Apple’s new Beats Studio Buds+ are out now and there’s an obvious reason why you might get them instead of a pair of AirPods Pro: they come in an incredibly cool transparent color, which is a plastic transparent on both the headphones and the case.
Transparency is not a new idea for Apple. For long-time users, the new Buds+ bring back memories of old Apple products encased in clear, translucent plastic. In fact, Apple popularized the trend many years ago, but like all trends, it eventually faded away. Now with the Nothing Phone and now the new Beats Studio Buds+, transparent designs are having a moment and we’d love to see some of our favorite Apple products get the transparent treatment as well.
While we’re dreaming, a look back at some Apple products that paved the way for the new Transparent Beats Studio Buds+:
Mac (1998)
The iMac popularized transparent and translucent products.
Apple
The original iMac just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and while it sparked an industry trend, it wasn’t Apple’s first foray into transparency. But it was the most successful. The original blue and white shell didn’t give a crystal-clear insight into the inner workings of the machine, but it provided just enough of a technological visual element to balance out the playfulness of the design. Over the years, Apple has expanded the color palette and case designs – some were transparent, some weren’t – but we’ll always have a soft spot for the original Bondi Blue iMac.
eMate 300
Prior to the iMac, Apple used translucent parts on products such as the Power Macintosh 8600 and 9600, but the eMate 300 was the first Apple device to incorporate a colorful translucent design. Part of Apple’s Newton platform sold through educational channels, the dark blue-green plastic miniature laptop had a tiny keyboard, smaller screen, and ran Newton OS. It never really caught on, but we’d buy one in a second if Apple released it today.
iBook
Two years after the eMate 300 and a year after the iMac, Apple released the iBook. The iBook was Apple’s mainstream notebook computer available in Blueberry. Graphite, or Tangerine, and its rugged construction actually made it larger than the pro-level PowerBook G3 that Apple also offered. The iBook also had a carrying handle, which added to the cuteness factor. But what made it hugely popular was its iMac-inspired casing with PC-like curves and just the right amount of transparency. We love today’s MacBooks, but nothing beats the iBook.
Power Macintosh G3 All-in-One
The Power Macintosh G3 All-in-One actually predates the iMac by two months and that was clearly a sign of things to come. The top and back of this Mac used clear translucent plastic, while the rest of the case was beige. Weighing 60 pounds, this Mac was often referred to as a Molar Mac because of its resemblance to a tooth. You have to see this thing in person to really get a sense of how form and function don’t really blend, but the clear plastic, funky curves, and all-in-one compact design were the first glimpse of the device. ‘coming.
Studio display (1998, 1999, 2000)
When Apple launched the Studio Display last year, the company actually revived an old brand name. The very first Studio Display was released in 1998, and it featured – you guessed it – a translucent gray case and a blue stand. It was Apple’s first flat panel LCD, but since LCDs were expensive (especially if you wanted to go beyond 15 inches), CRT monitors were still popular. So Apple released a 17-inch and 21-inch Studio Display with a CRT and a white, translucent Blueberry case to match the Power Macintosh G3. But we have a soft spot for the latest Apple-made CRT: the 17-inch Apple Studio Display CRT (ADC) which had a crystal-clear enclosure so you could see everything inside.
Apple
Harman Kardon Sound Sticks
Soundsticks were manufactured by Harman Kardon, but were co-developed with Apple and designed by Jony Ive and designed for early 2000s Macs. Soundsticks were an add-on to iSub, a 20-watt subwoofer specifically designed for work with Apple’s slot-loading iMacs and the Power Mac G4. The vertical design and translucent case are striking even today – and you can still buy a set with or without wires.
Harman Kardon Sound Sticks
Harman Kardon
