Everything From the Apple Spring Loaded Event

Last year, Apple revolutionised the way companies deliver product launches with its stunning array of special events, which not only showcase the products but also feature Hollywood-quality production values. Today, we got the latest Apple Spring Loaded event, and it was jam-packed. There’s a new iMac, iPad Pro, Apple TV 4K, the much-rumoured AirTag, and much more. Here’s a bite-sized rundown of everything from the event.

New iMac with M1

The iMac, at least from the front, has looked the same since 2012. Almost a decade of the same design language with only minor updates to the much-loved computer since. Whilst it has always looked pretty great, those thick bezels and large dimensions are starting to look pretty outdated in 2021. So Apple has completely redesigned the iMac both inside and out.

From the side, you can see just how thin it is. The aluminium and glass enclosure is a touch over 11mm thick, meaning it’ll look great anywhere and barely take up any room. It’s amazing that inside, there is enough power to do even professional-level tasks. The screen is also new and improved. It’s larger at 24 inches and features a 4.5K resolution. The bezels are thinner (although nowhere near as thin as we expected), but the traditional iMac ‘chin’ remains, this time covered in a single sheet of glass and highlighting your choice of seven colours. Just like the original iMac.

There’s a new webcam with AI features to make your video chats look even better, and a new “studio quality” three-microphone array will vastly improve audio quality. Speaking of audio quality, Apple have managed to squeeze six speakers into that thin design to deliver more bass and better sound right out of the box.

The redesign is accompanied by the introduction of the M1 chip, which debuted last year.

The keyboard and mouse have received welcome updates, too. You can now unlock your computer with Touch ID directly from the new keyboard, and they have even matched the colours. The Magic Mouse remains the same but is available in the same seven colours. So too is the Magic Trackpad. It would have been nice to see a backlit keyboard, but we can’t have everything.

Prices start at £1,249 and go up to £1,649 for the spec you really want. Given the quality of the display, the materials used and the performance of the M1, it’s surprisingly good value. You can order it from the 30th of April, and deliveries will start in the second half of May.

Never Lose Anything Again with AirTag

Like most things that Apple does, the AirTag is not a new idea, but instead is done in a very Apple way. Much like the Tile trackers that have been around for a while, the AirTag is a small device that you can attach to a key ring, bag, or anything else, for that matter.

It leverages Apple’s U1 chip in the latest iPhones to enable you to locate your lost item with remarkable accuracy. It’ll give you cm-accurate directions so even if they’re stuck down the back of the sofa or in your pet’s bed, you’ll be able to find them quickly. The AirTag emits a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices within Apple’s Find My network. These devices send the location of your AirTag to iCloud, allowing you to view it on the Find My app map.

If you’ve lost the item away from your immediate location, Apple’s vast customer base of iPhones, iPads, and Macs can help you find it accurately, even if your AirTag is miles from home. And don’t worry, it’s all secure. Apple have introduced a range of security measures to stop unwanted tracking.

In Apple’s words: “Only you can see where your AirTag is. Your location data and history are never stored on the AirTag itself. Devices that relay the location of your AirTag also stay anonymous, and that location data is encrypted every step of the way. So not even Apple knows the location of your AirTag or the identity of the device that helps find it.”

A single AirTag costs £29, and a pack of four is £99. Of course, there’s a range of fairly pricey keyrings, loops, and accessories from Apple, but expect a flurry of cheaper third-party options very soon. You can order the AirTag from 1pm on the 23rd of April.

The iPad Pro Gets the M1 Chip, a New Display and 5G

The latest update to the iPad Pro is both minimal and quite a big deal. Apple has decided to do away with its tradition of putting a beefier version of the latest iPhone chip in the Pro and instead has opted to include the M1 chip from its Mac line. The bump in performance is noteworthy, but the message that Apple is sending is where it gets more interesting. Apple is basically blurring the lines between its iPad Pro and Mac computers. Especially thanks to the addition of a super-fast Thunderbolt port on the iPad, meaning it will not only work with faster accessories but can power an external display up to 6K. Making the ‘Pro’ part of the name less of a marketing ploy and more of a statement of intent.

The largest 12.9-inch version also has a new micro-LED display. This means better contrast, greater colours and much better brightness. It’s a display technology that we expect to see on a lot of future Apple products, and should mean the iPad is even better for creative professionals and hobbyists alike.

The rear cameras and Lidar scanner appear to be the same as before, but the front-facing camera has seen a decent upgrade. It’s got a wider field of view and now boasts a 12MP sensor, but it’s the new software features that should prove to be more useful. Apple calls their new feature Centre Stage. It utilises the Ultra Wide camera and machine learning to enhance your appearance in video calls. As you move around, it automatically pans (digitally) to keep you centred in the frame. When others join in or leave the call, the view expands or zooms in. The new feature works with FaceTime, but others will reportedly work with other video conferencing apps.

The 11″ iPad Pro is still £799, and the 12.9″ version starts at £999. If you want the biggest 2TB version with 5G too, you’ll need to find £2,149, which is quite a sum. The Magic keyboard, launched last year, will work with the new iPad and can now be ordered in white as well as the original black.

Apple TV 4K Gets New Chip and Much-Needed New Remote

The Apple TV 4K is a slightly controversial product for Apple. Some people love it, and others can’t see the point. Personally, I have two in my house, and whilst it has its faults, I really enjoy the experience I get from it. I have access to all the apps from the major streaming services as well as Apple Fitness+ and a range of other apps and games. However, the most important feature of the Apple TV for me is its speed. Smart TVs often feel so dumb. The remotes are clunky, and the built-in apps feel like they run on coal. The Apple TV and similar products make the process of finding content much easier and well worth the cost of admission.

The new Apple TV 4K offers the same functionality but with a faster processor, high frame rate HDR compatibility, new colour calibration settings (which use your iPhone to ensure accurate colours regardless of your TV or settings), and, most importantly, an all-new remote. The old ‘Siri-remote’ seemed like a great idea, but in practice, the touch surface pad is often a pain to use. The new remote returns to good-old-fashioned buttons but with a touch-sensitive wheel that operates much like the original iPod. It looks much better.

The Apple TV 4K starts at £169 for the 32gb option and £189 for the 64gb version. You can order it from the 30th of April and deliveries will start in the second half of May.

A Purple iPhone and New Podcast Subscription Service

Apple started the special event with their usual update on their business and services, but dropped a couple of new things that we weren’t expecting. First was a new podcast subscription service and an update to the existing app. The new service is called ‘Apple Podcasts Subscriptions’ and it will allow podcast creators to offer new subscription services to their audience as well as extra bonuses like “ad-free listening, access to additional content, and early or exclusive access to new series.” It appears the cost will be set by the creator but billed by Apple. It should launch sometime in May with the iOS 14.5 update.

The other surprise was a purple iPhone. Apple don’t usually offer new colours after the launch of a product, but clearly 2021 is different. The iPhone 12 in purple is identical to the standard iPhone 12 and is available in both the standard size and the Mini model.