Tag: 2018

Posted on

Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, PRODUCT(RED) Generation 2, Fall 2019)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (40mm) and 145–220mm wrists (44mm).

This PRODUCT(RED) band used two base colors of red and violet (with red accents). Both edges were accented in bright red. The plastic connectors and closure were red. As of 2021 Three Sport Loop PRODUCT(RED) designs had been released. This version is Generation 2.

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.”

As of 2021, Apple had been partnering with PRODUCT(RED) for 14 years. According to the dedicated PRODUCT(RED) web page:

“For 14 years, our partnership with (RED) has led to almost $250 million in donations to fund HIV/AIDS treatment programs. Now through June 30, Apple is working with (RED) to redirect 100 percent of eligible proceeds from (PRODUCT)RED purchases to the Global Fund’s COVID‑19 Response. This will provide critical support to health systems most threatened by the outbreak and, in turn, help preserve lifesaving HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Source: Apple (Sport Loop, PRODUCT(RED))

Posted on

T-shirt, Ignite creativity (heather green, 2018)

This shirt was given to Apple Distinguished Educators who attended the 2018 Worldwide ADE Institute in Austin, Texas. The shirt is in bright heather green and is printed in three places. On the front-center, the shirt features the words “Ignite creativity.” The left sleeve is printed with “Worldwide ADE Institute 2018 Austin, Texas.” The back of the shirt in the top-center includes the Apple Distinguished Educator logo.

The shirt was made by BELLA+CANVAS in Nicaragua of US components. The fabric is 50% polyester, 25% cotton, and 25% rayon. The size is 2XL.

I was honored to receive this shirt as member of the Apple Distinguished Educator program. I am in the ADE Class of 2007.

Posted on

Event badge (2018)

On March 27, 2018, Apple held an education event at Lane Tech College Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The event was invitation-only and when attendees checked in, they were given a color-coded badge. The color on the badge assisted with auditorium seating during the event.

The event began with a keynote by Tim Cook and others that focused on Apple’s commitment to education, as well as apps and services used by schools. Specific topics included Apple’s part in the ConnectED initiative, the release of a new Generation 5 9.7-inch iPad with support for Apple Pencil (and Logitech Crayon), major updates to Apple’s Schoolwork and Classroom apps, and examples from teachers using Swift Playgrounds in the classroom.

After the keynote, attendees were invited into Lane Tech classrooms to test out and see products and services.

I attended this event live and after the keynote, I found myself in the room with Apple CEO Tim Cook. He was interviewed by Chicago news outlets and later spoke with Chicago’s governor at the time, Bruce Rauner.

This event badge measures 9.5 x 6.5 cm and is clipped to a black nylon lanyard. It is printed on thick paper (similar to a photo matte) and embossed with a “recycle” symbol. The Apple logo printed on both sides and the edges of the badge are teal.

Source: Apple

Posted on

Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, Cape Cod Blue, 2018)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band is woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. They were available for the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–190mm wrists.

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band has been available in several styles, including (PRODUCT)RED, Spicy Orange, Nectarine, Electric Pink, Hibiscus, Hot Pink, Pink Sand, Flash Light, Flash, Marine Green, Tahoe Blue, Cape Cod Blue, Midnight Blue, Indigo, Dark Olive, Storm Gray, Black, and Seashell.

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.”

This Cape Cod Blue Sport Loop has an overall bright bright blue appearance, but is comprised of a bright blue base color with light blue and dark blue accents. This example also includes unboxing photos, and the internal packaging includes installation instructions.

Source: Apple

Posted on

Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop (44mm, Olive Flak, 2018)

This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2018. The packaging described this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”

The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations that matched one or more Nike shoe or clothing products upon release. Style names have included Bright Crimson/Black, Pearl Pink, Smokey Mauve, Midnight Fog, Celestial Teal, Cargo Khaki, Black/Pure Platinum, Black, Summit White, Desert Sand/Volt, Pink Blast/True Berry, Royal Pulse/Lava Glow, and Summit White. This example is Olive Flak. Most Nike styles tended to use an “interpretive” word in addition to a color, while Apple styles were arguably more concise, color-focused names.

Apple described the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:

“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”

Source: Apple

Posted on

iPhone XR (packaging, 2018, 2020)

In 2020 Apple made a major change to its iPhone 12 packaging when they stopped including Lightning headphones and a wall power “brick” charger in the box at the time of an iPhone purchase. With these items removed, Apple was able to reduce the size of the iPhone box and reduce the extra packaging associated with the headphones and charger. It was announced that the iPhone 12 would ship only with the phone and a USB-C-to-Lightning charging cable.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, announced at an October 2020 Apple event, “Customers already have over 700 million Lightning headphones, and many customers have moved to a wireless experience with AirPods, Beats, or other wireless headphones. And there are also over 2 billion Apple power adapters out in the world, and that’s not counting the billions of third-party adapters. So we are removing these items from the iPhone box.”

With the iPhone 12 announcement, I was not at all expecting this packaging change to also affect older, but still manufactured iPhone models. At the time of the iPhone 12 release, Apple was still offering the iPhone XR as a lower-end and less expensive iPhone option. Surprisingly, the iPhone XR packaging was also reduced in size and shipped without the headphones and charger. Also, the cable was switched to a USB-C-to-Lightning, replacing the former USB-to-Lightning option.

While the change may contribute to some environmental benefits, the situation was not universally accepted as positive. Some critics noted that, “The move saves the company money, but some of the environmental benefits could be offset by people buying earbuds and chargers separately” (The Verge). From a practical standpoint, some users—namely enterprise, government, and school districts like mine—had not switched to USB-C when this decision was made. As Apple indicated, it is likely that most users likely already have more than one charger and at least one set of Lightning headphones.

The photos here represent my school district’s iPhone XR upgrade affected mid-stream—where iPhone XR models purchased before October 2020 used “classic” packaging, and devices purchased in late-October/November 2020 unexpectedly used the new packaging without an announcement or warning.

Sources: AppleInsider, The Verge

Posted on

Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop (44mm, Celestial Teal, 2018)

This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2018. The packaging describes this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”

The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations, including Bright Crimson/Black, Pearl Pink, Smokey Mauve, Midnight Fog, Celestial Teal, Olive Flak, Cargo Khaki, Black/Pure Platinum, Black, Summit White, Desert Sand/Volt, Pink Blast/True Berry, Royal Pulse/Lava Glow, Summit White, and Black.

Apple describes the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:

“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”

This example includes photos of the packaging and box opening. The interior packaging shows installation instructions.

Source: Apple

Posted on

Apple Watch Sport Loop (44 mm, Pride, Fall 2018)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band is woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. They are available for the 38/40 mm and 42/44 mm Apple Watch models, and are offered in Regular size to fit 130–190 mm wrists. A Black Sport Loop was offered in size XL.

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band has been available in several styles, including (PRODUCT)RED, Spicy Orange, Nectarine, Electric Pink, Hibiscus, Hot Pink, Pink Sand, Flash Light, Flash, Marine Green, Tahoe Blue, Cape Cod Blue, Midnight Blue, Indigo, Dark Olive, Storm Gray, Black, and Seashell. Close inspection of original styles reveal that designs are comprised of a base color and one or more accent colors; for example, Indigo uses a dark blue base color with accent threads in white, red, and purple. Newer styles use a two-tone design with one or more accent colors, including Pomegranate, Khaki, Alaskan Blue, Anchor Gray, Camel, Midnight Blue, and an alternate 2019 (PRODUCT)RED design; for example, Camel features a tan side and a yellow side with light gray accents. This Pride design features the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ flag.

Apple describes 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.”

This is Apple’s fourth version of the Pride design. The original Pride band, the most rare, was gifted to the Apple employees who participated in the June 2016 San Francisco Pride Parade. According to 9to5Mac, the original Pride band was a “rainbow colored nylon strap and red lugs” that was distributed with a pamphlet that read, “This limited-edition band is a symbol of our commitment to equality and we hope you’ll wear it with pride.” Apple began selling the second Pride Edition design in Spring 2016 in Apple’s Woven Nylon style. In Summer 2018 a third Pride Edition Band was offered in the Woven Nylon style, but featured the LGBT flag colors on a white background. In June 2019 this fourth version of the Pride design returned to the original rainbow design, but the band style was changed to the Sport Loop.

This example is an unopened June 2019 Apple Sport Loop Pride Edition in the 44 mm size. Since Apple has sold this band, they have donated some of the proceeds of Apple Watch Pride Edition bands to LGBTQ organizations:

“Apple is proud to support LGBTQ advocacy organizations working to bring about positive change, including GLSEN, PFLAG, The Trevor Project, Gender Spectrum, and The National Center for Transgender Equality in the U.S., and ILGA internationally. A portion of the proceeds from Pride Edition band sales will benefit their important efforts.”

Sources: Apple, iMore, 9to5Mac (2016, 2019)