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

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.

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.