title of Montiel’s series of paintings and exhibit that explore ‘altered states of consciousness as vehicles to go beyond the easily perceived.’ The original digital paintings were transferred to canvas and museum quality prints, and the styling came to life this past fall when Apple introduced the iPhone X with three new live wallpapers…”
The Montiel work that most closely represents one of her original works was used on the Space Gray iPhone X packaging, titled “FIELDS 9 : Tactile Irreality” (2017), an archival pigment print measuring 100x70cm. I am honored to own one of Montiel’s original prints. The iPhone X version of FIELDS 9 uses an aspect ratio to fit the iPhone screen, and it is flipped upside-down from the original, presumably to allow the time and date to be optimally displayed on the iPhone. I have opted to hang it in its original format.
The iPad Generation 5 was released on March 21, 2017, and was described as having a “stunning Retina display and incredible performance.” It was offered in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray. It was available in 32GB and 128GB configurations with WI-Fi-only or with Wi-Fi+Cellular capabilities. This example is a 32GB Space Gray Wi-Fi-only model.
In a press release, Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said:
“iPad is the world’s most popular tablet. Customers love the large, 9.7-inch display for everything from watching TV and movies, to surfing the web, making FaceTime calls, and enjoying photos… New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school, and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip, and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it.”
It used a 9.7-inch LED-backlit Multi-Touch Retina display at 2048 x 1536-pixel resolution (264 ppi). This iPad measured 9.4 inches (240 mm) x 6.6 inches (169.5 mm), and was 0.29 inch (7.5 mm) thick. It weighed 1.03 pounds (469 g). This iPad was powered by the A9 Fusion chip.
The back camera was 8 Megapixels with features such as Autofocus, Panorama (up to 43 megapixels), and HDR. The front FaceTime HD Camera was 1.2 Megapixels.
It used five sensors including Touch ID, a 3-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, and an ambient light sensor. Its Home button used the Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor.
The iPad Generation 5 originally shipped with iOS 11.
The Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band was available from 2016–2019. This band design was the first to include plastic connecting “lugs” to attach to the watch.
This Black Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band was available beginning in Fall 2017. This example fits the 42 mm Apple Watch. Although this band is called “black,” it is primarily gray. It has a Space Gray Stainless Steel Buckle and features three thick stripes in gray and dark gray with the edges in black.
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 38 mm version was designed to fit wrists 125–195 mm, and the 42 mm fit 145–215 mm wrists.
No new Apple Watch Woven Nylon band styles were introduced after Summer 2018.
This arguably confusing adapter used a “male” USB-C connector and a “female” Thunderbolt port (mini-HDMI) to allow some (but not all) data and display configurations (even if the ports were present on devices).
The Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter connected Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 devices (e.g., external hard drives/Thunderbolt docks to Thunderbolt 3 [USB-C]/USB 4 ports) on a Mac. It could also be used as a bidirectional adapter to connect “Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port and macOS Sierra or later.” It could also “be used to connect Thunderbolt-enabled displays — such as the Apple Thunderbolt Display and LG Thunderbolt 2 displays — to any of the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) / USB 4 ports on your Mac. However, using this adapter with an Apple Thunderbolt Display requires a power source, because the display does not provide power through the adapter.”
The adapter did not support “DisplayPort displays like the Apple LED Cinema Display or third-party DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort displays.”
On August 16, 2021, Macworld, warned in their article, “How to connect an external display” that “This one can eat up a chunk of your budget, because there are so many different types of display connectors. Be prepared to buy several adapters.”
