Colorful new iMacs may have stolen the show, but Apple also announced newer iPad Pros, AirTags, Apple TV and Apple Card updates.
Image via Apple
During the pandemic over the last year and a half, more Americans and people worldwide have been working remotely, increasing the demand for laptops, tablets and more. Apple sales reached new records by October’s end last year, with international sales accounting for as much as 60 percent.
Following up on this increased demand that has not abated into the new year, Apple launched new products at its first 2021 “Spring Loaded” event on Tuesday, April 20th earlier this week. Kicking off at 1 p.m. ET from its headquarters in Cupertino, CA, the pre-recorded, all digital event was broadcast on Apple.com and featured slick videos, including an unexpected “Mission Implausible” humorous clip featuring an Andy Dick-esque character morphing into Tim Cook.
The event introduced a slew of new products, including an updated iMac desktop available now in all the colors of the rainbow, an updated iPad Pro, a new iPhone 12 with a new purple hue, an updated Apple TV, a new iPhone accessory called AirTag to track lost items, updated Apple Card options and new podcast subscriptions. In addition, Apple announced that it would release iOS 14.5 update for the iPhone next week with a privacy change that may ruffle feathers at Facebook and for other advertising giants.
Highlights:
New colorful iMacs with M1 Chip and Retina Display
New iPad Pros with M1 Chip, 5G
New iPhone 12 with a beautiful purple color
Introducing AirTags, a device attached to keychains, luggage and more to track lost items with their phones
New Apple TVs with A12 Bionic chip and redesigned remote
New Podcasts app with Subscriptions options
Apple Card Family to share an Apple Card, build credit and track spending and credit in a new platform
Colorful New iMacs with M1 Chip and Stunning 4.5K Retina Display
Image via Apple
Last autumn, Apple updated its beloved 27-inch iMac by adding new faster processors and more capabilities for its graphics, but this year’s update is the first update in many years to the popular desktop. This massive update became possible due to Apple’s new M1 chip that helped the company get rid of its large thermal system, resulting in a significantly slimmer machine that occupies about half the space of prior models. With its new hardware, the iMac is truly redesigned from the inside out.
The new iMac offers:
24-inch, 4.5K Retina display (base model)
11.3 million pixels, 500 nits of brightness, and over a billion colors
1080 front-facing FaceTime HD camera with a new sensor
anti-reflective coating or greater comfort and readability
powerful, fast M1 chip with 7-core or 8-core CPU
16-core Apple Neural Engine
studio-quality three-microphone array for clearer calls and voice recordings
6 speakers that support spatial audio and Dolby Atmos
supports TouchID, the fingerprint-based authentication system designed by Apple
wakes instantly
85 percent faster than prior iMacs
slim, compact design enabled by M1, occupying less than half the space of prior thermal-dependent iMac models
works well for demanding projects like editing 4K video and working with large images
7 stunning new colors in a rainbow palette
color-matched Magic Mouse
4 USB-C ports, including 2 Thunderbolt ports for superfast data transfers
connectivity to a 6K display, like Apple Pro Display XDR
Wi-Fi 6 delivers faster wireless performance
2 additional USB-C ports
1 Gbps Ethernet port in the power adapter
free of harmful substances
energy-efficient
low-carbon aluminum enclosure and 100 percent recycled tin in the solder of its main logic board
100 percent recycled rare earth elements
100 percent wood fiber in the packaging is recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests
Image via Apple
With its compact design, the new iMac can fit into smaller spaces easily. The new iMac also has a woven, color-matched cable and power connector that attaches magnetically. Through iCloud and Continuity, macOS Big Sur enables users to work seamlessly across their iMac, iPhone, and other Apple devices. All new iMacs come preloaded with macOS Big Sur and updated apps.
Image via Apple
Color-matched accessories include an included Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard with an aluminum enclosure. Customers can also purchase a Magic Trackpad.
Image via Apple
Image via Apple
The new iMacs with 7-core GPU start at $1,299 and $1,249 for education and the new iMacs with 8-core GPU starts at $1,499 and $1,399. Visit Apple.com for more details.
New iPad Pro Features a Powerful M1 Chip, Fast 5G and 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display
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Apple also announced its newest iPad Pro, featuring the powerful M1 chip that increases performance, 5G connectivity for speed and a stunning visual display through the new Liquid Retina XDR display with dynamic range. Thin and light, the iPad Pro has a new Ultra Wide front camera that offers Center Stage, a new feature that automatically keeps users perfectly framed for even more engaging video calls. The iPad Pro offers excellent support for low light conditions. The iPad Pro comes with an included
The new iPad Pro offers:
powerful M1 chip with 8-core CPU that increases performance
5G connectivity for speed
stunning new Liquid Retina XDR display with dynamic range
mini-LED design with over 10,000 LEDs across the entire back of the display
Ultra Wide front camera
Center Stage feature for perfect framing during video calls
supports ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
offers unparalleled mobile cinematic experience
2TB of high-speed storage
expanded Thunderbolt support
USB 4 support to connect accessories
4-speaker audio system
pro cameras with LiDAR Scanner
Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video
Magic Keyboard (accessory) with a smooth angle adjustment available now in white
low-carbon aluminum enclosure
100 percent recycled rare earth elements
100 percent wood fiber in the packaging is recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests
Image via Apple
Image via Apple
Next week, Apple will also be releasing iPadOS 14.5 that offers new features including expanded language support for Apple Pencil features like Scribble and Smart Selection, new emoji, support for the latest gaming controllers, and the ability to share lyrics and see top songs in cities around the world.
The new iPad Pros with 11-inch display start at $799 and the new iPad Pros with 12-inch Liquid Retina XD display at $1099. Visit Apple for more details.
New iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in a Spring Purple
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Apple also unveiled a new purple finish for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, matching the precision-milled back glass and accentuating the aluminum edges. Apple CEO Tim Cook shared the "new, gorgeous purple" iPhone during the event, calling the new color "perfect for spring.”
The new iPhone offers:
advanced dual-camera system
Super Retina XDR display
pixel precision brightness, almost twice that of iPhone 11
2 million-to-1 contrast ratio for true blacks
night mode and faster-performing Deep Fusion now on all cameras — TrueDepth, Wide, and Ultra Wide
immersive HDR viewing experience for high-definition video
crisp photos with more detail
Ceramic Shield front cover
A14 Bionic chip for performance
5G connectivity
new beautiful finishes in purple
MagSafe wireless charging
water-resistance up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes
protected against everyday spills like coffee and soda
available in six colors: blue, green, black, white, red and purple
100 percent recycled rare earth elements
Image via Apple
MagSafe chargers offer wireless 15W of power. Apple also offers new iPhone accessories. Next week, Apple will also be releasing iOS 14.5. All new iPhones ship with the latest software that offers the ability to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch while wearing a face mask, an enhanced Apple Podcasts app with redesigned show and episode pages, aSearch tab, and new emoji. iOS 14.5 offers attractive widget designs, instantly organizes apps via the App Library in one view and enables quick replies via Messages.
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The new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 are available for $799 and $699 before trade-in, along with monthly payment plans of $29.12-$33.29 per month for 24 months. Visit Apple.com for more details.
Introducing AirTag
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Apple introduced AirTag, an iPhone accessory that helps you find lost items privately and securely. Inspired by the "Find My iPhone" feature, AirTag can be added to keychains, luggage, bags and more. This new product by Apple helps you reconnect with your item without sharing your location data to outsiders.
AirTag offers:
way to find lost items using iPhones
Precision Finding to help users find their missing item using sounds, haptics and visual feedback
secure end-to-end encryption
privacy for users
U1 chip using Ultra Wideband technology
small, lightweight design
polished stainless steel
IP67 water- and dust-resistant
built-in speaker plays sounds to help locate AirTag
Find My network connectivity
accessibility features such as VoiceOver
personalization options with free engraving
compatible with iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models
energy efficient
free of harmful substances
100 percent recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board
uses wood fiber in the packaging that is recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests
Image via Apple
Image via Apple
Image via Apple
Image via Apple
Apple offers AirTag accessories from third-parties such as Hermès. AirTag is available in one or four packs at $29 and $99. More details about the My network program can be found at mfi.apple.com.
New Apple TV 4K with Redesigned Remote
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In addition to pushing out the next generation of Apple TV 4K, Apple has also redesigned its new Siri Remote for intuitive navigation. Apple TV works seamlessly with Apple devices.
Apple TV offers:
4k viewing
high frame rate (60fps) HDR with Dolby vision
A12 Bionic chip offering boosted graphics performance, video decoding and audio processing
same color support in iPhone, offering cinematic standards
color balance feature to tailor video output to deliver more accurate colors and contrast
tvOS software
new Siri Remote with intuitive navigation controls
collaboration with leading video providers to stream in high frame rate HDR
support for viewing iPhone Pro videos via AirPlay
energy-efficient
free of harmful substances
100 percent recycled aluminum in the Siri Remote enclosure
100 percent recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board
Uses wood fiber in the packaging that is recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests
Image via Apple
Apple is working with leading video providers such as FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+ to stream in high frame rate HDR. The new Siri Remote has a “jog control” feature where you can intuitively turn the outer ring of the clicked to find a scene in a movie or show along with a power button to turn the TV on and off and one for muting. Apple TV integrates with Apple’s own Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+ and Apple Arcade, supporting watching movies, listening to music, working out and playing games.
Apple offers the new Apple TV 4K in two models, 32GB starting at $179 and 64GB starting at $199. Visit Apple.com for more details.
New Podcasting Options with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions
Image via Apple
Offering podcasters a new way to earn money, Apple now provides Apple Podcast subscriptions. Premium subscriptions offer ad-free listening, access to additional content and early or exclusive series access. Apple helped make podcasts mainstream fifteen years ago. With its new platform, podcasters can now inform, entertain and inspire listeners in new ways. Apple has also redesigned its Apple Podcasts for better podcast discovery with channels, curated groups of shows as well as free, paid and freemium channels.
Apple Podcasts offer:
new streamlined design
Apple Podcast Subscriptions
better podcast discovery
support website and guidelines
better metrics
Image via Apple
To make it easier for podcast creators, Apple has streamlined the user interface and launched a new Apple Podcasts for Creators website and an Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard. Creators can also enroll in the new Apple Podcasters Program, which provides access to all the tools needed to build and distribute premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts. Creators can now view rich previews of their podcast metadata and publish changes to their shows right from Apple Podcasts Connect. Analytics offers more performance metrics, such as Engaged Listeners and Listeners by City, and visualization tools, including the new Episode Performance chart, which compares listeners across episodes over configurable time periods.
“Apple is putting creators first with their approach to the subscription model. Offering subscriptions provides new flexibility and options for consumers, and is an important addition to helping creators better monetize their works. All of this will lead to more investment and even better shows for podcast fans.”
The new iOS 14.5 update coming next week also offers access to the new Apple Podcasts app featuring an enhanced Search tab for quick access to Top Charts and categories. Apple Podcasts has beautiful new pages for every show and episode to make it easier to follow, listen and share. The new Smart Play button helps listeners automatically start episodic shows from the latest episode and serialized shows from the beginning of each series. Listeners can also now save individual episodes, which are downloaded for offline playback, making it easy to bookmark podcasts to listen to later from Library.
Introducing Apple Card Family, to share Apple Card and build credit
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Apple introduced Apple Card Family on Tuesday — a way of sharing Apple Card in a family to track purchases, manage spending and build credit together. Launching in May, Apple Card Family allows couples to merge their credit lines and build their credit equally. Parents can also add kids to Apple Card and set spending limits. Built into the Apple Wallet app on iPhone, the Apple Card has eliminated all fees and offers greater privacy and security along with a Daily Cash option for up to 3 percent cash back on all cash purchases. The titanium card does not have traditional credit card numbers or CVV digits, thus eliminating a major avenue for fraud in typical credit cards. Goldman Sachs is the issuing bank for Apple Card who makes all eligibility and credit decisions as a part of Apple Card Family
Apple Card offers:
easy purchasing options for Apple products and services
iPhone integration
Apple Card Family feature for tracking expenses, budgeting and building credit together for a family / two people
add up to five people to an Apple Card account
optional spending limits and controls to teach smart and safe financial habits
Image via Apple
Coming in May to Apple Card customers in the US, Apple Card Family requires an update to the latest version of iOS. You can apply for Apple Card by opening the Wallet and tapping the Add (+) button. Learn more about Apple Card at apple.com/apple-card.
