iPad Pros, new iMacs announced

Apple said Tuesday it will release new high-end iPads Pro that use the company’s M1 chip, which is also used in its Mac computers. Previously, iPads used A-series chips, which power the company’s iPhones. Apple says it is the most powerful tablet on the market.

It also includes an improved USB-C connector that allows the iPad to connect to higher-resolution monitors and download images from a camera faster.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has an improved screen with an array of LEDs that are brighter and have better color resolution than previous displays with a technology called Mini-LED.

The iPad Pro also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with an ultra-wide lens that can automatically pan to keep human subjects in view.

Some models will include 5G support, Apple said. The 11-inch model costs $ 799 and the 12.9-inch model costs $ 1099. They can be pre-ordered on April 30 and will ship at the end of May. – Kif Leswing

These iMacs are powered by Apple’s custom M1 silicon, not Intel processors. The computers have a new, thinner aluminum design and are available in red, blue, purple, orange, yellow, silver and green. The new, thinner design is very similar to a large iPad.

Apple says the computer’s volume has been reduced by 50%, resulting in a smaller computer that fits more easily on a desk. It comes with a built-in 24-inch display and an upgraded camera that can record 1080p video in low light. Apple says the display works at a resolution of “4.5K”.

It comes with a new magnetic power connector reminiscent of Apple’s previous MagSafe laptop chargers, and a slightly updated keyboard with an emoji key and fingerprint sensor. Apple’s mice and keyboard are the same colors as the new iMacs.

The entry-level model costs $ 1299, and an upgraded version costs $ 1499. The new iMacs will be available for pre-order on April 30 and will ship in the second half of May, Apple said.

Apple’s first iMacs, released 20 years ago, also came in a variety of colors.

Apple is finally introducing a new, redesigned remote for the Apple TV. It’s made of aluminum and has dedicated buttons for navigating menus, which should solve some of the headaches caused by the earlier remote. It will ship with the new Apple TV 4K in the second half of May, which costs $ 179 or $ 199, depending on the model.

– Jessica Bursztynsky

Apple has announced that its Apple TV 4K box has been updated with a new processor and that it can handle high frame rate HDR video, which will result in smoother, more colorful sporting events.

It also includes a new feature that uses the iPhone’s camera to fine-tune the TV’s picture quality.

It also comes with a completely redesigned remote made of aluminum with physical buttons, instead of the old remote’s touchpad. It can also control the power of your TV. Instead of a touch pad, it has a round wheel to operate the display.

It starts at $ 179 for 32 GB of storage. They will be ordered on April 30 and will ship in the second half of May, Apple said. – Kif Leswing

Apple announced AirTag, calling it an iPhone accessory, priced at $ 29 for one or $ 99 for four. It will hit store shelves April 30.

It uses Apple technology called Find My, which uses a network of iPhones to find lost items and was opened up to third-party accessories earlier this month. It uses a technique Apple calls “ precision finding, ” which it says is privacy-sensitive.

This product has been the source of some investigation by lawmakers who have heard that Apple is favoring its own lost property trackers over theirs using anti-competitive practices and access to the iPhone operating system. Find My opened last month to third-party accessory makers. – Kif Leswing

It goes on pre-order on Friday and will ship on April 30th. – Kif Leswing

Apple announced it will launch its podcast subscription next month, further pitting itself against Spotify and other competitors in the audio streaming wars.

The company is also redesigning its Apple Podcast app.

– Jessica Bursztynsky

Cook said Apple will allow partners and spouses to share a credit limit on a credit card, allowing both people to build credit scores. It also introduces functions for families and teens. Apple was particularly under fire from co-founder Steve Wozniak after people discovered that spouses sometimes had different credit limits. – Kif Leswing

While walking through Apple Park, Apple’s campus in Cupertino, California, Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked off the event with facts about Apple’s environmental efforts, saying that Apple is carbon neutral and hopes to remove 1 million tons of carbon from the environment annually. remove. – Kif Leswing

As Apple’s event kicks off, YouTube shows that more than 360,000 people are streaming it on YouTube. Apple’s three launch events last fall each brought millions of people watching live on YouTube. It is also available to stream directly on Apple’s website, which is not counted in the YouTube songs. – Kif Leswing

As Apple prepares to potentially release new iPads, remember the product has had a major pandemic: In the fourth calendar quarter of 2020, Apple shipped $ 8.44 billion worth of iPads – a 41% year-on-year increase. – Kif Leswing

Apple is best known for its fall launch events where it unveils new iPhones, but it’s no stranger to hosting slightly less eye-catching events in the spring.

Apple did not hold a spring event in 2020 due to the pandemic outbreak and instead launched new iPads and other gadgets on its website. In 2019, Apple’s spring announcement focused on services such as Apple TV + and the Apple Card. But it also announced new iPads in 2018 at an educational event at a Chicago school.

Last fall, Apple aired three pre-recorded product launch events in three months, each of which attracted millions of live viewers on YouTube. – Kif Leswing

One of Apple’s dumbest traditions is that on the morning of an event, it takes down its online Apple Store and gives up a few hours of online sales in exchange for building hype for its new products. Apple has been doing this for years, and technology has certainly gotten to the point where Apple could update its store without downtime – it does it all the time – but why mess with tradition? – Kif Leswing