Apple Events 2021 Highlights: iMac, iPad Pro Lineup, Airtags & more

Apple’s first affair of 2021 – the “Spring Loaded” event took place on April 20. Live-streamed from the company’s campus in Cupertino, California, Apple announced its big launch of a handful of devices, including an iPad Pro 2021 with the powerful M1 chip. 

In addition, the company unveiled the AirTag location trackers and the iMac 2021 in an all-new sleek design available in multiple colors. It also announced the launch of Apple TV 4K, featuring the robust A12 chip and the new Siri remote. Lastly, the company also revealed a brand new purple color variant for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. Exciting, right?

Furthermore, stating its first launch of the year- an annual Earth Day initiative, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, alleged to make the company 100% carbon-neutral by 2030. 

Noteworthy Highlights of the Launch

Here is a quick roundup of what the great event was all about. 

iPad Pro & iPad Pro Mini

• 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display
• Supercharged by M1 chip
• 5G capabilities
• All-new ultra-wide camera with Center Stage feature

As anticipated, the company announced the launch of the iPad Pro, featuring 8-core CPU and backed by Apple’s M1 chip. The updated iPad will have a faster processor, incredible 5G capabilities, a Mini-LED display, and a Thunderbolt port so it can easily connect to more external monitors. 

Reportedly, the new display will have improved brightness, a better contrast ratio, and will optimize power efficiencies to offer a long battery life. 

The new iPad Pro will feature an ultra-wide camera with a 12 MP sensor. It will flaunt the Center Stage feature that will automatically pan the entire picture view to keep the users in focus, quite like the Facebook Portal. 

Apple is also bringing its powerful M1 chip to its line of iPads that will enable superior graphics, better video abilities, and augmented reality features. Also, the Apple pencil remains unchanged. However, Scribble will support more languages. 

Talking about price, the iPad Pro Mini (11 inches) comes at a price range of $799. The 12.9-inch model, on the other hand, will be priced at $1,099. Both the models can be ordered from 30th April onwards. They will be available in the markets from the second half of May. 

All-new iMac

• Newly designed inside and outside
• Impossibly sleek design
• 24 inch, 4.5K Retina display
• New technology mic, speakers, and camera
• Supercharged by the M1 chip

The reimaged and super stylish iMac is bursting with vibrant colors for your home offices for remote working spaces. The all-new design features the M1 chip that has enabled the company to shrink the device’s internal hardware significantly. Thus, it comprises a smaller logic board and a new thermal system with two small fans to keep the system cool. Surprisingly, the new iMac will only be 11.5 mm deep. The M1 chip is also anticipated to improve the speed of apps as well as support the use of iPhone apps such as Headspace and Zillow. 

Apple has also improved the iMac’s camera. The 1080p camera will now come with a host of features, including noise reduction, tone mapping, and auto white balance.

Most importantly, the company has added a touch ID button to the iMac’s keyboard. This is a first, where the button will be placed in the top right corner of the keyboard. This will let the users unlock their computers through their fingerprints. 

The new iMac will have a 24 inch, 4.5K display which is slightly bigger than the previous 21.5 inch iMac. It will come in a range of seven colors, including mint, peach, and lavender. The price of the first four colors will start at $1,299 whereas the new three colors will be priced around $1,499. This too will be available on the market from the second half of May. 

Both the Apple mouse and keyboard will also come in a range of colors to match the screen. 

AirTag

The event also marked the unveiling of Apple’s highly anticipated product- the AirTag. It is a small, flat, circular-shaped Bluetooth locator that can be attached to anything. It can help to locate items, such as car keys, wallet, bag, laptop, or even your car. 

The AirTag features a built-in chip that is connected to Apple’s Find My app. The innovative product will have water and dust-resistant properties. It also works with Siri. It will have an in-built speaker that will play sounds to locate the item it is attached to. Thus, the coin-like tags are best suited to people who leave their belongings at various places and fail to recall about them. 

Apple also emphasized on AirTag’s privacy features and how it will prevent stalking. The special gadget will have an iPhone feature that notifies the owner when someone tries to use their AirTag for nefarious purposes.

Although location tracking products are not new, this one by Apple is deemed to be very valuable as it will precisely determine the direction and distance to a lost item. It will have the Apple-designed U1 chip that leverages the Ultra-Wideband technology, the same used in iPhone 12. 

As for the price, the AirTag will be $29 each. A pack of four will cost around $99. 

Apple TV4K with a new Siri Remote

• A12 Bionic chip
• New technology Siri remote
• 4K High Frame Rate HDR

Apple is also rolling out the newest generation of its Apple TV, 4K streaming device that will have a brand new Siri remote. As per the company, the remote is made from 100% recycled aluminum. It will have a dedicated Siri button as well as a new pad for the users to click and swipe through. 

The new Apple TV is powered by an A12 Bionic chip. This will enable the users to view HDR content with quick frame rates and better gameplay. 

The TV will be available on the market starting from the 30th of April. The 32 GB version will be priced at $179 and the 64 GB version at $199. 

More Highlights

The company also announced a paid service for Apple Podcasts. Among the many perks of a podcast subscription, the chief ones include ad-free service, exclusive content, and early access to new series. This paid service will be available in 170 regions starting next month. 

In a bit of a surprise, Apple also made a little announcement regarding iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini coming in gorgeous purple variants. This adds to the list of existing models available in black, white, red, green, and blue. The new color iPhone will start at $799 and hit the market on April 30. 

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