The Apple Store went down and we glued ourselves to our computers on this Earth Day to bring you our coverage of the "Spring Loaded" event, Apple's first big launch of 2021. And boy, what a big, colorful reveal. The company treated us to everything we've been expecting for ages, including AirTags, overhauled iMacs with the M1 chip in a rainbow of colors; new iPad Pros with M1; a new Apple TV 4K; a purple iPhone 12 and even more.
We didn't get iOS 14.5, but but we do know that's coming next week.
The $29 (£29, AU$45) AirTags enter the Find My network to track "items, not people" to protect privacy. They're also available in a four-pack for $99 (£99, AU$149).
- Apple AirTags: Price, engraving and everything else to know about the Tile rival
- Apple AirTags are finally here to help find your iPhone, keys and more
- Buy AirTags: Price, release date, when Apple's new locator tags go on sale
Tim Cook started the stream with the Earth Day link, discussing the company's environmental efforts and segued straight into Apple Card updates. Notably, you can now share the card with anyone in your family (with parental controls). It's unsurprisingly called Apple Card Family.
The Apple Podcasts app has gotten a redesign with subscriptions, recommendations and more.
As anticipated, the iPad Pro and iMac got the new M1 chips. The iPad Pro also goes up to 2TB storage, 16GB memory, 5G connectivity and switches to Thunderbolt 4 from USB-C. The camera's new 12-megapixel sensor has an ultrawide field of view that can pan to dynamically reframe the shot for video calls, a feature called Center Stage.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro gets an iPaddy version of the Pro Display XDR, the 600-nit Liquid Retina XDR equipped with micro-sized mini LEDs for full array local dimming: 2,500 zones of it. The 12.9-inch model starts at $1,099 (£999, AU$1,649); the 11-inch at $799 (£749, AU$1,199).
- Apple iPad Pro update comes with M1 chips and upgraded screen tech
- Apple finally gives iPad Pro a 5G option, though carrier plans will cost you
- M1 iPad Pro upgrades from USB-C port to faster Thunderbolt
- Apple redesigns Magic Keyboard, Mouse and Trackpad for its new iMacs
- iPad Magic Keyboard works with M1-powered tablets, now in white
- Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro has Liquid Retina XDR display with eye-watering specs
Skinny and brightly colored (hearkening back to the really old models), the completely redesigned iMac with M1 chip in some ways retains the issues of the old models, including the ports only on the back. It's got slim bezels, though, and its skinny profile is sure to please everybody.
It starts at a pricey $1,299 (£1,249, AU$1,899), though.
It uses a 24-inch display in the 21.5-inch form factor with the same characteristics as the previous models. And it has the 1080p webcam that debuted in the previous model, benefiting from the image-specific intelligent processing in the M1 chip. It also gains a three-mic array with many of the characteristics for conferencing that we've been seeing in better gear.
The speakers are new -- a six-speaker system that generate more powerful sound, spatial audio and more accurate sound. Apple also highlighted how good the iMac will be for gaming with Apple Arcade, significantly faster than the old 21.5-inch model across the board.
It's got a MagSafe-like connector with an Ethernet connection on the brick and color-matched keyboards with Touch ID. Also color matched trackpads and mice.
- Apple unveils iMac redesign with M1 chip built in house
- Apple tailors iMac for video calls with 1080p webcam
- Apple redesigns Magic Keyboard, Mouse and Trackpad for its new iMacs
- New iMac comes with magnetic power plug that doubles as Ethernet cable
- Touch ID comes to the iMac through wireless keyboards
Zooming into iPhone, the omnipresent mobile phone has gotten a new color. The color purple.
We've gotten a new version of Apple TV 4K, which uses the A12 Bionic chip that's in the iPhone, which allows for HDR in high frame rates. It can also use the sensor in your iPhone's camera to calibrate your TV's picture. Plus, there's a new remote with a mute button and TV power button. The obligatory Apple TV Plus show announcement included the return of Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso. But if you've been freeloading Apple TV Plus' extended free trial for more than a year, right now you're set to start paying up before Ted Lasso returns.
- Apple finally gives its Apple TV 4K box a hardware upgrade
- Apple TV remote update adds directional keys, TV controls
- Ted Lasso gets goofy new trailer for season 2, on Apple TV Plus in July
Read more: Best eco-friendly iPhone 12 and 12 Pro cases