Apple just finished its big ‘Spring Loaded’ event and it was packed with new products and announcements. You can watch the whole thing on the Apple site, but here’s a quick recap of what happened, with links to our coverage.
Apple Card updates
Apple
Apple started its event by rebuilding its commitment to the environment and making the company carbon neutral by 2030, but the first for real announcement was not a new product at all, it was an update to the Apple Card. Adult couples can ‘co-own’ an Apple Card, both sharing a credit, and a new ‘Apple Card Family’ feature allows Apple Card owners to share their card with children over 13. spending limits. Existing card users can also merge their accounts and combine their spending limits.
Podcast subscriptions
Apple
Apple does not charge a monthly fee for Podcast subscriptions; this is not Apple Podcasts +. Instead, this new program allows podcast creators to create “premium subscriptions” to their podcasts and set their own price. Subscribers can get custom content or early access, and Apple takes the usual 30% revenue cut (falling to 15% the second year and beyond). There is also a major update to the Podcasts app. It all comes in iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 and macOS 11.3.
A purple iPhone 12
Apple
It’s an iPhone 12 … only it’s purple! That is it. It goes on sale Friday, April 23, and will ship on Friday, April 30.
It only took a few years, but Apple has finally announced those rumored item trackers. AirTags work with Bluetooth and the U1 chip and cost a fairly reasonable $ 29 (or $ 99 for a four-pack). And get this: they are IP67 water and dust resistant and have user replaceable batteries with standard CR2032 button cell batteries!
A new Apple TV 4K
Apple
Get rid of the old Apple TV 4K, indoors with the new Apple TV 4K. The new model has an A12 Bionic processor, supports 120Hz output (if your TV supports it) and, most importantly, includes a new Siri Remote that looks like it’s a a lot of more user-friendly. In fact, you can only buy it for $ 59 if you want one for your existing Apple TV. The new Apple TV 4K will keep the same price as the one it replaces: $ 179 for 32 GB and $ 199 for 64 GB.
Brand new iMacs
Perhaps the most important new product at the event was the introduction of new 24-inch iMacs. Available in a variety of colors, they are powered by the M1 chip, and feature new displays, speakers, microphone arrays and an all-new higher quality 1080p webcam. All models, except the base model, come with new color-matched wireless Magic Keyboards, including a Touch ID sensor and color-matched mice or trackpads.
New iPad Pros
The new iPad Pros (we steadfastly refuse to call them “iPads Pro”) are a big step up from last year’s models. They are also powered by the M1 (which was always exactly what we expected from an M14X). Mobile models now have 5G and the front camera has been upgraded to a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, which enables a new feature called Center Stage that follows you around the room while you’re FaceTime someone. The 12.9-inch model is now $ 100 more expensive (and even more with new configurations), but comes with a Liquid Retina XDR display that uses thousands of mini LED backlights to provide brighter beak clarity, higher contrast, and full Enable HDR support.
I have written professionally about technology all my professional life as an adult – more than 20 years. I like to find out how complicated technology works and explain it in a way that everyone can understand.