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 |
TheApple USB Modemis a combined 56 kbit/s data modem and 14.4 kbit/s fax externalUSBmodemintroduced byApple Inc.after the internal 56k modem was dropped on the October 12, 2005iMac G5revision. While it looks similar, it should not be confused with Apple's optional USB Ethernet Adapter accessory, available for itsMacBook AirandMacBook Pro Retinarange of laptops since 2008.
History
[edit]Apple introduced its first true modems in 1984, theApple Modem 300&1200modems (ITU-T V.21andV.22). Prior to that they offered a third party Apple-badged comparatively low-techacoustic coupler.Those were followed by the industry standard 2400/data and combined 9600/fax (ITU-T V.29)AppleFax Modemin 1987. Apple introduced the internal 2400 data/fax modem card for itsMacintosh Portablein 1989 as well as released its last external desktopApple Data Modem 2400.Only standard internal modems were offered during the 1990s through 2005, with the notable exception of Apple's foray intoGeoPortpassivetelephonymodems which relied heavily upon the computer's software and processing power rather than dedicated hardware (like Apple's proprietary internalExpress Modem). TheApple USB Modemis Apple's first true external modem since theApple Data Modem 2400was 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 ofMac OS Xversion 10.6.2. No officially supported 64-bit driver exists, and asMac OS X Lionoperates by default in 64-bit mode, the USB modem will not function in Lion without workarounds.[1]
Features
[edit]The Apple USB Modem supportsV.92,Caller ID,wake-on-ring, telephone answering (V.253), and modem on hold. The modem is manufactured byMotorola.Adevice driverfor the modem was introduced withMac OS Xversion 10.4.3.
It retailed forUS$49 at the time of its introduction.
Apart from using the Apple USB Modem forInternetdial-up and faxing, it is also being suggested as a low cost line interface (akaFXOinterface) for telephony applications, such as for telephone systems (softwarePBX) and answering machine software.
The decision to drop the built-in dial-up modem is reminiscent of Apple's decision to drop built-infloppy drives.With the rise ofbroadbandInternet 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
[edit]In Windows, the modem identifies itself as "Motorola SM56 USB Data Fax Modem" and a driver was provided viaBoot Camp Assistant.[3]
References
[edit]- ^David W. Martin (August 15, 2011)."Mac OS X Lion Says Good-Bye To Analog Communications [Modems]".Cult of Mac.Cult of Mac.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2022.RetrievedAugust 16,2011.
- ^red dot award: product design 2006ArchivedFebruary 13, 2009, at theWayback Machine.Retrieved on January 7, 2009.
- ^"Apple USB Modem driver for Windows 7? - Apple Community".Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021.
