Apple has just held its first launch event of the year, presented by CEO Tim Cook from the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. Following key updates to the MacBooks, flagship iPhones and the unveiling of the M1 chip in the last quarter of 2020, the Spring Loaded presentation brings us updates to the iMac, iPad Pro and Apple TV, among the highlights.
Here are all the key launches to note from the Apple Event 2021.
5th gen iPad Pro
Apple’s new iPad Pro models will now come with the same 8-core M1 chip that powers the company’s latest MacBook Pro, allegedly making it “the most powerful tablet on the market.” The larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro features an improved 600-nit Liquid Retina XDR display equipped with micro-sized mini LEDs that boast brighter and better colour resolution than previous displays.
Other upgrades include a larger storage capacity that goes up to 2TB, as well as 16GB of RAM, 5G connectivity and a new 12-megapixel front camera has an ultra-wide field of view that can pan automatically to keep human subjects in the frame. They are also equipped with new USB-C connectors that support Thunderbolt and USB 4, allowing the iPads to transfer files at 4x the bandwith.
The iPad Pro will be available for pre-order from Friday, April 30. Prices start from RM3,499 for the 11-inch model and RM4,799 for the 12.9-inch model.
Colourful new iMacs
Things got really colourful with the unveiling of the new iMac, which also comes with the M1 silicon chipset. The bright red, blue, purple, orange, yellow, silver, and green shades hark back to the first iMacs released 20 years ago, but the 11.5mm aluminium design and thinner bezels make it look more like a larger iPad than a desktop. Everything else that comes with it – from the magnetic power connectors to the cables, stands, Touch ID-equipped keyboard and mouse – are also colour-matched for a monochrome setup.
Aside from the striking rainbow shades, the iMac features a larger 24.3-inch screen with a “4.5K” retina display. Apple says its volume has been reduced by 50%, making it more compact to fit in more places than ever.
There’s a new six-speaker system with two pairs of woofers to generate more powerful sound and spatial audio. Additionally, a 1080p FaceTime® HD camera with improved low-light performance equips the iMac for those WFH video calls, backed by three studio-quality mics.
The new iMac will be available for pre-orders from Friday, April 30 and is set to arrive in-store in the second half of May. Prices start from RM5,599 for the entry-level model onwards.
Apple TV 4K with new remote
Moving on to bigger screens, the next-gen Apple TV 4K comes equipped with the A12 Bionic® chip for a boost in graphics performance, video decoding and audio processing – promising high frame rate HDR with Dolby Vision. An all-new Apple TV Remote accompanies the device, featuring a clickpad control that offers five-way intuitive navigation for better accuracy.
The Apple TV 4K is priced at RM849, while the Apple TV Remote will be available separately for RM229. Availability is yet to be announced, but Apple says it will be “coming soon.”
Plus: Purple iPhone 12s and AirTags
Meanwhile, the iPhone 12 and 12 mini gains a new Purple addition to the family. They both ship with the latest iOS14.5, which features the ability to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch® while wearing a face mask. Pricing remains the same as the launch models, starting from RM3,899 for the iPhone 12 and RM3,399 for the iPhone 12 mini.
Apple also expanded on its “Find My” ecosystem with the launch of the new AirTag, a small accessory designed to help you keep track of your belongings. Its small, compact design allows it to be attached easily to your keys, wallet or even pets, so you can keep them on your radar with the Find My app on your Apple device. It is priced at RM149 per pack, with free customisable engraving.
For more information on all the new launches, log on to the official website here.
Photos: Apple