Apple Spring Loaded: The Five Most Important Announcements

During the Apple Spring Loaded event, the Californian company announced several new hardware products including: iPad Pro, iMac, Apple TV, AirTag and a purple iPhone 12. software update iOS 14.5, which we expected Apple would announce at the event, will be made available next week.

Here is everything Apple announced at the event:

New color for iPhone 12 and 12 mini and updates for Apple Card and Podcast

Apple has announced that at the end of the month it will be possible to buy one of the devices belonging to the family of iPhone 12 in purple coloring.

There is also a new update to the Apple Card connected to your iPhone. Now, Apple will allow partners and spouses to share and merge their credit limits into one account. Apple Card Family will allow children over the age of 13 to share an Apple Card with the family and give parents control over spending limits.

Also Apple podcasts has received an update. The new interface makes it easier to find and share podcasts. Podcast subscriptions are also being rolled out, allowing podcast users to subscribe and pay for their favorite shows. The service will be launched in May in 170 countries.

AirTags

One of the most interesting devices of the bitten apple. AirTags take advantage of technology Ultra Wide Band, that is the interconnectivity between devices. These are round plates that can be connected to any object / device that immediately reveal to the user where it is, all using the "Where is" application on iPhone, iPad and iMac (Precision FInding). In fact, the smartphone will give you visual, audio and tactile feedback, taking you directly to the lost AirTag. The AirTags can be connected to house keys, to those of your car or wherever you want. They cost 39 euro each e 119 euros if you opt for the pack of four.

New Apple TV 4K with A12 Bionic Processor and new remote control

After showing a preview of the second season of the hit show Ted lasso, which will be launched on July 23, Apple announced the new Apple TV 4K with a processor A12 Bionic.

The updated Apple TV will play HDR content and will allow you to watch videos from iPhone 12 recorded in Dolby Vision HDR.

Another cool feature is that it will use the iPhone's camera and brightness sensor to scan the TV's color balance and then transfer that data to the new Apple TV. This way you should see improved picture quality and colors without having to set up your TV.

Even more important, the Apple TV remote has a completely new design. Long last! There is a circle that is very reminiscent of the iPod control system which allows you to access a whole series of functions: from turning on and controlling your TV, through to the Siri assistant and so much more.

Pre-orders will be active starting April 30, with the 32GB model what it will cost 199 € while the variant from 64GB, 219 €. Shipments will begin in the second half of May.

New iMac with processor Apple Silicone M1

Apple has also updated its range of iMac with the biggest redesign than the desktop all-in-one have seen in recent years. Not only does the exterior of the new iMac look different with seven new colors, but the interior now boasts a processor Apple Silicon, l’M1.

The new iMac comes with a bundled new 24K 4,5-inch Retina display. Internally, the design has changed to decrease the size of the fans and make them quieter.

La camera FaceTime now register in 1080p, improving overall performance during video calls. There is also a three-microphone array, which makes it easier for the caller on the other side to hear you and is able to block out any background noise.

Even the altoparlanti they receive an upgrade, with improved sound from a six-speaker system leading for the first time spatial audio on the Mac. This feature was only available in Apple's AirPods.

There are several ports on the back that allow you to connect your own accessories, but the most notable change to the iMac is the magnetic power connector which uses a hub to provide an Ethernet connection.

Apple also announced a new one Magic Keyboard with touch ID. It is the first time that Touch ID will be available on the Mac outside the MacBook line.

The new iMac will be available for pre-order starting April 30th. The price starts from 1499 euros.

IPad Pro also becomes Apple Silicon

After last year's update, Apple has decided to propose one new version of iPad Pro 12,9-inch and 11-inch respectively.

The update adds the same M1 processor that Apple uses in its line of Macs to the iPad Pro. It is the first time that an iPad shares the same processor with a Mac. The M1 processor of the new iPad Pro is 50% faster than that of the 2020 iPad Pro. This is a huge leap in performance from one year to the next. Graphics performance instead sees a 40% increase compared to the 2020 iPad Pro.

A new 2TB setup will be launched, which will allow you to keep up to 60.000 RAW photos on your device.

La USB-C port earn support Thunderbolt 4, giving it 4 times more bandwidth. External storage and support for monitors will also benefit from the new Thunderbolt port.

The iPad Pro will also have one 5G connection.

The cameras also received a major upgrade with improvements to the LiDar scanner for AR apps and image processing.

La front camera it hasn't been moved, but is equipped with a new ultra-wide camera that Apple calls "Center StagAnd". During a video call, the camera will zoom in and out on the subject and follow them around the room.

Apple has also updated the iPad Pro display with a display Mini LEDs (Liquid Retina XDR). The new screen goes up to 1000 nits of brightness, with 1600 nits of maximum brightness and a color contrast ratio of 1.000.000: 1.

Specifically: in the 11-inch model, the display Liquid Retina has a resolution of 2388 × 1668 pixels at 264 ppi and maximum brightness 600 nit while that from 12,9 pollicand has one 2732 × 2048 pixels resolution at 264 ppi and 1600 nit (HDR) brightness with 1.000.000: 1 contrast.

Prices start from 899 € for the version of 11 inches e 1219 € for the variant from 12.9 inches. Availability from April 30th!