Tag: lanyard

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Beats iPhone 17 Pro Kickstand Case with MagSafe & Camera Control (Granite Gray, 2025)

This is a somewhat rare example in my collection of a Beats accessory. Beats has been owned by Apple since 2014 as “a leading audio brand founded in 2006 by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine” that primarily sells “premium consumer headphones, earphones, and speakers,” and now—for some reason—iPhone cases that have nothing to do with audio.

Because Beats is owned by Apple, it is no surprise that the cases feature Apple-specific features such as MagSafe and Camera Control (although third-party accessories also include these features).

Somewhat unusually, the Apple and Beats websites describe this product differently. Apple followed a format closer to its other case products with descriptions such as:

“Built to protect your iPhone from scratches and drops, this case also features a convenient, removable lanyard that doubles as a kickstand for hands-free landscape viewing. To create the kickstand, an adapter at the end of the lanyard slides open and attaches to a magnetic point on the side of the case.”

Apple also noted that “The Beats iPhone 17 Pro Kickstand Case with MagSafe and Camera Control has undergone thousands of hours of testing throughout the design and manufacturing process,” a statement similar to Apple-branded cases.

Apple described the case: “The strong polycarbonate back, which is complemented by flexible sidewalls to optimize shock absorption, makes the case thin and light. The outer matte finish reduces signs of scratches, smudges, and fingerprints, while the interior microfiber lining gently reduces surface scratches and abrasion.

On the other hand, the Beats website described the case primarily through videos, pictures, and short text snippets. For example, the kickstand featured the text “Quick stand. The removable lanyard easily converts to a kickstand for hands-free landscape viewing,” and included a looping 5-second video showing the kickstand feature. 11 photos were included on the Beats website, while Apple only featured 6.

This case was offered in four colors: Bedrock Blue, Lime Stone, Pebble Pink, and the color of this example, Granite Gray.

Sources: Beats (About, product page), Apple (product page)

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iPod shuffle (original, 1 GB, 2005)

The iPod shuffle was introduced on January 11, 2005, as the “First iPod Under $100” (the 512 MB version sold for $99 and this 1 GB version sold for $149). Apple described the device in a press release as a “breakthrough digital music player based on iPod’s legendary shuffle feature which lets users experience their music in a million different ways. Smaller and lighter than a pack of gum, iPod shuffle comes with its own lanyard so it’s ready to wear right out of the box.”

The original iPod shuffle featured 512 MB or 1 GB of flash memory in a 3.3 x 0.98 x 0.33-inch case with an integrated USB connector. Like all iPod shuffle models that would come after it, it lacked a display. The name “shuffle” refers to its ability to shuffle—play in a random order—among the 120 or 240 songs it is capable of storing.

Like other iPod models, the iPod shuffle could be used to store files other than music files, a feature that worked particularly well on this device with its integrated USB plug.

The original iPod shuffle shipped with a white lanyard, a cap, and earbuds.

Source: EveryMac, Apple

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AirPods Pro (Generation 2, 2022)

Apple announced the Generation 2 version of AirPods Pro on September 7, 2022. Apple described these AirPods as the “most advanced AirPods ever” and reported the product highlights in a press release:

“With the power of the new H2 chip, AirPods Pro unlock breakthrough audio performance — including major upgrades to Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode — while also offering a unique way to experience Spatial Audio that’s even more immersive. Now, customers can enjoy Touch control for media playback and volume adjustments directly from the stem, along with longer battery life, a brand-new charging case, and an additional ear tip size for a better fit.”

The H2 chip in the AirPods Pro Generation 2 provided better noise cancellation as the original AirPods Pro and cancelled “up to twice as much noise over the previous generation.” Apple also improved the bass and engineered a “crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies.” To improve the fit of this version of AirPods Pro, Apple included a new extra-small ear tip as a custom size option.

Apple also included a variety of Adaptive Audio features in the AirPods Pro Generation 2. The adaptive features worked by “automatically prioritizing sounds that need your attention as you move through the world. By seamlessly blending pro‑level Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode when you need it, Adaptive Audio magically delivers the right mix of sound for any environment.” Other features included:

  • Voice Isolation—Improved the quality of phone calls in loud or windy conditions using advanced computational audio.
  • Personalized Volume—Used machine learning to understand listening preferences in different environments, and automatically adapted sound over time.
  • Conversation Awareness—Automatically lowered the volume of what’s playing when speaking with someone nearby.

Three personalized listening technologies included Personalized Spatial Audio, Dynamic head tracking, and Adaptive EQ. The MagSafe Charging Case that shipped with the AirPods Pro Generation 2 allowed charging with USB‑C, an Apple Watch charger, or a MagSafe charger. The case also included Apple’s U1 chip to allow Find My with Precision Finding. Finally, the new case included a structure for a lanyard loop.

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Product)

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Apple Education Event badge holder with pockets and lanyard (black, white logo, c. 2015)

This black Apple Education badge holder was used approximately between 2003–2017 at Apple Education events, workshops, and conferences where Apple was presenting and/or otherwise contributing. 

This badge holder is nylon and accommodates a 4×3-inch name badge. The front includes a Velcro pocket closure with a zipper compartment inside that can hold business cards or credit-card-sized items. The front is printed with a white Apple logo and the logotype Apple Education in the Myriad font, Apple’s corporate font used between 2003–2017.

The back of the badge includes two loops designed to hold pens and a small pocket.

Source: Wikipedia

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Badge holder with pockets and lanyard (red, white logo, c. 2010)

This red Apple badge holder was used approximately between 2003–2017 at Apple Education events, workshops, and conferences where Apple was presenting and/or otherwise contributing. 

This badge holder is nylon and accommodates a 4×3-inch name badge. The front includes a Velcro pocket closure with a zipper compartment inside that can hold business cards or credit-card-sized items. The front is printed with a white Apple logo.

The back of the badge includes two loops designed to hold pens and a small pocket.

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Lanyard (black, red, white logotype, c. 1990)

This lanyard is black with a red wooden bead accent. Its style appears to place it in the 1990s. This lanyard was acquired from the estate of a former Apple Education employee and was likely used in the 1990s at education events.

The cord of the lanyard features a white Apple logotype in Apple Garamond, Apple’s corporate font used between 1984 and 2003. The manufacturer is shown on a white tag printed with he name KOOCHY gear.

I have found similarly designed items by this manufacturer on eBay branded with other company logos. Although the company is no longer active, it now appears to be associated with the company PROMOVISION, specializing in custom lanyards.

I also have a similar version of this lanyard in my collection without the manufacturer tag.

Source: PROMOVISION

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Apple Education Event badge holder with pockets and lanyard (black, white logo, 2015)

This black Apple Education badge holder was used approximately between 2003–2017 at Apple Education events, workshops, and conferences where Apple was presenting and/or otherwise contributing. 

This badge holder is black nylon and accommodates a 4×3-inch name badge. The front includes a Velcro pocket closure with a zipper compartment inside that can hold business cards or credit-card-sized items. The front is printed with a white Apple logo and the word Education in the Myriad font, Apple’s corporate font used between 2003–2017.

The back of the badge includes two loops designed to hold pens and a small pocket.

This badge holder is one of many I have used over the years at Apple events. The badge measures 6.625 x 5 inches.

Source: Wikipedia

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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