Quicktake: Five things we learned from Apple’s Spring Loaded event

New iMacs, AirTag and an improved Apple TV announced at the company’s first product launch event of 2021

Apple CEO Tim Cook holds an iPhone 12 in a new purple finish during the keynote video of a special event at Apple Park. Reuters

Apple introduces the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in purple during the Apple event in Cupertino, California. EPA

Apple's Raja Bose announces the new iPad Pro, as seen in this still image from the keynote video of a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. EPA

Apple introduces the new iPad Pro featuring the M1 chip, ultra-fast 5G, and new 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and support for Thunderbolt during the Apple event in Cupertino, California. EPA

Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering John Ternus talks about the M1 processor used in iPad Pro and iMac. Reuters

Apple unveils the Apple TV 4K and an all-new Siri Remote during the Apple event. EPA

The Apple AirTag is seen in this still image from the keynote video of a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. EPA

Apple's Colleen Novielli showcases the new iMac lineup featuring an array of colors during the event. Reuters

The all-new iMac will be available in seven colours. Reuters

Apple released a number of new products and services during Spring Loaded  – its first event of the year on Tuesday.

The National lists the five major announcements from the Cupertino-based company.

iMac with Apple’s M1 chip

The company’s iMac desktop underwent one of the biggest redesigns in recent years. For the first time, the iMac will be equipped with an Apple-made silicon processor, the M1, and not an Intel chip.

The 61-centimetre iMac – which will be available in seven colours – is also more compact, with the latest design reducing its size by up to 50 per cent. Apple has also made the size of the internal fans smaller to make the device quieter. Staring from $1,299, it will be available for pre-order from April 30 and delivery will begin in the second half of next month.

Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus talks about the power M1 brings to iMac. EPA

Much-awaited AirTag

The new disc-shaped AirTag can be attached to almost anything and can help iPhone users track and find items.

Even if the AirTag is away from its owner and out of bluetooth range, Apple’s Find My App network can help to track it down. The Find My App network has close to a billion Apple devices and can detect bluetooth signals from a lost AirTag and help the owner locate it.

AirTag comes with a built-in speaker that plays sounds to help users locate them. Reuters

The AirTag can be bought in packs of one and four for $29 and $99 respectively, and will be available from April 30.

Apple TV becomes more interactive and brighter

The new Apple TV 4K will support fast-moving action at 60 frames per second, leading to a smooth display that will appear more lifelike, the iPhone maker said.

It comes with colour balance technology that uses the light sensor in an iPhone to compare the colour balance to industry-standard specifications. Using this data, Apple TV automatically tailors its video output to deliver more accurate colours and improved contrast –  without customers having to adjust their television settings.

The new Apple TV 4K is introduced during an online event on Tuesday. AP

Expanding Apple Card

The company also introduced Apple Card Family – an option that allows multiple users to co-own an Apple Card. Available in the US next month, the Apple Card Family also allows users to share and merge their credit lines while building credit together equally.

Apple Family Card is designed to help customers “achieve a healthier financial life by making it easy to track spending, all on iPhone and with a single monthly bill” the company said.

It will also let parents share a credit card with their children, while offering optional spending limits and controls.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in purple 

Apple introduced its iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, originally launched in October, in purple to attract more customers.

“The iPhone 12 is the most popular smartphone in the world and the iPhone 12 family has an over 99 per cent customer satisfaction rate,” Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said.

The new aluminum purple finish complements the flat-edge design of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini. Courtesy Apple

“The new purple finish adds another bright and fun option to the line-up and we think customers are going to love it,” he added.