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.”
The iPhone 4 Dock was a charging dock with audio-out capabilities for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. It was made of white plastic, measured 2.38 x 1.68 inches, and allowed the iPhone 4 to sit upright while charging while allowing a simultaneous connection to a stereo to play music via a 3.5mm plug.
The Dock used Apple’s 30-pin connector. However, it did not ship with a cable or power adapter.
iLounge pointed out that the iPhone 4’s “need for a case—unfortunately reduces the Dock’s appeal.” They go on to say that “due to the iPhone 4’s new shatter-prone glass body and antenna attenuation issues, many users now feel that cases are necessary to keep the new device working right and feeling safe, and even Apple CEO Steve Jobs has suggested as much in recent communications to end users.”
On September 13, 2000, Steve Jobs released the Mac OS X Public Beta at Apple Expo in Paris. During the unveiling, Jobs said:
“Mac OS X is the future of the Macintosh, and the most technically advanced personal computer operating system ever. We’re excited to have our users test drive this public beta version and provide us with their valuable feedback.”
Somewhat controversially, Apple charged $29.95 for the software—a Beta version that was known to be buggy and not quite finished. The issue was not that the operating system was buggy and unfinished—that is the definition of a software “Beta”—but that Apple was charging faithful users to get an early look at the future of their products while testing it for the purpose of improving the final release. In an article at the time, a writer at Ars Technica provided a balanced opinion:
“Taken all together, ‘Mac OS X Public Beta’…means that for $29.95 you get an unfinished, buggy version of Apple’s next generation operating system. Charging for public beta software is increasingly common among the big software companies… If you don’t want to pay for buggy software, don’t buy the beta.”
The Mac OS X public beta was a completely new operating system for the Mac and provided the foundation of the macOS we still use today—over 20 years later. Apple’s press release described some highlights of Mac OS X:
“Mac OS X features true memory protection, pre-emptive multi-tasking, and symmetric multiprocessing when running on the new dual-processor Power Mac G4 line. Mac OS X includes Apple’s new Quartz 2D graphics engine (based on the Internet-standard Portable Document Format) for stunning graphics and broad font support; OpenGL for spectacular 3D graphics and gaming, and QuickTime for streaming audio and video. In addition, Mac OS X features Apple’s new user interface named ‘Aqua,’ which combines superior ease-of-use with amazing new functionality such as the ‘Dock,’ a breakthrough for organizing applications, documents and miniaturized windows.”
This white cardboard folder measures 8 x 9.5 x 0.25 inches and opens to reveal a compartment for a single CD. Unfortunately, the original installer CD is not included in this folder. The welcome message in the folder reads:
“Dear Mac OS X Beta Tester,
You are holding the future of the Macintosh in your hands.
Mac OS X is a new, super-modern operating system that will usher in a new era for the Macintosh. New from the ground up, Mac OS X is specifically designed for the Internet and includes advanced technologies for incredible improvements in stability and performance. It also features a stunning new interface called Aqua.
This Public Beta will give you a chance to start using Mac OS X and give us a chance to hear what you think. Let us know by visiting our website at www.apple.com/macosx.
Thanks for your help and for being a part of Apple history. We couldn’t do it without you.”
Various versions of the Apple Universal Dock were offered as iPod devices were updated and new iPod models were released. Apple described an earlier version of the Dock in the iPod User’s Guide:
“The iPod Dock holds iPod upright as it charges or transfers music. Connect the Dock to your computer using the same cable you use with iPod… Using the iPod Dock, you can play music from iPod over external powered speakers or a home stereo. You need an audio cable with a standard 3.5 millimeter stereo miniplug…”
This version of the Universal Dock (A1153) used the 30-pin connector and provided two outputs—Line Out and S-Video Out. This allowed a docked iPod to be charging while connected to a stereo/speaker system and/or an external video source (i.e., TV) with an S-Video input.
Apple created the Universal Dock with an opening large enough to accommodate the largest iPod offered and shipped the dock with a set of adapters to ensure a perfect fit if you owned an iPod with a different design.
This set of adapters was made for:
iPod mini (4GB, 6GB)
iPod (20GB) and U2 Special Edition
iPod (40GB)
iPod with color display (20GB, 30GB) and U2 Special Edition
This brochure is a horizontal 8-panel, accordion-folded print advertisement with the title “Everything is easier on a Mac.” It is printed in full color on both sides and measures 4.375 x 5.75 inches folded. It is 35 inches wide when fully unfolded.
The front and back covers are similar and depict a Mac OS X (version 10.1) Finder with menu bar, Dock with icons, and the aqua blue default desktop wallpaper. Each panel depicts a single image along with a headline and paragraph explaining the feature. For example, the first panel shows a power button image and the text:
Getting started. Just plug in your Mac, connect it to your phone line, and turn it on. Then let the Apple Setup Assistant guide you through the rest. It automatically registers you with Apple, sets up your Internet connection, and gets you a Mac.com email address. From the moment you take it out of the box, you’ll be up and running in less than 10 minutes.
The panels on one side include the headlines: Getting started. Sending email. Surfing the net. Instant messaging. Enjoying your photos. Sharing files. Managing your music. Listening on the go.
The panels on the other side include the headlines: Making movies. Creating DVDs. Learning. Going wireless. Adding peripherals. AppleCare.
The iPhone Lightning Dock was a minimalist charging dock with a heavy base, protruding angled Lightning connector, and two ports on the back—a Lightning port and an audio jack to allow music to be played on a speaker or headphones.
The iPhone Lightning Dock was available in several colors during its lifetime, including white, black, silver, space gray, rose gold, gold, and “new” gold (to match an updated gold iPhone color). This example is silver.
Apple described the Dock: “You can use it to charge and sync any iPhone that has a Lightning connector. Your iPhone sits upright in the dock as it syncs or charges, so it’s ideal for a desk or countertop. Even when your iPhone is in an Apple-designed case, it’s easy to dock. And you can unlock iPhone or use Touch ID without having to remove it from the dock.”
The Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock was a 4.1-inch diameter, 0.5-inch thick charging pad for the Apple Watch that used the same inductive charging connector that shipped with the Apple Watch. The white base of the dock had a microfiber, padded texture. The polished-chrome charging disc was mounted on a hinge that could pivot from a flat position to a 45-degree angle.
According to Apple:
“With the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, you can charge your Apple Watch in a flat position with its band open, or on its side. When docked on its side, your watch automatically goes into Nightstand mode, so you can also use it as your alarm clock. The Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock uses the same inductive charging connector that comes with Apple Watch. It charges all Apple Watch models and sizes. And it connects via the Lightning to USB Cable and Apple 5W USB Power Adapter.”
The Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock has also shipped with Apple Watch Edition models and has been available since 2015 with a Lightning connector built into the base. As of 2020 it still shipped with a Lightning-to-USB (USB-A) cable.
This example is the standalone product with the original packaging.
The iPhone Lightning Dock was a minimalist charging dock with a heavy base, protruding angled Lightning connector, and two ports on the back, including a Lightning port for charging and an audio jack to allow music to be played on a speaker or headphones while the iPhone charged.
The iPhone Lightning Dock was available in several colors, including white, black, silver, space gray, rose gold, gold, and “new” gold (to match an updated gold iPhone color). This example is space gray.
Apple described the Dock:
“You can use it to charge and sync any iPhone that has a Lightning connector. Your iPhone sits upright in the dock as it syncs or charges, so it’s ideal for a desk or countertop. Even when your iPhone is in an Apple-designed case, it’s easy to dock. And you can unlock iPhone or use Touch ID without having to remove it from the dock.”
Although this Dock will also charge an iPad, its size and weight make it too unstable for everyday use. However, I sometimes use this Dock to photograph iPad devices in my collection since its minimal design and slight angle works well as a temporary display base.
This Generation 2 iPod shuffle released in Late 2007 was identical to the previous Early 2007 Generation 2 iPod shuffle, except they were available in silver and four new colors: light blue, light green, purple, and Special Edition (PRODUCT) RED. This example is light blue.
The Generation 2 iPod shuffle (Late 2007) model also added a new 2 GB model.
This iPod shuffle measured 1.07 inches tall, 0.98 inches wide, and 0.33 inches deep and included a built-in clip for easily attaching the iPod to clothing. All iPod shuffle models lack a display. This model incuded 1 GB of flash memory to hold approximately 240 songs.
A small USB dock shipped with this iPod shuffle that used the headphone jack to connect to power and synchronize music. Its battery lasted for about 12 hours.
The Generation 2 iPod shuffle released in Early 2007 was identical to the previous silver Generation 2 iPod shuffle, except four colors were added: orange, green, blue, and pink. This example is orange. The The Generation 2 iPod shuffle (Early 2007) also shipped with revised earbuds that no longer included foam ear caps.
This iPod shuffle measured close to a square inch at 1.07 inches tall, 0.98 inches wide, and 0.33 inches deep. It included a built-in clip for easily attaching the iPod to clothing. All iPod shuffle models lack a display. This model incuded 1 GB of flash memory to hold approximately 240 songs.
A small USB dock shipped with this iPod shuffle that used the headphone jack to connect to power and synchronize music. Its battery lasted for about 12 hours.
