Apple to release Apple Face Mask to employees in next two weeks [u]

AppleInsider

Apple has created the Apple Face Mask and adopted the ClearMask, and is gearing up to distribute them to employees to help protect against exposure to the coronavirus.

Apple customers and employees wearing non-Apple designed masks

The masks are the first developed by the Cupertino-based company, designed for staff at both its corporate offices and retail stores. One of the masks was designed by Apple's Engineering and Industrial Design teams -- the same people behind devices such as the iPhone and the iPad.

The Apple Face Mask is designed with three layers that filter incoming and outgoing particles. It can be washed and reused up to five times, Apple told employees. Apple will begin sending the Apple Face Mask to staff over the next two weeks.

According to Bloomberg, Apple confirmed that the Face Mask was designed entirely in-house and involved careful research to find the proper materials. Apple was also sure to source materials that would not harm medical-grade personal protective equipment manufacturers' supply chains.

Apple's Face Mask for retail - Image Credit: MacRumors

The FDA-cleared ClearMask was selected by interfacing with students from Gallaudet University, a school that specializes in educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and Apple retail workers. It shows the full face, enabling better communication with those who have hearing impairments. Apple is reportedly working on its own transparent mask, though it appears ClearMask was designed by an outside firm.

Apple has previously designed a face shield made available to medical workers and sourced over 10 million masks for those in the U.S. during the beginning of the pandemic.

Updated with details on ClearMask origins.

scampercom

Makes sense for retail (not that anyone goes to stores anymore). Personally, I like opacity in my own mask. Plus a hat and glasses, and no one can see anything, which is ideal! I'd wear a burqa if it didn't draw attention.

beats

Apple winning in industries they aren't supposed to be in.

randominternetperson

There's no pictures of this?  Presumably there is a fabric filter on the sides (since it's hard to breath those transparent plastic), but maybe it's something else entirely.

jfc_pa

Ummm.... it’s not “Apple’s Clearmask”
“

Wear the ClearMask™ without hiding your face.

The ClearMask™ is the first fully transparent, FDA-cleared, class II surgical clear mask with full-face visibility. Our mask has a smart, patent-pending design optimized for comfort and breathability, while providing assured protection. Through the mask’s anti-fog, transparent plastic barrier, the ClearMask™ blocks aerosols, fluids and sprays from our faces and meets ASTM level 3 standards for fluid resistance and flammability.

Available in two different strap styles: EZ-Adjuster or classic tie-on.”

https://www.theclearmask.com/product

edited September 2020

hentaiboy

These things are kinda Silence of the Lambs creepy.

viclauyyc

FDA CLEARED don’t mean much. Anyone can create something and send to FDA and explain the something works similarly to other thing got FDA approved. Then the something will get cleared. 

This is a major loophole of FDA. The new products will not go through the very strict, time consuming and super expensive approval procedures as a brand new medical product. 

jfc_pa

Ah. The other is an Apple designed mask. But the transparent one isn’t “Apple’s ClearMask” it’s the clear mask Apple has chosen to distribute alongside its in house developed mask. Bloomberg; “ Apple worked with Washington-based Gallaudet University, which specializes in educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students, to chose which clear mask to use. The company also tested it with employees in three Apple stores. Apple is also exploring its own transparent mask options.”

jintech

So from what I understand, these will be for employees only and not for sale to the consumer?

beats

JinTech said:

So from what I understand, these will be for employees only and not for sale to the consumer?

No, but could be the next Apple $10 billion dollar product.

/s

japhey

viclauyyc said:

FDA CLEARED don’t mean much. Anyone can create something and send to FDA and explain the something works similarly to other thing got FDA approved. Then the something will get cleared. 

This is a major loophole of FDA. The new products will not go through the very strict, time consuming and super expensive approval procedures as a 

edited September 2020

xed

JFC_PA said:

Ummm.... it’s not “Apple’s Clearmask”
“

Wear the ClearMask™ without hiding your face.

The ClearMask™ is the first fully transparent, FDA-cleared, class II surgical clear mask with full-face visibility. Our mask has a smart, patent-pending design optimized for comfort and breathability, while providing assured protection. Through the mask’s anti-fog, transparent plastic barrier, the ClearMask™ blocks aerosols, fluids and sprays from our faces and meets ASTM level 3 standards for fluid resistance and flammability.

Available in two different strap styles: EZ-Adjuster or classic tie-on.”

https://www.theclearmask.com/product

hentaiboy said:

These things are kinda Silence of the Lambs creepy.

I don't think those are the masks Apple designed.

edited September 2020

jfc_pa

Well that’s the ClearMask and they cite Gallaudet as does Apple and Per macrumors Apple clarified to Bloomberg they didn’t developed their transparent mask.  

“ Update: Apple has informed Bloomberg that it only designed the Apple Face Mask. The ClearMask was sourced in partnership with Gallaudet University, which specializes in educating deaf and and hard of hearing students, and it was tested with Apple employees. Apple is working on its own transparent mask options for future use.”


https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/09/apple-designs-masks-for-employees/

and note the link in the article goes to the ClearMask site. 

edited September 2020

jfc_pa

JinTech said:

So from what I understand, these will be for employees only and not for sale to the consumer?

The Clearmask is available for purchase from the manufacturer. 

https://buy.theclearmask.com/

edited September 2020

ralphie

viclauyyc said:

FDA CLEARED don’t mean much. Anyone can create something and send to FDA and explain the something works similarly to other thing got FDA approved. Then the something will get cleared. 

This is a major loophole of FDA. The new products will not go through the very strict, time consuming and super expensive approval procedures as a brand new medical product. 

You're absolutely correct. Only means... '"substantially equivalent to another (similar) legally marketed device" that already has FDA clearance or approval.'

The only reason Apple is pushing Clearmask is to try to show Face ID isn't a total fail during these times.

edited September 2020

jintech

JFC_PA said:

JinTech said:

So from what I understand, these will be for employees only and not for sale to the consumer?

The Clearmask is available for purchase from the manufacturer. 

https://buy.theclearmask.com/

Awesome, thank you for that. A friend of mine sews but they might be interested in buying these as their parents are deaf.

jazzmonkey

Not sure why this mask is a big deal.  I live in Bangkok and they have been using this same mask design 
in grocery stores since Feb.

jwsc

scampercom said:

Makes sense for retail (not that anyone goes to stores anymore). Personally, I like opacity in my own mask. Plus a hat and glasses, and no one can see anything, which is ideal! I'd wear a burqa if it didn't draw attention.

You’d wear a burqa?  If you were 85 with COPD then I would definitely understand.  But for the young and healthy this is so over the top It defies belief.

viclauyyc

JazzMonkey said:

Not sure why this mask is a big deal.  I live in Bangkok and they have been using this same mask design 
in grocery stores since Feb.

You know sometime America is not the most technology advanced countries. Especially for public use.

dysamoria

The article still calls it Apple ClearMask...

hammeroftruth

hentaiboy said:

These things are kinda Silence of the Lambs creepy.

“Welcome to the Apple store Clarice.”