Apple USB Modem

Apple USB Modem
Also known as	MA034
Developer	Apple Inc.
Type	USB modem
Release date	October 12, 2005
Introductory price	US$49
Discontinued	September 2009
Website	support.apple.com/kb/HT3152

The Apple USB Modem is a combined 56 kbit/s data modem and 14.4 kbit/s fax external USB modem introduced by Apple Inc. after the internal 56k modem was dropped on the October 12, 2005 iMac G5 revision. While it looks similar, it should not be confused with Apple's optional USB Ethernet Adapter accessory, available for its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Retina range of laptops since 2008.

History

Apple introduced its first true modems in 1984, the Apple Modem 300 & 1200 modems (

ITU-T V.29) AppleFax 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 Lion operates by default in 64-bit mode, the USB modem will not function in Lion without workarounds.^[1]

Features

The Apple USB Modem supports

Mac OS X

version 10.4.3.

It retailed for US$49 at the time of its introduction.

Apart from using the Apple USB Modem for

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 broadband using an Ethernet cable or a wireless system instead of 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.^[2]

Windows support

The modem identifies itself as "Motorola SM56 USB Data Fax Modem" and a driver was provided via Boot Camp Assistant.^[3]

References

^ David W. Martin (August 15, 2011). "Mac OS X Lion Says Good-Bye To Analog Communications [Modems]". Cult of Mac. Cult of Mac. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
^ red dot award: product design 2006 Archived February 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on January 7, 2009.
^ "Apple USB Modem driver for Windows 7? - Apple Community". Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2021.

[Mac_OS_X_Lion_Says_Good-Bye_To_Analog_Communications_[Modems]-1] David W. Martin (August 15, 2011). "Mac OS X Lion Says Good-Bye To Analog Communications [Modems]". Cult of Mac. Cult of Mac. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2011.

[2] red dot award: product design 2006 Archived February 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on January 7, 2009.

[3] "Apple USB Modem driver for Windows 7? - Apple Community". Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2021.

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