Apple Spring Loaded Event roundup: Here's everything Apple announced
Apple finally held its first event of the year. As expected, the iPhone 13 received no mention, but the company unveiled new iMac and iPad Pro upgraded with its M1 chipset, in addition to AirTag and Apple Card. If you didn't sit through the hour-long event, we have done the legwork to convert it into a concise roundup for your reading pleasure.
Apple Services: Apple Card Family and Podcast Subscriptions
Apple kicked off the event with the aspect of its business that, of late, brings it the most money—Services. The Apple Card Family is the latest addition to its credit card, which allows users to share their card with family members and "build credit together". Separately, starting May, Apple Podcast will get Podcast Subscriptions, which allows users to directly support podcasters through the app.
No iPhone 13, but iPhone 12 gets a purple variant
Although Apple didn't talk about the iPhone 13, which is expected later in the year anyway, it still had an iPhone-related update. The iPhone 12 and 12 Mini are getting a purple variant. The purple iPhone 12 variants will go on sale this Friday, April 23 to be shipped out by April 30. Strangely, the iPhone 12 Pro hasn't been extended this color choice.
AirTag borrows military technology to bring item tracking to iOS
Apple had originally introduced the revolutionary U1 chip with the iPhone 11, but the borrowed military tech finally comes to fruition with the unveiling of the AirTag (and not AirTags). Priced at $29-a-pop, these waterproof and coin battery operated gizmos allow you to track everything from bags and bicycles to pets and children. One can only imagine the interesting (and potentially illegal) use cases.
Apple TV 4K sports A12 Bionic chip, lacks 120Hz support
The last Apple TV refresh was in 2017, so the next-generation Apple TV 4K announcement was a long time coming. The new box will be powered by the older A12 Bionic chip, which will give it 4K capability and support for higher refresh rates. However, full 120Hz support isn't there yet. The unit comes with a redesigned remote and a starting price of $179.
The new iMac is slimmer, sleeker thanks to M1 Silicon
After a decade of stagnation, the iMac gets upgraded. The redesign is slimmer thanks to the smaller footprint and better power/thermal efficiency of Apple's new M1 Silicon. The incredibly thin chassis sports a larger 24-inch display with minimal bezels, along with a 1080p FaceTime camera and upgraded six-speaker system. Also included is a new Magic keyboard with Touch ID. Prices start at $1,299.
Apple brings HDR capability to iPad Pro with mini-LED display
The 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro variants get the 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU versions of the M1 chip along with a faster new Thunderbolt connector. It also gets the Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display, which sports 10,000 Mini LEDs in the backplane to offer 2,500 local dimming zones. Both $799 and $1,099 variants are capable of HDR content with 1,600 nits peak brightness.
