Video offers close look at Apple-designed face mask

Posted:
in General Discussion
A video posted to YouTube by unboxing specialist Unbox Therapy on Thursday shows off Apple's in-house designed Face Mask and recently adopted ClearMask.

Apple Face Mask


The rather lengthy video offers the first close look at Apple's face mask, designed by the company's Engineering and Industrial Design teams specifically for use by corporate and retail employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

Each box comes with five sealed masks and adapters that allow users to join the ear loops behind the head for a more secure fit. Instructions printed on the sealed packages are done in typical Apple fashion and inform users to wash their hands, open the mask, and adjust the straps to fit.

Similar to Apple's consumer offerings, the boxes are emblazoned with the familiar "Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China" notice and what appears to be a serial number, lot number and production date stamp.

Unbox Therapy notes the mask is made of three pieces of high quality fabric, a material that feels superior to generic over the counter products. Apple does not provide a classification rating, such as N95, but anecdotal testing finds the membrane effective at blocking air moving out of a user's mouth.

The Apple-designed mask comes in a variety of sizes and can be washed up to five times.





A report in early September detailed the mask effort, noting Apple was careful to source materials in a way that did not disrupt manufacturers of medical-grade personal protective equipment.

Whether Apple intends to market its mask design to consumers remains unclear, though the project is likely a one-off effort to aid employees.

The YouTube channel also took a look at ClearMask, a consumer product designed to enable visual communication with people who have hearing impairments. Apple selected ClearMask by working with students from Gallaudet University, a school that specializes in educating the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
patchythepirate
«1

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 25
    Interesting video. Louis Vuitton has their won mask also.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 25
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,274member
    That guy is pretty well-spoken and thorough, but still that video was about three times longer than it needed to be and that’s before we get to the protracted ad segment (which I don’t begrudge, it’s how he makes his money).
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 25
    Still looking for a comfortable, reasonably safe face mask, especially one that ties behind the head. Will check out ClearMask.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 25
    BeatsBeats Posts: 3,073member
    chasm said:
    That guy is pretty well-spoken and thorough, but still that video was about three times longer than it needed to be and that’s before we get to the protracted ad segment (which I don’t begrudge, it’s how he makes his money).

    The guy is one of the biggest iHaters on YouTube.
    StrangeDayslkruppwatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 5 of 25
    ivanhivanh Posts: 597member
    it’s nice!

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 25
    For myself, I'll stick with a cloth masks for short, quick visits to stores and surgical, disposable mask for more demanding uses like personal training.   The 3 layer disposable mask protects better while being more comfortable.   I'm not sure why people are stuck on cloth masks -- probably a hold over from when disposable surgical masks were not available.
  • Reply 7 of 25
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    For myself, I'll stick with a cloth masks for short, quick visits to stores and surgical, disposable mask for more demanding uses like personal training.   The 3 layer disposable mask protects better while being more comfortable.   
    Just FYI: "While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, does not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures. Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the mask and your face."

    If they can be found, N-95's are the proper choice. I still have two dozen left give or take, so starting to run low. FWIW they can be cleaned and "recharged" at least a couple of times. 
    https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-and-face-masks#s4
    edited September 2020 jony0
  • Reply 8 of 25
    davgregdavgreg Posts: 1,036member
    There are standards for masks other than the now well known n95 and in most situations the n95 is overkill.

    An ASTM Level 3 mask would be appropriate for most use and is far more comfortable. They can be bought from any number of suppliers. Just because many of the masks being sold LOOK like an ASTM Level 3 mask does not mean they need the standard.


  • Reply 9 of 25
    I guess most of the people here on the forum had never been out of their own countries and don't realise that this is a copy of the Korean designed KF94 masks that has been around for more than 5 years. 

    Apple had sued companies for 51% similarity, and yet this is 99% similar to the Korean masks. 
    johnbearralphie4pawselijahg
  • Reply 10 of 25
    mooox said:
    yet this is 99% similar to the Korean masks. 
    So copying is only ok for Korean companies like Samsung?

    For one thing, this is being made for its own employees safety, not as a public product for sale. 

    Secondly, it’s to prevent the spread of a pandemic, not to sell for a profit. I’m petty sure that nobody is going to sue over this, especially since their are many different versions of this mask made by different companies in Korea. 

    Apple isn’t promoting this video or story, they’re just trying to keep their employees and customers safe and their stores open, which is more than a lot of other retailers. 
    patchythepirateyoyo2222retrogustopscooter63watto_cobraDancingMonkeysBeatsjony0
  • Reply 11 of 25
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,275member
    For myself, I'll stick with a cloth masks for short, quick visits to stores and surgical, disposable mask for more demanding uses like personal training.   The 3 layer disposable mask protects better while being more comfortable.   I'm not sure why people are stuck on cloth masks -- probably a hold over from when disposable surgical masks were not available.

    I have to wear a disposable mask at work and to me they are more uncomfortable and itchy, especially if you have a little bit of stubble.
    Would wear a cloth mask all day if I could.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 25
    Do they sell them for $199 a piece?;) 
    lkruppelijahg
  • Reply 13 of 25
    gatorguy said:
    For myself, I'll stick with a cloth masks for short, quick visits to stores and surgical, disposable mask for more demanding uses like personal training.   The 3 layer disposable mask protects better while being more comfortable.   
    Just FYI: "While a surgical mask may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, does not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures. Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the mask and your face."

    If they can be found, N-95's are the proper choice. I still have two dozen left give or take, so starting to run low. FWIW they can be cleaned and "recharged" at least a couple of times. 
    https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-and-face-masks#s4
    90% effective works for non-crazy nations.   It's one of the reasons why China & South Korea brought the virus under control so quickly.

    But, here we get excuses and bullshit -- and lots of dead Americans, a $3.3 Trillion deficit and a crashed economy.
    thtOnPartyBusinessyoyo2222watto_cobraviclauyycDancingMonkeys4pawsjony0
  • Reply 14 of 25
    johnbear said:
    Do they sell them for $199 a piece?;) 

    Don't forget $29.95 for AppleCare+
    johnbearanantksundaramlkruppelijahgBeats
  • Reply 15 of 25
    Beats said:
    chasm said:
    That guy is pretty well-spoken and thorough, but still that video was about three times longer than it needed to be and that’s before we get to the protracted ad segment (which I don’t begrudge, it’s how he makes his money).

    The guy is one of the biggest iHaters on YouTube.
    So what? Is everyone supposed to love and worship Apple just because you do and think they are are the best? 
    chemengin1johnbearpscooter63CheeseFreezelkruppelijahg
  • Reply 16 of 25
    mike1 said:
    For myself, I'll stick with a cloth masks for short, quick visits to stores and surgical, disposable mask for more demanding uses like personal training.   The 3 layer disposable mask protects better while being more comfortable.   I'm not sure why people are stuck on cloth masks -- probably a hold over from when disposable surgical masks were not available.

    I have to wear a disposable mask at work and to me they are more uncomfortable and itchy, especially if you have a little bit of stubble.
    Would wear a cloth mask all day if I could.

    I find disposable more comfortable -- probably because the air goes (filtered) through the mask rather than out the top to fog my glasses.   And, it's easier to breath while doing some personal training.
  • Reply 17 of 25
    Beats said:

    The guy is one of the biggest iHaters on YouTube.
    Nah ... but he does give Apple shit when they deserve it - like when their keyboards were crap.
    Beats
  • Reply 18 of 25
    30% of your oxygen goes to Apple.
  • Reply 19 of 25
    hexclockhexclock Posts: 1,243member
    davgreg said:
    There are standards for masks other than the now well known n95 and in most situations the n95 is overkill.

    An ASTM Level 3 mask would be appropriate for most use and is far more comfortable. They can be bought from any number of suppliers. Just because many of the masks being sold LOOK like an ASTM Level 3 mask does not mean they need the standard.


    Yes. I really wish people would stop buying the N95 masks to go to the grocery store. People like me, who are constantly exposed to silica dust and other particulates, need them more. You can’t get a $10k fine from OSHA for wearing a cloth mask at your job sitting behind a desk or serving coffee, but I can. So please, leave the N95 mask for the professional builders. Thanks. 
    lkruppwatto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 25
    mooox said:
    yet this is 99% similar to the Korean masks. 
    So copying is only ok for Korean companies like Samsung?

    For one thing, this is being made for its own employees safety, not as a public product for sale. 
    Actually according to the judges, Samsung didn't copy Apple; All the "infringing" patents were invalidated after that the lawsuit. 

    There is nothing wrong about copying. More than 50% of every single iOS update was copied from Android, and more than 50% of Android was based on iOS. 

    My only beef is Apple claiming that it's designed by Apple. They even printed it on the packaging. 
Sign In or Register to comment.