Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic (Generation 2, 2008)

Apple introduced their In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic in September 2008 as a follow-up to their original In-Ear Headphones. This Generation 2 model included an on-wire remote control and microphone. According to 9to5Mac, these earphones “featured more impressive sound isolation and were designed with the iPhone in mind.”

These were a follow-up to the original “premium” iPod In-Ear Headphones from January 2004.

The Generation 2 Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic are described in a review from CNET:

“Out of the box, the Apple In-Ear headphones include a plastic carrying case with a cable wrap, three pairs of silicone ear tips (small, medium, and large) and a set of replacement mesh caps…The earpieces are very light, comfortable, and stylish, and the cable runs around 3.5 feet long.”

CNET corroborates the iPhone features:

“An in-line clicker remote and microphone are included on these headphones, located on the cable about 4 inches down from the right earpiece. The remote includes plus and minus buttons for volume control and a central button for playing, pausing, and skipping songs. If you’re using the In-Ear headphones with a first- or second-generation iPhone, the center button also works for answering or ending incoming calls; however, the volume control buttons will only work with the iPhone 3GS.”

The retail packaging of this product was described by Rene Ritchie in an iMore review:

“In the box are two plastic capsules. The first is a rounded triangle that contains the ear pieces in the center and the cord wrapped around the edge… The second capsule contains smaller and larger silicone ear tips in case the default ones don’t fit you properly.”

The example in my collection includes only the triangle carrying case with the “default” silicone ear tips. I do not have the capsule with the additional silicone ear tip sizes.

Sources: 9to5Mac, CNET, iMore

Triangle Keychain (c. 1995)

This triangle-shaped keychain is mostly black with a white printed Apple logo in the center. Each of the three equilateral corners has a different accent color (red, yellow, and green) with a silver keyring attached to each of the three corners.

The green corner is marked “MADE IN CHINA,” and each side is just over 2 inches long. The keychain is approximately 0.25 inch thick.