Everything Apple Showed on the April 20 Event

Spring events by Apple usually bring a whole pack of new and updated devices, as well as services and software. The new one-more-things that the Cupertino-based company delivers may be not as amazing as what’s shown in the fall. Still, there are redesigns, long-awaited updates, new products, and even one revolution.

Go Card or Go Home

Apple Card was quite a card (well, integrated with Apple Pay, and that’s it). Now it introduces Apple Card Family that will allow users to merge their credit history with their spouses and partners, parents and kids of 13 and older.

Podcast and Furious

The updated Podcast app will offer easier experience of listening to podcasts. While Apple Podcast now has millions of titles, good navigation is the key. The revamped app is meant to change the way you listen.

iPhone: Born in the Purple

iPhone is the king of smartphones, Tom Cook highlights. Now we have the latest iPhone 12 and 12 Mini in royal purple. The new color will be available on April 30; the other features of otherwise familiar phones will remain the same.

AirTags: Nothing Gets Lost

Find My, the service that was initially limited to finding lost iDevices and Macs, gets bigger. First Apple made it compatible with third-party devices, and now there are AirTags. These small tags have a wireless module compatible with Find My and a beeper that makes a sound when you want it to be found. It’s marketed as a fashionable accessory as well as a utility device. It’s available at $29 or at $99 for a four-item set.

TV, Someone Still Loves You

It was about time to update Apple TV. The new modification is using Apple Silicon chips capable of 60 FPS at 4K – the long-awaited upgrade. In addition, it has an updated remote with an iPod-like touch-enabled clickpad and ability to control your TV (yes, it’s compatible with previous generation boxes and available separately). The most exciting feature, though, is automatic color adjusting that uses built-in sensors of iPhone. The price is $179 for the 32 GB version and $199 for 64 GB (not that it matters much, as it’s mostly about streaming).

The New iMac: I’ve Got the Color!

It’s a breakthrough, says Tim Cook. As you might have guessed, these new 24” iMacs are built around the same M1 chip that powers the latest MacBooks, with performance rising. It’s incredibly thin – just 11 mm, housing, among all, great speakers and studio quality microphones. The screen resolution is 4K to 5K, and the webcam is finally as great as Macs deserve. The default Magic Keyboard now has a MacBook-like Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The Ethernet socket is now on the power adapter. The most noticeable, though, is the wide array of colors: the new iMac is available in silver, blue, green, pink, purple, orange, and yellow.

The price starts with $1.299 for the minimal version (8 GB, 256 GB SSD, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard). For $1,499 you get two extra USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet port on the adapter, and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

iPad Pro M1: Painter’s Paradise

iPad Pro has never been closer to MacBook, and it’s the iPad Pro that shines on this event. The 2021 modification is built upon the same M1 chip and boasts incredible performance you might expect. Another “amazing” thing about iPad Pro is its display: now it’s Mini-LED (in 12.9” version only), making major use of minor LED’s. Now the display is brighter (up to 1.600 nits) and supports all the high-quality video standards. Other additions include 5G support, Thunderbolt and USB 4.0 via Type C, storage up to 2 TB, and improved battery life.

The prices are expected to start at $799 (for 11” version) and $1099 (for 12.9” version). The tablets will support an array of accessories, including cases, keyboards, and pens. But they are sold separately.

iOS 14.5: A Little Later

What’s been expected at this event but left outside is iOS 14.5, the update expected by many iPhone users. Along with many important updates, it is promised to improve FaceID: now you can use it with your mask on, though it takes an unlocked Apple Watch on your wrist. Alas, the update is postponed, so expect it the next week. 

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