Apple has announced a line of slim iMac computers, with a focus on connectivity for a work-from-home world, that uses its own processor chips.
The tech giant showed off a suite of products that have tongues wagging around the world, including AirTags, podcast subscription services, and iMacs.
Scroll down to see the best products and biggest talking points from the Apple product launch.
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Apple made good on its “Spring loaded” promise by unveiling a slew of new products.
From a new iPad Pro and redesigned, colorful iMacs to a purple iPhone, the long-awaited AirTag location tracker, and an updated Apple TV and remote, here’s a closer look at everything Apple announced on Tuesday.
Apple Airtag
In what was Apple’s worst kept secret in recent history, the company finally unveiled AirTag, a Tile-like Bluetooth locator that attaches to and helps you find items such as keys, wallets, laptops or even your car.
The small, flat, circular discs with built-in chips allow someone to locate items when connected to Apple’s Find My app. It also works with Siri.
The stainless steel devices, which are water and dust resistant, feature a built-in speaker that plays sounds to help locate it. The AirTag is packed with the Apple-designed U1 chip, which uses Ultra Wideband technology -- the same chip used in the iPhone 12.
While location trackers are hardly new -- there are similar products from Samsung, Sony and Tile — the U1 chip will more accurately determine the distance and direction to a lost item, Apple says.
AirTags will cost $A45 each or four for $A149.
It will be available from April 30.
Similar to Apple Watch, it’s possible to add free engraving to the device.
Users can also splurge for leather accessories, such as key rings, luggage tags and a bag charm from Hermès.
However, the Apple AirTag is not coming without controversy.
The AirTag announcement could result in a new round of complaints to US lawmakers that Apple is hurting smaller rivals.
Tile, a start-up that has sold a competing tracker for nearly a decade, last year testified before the US House of Representatives that Apple’s App Store rules had made it harder to use Tile’s products and will be called before the US Senate to testify on Wednesday.
Apple has said it subjects all apps, including its own, to the same App Store review rules.
Bob O’Donnell, head of TECHnalysis Research, said he does not believe the trackers will become a big business on their own.
“Because they are so late to this, it might not be that much different than when Apple got into set top boxes like Apple TV. They’re a player. They’re there but they’re not huge,” he said.
But Bajarin said the trackers could keep people tied to their iPhones if they rely on them to find items like keys and wallets.
“The more you buy into just one hardware product, the less likely it is you’ll ever leave,” Bajarin said.
Apple iMac with M1
Apple also introduced a thinner version of its iMac computer that uses its house-designed central processor unit and comes in seven colours including purple and green.
The new chip allowed Apple to shrink the internal hardware — building in a smaller logic board and replacing the thermal system that keeps the machine cool with two small fans.
With a 61-cm display, the iMacs are just 11.5mm deep.
The new iMacs also feature a higher quality front-facing camera and microphone array, responding to complaints from consumers during the pandemic that the computer’s cameras had not kept pace with the company’s iPhones and iPads during an era of pervasive video calls.
The M1 chip will also make iMac apps run faster, improve the speed of machine learning and enable the use of iPhone apps such as Zillow and Headspace from the iMac screen, Apple execs said Tuesday.
iMac will now have a 24-inch, 4.5 K display with 11.3 million pixels. And it comes in seven colours, including peach, mint and lavender.
Both the keyboard and Apple’s Magic Mouse will be available in a variety of colours to match with the new range of colors on the iMac.
Meanwhile, Apple is adding a touch ID button to the iMac’s external keyboard for the first time. The Touch ID button will be placed in the top right corner of the keyboard, like it is on the latest MacBooks, and will similarly let users unlock their computer, switch users or make payments through their fingerprints.
The iMac will start at $A1899 including GST and will also be available from April 30.
New iPads
As expected, Apple unveiled an updated iPad Pro with a faster processor, 5G support, a Thunderbolt port so it can connect to more external monitors, and a Mini-LED display.
The display will reportedly increase brightness, offer a higher contrast ratio, and improve power efficiencies for a longer battery life.
Apple is also adding its powerful M1 chip to its iPad Pro line, enabling several software updates including better graphics, enhanced video effects and augmented reality features.
An updated camera allows enhanced depth and better quality video, and a feature called Centre Stage that automatically zooms out during video calls or meetings, depending on the number of people in the frame.
The new iPad Pro starts at $1,199 and is available for order starting April 30.
Apple TV 4K with a new Siri remote
Apple is rolling out the next generation of its Apple TV 4K streaming device, along with a new Siri remote.
The remote, made from what Apple says is 100 per cent recycled aluminum, includes a new pad at the top that users can click or swipe through to navigate, as well as a dedicated Siri button on the side.
The remote also has a dedicated power button to switch your TV on and off.
Apple Podcast Subscriptions
Apple also redesigned its podcast app, including a new section called channels that will curate shows.
The company announced podcast subscription services that will compete with rival Spotify.
Among the perks of a podcast subscription will be ad-free listening, early access to new series and exclusive content. Some of the participating media brands include NPR, the Los Angeles Times and The Athletic.
The paid service will be available in 170 regions and countries next month. Podcast creators set their own pricing.
Subscription prices will be set by creators and billed monthly, Apple said.
Apple also updated its Apple TV set top box with better colour output and a faster processor chip.
The new Apple TV 4K will also let users improve a TV’s picture by using light sensors on the iPhone.
Apple said that spouses and partners would be able to share and merge credit lines with its Apple Card, which CEO Tim Cook described as an important step toward making it easier for people to build their credit scores.
Apple card updates, a purple iPhone and more
The company also made changes to its Apple Card offering for spouses and families who share their credit card accounts.
Spouses can now merge and share their Apple Card credit lines, while having equal rights on the account and with each person building credit.
For families, the company will now allow any member over the age of 13 to use the family Apple Card account.
Apple Card is an Apple-branded credit card issued by Goldman Sachs that the company launched in 2019, available only to iPhone users.
Apple iPhone 12 in PURPLE
In a bit of a surprise, Apple dedicated some stage time to announce that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are now available in purple.
This joins existing models available in blue, green, black, white and red. It starts at $799 and will go on sale April 30.
Apple product launch in a nutshell
Apple’s hour-long Tuesday event packed in a tonne of announcements. They include:
- New features for families sharing an Apple Card
- A purple version of the iPhone 12
- A paid service for podcasts called Apple Podcast Subscriptions
- The long-awaited AirTag, a Bluetooth locator for items such as keys, wallets and laptops
- A new 4K Apple TV with an updated Siri remote
- A redesigned iMac featuring Apple’s in-house M1 chip, and updated accessories such as a keyboard with a fingerprint scanner to unlock the computer
- And, finally, a new iPad Pro that’s also built with the M1 chip
Also worth noting: Among the software updates in the new products are a number of features geared toward working from home, including improvements to the cameras in both the iMac and iPad Pro to make you look and sound better during video meetings.
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