If you missed Apple's spring event on Tuesday, you must have thrown your phone into a lake, as it was everywhere. But if you're not too sure what Apple spoke about in the event, let's get you caught up quickly.
Environmental Impact
Apple has been taking quite the stand on its environmental impact. Mentioning the issue at the past few events, Apple has made it clear that the environment is a focus, especially after removing unnecessary accessories from the box in 2020.
The spring event started with Tim Cook announcing that Apple's global corporate operations are 100 percent carbon-neutral. All the Apple stores, offices, and data centers are running entirely on renewable energy.
Tim also restated Apple's goal of being 100 percent carbon-neutral across its entire footprint by 2030. Impressively, this eco-friendly goal includes both the supply chain and device usage after sales.
Also announced was Apple's launch of a conservation investment fund with Goldman Sachs, aiming to remove carbon footprints from investments.
Apple Card
One product mentioned which has been pretty quiet recently is Apple Card. While there was a big hype about the credit card offering from Apple as it launched, it's settled down recently to the point where you'd be forgiven for forgetting about it. Backing up the initial hype, Tim Cook did state that the Apple Card was the most successful credit card launch.
There were two updates on the card announced at the spring event. The first is that in the case of spouses or partners jointly having their name on the card, both individuals will now receive the credit history. This is ideal for both, as it can improve their credit scores in the long run.
While sounding relatively minor, this is a big change in the world of credit cards, and is an impressive step from Apple. Continuing to set out to change credit cards is a massive benefit of the Apple Card.
The other feature announced was Apple Card Family. It's pretty much the same as the Apple Card Family rumors. This feature allows cardholders to share their card with children over 13, so that they can use the card and its benefits.
Apple says that this can help to teach smart and safe financial habits, and parents can control spending limits from the Wallet app.
Apple Podcasts
Podcasts have risen in popularity over the past few years. They've become easily accessible after Apple first launched the podcast app 15 years ago, as we were reminded of in the event.
Apple is now redesigning the Podcasts app, which will be rolled out next week with the iOS 14.5 release. The new app looks more like the new App Store than the classic podcast app, which keeps consistency across the Apple apps.
Starting in May, app users will start to see channels in Apple Podcasts. Channels are groups of shows chosen and curated by podcast creators. They'll be shown on dedicated pages with the aim of helping listeners to find new content.
Also, starting next month, there will be paid subscription options. Listeners will now be able to pay for subscriptions with creators to skip ads, access new content early, and listen to special episodes.
Purple iPhone 12
At some spring events in the past, we've seen Apple announce a new color for the latest iPhone models. Usually, that would be the Product Red option, but this year Apple treated us to a new purple color.
This light purple color is only available on both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini, not the Pro models. Pre-orders for the new colored devices start on Friday 23, with orders starting on the 30th.
AirTags
One of the big announcements Apple made at the event was the release of AirTags. Despite being heavily leaked and rumored, AirTags are still a completely new product category for Apple. AirTags are Bluetooth trackers that can help you find lost items.
Using Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology, AirTags can help you find misplaced belongings near or far. Precision Finding takes advantage of the U1 chip and gives you an interactive display with haptic and audible feedback. This helps find whatever your AirTag is attached to when it's close by.
For anything you've lost further away, AirTags use the Find My network consisting of all Apple devices with Find My enabled to locate your AirTag on the map. For when this doesn't work, you can put your AirTag in Lost Mode which lets anyone that finds it tap the tracker with their phone to see a contact number.
AirTags cost $29 each, or you can get a pack of four for $99. The trackers are also available for pre-order on Friday 23, with orders on the 30th.
Apple TV
Apple TV has been becoming a bit more of a focus for Apple recently. After Apple TV+ was announced, the service has been getting better and better. And, for any Ted Lasso fans out there, Apple announced a new series today.
There's a new Apple TV 4K that Apple is going to release after the spring event. This premium version of the Apple TV takes advantage of Dolby Vision to display HDR content in high frame rates, and the best possible picture. You're also able to use your iPhone camera and proximity sensor to precisely calibrate your TV’s color to your preference.
All the new features are possible due to the A12 Bionic chip in the Apple TV 4K. This chip provides a boost in graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing, which is what helps to deliver the premium experience.
The remote was also updated. While keeping the classic metal body, the remote is a bit thicker and the buttons are improved. There's the addition of a power button, and Siri's button has been relocated to the side.
M1 iMac
If you've not heard of Apple's game-changing M1 chip that was released in the 2020 Mac range, then you're missing out. The M1 chip improves power consumption, processing speeds, and the efficiency of devices. And, Apple is now bringing it to the iMac at the spring event. M1 MacBooks were performing tasks up to 50 percent quicker which is incredibly impressive.
Hearing the fan whir is a thing of the past with the M1 chip, as the advanced capabilities allow the device to run more efficiently and therefore cooler. Apple promises that the fans on the new iMac won't go above 10 decibels most of the time, and is 50 percent quieter.
Apple's chip also allows the new iMac to be 50 percent more compact, which makes the device look a lot more modern. Speaking of design, the new iMacs have been launched in seven colors: green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.
The new iMac boasts a 24-inch 4.5K retina display with 11.3 million pixels. You won't be distracted by glare when looking at over a billion colors on this display, as there's an anti-glare coating on the glass. There are over 500 nits of brightness so you know this display's pretty impressive.
Thinking about peripherals, the new iMac includes two thunderbolt ports out of the four USB-C ports. There's a new magnetic power cable, too. The Magic Keyboard now has Touch ID built-in, and comes in matching colors (the mouse does, too).
Also, Apple has finally updated the camera in the iMac, and this refresh includes a new 1080p camera. This camera has a larger sensor and Apple claims it's the best camera in all Macs, taking advantage of the M1's image processing. The microphone and speakers on the iMac were also updated alongside this.
The iMac starts at $1,299 and will ship in the first half of May. Higher-speced versions are starting from $1,499 and up.
M1 iPad Pro
Apple is also updating the iPad Pro at the spring event. The iPad has been given the M1 chip to take the device to the next level. The new processing power brings the iPad to the performance level of MacBooks. The iPad Pro features Thunderbolt for better external connections.
Apple's new iPad Pro comes packed with 5G, which we all know, just got real. There's a 2TB model of the device available, so you get some impressive specs from the iPad. The camera bump remains with the LiDAR sensor, but there's a new 12MP ultra-wide True Depth camera on the front.
We can see an impressive Liquid Retina XDR display on the new iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch screen has 5.6 million pixels and offers 1,000 nits of brightness. Apple claims the iPad Pro's display has the same performance as its XDR display. The display uses a mini LED backlight system, with more than 10,000 lights behind the screen.
The 12.9-inch model starts at $1,099, and you can pre-order the device on April 30, with shipping starting in May.
A Spring Loaded Event
Apple's event certainly was spring-loaded, as it was aptly named. With a brand new product, some very impressive updates, and a purple refresh to the iPhone, there was something for everyone announced at this event.