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

Apple customers and employees wearing non-Apple designed masks

Last updated

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.

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.

Image Credit: MacRumors 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.

24 Comments

scampercom 20 Years · 95 comments

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.

5 Likes · 0 Dislikes
Beats 5 Years · 3073 comments

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

6 Likes · 0 Dislikes
randominternetperson 9 Years · 3248 comments

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.

1 Like · 0 Dislikes
JFC_PA 8 Years · 967 comments

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

3 Likes · 0 Dislikes
hentaiboy 15 Years · 1253 comments

These things are kinda Silence of the Lambs creepy.


7 Likes · 0 Dislikes