Apple Designs Custom Face Mask for Corporate and Retail Employees [Updated with Unboxing]

[MacRumors]

Apple's design team has created a new kind of protective mask that's being distributed to retail and corporate employees, reports Bloomberg.

The mask is called the Apple Face Mask and it was developed in-house in Cupertino by the Engineering and Industrial Design teams at Apple. Last week, an Apple employee sent MacRumors an image of the mask design, which can be seen up above.

The Apple Face Mask features a three-layer design that filters both incoming and outgoing particles like many cloth masks, and it can be washed and reused up to five times. The mask has a design with a triangle shape to accommodate the nose without fogging glasses, a rounded section for the chin, and adjustable strings for the ears.

Apple told Bloomberg that it conducted "careful research and testing" to find appropriate materials to filter the air while not disrupting supplies of medical personal protective equipment.

Apple's employees will begin receiving Apple Face Masks over the course of the next two weeks. Apple also provides basic surgical masks to customers who visit its stores, but these are not Apple-designed masks.

Update: This article has been updated. The original article referenced a second mask, the ClearMask, but it turns out the second mask was not designed by Apple. Apple is, however, distributing the ClearMask to some of its retail employees because it shows the entire face so that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can understand what the wearer is saying. Apple is also working on its own transparent mask to be distributed to employees in the future.

Update 2: MacRumors has received additional photos of the Apple Face Mask.

Update 3:

Mark Gurman shares a series of unboxing photos of the Apple Mask:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1304539489717583882

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Designs Custom Face Mask for Corporate and Retail Employees [Updated with Unboxing]

 

[nikhsub1]

Maybe they should include one with every new apple device?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Looks very Authentic. Where can I buy this?

 

[LiE_]

Does it come with 5G and USB-C?

 

[Andres Cantu]

Will wait for the Apple Face Mask Pro

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Does it work with FaceID?

 

[jlocker]

Does it come with AppleCare is my question?

 

[IIGS User]

It's like an overengineered condom for your face. Just without the "relations".

Overpriced, over engineered, and exclusive.

OK, I have to ask. Here it comes....

Does it have a notch? 😂

Oh wait. The "relations" come after your warranty runs out!

 

[Freida]

Ok, lets skip the first page where all the "wanna be funny" people post cheesy comments and lets get on topic.

Its actually quite nice that Apple considered the materials to avoid bottlenecks for medical stuff. Something some people would probably not think of. Nice one

 

[jlocker]

Do I like Masks? No, do I wear them Yes! If I go into an Apple Store it is that extra little protection that always helps employees and customers. When I get out of the store or in my car or at home I don't have to wear it. Did they wear masks during the Spanish flu pandemic yes. So I feel if they could do it we can do it for a while.

 

[MacAddict1978]

Ok, lets skip the first page where all the "wanna be funny" people post cheesy comments and lets get on topic.

Its actually quite nice that Apple considered the materials to avoid bottlenecks for medical stuff. Something some people would probably not think of. Nice one

A company also cannot easily buy those materials from the supply chain currently so there's that too. Thoughtful or accidental? 🤔

So retail for 24 masks is about $30 these days.... add Apple tax.... $100 for 12?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Is Apple still making face shields?

 

[jlc1978]

Ok, lets skip the first page where all the "wanna be funny" people post cheesy comments and lets get on topic.

Its actually quite nice that Apple considered the materials to avoid bottlenecks for medical stuff. Something some people would probably not think of. Nice one

It is kinda cool that Apple took the time to develop those.

I do wonder what happens after the 30 day trial - does it stop filtering?

 

[typecase]

Looks almost exactly like the fold flat KN95s. I think the ear loops are a mistake if they actually designed it. A behind-the-neck loop is almost always better allowing for a tighter fit and more comfortable long wear.

 

[tmoerel]

What a sad state of affairs that mask wearing has to be put in the political section.
People, mask wearing is to protect your fellow humans regardless of race, creed, faith, beliefs, etc.

 

[ck2875]

I do wonder what happens after the 30 day trial - does it stop filtering?

Article says that it can be washed up to 5 times. I’m guessing you’re supposed to recycle them after 5 uses.

 

[calzon65]

Hopefully it costs under $100.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Looks almost exactly like the fold flat KN95s. I think the ear loops are a mistake if they actually designed it. A behind-the-neck loop is almost always better allowing for a tighter fit and more comfortable long wear.

I have one where the top strap goes behind my head, and the bottom strap (by my chin) goes on the top of my head vertically.

It's really comfortable and I like that I can wear it around my neck when I'm not using it.

 

[RyanFlynn]

What a sad state of affairs that mask wearing has to be put in the political section.
People, mask wearing is to protect your fellow humans regardless of race, creed, faith, beliefs, etc.

I was just thinking the same thing.
[automerge]1599676186[/automerge]
Do you think people will line up outside stores to be the first to get one?

 

[citysnaps]

Looks like a really good design. I'd like to buy some.

 

[alpi123]

Does it have 120Hz Pro Motion?

 

[AngerDanger]

Still holding out for the aluminium chamfered-edged facemasks…

 

[nordique]

This is actually amazing

And very, very awesome for people with the aforementioned sensory disabilities

 

[ck2875]

Do you think people will line up outside stores to be the first to get one?

What? Are people going to start ripping them off the faces of Apple’s retail workers and making a run for it? It’s not like the masks are being sold or given to the public.

From the article: "Apple's employees will begin receiving Apple Face Masks over the course of the next two weeks. Apple also provides basic surgical masks to customers who visit its stores, but these are not Apple-designed masks."

 

[whoknows2597]

You guys aren’t asking the important question, is Safari snappier with this version or should we wait?🤣