- Spigen has designed a new case for Apple’s AirPods Pro 3
- It’s inspired by the classic Macintosh mouse from the 1980s
- It comes as Apple prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary
April 1 isn’t just April Fool’s Day – it also marks 50 years since Apple was founded. The company is planning its own slate of celebrations, but case maker Spigen just provided an ingenious way for hardcore Apple fans to mark the occasion, without having to spend a fortune.
Spigen is best known for making cases for iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and other Apple products. Its latest effort is way out of left field, however, as it takes the form of an AirPods Pro 3 case that’s shaped almost exactly like the mouse that came with classic Macintosh computers made in the 1980s.
Dubbed the Classic LS (available for $25 / £26 from Amazon), Spigen’s AirPods Pro 3 case uses the familiar beige color scheme – known as “Platinum” – that Apple products adopted during the 1980s and 1990s. What appears to be a mouse button is actually a latch that keeps the case’s lid secured, while a lanyard gives the appearance of a mouse cord.
It uses the chunky, ridged design of old-school Apple pointers, while there’s a charging indicator light on the top and a cutout for the AirPods Pro case’s charging port and speaker on the bottom. It’s also compatible with wireless chargers and features protective bumpers on the inside.
All in all, it looks like a pretty convincing replica of a classic Apple peripheral from way back when, with Spigen saying it’s designed to bring “a touch of computing history to your everyday carry.” Spigen has even designed some retro-flavored marketing materials to go alongside the device, completing the look.
If that's all a bit too over-engineered for your tastes, Spigen also launched the Classic LS Card Holder (above). It has a strong magnet to help it attach to MagSafe devices (it's compatible with the iPhone 12 onwards) and has space for three cards.
As you can see, it was inspired by the Macintosh 128K and has a floppy disk-style flourish, plus some vintage keyboard details. It also has more than a touch of Severance about it. You can buy it now for $30 / £23 from Amazon.
Apple’s celebrations
With Apple’s 50th anniversary just around the corner, Tim Cook’s firm is gearing up to celebrate.
The company has already announced that it will “celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, recognizing the creativity, innovation, and impact that people around the world have made possible with Apple technology.” One way that’s happened so far is through a concert performed by Alicia Keys at the Apple Grand Central store in New York City on March 13.
Events like this are ephemeral, of course, and while Spigen’s AirPods Pro 3 case is not specifically designed for Apple’s 50th anniversary, it is a more permanent product that can remind users of Apple’s history and stick around a lot longer than a concert.
The Spigen Classic LS case can be bought on Spigen’s website or on Amazon. With Apple seemingly going all out to commemorate its 50th birthday, don’t be surprised to see other accessory makers release their own products in time for the occasion.
