Apple’s product releases which it calls “Apple Special Events” or just simply “Apple Events” have traditionally been these meticulously rehearsed shows that involve a live audience at a smart and posh location backed by the best tech possible, and Apple was really good at them. With COVID-19, live audiences are out of the question. Apple now holds its event online. Here’s a list of the updates and newly unveiled things in the tech giant’s Spring 2021 event.
Apple Card
Apple’s credit card now has a new feature called “Apple Card Family” and allows the holder to share the card with anyone in their family over the age of 13. Each added user can have their own spending limit.
Apple Podcasts
The Apple Podcasts app will have a redesign. Each episode and show will have a new page to make it easy to follow, listen and share. Apple is also launching Apple Podcasts Subscritpoins next month in 170 countries and regions. The long-rumored addition of paid subscriptions in Apple Podcasts is finally happening.
iPhone 12 in Purple
The iPhone 12 now offers a new purple color.
AirTag
Another long-rumored new product from Apple, the AirTag attaches to items you want to track and uses the Find My app and network to locate them. The AirTag also has something called Precision Finding which uses the U1 chip in supported iPhone models (iPhone 11 and up) to get the precise distance and give the user all sorts of feedback to guide them on the iPhone.
Apple also emphasized how the AirTag was designed with privacy in mind. To quote them, “AirTag is designed to track items, not people”.
AirTag preorder starts on April 23 and is available starting April 30. A 1 pack costs $29 and a 4-pack costs $99. Apple also makes some keychain-like accessories for AirTag and there’s also the AirTag Hermès.
Apple TV 4K
The new Apple TV 4K comes with the A12 Bionic chip and a new Siri remote.
- The new Apple TV 4K has a new feature to calibrate its own color/contrast output to help your smart TV get the best picture quality.
- The Siri remote has been redesigned. It’s now a one-piece aluminum. The trackpad on the last-gen Siri remote is replaced with a 5 direction wheel which adds direction buttons but also retains the touch functionality. It also allows you to use the outer ring as a jog control. A power button to control your TV was added and the Siri button has been moved to the side.
- It is expected the new Siri remote will work with the last-gen Apple TV 4K.
- The new Apple TV 4K is $179 for the 32 GB model and $199 for the 64 GB model. Preorder starts April 30 and available in the second half of May.
iMac 24″
Apple’s iMac now moves to their M1 chip too. Apple took a few jibes at Intel too calling their processors power-hungry and bulky. If this feels a bit too cheeky for Apple, you will want to watch Intel’s latest commercial starring Justin Long from Apple’s “I’m A Mac” campaign.
The new 24-inch iMac comes in 7 colors and is really thin thanks to the M1 chip.
- 4.5K Retina display.
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera.
- Color matching Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
- Pricing starts at $1,299 (8-Core CUP/7-Core GPU).
- Preorder starts April 30 and available in the second half of May.
iPad Pro
The iPad Pro goes M1 too with Apple claiming 50% faster CPU performance and 40% faster graphics.
- The cellular version now adds 5G support.
- Pricing starts at $799 for the 11-inch model and $1,099 for the 12.9-inch model.
- The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, previously available only in black, now comes in white too. Sold separately, needless to say.
- Preorder starts April 30 and available in the second half of May.
Finally, to watch the full 1-hour event, follow the links below.
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