Tag: Soft

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Trail Loop (Blue/Gray, M/L, 2022)

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 Blue/Gray. The main outer field of the band is a dark gray, while the inside of the band uses a thin alternating stripe pattern of dark and light gray. One edge of the band is accented in light gray and the other side is accented in blue. The connectors are made of the same color titanium as the Apple Watch Ultra. The band has a closure tab that is stitched to the main band.

All Apple Watch Ultra models fit the single-size 49mm case. The Trail Loop is made primarily of nylon.

Source: Apple (Product, Newsroom)

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (45mm, Elderberry, Fall 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 130–200 mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220 mm wrists (45mm).

This Elderberry band used a multi-stripe design. The primary color of the background was dark purple (the color of the elderberry), and 8 thin rows of contrasting colors accented the background, including two rows of melon, 2 rows of light purple, 2 rows of burgundy, and 2 more rows of light purple. The two edges were different colors, one side was melon, and the other side was pale pink. The connector plastics were dark purple (almost black), and the closure plastic was melon.

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.”

Sources: Apple, Bandbreite app, Wikipedia

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Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop (44 mm, Royal Pulse/Lava Glow, Fall 2019)

This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in Fall 2019. The packaging described this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”

The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations that matched one or more Nike shoe or clothing products upon release. This example is called “Royal Pulse/Lava Glow” and appears light gray on a black background with flecks of light blue and link. Nike Apple Watch styles tend to use more abstract descriptions of colors than Apple designs. In this case, the “Royal Pulse” description likely refers to the light blue threads, while the “Lava Glow” threads are likely the pink threads. Inside, the Apple WATCH | Nike logo and the 44mm size is set in bright green.

Apple described the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:

“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Nike Sport Loop (44mm, Obsidian Mist, Fall 2020)

This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in Fall 2020. The packaging described this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”

The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations that matched one or more Nike shoe or clothing products upon release. This example is called “Obsidian Mist.” Close inspection of the threads reveal that the design is primarily gray thread, but also includes black and green thread. The plastics are all in a shade of gray matching the gray thread. Inside, the Apple WATCH | Nike logo and the 44mm size is set in hot pink.

Apple described the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:

“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (45mm, Blue Jay/Abyss Blue, Extra Large, 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 41 mm and 45 mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200 mm wrists (41 mm) and 145–220 mm wrists (45 mm). This band is the much rarer XL size, offered only in the 45 mm size to fit 170–245 mm wrists.

This Blue Jay/Abyss Blue band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Blue Jay,” a shade of bright blue, and the other was a darker “Abyss Blue,” with edges in a shade of bright orange. The connector plastics matched the “Blue Jay” shade of blue, and the closure plastic was orange to match the thread color of the edges.

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, Bandbreit app

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Nike Sport Loop (45mm, Pride, Summer 2022)

The Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch 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 and 145–220mm wrists. The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes of 38mm/42mm and 40mm/44mm.

This Pride design was primarily black and included the colors of the LGBTQ flag. This Nike Sport Loop Pride Edition (2022) is paired here with an Apple Watch Series 3 in white ceramic.

According to Apple’s website:

“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop features a nylon weave inspired by Nike’s Be True collection, an initiative to promote equality in sport. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”

Apple and Nike include the statement, “Apple is proud to financially support LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations working to bring about positive change.” A list of organizations is included: Encircle, Equality Federation Institute, Equality North Carolina, Equality Texas, Gender Spectrum, GLSEN, Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, The National Center for Transgender Equality, SMYAL, The Trevor Project, and ILGA World.

Source: Apple

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iPhone 13 Pro Silicone Case with MagSafe ((PRODUCT)RED, 2021)

The iPhone 13 Pro Silicone Case was “Designed by Apple to complement iPhone 13 Pro, the Silicone Case with MagSafe is a delightful way to protect your iPhone. The silky, soft-touch finish of the silicone exterior feels great in your hand. And on the inside, there’s a soft microfiber lining for even more protection.”

The case also included MagSafe magnets that extended the functionality of MagSafe built into the iPhone through the case. Apple described the functionality:

“With built-in magnets that align perfectly with iPhone 13 Pro, this case offers a magical attach experience and faster wireless charging, every time. When it’s time to charge, just leave the case on your iPhone and snap on your MagSafe charger, or set it on your Qi-certified charger.”

This iPhone 13 Pro Silicone Case is red and part of Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED line of products. In 2021–2022, Apple changed the (PRODUCT)RED statement to include the support of COVID-19: “Every (PRODUCT)RED purchase contributes equally to the fight to end AIDS and its impact from COVID-19.” Additional information specified that “A portion of the proceeds from every (PRODUCT)RED purchase goes to the Global Fund to fight AIDS with (RED). From now until December 31, 2022, half of those proceeds will go to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the fight to end AIDS.”

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (45 mm, Maize/White, Fall 2021)

The Apple Watch 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 (41 mm) and 145–220 mm wrists (45 mm). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes.

This Maize/White band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Maize,” a shade of yellow-gold, and the other was cream-colored shade of off-white with edges in a shade of melon (pink-orange). The connector plastics were off-white, and the closure plastic was melon to match the thread color of the edges.

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.”

Despite its name, this band contains no “white”—only off-white. The difference between the off-white shade of the band can be seen in the photos here with the band paired with the Apple Watch Edition Series 2 in white ceramic.

Source: Apple

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Polishing Cloth (2021)

On October 18, 2021, Apple held an online “Unleashed” event where they introduced a “new MacBook Pro with M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, all-new AirPods, and HomePod mini in five bold colors.” On the same day, Apple quietly released an “official” Polishing Cloth as an accessory that was available on the website for $19.

Apple describes the product:

“Made with soft, nonabrasive material, the Polishing Cloth cleans any Apple display, including nano-texture glass, safely and effectively.”

In addition to the product description, Apple provided a long list of models under the Compatibility header including iPhone models back to the iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad models back to the iPad mini (1st generation), Mac models back to iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 – 2015), all Apple Watch models back Apple Watch 1st generation, iPod models back to iPod shuffle (4th generation), and the Display model Pro Display XDR.

Originally, this Polishing Cloth was included only with the Pro Display XDR that was sold with Standard glass for $4,999 or Nano-texture glass for $5,999.

Apple specified on its support website, “If your Apple Pro Display XDR has nano-texture glass, clean it using only the included polishing cloth.” On the interior of the package, an included cardboard insert explains that the cloth is “Safe for use on all Apple displays and surfaces. For infrequent cleaning of hard-to-remove smudges on nano-texture glass, a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution may be used.”

Soon after the Polishing Cloth was posted on Apple’s site, various tech bloggers began writing tongue-in-cheek articles about the $19 cloth. The articles included reviews, announcements, and even a “tear-down” from the website iFixIt. Some example articles included:

Review: Apple’s polishing cloth is the new gold standard for device cleaning (9to5Mac)

Apple’s worst shipping delay is for a $19 polishing cloth (Engadget)

Apple’s Most Back-Ordered New Product Is Not What You Expect (New York Times)

2021 MacBook Pro Teardown: A Glimpse at a Better Timeline (iFixIt)

The original blogger who “broke” the story on October 19, 2021, (at 9:55AM) was Victoria Song on Engadget: Apple Wants You to Pay How Much for a Polishing Cloth?! Two weeks later, she proclaimed in a follow-up article, “The Apple Polishing Cloth Is Everything Wrong With Society” where she acknowledged “It was a fun bit, but like many things, it spiraled out of control.”

My testing reveals that this Polishing Cloth functions as described.

Sources: Apple (Polishing cloth, Support)