Tag: 2023

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Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (Bright Orange, 45 mm, Size 12, Spring 2023)

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. Created by weaving 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads using advanced, precision-braiding machinery, then laser cutting the band to an exact length for a custom fit. The band offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat and water resistant.”

The color of this band is Bright Orange. It was available in 41 mm and 45 mm widths. The 41 mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45 mm 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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Hello Screen T-Shirt (black shirt, multicolor print, 2XL, 2023)

This black T-shirt featured a 4-bit version of the original Macintosh with the cursive “hello” screen design from the Macintosh release in 1984.

This shirt was purchased at the Apple Store at the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, CA. The shirt is a size 2XL and unopened in its original box. The white box is printed with a white Apple logo and measured 195mm x 195mm x 35mm. The box indicated that the shirt was 100% cotton and made in Turkey (Türkiye).

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Macintosh Drawing T-Shirt (black shirt, multicolor print, 2XL, 2023)

This white T-shirt featured the original Macintosh “Picasso” logo that was used on the box and other packaging for the original Macintosh in 1984.

I found it curious that Apple referred to this design as “Macintosh Drawing” and not “Picasso”—as Apple fans have referred to it for decades. However, research for this post may reveal the reason.

According to a Cult of Mac article, “The logo was designed by Tom Hughes and John Casado, art directors on the Macintosh development team.” The article indicates that one of the art directors reported that “the inspiration for the drawing style was Matisse….The idea of the graphics being ‘Picasso style’ was, as I remember, a journalist’s description at the time of the launch.”

This shirt was purchased at the Apple Store at the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, CA. The shirt was a size 2XL and unopened in its original box. The white box was printed with a white Apple logo and measured 195mm x 195mm x 35mm. The box indicated that the shirt was 100% cotton and made in Turkey (Türkiye).

Source: Cult of Mac

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iPhone FineWoven Wallet (Black, 2023)

This iPhone FineWoven Wallet is made from Apple’s “luxury” FineWoven material and includes Find My support. Apple described the Wallet:

“Designed with both style and function in mind, the new iPhone FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe is the perfect way to keep your ID and credit cards close at hand. It supports Find My, so you can be notified of your wallet’s last known location if it gets separated from your phone… The wallet features strong built-in magnets that allow it to effortlessly snap into place on the back of your iPhone. You can even stack it on top of a case with MagSafe to create a look that’s unique to you. The FineWoven wallet supports up to three cards and is shielded so it’s safe for credit cards.”

Further, Apple describes FineWoven as “durable microtwill” with a “soft, suedelike feel.” Apple continues, “The FineWoven material was also designed with the earth in mind — made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content and significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to leather.”

Apple created FineWoven as a replacement to leather and since then, customer reviews of the material have been polarizing. Consumer Reports reviewed the material and its verdict was to not recommend accessories made from the material, stating that with typical use, they look “like a toddler has been chewing on it.”

The Consumer Reports tester, along with several other reviewers and consumers, report that FineWoven scratches easily, attracts lint, and stains with oil or grease—compared to the leather cases they replaced.

Apple provides a 4-step cleaning process for FineWoven using a liquid laundry detergent and reports that the “material may look different and show wear over time as the fibers get compressed with normal use.”

This FineWoven Wallet is Black.

Sources: Apple (product, cleaning), Consumer Reports

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Nike Sport Loop (45 mm, Bright Green/Blue, Fall 2023)

The Nike Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41 mm and 45 mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200 mm wrists and 145–220 mm wrists. The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes of 38 mm/42 mm and 40 mm/44 mm. As of 2024, a 46 mm version is also available.

This Nike Sport Loop used a design that sets it apart from Apple Sport Loop bands. First, the thread pattern was created with several different colors to create a unique design with multiple colors in a randomized pattern. This design replaced the back closure plastic with a strip of embroidered thread in a single color that attached a nylon pull-tab with a Nike logo. A series of reinforced thread in a wave pattern was stitched below the pull-tab. Another thicker embroidered wave pattern was stitched across the top of the band that looped around a plastic connector.

This band used a variety of colors to achieve its unique “space-dye” pattern. A random pattern of threads was used in shades of primarily of black, steel gray, and bright green. The sides were solid bright green. The wave patterns and closure threads were black (bright green and black were used below the pull tab). The pull tab was steel gray with a bright green Nike logo. The connector plastics were dark gray.

Apple described the Nike Sport Loop band:

“The Nike Sport Loop has been designed to use excess yarn from previous seasons to create a soft, breathable, and lightweight band with a bold pattern. The hook-and-loop fastener and a woven pull tab featuring the Nike Swoosh makes it easy to adjust on the go. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. The Nike Sport Loop contains at least 68% excess yarn from previous seasons, saving over 3 tons of primary yarn.”

Source: Apple (product, newsroom), Bandbreite

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Nike Sport Loop (45 mm, Game Royal/Orange, Fall 2023)

The Nike Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41 mm and 45 mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200 mm wrists and 145–220 mm wrists. The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes of 38 mm/42 mm and 40 mm/44 mm. As of 2024, a 46 mm version is also available.

This Nike Sport Loop used a design that sets it apart from Apple Sport Loop bands. First, the thread pattern was created with several different colors to create a unique design with multiple colors in a randomized pattern. This design replaced the back closure plastic with a strip of embroidered thread in a single color that attached a nylon pull-tab with a Nike logo. A series of reinforced thread in a wave pattern was stitched below the pull-tab. Another thicker embroidered wave pattern was stitched across the top of the band that looped around a plastic connector.

This band used a variety of colors to achieve its unique “space-dye” pattern. A random pattern of threads was used in shades of black, steel gray, bright orange, mustard yellow, and royal blue. The sides were solid black. The wave patterns and closure threads were black (orange and black were used below the pull tab), and the pull tab was bright orange with a black Nike logo. The connector plastics were dark gray.

Apple described the Nike Sport Loop band:

“The Nike Sport Loop has been designed to use excess yarn from previous seasons to create a soft, breathable, and lightweight band with a bold pattern. The hook-and-loop fastener and a woven pull tab featuring the Nike Swoosh makes it easy to adjust on the go. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. The Nike Sport Loop contains at least 68% excess yarn from previous seasons, saving over 3 tons of primary yarn.”

Source: Apple (product, newsroom), Bandbreite