All this in an event lasting just one hour, one of the most dense presentations of the Tim Cook era both in terms of the number of new features and their scope. An event, too, that confirms many of the forecasts and rumors that have emerged in recent weeks.
These little smart tags don't have GPS, but they can communicate their position to nearby Apple devices that have Bluetooth or UWB support (ultra-wideband radio, built into the latest generation of iPhones). They can even communicate their position securely and encrypted through third-party devices, effectively turning any iPhone or iPad in the world into a tracker.
This is useful, for example. if an object is lost (let's put some keys) in a park. Even if the owner does not know where it has been lost, the object can communicate its position using a nearby iPhone of another person passing by, emitting a small encrypted code that only the Search application of the rightful owner can decipher to know its exact position.
AirTags will sell for $42 or $162 if purchased in a pack of 4, and Apple has developed several security features to prevent them from being used to track a person without their knowledge (for example, by placing a AirTag inside your bag or in your car).
APPLE TV 4K
The second product announced has been the new AppleTV 4K HDR, which at first glance shares the same design as the current version. A new processor will, however, offer high-frequency HDR video playback, better gaming performance and the ability to use the iPhone to calibrate the color of the screen.
The big change in this model will be in the remote control, which has been redesigned and now has more buttons instead of touch surfaces (although they are still present for some functions) and is thicker. One of the common criticisms of the AppleTV remote was how easy it was to accidentally lose or press it due to its minimalist design.
The new Apple TV 4K will go on sale at a price of 199 euros. As in previous models, it offers access to games and apps from the AppStore, although its usefulness has been reduced now that Apple offers access to the AppleTV + video service natively on many third-party televisions.
COLOR iMAC
Despite these two launches and the much anticipated announcement of the AirTags, the spring event has had two clear protagonists.
The first is the new iMac. A complete redesign of the all-in-one computer to a 24-inch screen, which is now available in up to seven different colors and built around the new M1 chip architecture.
This new chip has made it possible to reduce the thickness of the equipment, which is now just 11.5 millimeters, although it is not solely responsible. Apple has also removed the power supply from inside the screen, which is now external and includes the ethernet network port. The connection cable to the computer is also magnetic.
Apple claims that the new machine is 85% more powerful than the previous 21-inch iMac and twice the graphics power. It also sounds much better thanks to a set of six speakers and includes a better quality webcam with greater sensitivity in low light scenes.
The new iMac, yes, have a maximum of 4 expansion ports. Two Thunderbolt in the basic model to which are added another two USB 3 in the most expensive model of the device. As in the rest of the Mac on M1 chip, the RAM is integrated into the processor itself and can only be configured with 8 or 16 GB.
The new iMac will go on sale at a price of 1,449 euros for the model with two ports, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD and 7 cores. The 1,699-euro model will feature eight CPU cores and four ports instead of two.
Apple has also launched a new range of matching keyboards and mice and even a new wireless keyboard with an integrated TouchID sensor, which comes standard with the more expensive model.
The second protagonist of this event has been the new generation of iPad Pro. Apple's most advanced tablets, aimed at the creative professional public, will win this year a new screen technology that promises to bring them closer to the color and contrast quality of an OLED screen.
The technology is known as MiniLED, and we will also see it on TVs and screens of devices from other brands over the next few years. MiniLED, broadly speaking, significantly increases the number of LED lights present in the backlight matrix of LCD screens, allowing areas of the screen to be selectively turned on and off to achieve higher contrasts and obtain a more uniform brightness.
Apple has dubbed its screen Liquid Retina XDR, a nod to its professional XDR monitor that costs a whopping 5,000 euros. It is a justified reference because the new screen technology achieves a maximum brightness of 1600 nits and a 1,000,000: 1 contrast.
The new iPad Pro will also use the M1 chip, will have support for 5G and instead of USB 3, its connection will be Thunderbolt.
Apple has also improved the rear and front cameras and will use a new 12-megapixel front camera with an auto-framing feature that will allow you to follow the participant in a video conference even if they move around the room.
The new iPad Pro will go on sale at a price of 879 euros for the 11-inch model and 1,199 euros for the 13-inch model. Previous generation accessories, such as the Magic Keyboard, will continue to be supported.
In addition to these products, Apple has also taken advantage of the spring event to launch a new iPhone color, purple, a new podcast subscription service and new functions to be able to use the Apple Card.
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