iPod postcard set (green, yellow, pink, purple, 2003)

This set of postcards was available in 2003 at the time of the release of the iPod Generation 3 with an all-touch interface and dock connector. This was the first iPod redesign following the original iPod design (with FireWire port and a mechanical scroll wheel in Generation 1, followed by a touch-sensitive wheel in Generation 2). The postcard set featured a black silhouette dancer on a bright single-color background with the dancer holding a white iPod and wearing the iPod’s white earbuds connected with its white wire.

The visually striking silhouette concept began as print ads and posters, but in 2004 expanded to TV commercials featuring dancers and then-popular songs available on the iTunes Store. Among the many iPod silhouette commercials produced between 2004–2008, the two I remember best were Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and U2’s “Vertigo.”

The postcards measure 6 x 4 inches. The back of each postcard is printed with the same text:

iPod and iTunes. Mac and Windows. Rock and Roll.
Together, they changed the way we listen to music. And now everyone can enjoy the most acclaimed digital music player and music software ever created. Because now iPod and iTunes work together on a Windows PC the same way they always have on a Mac. Walk, ride, run, drive, and go anywhere with up to 10,000 songs in your pocket.
Easy to load, easy to love.
The ultraportable iPod comes in 10GB, 20GB, and 40GB models and holds up to 10,000 songs. And iTunes makes it a cinch to organize, arrange, and sync all your music from your Mac or Windows PC to your iPod.
Shop the record store of the 21st century.
In the iTunes Music Store, you can download most any song for just 99¢, then load it on your iPod. You can also preview any song for free and create an account to let your kids shop for music.
www.apple.com/itunes

In researching this post, I found an impressive compilation video titled “Every Apple iPod Ad ever. 2001-2012” by YouTube user way310. Using Apple’s Shazam app, I made a list of every silhouette-style video shown. I identified 21 different songs that either use the original silhouette style or a style closely inspired by the concept as it evolved over the years [notes included in brackets]:

  • N.E.R.D, “Rock Star” (Jason Nevins Remix Edit)
  • Jet, “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”
  • Black Eyed Peas, “Hey Mama (Mixed)”
  • Feature Cast, “Channel Hopping”
  • Steriogram, “Walkie Talkie Man”
  • U2, “Vertigo”
  • The Vines, “Ride” [live-action commercial, silhouette posters come to life]
  • Daft Punk, “Technologic”
  • Gorillaz, “Feel Good Inc”
  • Ozomatli, “Saturday Night”
  • Eminem, “Lose Yourself” (From 8 Mile) [background uses multiple colors and patterns, artist rendered in more detail]
  • Caesars, “Jerk It Out” [green background with animated iPod shuffle arrows]
  • Bob Dylan, “Someday Baby” (Alternate Version, “Modern Times”) [white background, artists rendered in muted tones]
  • Wynton Marsalis, “Sparks”
  • The Fratellis, “Flathead” [stylized, multicolor design for backgrounds and silhouette figures]
  • Paul McCartney, “Dance Tonight”
  • Wolfmother, “Love Train”
  • Quantic & Nickodemus, “Mi Swing Es Tropical” (feat. Tempo & The Candela Allstars)
  • Mary J. Blige, “Work That”
  • Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
  • The Ting Tings, “Shut Up and Let Me Go”

Source: Wikipedia (iPod), way310 Every Apple iPod Ad ever, 2001-2012

iPod nano Generation 6 (pink, 2010)

The iPod nano Generation 6 was a major design change from previous iPod nano models. This iPod nano came in silver, graphite, blue, green, orange, pink, and (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. Its design was a square aluminum and glass case with a clip on the back. It used a 1.54-inch Multitouch screen at 240×240 pixels.

Although its interface looked similar to iOS, the iPod nano Generation 6 could not run iOS applications or games compatible with previous iPod models. Its features included a pedometer, FM radio with live pause, Nike+iPod functions, VoiceOver, and Shake to Shuffle.

This example is pink and is in used condition with a few nicks and worn areas on the case.

Source: EveryMac

iPod shuffle Generation 4 (2 GB, pink, 2010)

The iPod shuffle Generation 4 is a rare example of Apple reversing a design theme and going back to a design closer to a previous design, while still improving upon it. The iPod shuffle Generation 4 has a design similar to the Generation 2 iPod shuffle, but it is smaller and adds a “VoiceOver” feature that reads the name of songs, artists, and playlists out loud.

Between the Generation 2 and 4, the Generation 3 iPod shuffle had no controls on the iPod device, the Generation 4 added the clickable ring buttons back to the iPod.

This iPod shuffle is 1.14 inches tall, 1.24 inches wide, and 0.34 inch deep, including the clip. It weighs 0.44 ounce (12.5 grams). According to Apple, this iPod could play up to 15 hours of audio. Unlike the iPod shuffle Generation 2 that shipped with a custom USB-powered charging base, this Generation 4 shipped with a short USB-to-3.5mm cable.

The iPod shuffle Generation 4 was available in five colors: silver (with a black button ring); and blue, green, orange, and pink (with a white button ring). All models have 2 GB of storage, or up to 500 songs. This example is pink and includes the original packaging.

Sources: Apple, EveryMac

USB-C to Lightning Cable (pink, 2021)

When Apple introduced the M1 iMac in 2021, seven “vibrant” colors were offered—green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver—that Apple reported would bring “a sense of joy to any space.”

One interesting detail of the iMac M1 was that it shipped with color-matched braided cables. The cables included the power cable (from the iMac to a power brick) and this USB-C to Lightning cable.

The purpose of the USB-C to Lightning cable was to charge the color-matched keyboard and mouse that shipped with the iMac M1.

A color-matched braided cable set is, admittedly, a small detail. But this is the kind of attention to detail that many Apple customers enjoy. This pink USB-C to Lightning cable shipped with the pink M1 iMac. Close inspection reveals that the cable is braided with both pink and white.

Source: Apple, 9to5mac

Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, Pomegranate, Fall 2019)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. They were available for the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watch models.

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band has been available in several styles and colors. This particular design is comprised of a two-tone design with one accent color. This Pomegranate Sport Loop uses two shades of pink as base colors with the edges in a pale pink. The closure and connector plastics are in a shade of pink that matches the lighter pink thread color.

This band’s namesake, the pomegranate fruit, comes from a shrub grown for thousands of years in the Middle East, India, the Mediterranean region, and now across the globe. The exterior of the fruit is the light pink color of this watch band, while the interior features an “inner flesh that’s packed with crunchy, juicy edible seeds called arils.” The arils are red/dark pink and resemble the darker color of the band. The accent color resembles the color of the interior flesh of the fruit that surrounds the pomegranate seeds.

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.”

Source: Apple, Bandbreite, Wikipedia, HealthLine

Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, Dragon Fruit Sport Loop, Summer 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 38/40/41mm and 42/44/45/49mm Apple Watch models. They were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (38/40/41mm) and 145–220 mm wrists (42/44/45/49mm).

This Dragon Fuit band appears monochromatic and closely resembles the color of the exterior of a Dragon Fruit. Upon close inspection, the band uses at least three thread colors: pink, bright pink, and dark pink. The connector and closure plastics are all in the shade of pink that most closely resembles the color or the exterior of a Dragon Fruit.

This band’s namesake, dragon fruit, is also known as the pitaya, an edible species of cactus native to southern Mexico and along the Pacific coasts of Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. The exterior of the fruit is the color of this Sport Loop. (The interior of a dragon fruit has white flesh peppered with tiny black, crunchy seeds—and is not represented in the design of this watch band.) The dragon fruit is said to taste like a cross between a pear and a kiwi.

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.”

Source: Apple, Wikipedia, HealthLine

Apple Watch Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Chalk Pink, Fall 2021)

The Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Silicone Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Made from liquid silicone rubber, the Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design with no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts that’s ultracomfortable to wear and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Each band is specially treated with UV to give the band a silky, smooth finish. It’s also swim proof and sweat proof so it can go just about anywhere you want to wear it.”

The color of this band is Chalk Pink, a shade of pale pink. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths, and was sold in specific wrist sizes. The 41mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm 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.

This snug-fitting design allowed Apple Watch sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Flamingo, Spring 2022)

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. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments in each band are interwoven with thin silicone threads using advanced braiding machinery then laser cut to an exact length. The 300D construction offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant.”

The color of this band is Flamingo, a shade of bright pink. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths. The 41mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm 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

Apple Watch Sport Loop (45mm, Nectarine/Peony, Spring 2022)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes.

This Nectarine/Peony band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Nectarine,” a shade of shade of bright orange, and the other was “Peony,” a bright red/pink. The edges and connector plastics were off-white, and the closure plastics matched the Peony stripe.

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.”

In my opinion, the shade of Nectarine does, indeed, match the orange gradient that can be found on an actual nectarine. However, as an Indiana native where the peony is the state flower, this shade of “Peony” is not representative of the actual plant’s flower.

Source: Apple, Bandbreite