When Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 9, the company also discontinued their use of leather in all their products and introduced a new material they called FineWoven. In a press release, Apple announced:
“Apple is introducing FineWoven, a luxurious and durable microtwill made of 68 percent post-consumer recycled content that has significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather. FineWoven has a suedelike feel, and is available with the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle bands.”
The Magnetic Link design closely resembled the previous Leather Link design. Apple described the band:
“The Magnetic Link with FineWoven elegantly wraps around the wrist and magically attaches with molded magnets that gently flex to help maintain security and comfort throughout the day…”
The product specifications indicate that the Magnetic Link is made from “68% post-consumer recycled polyester” and “100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets.” The 41 mm Magnetic Link is offered in a S/M size (130–160 mm) and a M/L size (140–180 mm), while the 45 mm size is offered in S/M (140–180 mm) and M/L (165–205 mm) options.
This Magnetic Link is Black, and fits 45 mm Apple Watch devices.
Soon after Apple updated most of its hardware for use with Apple Intelligence, the Smart Folio for iPad mini was updated to Generation 7 with the A17 Pro chip—the bare minimum processor to allow Apple Intelligence features. At the time, Apple described Apple Intelligence as “the easy-to-use personal intelligence system that understands personal context to deliver intelligence that is helpful and relevant while protecting user privacy.”
This iPad mini had an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2266 x 1488 at 326 ppi, 500 nits brightness). Apple described the A17 Pro chip as offering “a huge performance boost for even the most demanding tasks, with a faster CPU and GPU, [and] a 2x faster Neural Engine than the previous-generation iPad mini.” This iPad mini also added support for the Apple Pencil Pro.
The iPad mini front camera was 12MP and included Center Stage: “as you move around, the camera automatically pans to keep you centered in the frame.” Apple described the back camera: “The 12MP wide back camera supports Smart HDR 4 for natural-looking photos with increased dynamic range, and uses machine learning to detect and scan documents right in the Camera app.” In addition, the back camera could record 4K video.
This iPad mini was available in three muted tones including Blue, Purple, and Starlight—and Space Gray. This example is Blue.
This iPad mini was 7.69 inches tall, 5.3 inches wide, and 0.25 inch thick. It weighed 0.65 pound. All buttons were along the top on the short side opposite the USB-C port, including the 2 volume buttons and the Top button with Touch ID. Each of the short sides also had speakers that allowed stereo sound output. Unlike other iPad models of the time, the front camera was placed on the short side.
Like other iPad Smart Folio designs, the Smart Folio for iPad mini Generation 7 offers front and back protection. It was released along with the iPad mini Generation 7 on October 15, 2024.
According to Apple, the Smart Folio for iPad mini (A17 Pro) “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 available in charcoal gray, light violet, denim, and sage. This example is charcoal gray.
On September 9, 2024, Apple announced they updated the Apple Watch Ultra 2 line by adding a black titanium version. At the same time, a new set of Titanium Milanese Loop bands were introduced. According to Apple’s press release:
“The new Titanium Milanese Loop is the first metal band for Apple Watch Ultra, inspired by mesh historically used by divers and stylish enough for any occasion. Woven from the same aerospace-grade titanium as the case, the band is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. A custom process of weaving, flattening, laser-welding, grinding, and finely polishing the titanium wire results in precise, interlinking lozenge shapes that provide a luxurious drape, complete with a dual-button, parachute-style buckle secure enough for all water sports. The Titanium Milanese Loop will be available in both natural and black titanium.”
The original Milanese Loop was described by Apple as “a flexible magnetic stainless steel mesh” and was introduced as one of the original Apple Watch band styles in 2018 when the original Apple Watch was unveiled. The original Milanese Loop, offered only in a (silver) stainless steel color, has a considerably finer mesh than this Titanium version. Further, the Titanium version costs US$199, while the original Milanese Loop is US$99.
The Titanium Milanese Loop is offered in three sizes: Small (130–160 mm), Medium (155–185 mm), and Large (180–210 mm); while the original Milanese Loop (46 mm) is available in just 2 sizes: S/M (130–180 mm) and M/L (150–200 mm).
The Apple Watch Trail Loop was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra on September 7, 2022. Apple reported that the Apple Watch Ultra “brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure.”
In the original press release, Apple described the Trail Loop as one of its “New Bands Designed for the Great Outdoors.” Apple added:
“Designed specifically for endurance athletes and runners, the Trail Loop band is the thinnest Apple Watch band to date. The lightweight woven textile is both soft and flexible, allowing it to cinch to the optimal fit, and the convenient tab is designed for quick and easy adjustment.”
Apple’s product page described the Trail Loop:
“The thin, lightweight Trail Loop is made from a nylon weave creating a soft band with increased elasticity for a comfortable fit. The band is infinitely adjustable with a convenient pull tab for quick adjustments on the go.”
This Trail Loop is Blue. The band is primarily dark blue with a dark blue pull-tab. The inside of the band uses accent thread colors in dark blue, magenta, and dark green. With the announcement of the black Apple Watch Ultra 2 in September 2024, Apple began offering Alpine Loop bands with black titanium connector hardware to match the black titanium finish of the Black Titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2. A press release explained:
“To complement the new black finish, the popular Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band have all been updated to offer a black hardware option in addition to natural titanium. Both black and natural finishes of Apple Watch Ultra 2 are made from 95 percent recycled titanium, and are carbon neutral with any Titanium Milanese Loop, Trail Loop, or Alpine Loop.”
All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Trail Loop is made primarily of nylon.
The Apple Watch Trail Loop was released along with the Apple Watch Ultra on September 7, 2022. The Apple Watch Ultra “brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure.”
In the original press release, Apple described the Trail Loop as one of its “New Bands Designed for the Great Outdoors.” Apple added:
“Designed specifically for endurance athletes and runners, the Trail Loop band is the thinnest Apple Watch band to date. The lightweight woven textile is both soft and flexible, allowing it to cinch to the optimal fit, and the convenient tab is designed for quick and easy adjustment.”
Apple’s product page described the Trail Loop:
“The thin, lightweight Trail Loop is made from a nylon weave creating a soft band with increased elasticity for a comfortable fit. The band is infinitely adjustable with a convenient pull tab for quick adjustments on the go.”
This Trail Loop is Black. The band is primarily black, while the inside of the band uses accent thread colors in royal blue, purple, and orange. With the announcement of the black Apple Watch Ultra 2 in September 2024, Apple began offering Alpine Loop bands with black titanium connector hardware to match the titanium finish of the Apple Watch. A press release explains:
“To complement the new black finish, the popular Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band have all been updated to offer a black hardware option in addition to natural titanium. Both black and natural finishes of Apple Watch Ultra 2 are made from 95 percent recycled titanium, and are carbon neutral with any Titanium Milanese Loop, Trail Loop, or Alpine Loop.”
All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Trail Loop is made primarily of nylon.
On September 12, 2023, Apple released an updated Apple Watch Ultra model, the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple described the upgrade:
“Apple’s most rugged and capable watch is now even better with performance updates, a new double tap gesture, and carbon neutral options.”
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was similar to the original Apple Watch Ultra, but added a “powerful new S9 SiP” processor (64 GB capacity), a brighter display (3000 nits), and other enhancements including “expanded altitude range, on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, and advanced capabilities for water adventures.” It also included a 4-core Neural Engine that could “process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the original Apple Watch Ultra.”
One year after the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple introduced a black titanium option. The new color was released along with watchOS 11 on September 9, 2024:
“Apple today introduced Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a striking new black titanium finish, enhanced with features in watchOS 11 that make the most rugged and capable Apple Watch even better.”
Apple described the color and manufacturing process:
“The new black titanium finish for Apple Watch Ultra 2 is achieved with a custom blasting process, and the diamond-like carbon physical vapor deposition coating over the grade 5 titanium makes it scratch-resistant and durable. The back crystal is made from a matching, dark zirconia.”
The new black color was also made available on the titanium hardware and other band materials:
“To complement the new black finish, the popular Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band have all been updated to offer a black hardware option in addition to natural titanium. Both black and natural finishes of Apple Watch Ultra 2 are made from 95 percent recycled titanium, and are carbon neutral with any Titanium Milanese Loop, Trail Loop, or Alpine Loop.”
This Apple Watch Ultra 2 shipped with the new Black Trail Loop with black titanium hardware that matched the black titanium case of the watch.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was 49 mm high, 44 mm wide, and 14.4 mm deep. The display was 410 x 502 pixels (326 pixels per inch) with an always-on Retina LTPO2 OLED display in a flat sapphire crystal. The natural titanium version weighed 61.4 grams, and the black titanium version weighed 61.8 grams. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 contained 10 sensors, including an electrical heart sensor, optical heart sensor, temperature sensor, depth gauge (±1m accuracy), water temperature sensor, compass, always-on altimeter, high-G accelerometer, high dynamic range gyroscope, and an ambient light sensor.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also advanced Apple’s carbon neutral initiative “to be carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.”
This Apple Teacher sticker features the Apple Teacher logotype (in a Medium weight of Apple’s San Francisco corporate font) printed on a multicolor gradient background. The colors in the gradient range from blur, violet, red, orange, yellow, green, to teal. The text is white and a white QR code is included. The center of the QR code displays a gold outline star icon on a white circle. The star icon is the “badge” earned by educators for each category of the Apple Teacher program they complete successfully. The QR code leads to https://education.apple.com.
According to Apple’s website:
“Apple Teacher is a free professional learning program designed to support and celebrate educators using Apple products for teaching and learning. As an educator you can build skills on iPad and Mac that directly apply to activities with your students, earn recognition for the new things you learn, and be rewarded for the great work you do every day.”
The sticker measures 4 inches wide, 1 5/8 inches tall, and features rounded corners. The peel-off back paper is white.
Apple describes the Distinguished Schools program:
“Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology — and we believe they are some of the most innovative schools in the world.”
As of November 2024, Apple reported that there were 889 Apple Distinguished Schools in 37 countries. The district where I serve as an educational technology leader is proud to have three Apple Distinguished Schools.
This Apple logo lapel pin is violet, a shade of purple matching one of the stripes on Apple’s classic six-color logo. The pin package is wrapped in clear plastic and attached to a 3 x 3-inch black cardboard backing that is printed in white with the words [Apple logo] Distinguished School.
The pin is made from metal with a polished chrome finish. The pin is approximately 2 mm thick, 3/4-inch across, and 7/8-inch tall. The pin is held in place from the back by a silver butterfly clutch.
Apple describes the Distinguished Schools program:
“Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology — and we believe they are some of the most innovative schools in the world.”
As of November 2024, Apple reported that there were 889 Apple Distinguished Schools in 37 countries. The district where I serve as an educational technology leader is proud to have three Apple Distinguished Schools.
This “2024” lapel pin is polished chrome with a bright orange border. The shade of orange matches one of the stripes on Apple’s classic six-color logo. The font used for the pin is San Francisco, Apple’s corporate font since about 2015. The pin package is wrapped in clear plastic and attached to a 3 x 3-inch black cardboard backing that is printed in white with the words [Apple logo] Distinguished School.
The pin is meant to commemorate new Apple Distinguished Schools added to the program in 2024. The pin is made from metal with a polished chrome finish. It is approximately 2 mm thick, 1 1/4-inches across, and 7/8-inch tall. The pin is held in place from the back by a silver butterfly clutch.
