History

Apple introduced its first true modems in 1984, the Apple Modem 300 & 1200 modems (V21/V22). Prior to that they offered a third party Apple-badged comparatively low-tech acoustic coupler. Those were followed by the industry standard 2400/data and combined 9600/fax (V29) Apple Fax Modem in 1987. Apple introduced the internal 2400 data/fax modem card for its Macintosh Portable in 1989 as well as released its last external desktop Apple Data Modem 2400. Only standard internal modems were offered during the 1990s through 2005, with the notable exception of Apple’s foray into GeoPort passive telephony modems which relied heavily upon the computer’s software and processing power rather than dedicated hardware (like Apple’s proprietary internal Express Modem). The Apple USB Modem is Apple’s first true external modem since the Apple Data Modem 2400 was discontinued in 1992.

As of September, 2009 it is no longer available in the US Apple Store but it still works (at least for fax) as of Mac OS X version 10.6.2.

Features

The Apple USB Modem supports V.92, Caller ID, wake-on-ring, telephone answering (V.253), and modem on hold. The modem is manufactured by Motorola. A device driver for the modem was introduced with Mac OS X version 10.4.3.

It retailed for US at the time of its introduction.

Apart from using the Apple USB Modem for Internet dial-up and faxing, it is also being suggested as a low cost line interface (aka FXO interface) for telephony applications, such as for telephone systems (software PBX) and answering machine software.

The decision to drop the built-in dial-up modem is reminiscent of Apple’s decision to drop built-in floppy drives. With the rise of broadband Internet and the general availability of wireless networking, it is likely that Apple felt that it was of more use for people to have default wireless instead of default dial-up.

The highly-miniaturized product, about the size of a cigarette lighter and with a 4.6-inch long USB cable, won a RED DOT design award for good design.

Troubleshooting Tips

According to the Apple discussion boards, the magnetism of the MagSafe connector affects the USB external modem. Placing the modem away from the MagSafe socket on the farthest USB connector will keep your connection from dropping frequently.

References

^ red dot award: product design 2006. Retrieved on 2009-01-07.

External links

Apple USB Modem: Frequently Asked Questions

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Apple hardware since 1998

Consumer computers

eMac  iMac (G3: Tray, Slot; G4; G5; Core; Core 2: Polycarbonate, Aluminum)  Mac mini (G4; Core; Core 2: Server)

Professional computers

Mac Pro  Power Mac (G3: Outrigger, Minitower, AIO, B&W, Server; G4: Graphite, Quicksilver, MDD, Server, Cube; G5)  Xserve (G4, CN; G5, CN; Intel)

Notebook computers

iBook (G3: Clamshell, Dual USB; G4)  MacBook (Core; Core 2: Polycarbonate (Discrete, Unibody), Aluminum)  MacBook Air  MacBook Pro (Core; Core 2: Discrete, Unibody)  PowerBook (2400c, G3: Wallstreet, Lombard, Pismo; G4: Titanium, Aluminum)

Consumer electronics

Apple TV  Displays (Cinema, Studio)  iPad  iPhone (Original, 3G, 3GS)  iPod (Classic: 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, Photo, 5G, 6G; Mini: 1G, 2G; iPod+HP; Shuffle: 1G, 2G, 3G; Nano: 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G; Touch: 1G, 2G, 3G)  Newton (MessagePad: 2000, 2100; eMate 300)

Accessories

AirPort (Card: B, G, N; Base Station: Graphite, Snow, Extreme G, N, Express G, N)  iPod (Click Wheel, Dock Connector, Camera Connector, iPod Hi-Fi, Nike+iPod)  iSight  Keyboard (Pro, Wireless)  Mouse (USB, Pro, Wireless, Mighty, Magic)  Remote  SuperDrive  Time Capsule  USB Modem  Xserve RAID

Italics indicate discontinued products, bold italics indicate announced but not yet released products. See also: Apple hardware before 1998.

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Apple Inc.

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Stores and services

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Related

Advertising (1984, Get a Mac, iPods, Slogans)  Braeburn Capital  FileMaker Inc.  History (Criticism, Discontinued products, Litigation, Typography)  Portal

Annual revenue: US.91 billion (32.1% FY 2009)  Employees: 34,300  Stock symbol: (NASDAQ: AAPL, LSE: ACP, FWB: APC)  Web site: www.apple.com

Categories: Apple Inc. peripherals | Modems | USB