Apple Releases New iMac, iPad Pro, AirTags, & More
Apple has released a handful of new and updated products today, including a redesigned M1 iMac in a variety of pastel colors, an updated iPad Pro, AirTags trackers, and an updated Apple TV 4K. Additionally, iPhone Mini will be available in a new purple color.
Separately, RC versions of beta system software have been made available for developers and beta testers.
Redesigned M1 iMac 24″
The new iMac with M1 chip has a 24″ 4.5K display and is in a redesigned enclosure, being offered in seven different color options, including green, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.
This is the first iMac to be available with the Apple Silicon M1 CPU and GPU, and there are improvements to the computers speakers, microphone, cooling system, and a better front-facing camera.
The 24″ M1 iMac starts at $1,299, with orders beginning on April 30 for a release in the latter half of May.
Updated iPad Pro
The updated iPad Pro also includes an M1 chip for both the 12.9″ and 11″ models, and is available with storage capacities up to 2TB. The 12.9″ iPad Pro model now features a mini-LED display, which has a higher contrast ratio and peak brightness. There are also improvements to the iPad cameras, and the optional Magic Keyboard accessory is available in a new white color.
iPad Pro starts at $799 for the 11″ model and $1099 for the 12.9″ model, with orders beginning on April 30 for availability in the latter part of May.
AirTags
Apple AirTags were also announced today, which is a Bluetooth tracking device that is intended to be attached to items like car keys, wallets, luggage, purses, and bags (or whatever else you want to be able to track and find easily), and allows for you to easily locate them within the Find My app.
AirTags are rather small, looking about the size of a large fat coin, and are water and dust resistant. Each AirTag has a built-in speaker that plays a sound to make the item it is attached to easier to find. And if you have an iPhone with U1 chip (iPhone 11 and later), you can use a Precision Finding feature that uses ARKit to locate AirTags using the iPhone camera.
AirTags are $29 each, or four for $99. Orders begin April 23 and are shipped on April 30.
Updated Apple TV 4K
Apple also updated the Apple TV 4K, with a new A12 CPU, and a newly redesigned Siri Remote.
RC versions of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3
Apple also released the RC versions of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.3 to users enrolled in the beta testing programs for Apple operating systems. RC stands for Release Candidate and generally indicates it’s either at or nearing the final build before public availability. The final version of iOS 14.5 will be available next week, we’ll be sure to keep you posted when that news hits.
You can learn more about the newly updated products at Apple.com.
The entire Apple Event is embedded below for those interested in watching it, via YouTube:
Not impressed by much frankly. The iMac uses same old M1 with no bump in any sort of specs. Besides a $200 jump in price. Why the price jump? For the color options?
I mean Apple you’re using your own chips now shouldn’t that reduce costs? Then all you have is USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt ports? Bit of a let down for myself. Apple TV gets a chip upgrade and better remote, and the Tags thing just doesn’t interest me at all. I don’t loose things very often.
JohnIL,
I agree! My late 2012 iMac is dying quickly so I need a new one. Mine only has 8GB of RAM, so I wanted to increase that, and wanted to keep the 1TB hard drive. I was also not impressed with the new iMacs, so I ended up getting a current 27″ iMac, kept the 8GB of RAM that comes with it, because I can buy that separately and upgrade it myself for way cheaper than what apple charges. Hopefully the new one will last me just as long and by then, maybe apple will have come to their senses about the rest of the computer instead of just the processor.