Apple’s latest product is out, and it’s something to put your iPhone in. Unlike a case, the iPhone Pocket is a piece of 3D-knitted material that stretches to accommodate the phone. And Apple made it in collaboration with fashion house Issey Miyake.
“iPhone Pocket features a ribbed open structure with the qualities of the original pleats by ISSEY MIYAKE. Born from the idea of creating an additional pocket, its understated design fully encloses iPhone, expanding to fit more of a user’s everyday items,” Apple stated in a post on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
I’ve been testing the Pocket, and it is stretchy enough to hold all sizes of iPhone and more, though I’d advise against trying to squeeze your weekly shop into it.
When empty, it has a perfectly regular rectangular shape, sealed at top and bottom and with a wide slot to slide the phone into it. The design stretches only as far as it has to, so the iPhone is held securely.
It comes in two sizes, one with a short strap, one long. The short strap comes in eight colors: lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon and black. I’ve been using the lemon version, which is lively, with a neon brightness that is hard to miss while still staying true to the citrus zestiness of the name. The design means you can twist the top half round on itself to attach to a handbag or backpack, for instance. Or you can carry it on your arm.
The longer strap can fit over the shoulder and comes in just three colors, sapphire, cinnamon and black.
For those readers who remember the iPod sock (which I first encountered when the iPod shuffle was launched), there’s something of that feel to this.
Apple says Issey Miyake has “iconic pleated clothing,” and this accessory is in that vein.
This is a limited-edition release that’s only available in select Apple Stores: in the U.S., the Apple SoHo store in New York will be selling it, and in the U.K. you need the Regent Street Store in London. It’s also on sale in Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong.
It goes on sale this Friday, Nov. 14, and costs $149.95 for the short strap version, $229.95 for the longer version.
