Apple Event 2021 highlights: New iPad Pro, Apple TV, iMac launched

Apple launched a bunch of new products at its “Spring Loaded” event last night. These include iPad Pro 2021, a new iMac, Apple TV, and AirTags. The event was live-streamed via Apple’s official website and YouTube channel. If you want to keep up with the latest news, then you can also come back here to get all the updates on new Apple devices.

At this year’s ‘Spring Loaded’ event, Apple took the wraps off its new iPad Pro with a mini-display and an M1-level chip. The Apple Pencil remains the same. The company didn’t launch an iPad mini and an entry-level iPad.

Apart from iPads, we also see the launch of new iMac models that are powered by Apple’s M1 chip. They are rumored to get some design upgrades as well. In addition to this, Apple finally unveiled its AirTags, the Bluetooth tracker, as well as a new Apple TV. Apple is all set to roll out the iOS 14.5 updates starting next week. Read on to know more about the products that were launched at the event.

Announcements

Podcast subscription

The company has unveiled a redesigned Podcasts app, and channels that will help you find new shows. Further, Apple podcast subscriptions have been launched in 170 countries. It enables you to unlock new content as well as additional benefits like ad-free listening.

Apple Podcast subscriptions will make shows ad-free
Apple’s new Podcast subscriptions will offer an ad-free experience and also trigger a lot of high-quality content. Apple is also redesigning the podcast app to help discovery.

New iPhone 12 color

In addition to this, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are now available in a new purple color option. These iPhones were previously launched in Blue, Green, Black, White, and (PRODUCT) RED color options.

AirTags launched, India price

Apple has also launched AirTags that are small tracking tiles with Bluetooth connectivity support. So, one can use them to find lost items, similar to Tile. You will be able to find them right in the Find My app. AirTags have a built-in chip that allows them to connect to an iPhone, relaying the position of devices that Airtags are attached to. You can use an ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac to track the location of AirTags to much like you do to find missing Apple devices. It is priced at $29 and will be available for purchase starting April 30.

AirTag will be available in one and four packs for Rs 3,190 and Rs 10,900, respectively, from apple.com and through Apple Authorised Resellers beginning Friday, April 30.

Apple TV launched: Features, India price

It supports Dolby Vision and is powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic processor. The new 4K Apple TV allows users to play HDR content at a faster framerate. This means that the sports and other high-resolution content will look good. Users will also be able to use their iPhone’s light sensor to calibrate the Apple TV to help adjust any slight shifts in color and brightness. One will also be able to play 4K HDR video in 60fps. Users can also AirPlay the 4K 60fps Dolby Vision videos shot using the iPhone 12.

The newly launched Apple TV 4K is priced at $179 for 32GB and $199 for 64GB. It will be available for purchase in May. The company has also unveiled a new Siri Remote with a new design and click wheel.

The new Apple TV 4K will be available for Rs 18,900 from Apple.com. It is also available through Apple Authorised Resellers and select pay-TV providers. Customers can order the new Apple TV 4K beginning Friday, April 30, with availability beginning in the second half of May in more than 30 countries and regions, including the US.

The new Siri Remote will be available separately for Rs 5,800 and is compatible with the previous-generation Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

New iMac launched

Apple has launched a new iMac, which is available in a lot of colours, including Green, orange, yellow, red, and blue. It is powered by Apple’s own Silicon, the M1. The Cupertino giant has added a 1080p FaceTime camera on the front of the new iMac. It comes with a Truetone display, and there are two small fans instead of a thermal system. Apple says the product won’t make more than 10dB of noise. The company also asserts that the new machine is about 11.5mm thin. It offers a new set of speakers with two pairs of woofers and a high-performance tweeter, so there are a total of six stereo speakers. Apple says these are ‘coupled’ with advanced algorithms to deliver spatial audio to hear in Dolby Atmos.

iMac extra details, price

The newly launched iMac ships with macOS Big Sur. With Mi chip, Apple claims users will get up to 85 percent faster performance than the previous generation. Apple claims GPU performance is up to two times faster than before, so the photos will load faster and video edits will become much smoother. The iMac also supports iPhone and iPad apps like Headspace and games like Sky. It comes with Touch ID, 4 USB C ports for I/O, and an ethernet connection, along with a new power connector that attaches magnetically. The new iMac will be available for purchase in the second half of May. Its price starts from $1499, which is the price for the seven color options.

New iPad Pro launched

It is powered by Apple’s M1 system-on-a-chip. Apple says users will get 50 percent better performance than the previous iPad Pro. Apple claims the graphics of the new iPad Pro is 50 times faster than before. It comes with support for 5G connectivity, Thunderbolt, and USB-4 support. Apple says it is offering users the ‘fastest and most versatile port ever on an iPad.’ The 2021 iPad Pro also comes with 2x faster storage access and a 2TB storage configuration. The 2021 iPad Pro even offers support for the gaming controllers from Xbox Series X and PS5.

There is a new 12MP ultra-wide front camera. The 2021 iPad Pro packs a 12.9-inch display, which uses Liquid Retina XDR, and has 1000nits of maximum brightness, 16000nits peak brightness, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Apple has introduced a new “Center Stage” feature, which helps track your location during a video call using machine learning.

2021 iPad Pro price

The 2021 iPad Pro has been unveiled in a new white color variant. The 11-inch iPad Pro comes with a starting price of $799, which roughly translates to Ra. 60,000 INR whereas the 12.9-inch model with Liquid Retina display will cost you $1099. You can order the new iPad pro starting April 30 and it will be available for purchase in May.