After some delays and lots of speculation, Apple took to the virtual stage today announcing a variety of new products and updates as a part of their Spring Loaded event. Here’s a glimpse at six of the biggest announcements from the event. For full coverage, check out the 9to5 Mac Live Event Hub.
1. The iPhone 12 will be available in purple
The iPhone 12 already comes with a great selection of available colors, and now you’ll be able to get it in purple. The purple iPhone 12 will be available for preorder on April 23 and is expected in stores on April 30th.
2. A much-needed redesign for Apple TV 4K
The next generation of Apple TV is here and arrives with significant design improvements for the Siri remote. The new Apple TV 4K will be powered by the A12 Bionic chip, which will provide improved performance of HDR for high frame rates. It also has a new color balancing feature to help you get optimal performance out of your TV.
The 32GB model will cost you $179, with the 64GB model at $199. Orders begin on April 30th with availability expected in the second half of May.
3. Season 2 of Ted Lasso releases on July 23rd
Apple TV+ certainly isn’t a Netflix killer, but the streaming service has provided some great original content. Arguably their biggest hit, Ted Lasso’s second season debuts on Apple TV+ on July 23, 2021.
4. AirTags are finally announced
The rumor of Apple developing a competitor to Tile seems like it has been popping up for years. Now, you can finally attach a small AirTag to your backpack, luggage, keys and more and never worry about losing them again. The AirTags will use the U1 chip to guide you to the exact location.
The AirTags are pleasantly affordable, starting at $29 or a 4-pack for $99. Orders begin on April 23 and they are expected in stores on April 30.
5. A new, thinner iMac powered by M1
Apple changed the future of Mac with the introduction of the M1 chip in 2020. Their two-year plan to move into the next generation of computers got off to a great start with the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini.
Today, Apple took the next step forward with the introduction of their all-new iMac. The iMac will be available in a wide variety of colors, bringing a feeling of nostalgia to the old Power Mac G3. The design looks significantly more modern, while still maintaining the classic iMac feel. It comes in a 24-inch display with updates to the FaceTime camera, speaker system and microphone array. The new iMac includes two USB-C / Thunderbolt ports and two regular USB-C ports. It also includes a new magnetic power cable with integrated ethernet.
The iMac will be available in two versions. The base model will cost $1299, while the upgraded model will cost $1499. Preorders begin on April 30th and are expected to be in stores in the second half of May.
6. The most powerful iPad
After the announcement of the M1 chips in the Mac lineup, some were left wondering if a new iPad Pro could even live up to the hype of the M1 MacBook Air. Apple’s answer to that question was to put the powerful M1 chip in the iPad Pro. This gives their flagship iPad a massive jump in performance. Add in new support for 5G and you’re left with the fastest and most powerful iPad that Apple has ever made.
New to the 12.9-inch model of the iPad Pro is the introduction of a Liquid Retina XDR display that uses mini-LED technology.
The 11-inch iPad Pro will cost $799 and the 12.9-inch model starts at $1,099. Preorders start on April 30 and are expected to be available in the second half of May.
