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


Alkesh Sharma
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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
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
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
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 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.

Points tally

1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

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Breast cancer in men: the facts

1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.

2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 

3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 

4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 

5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor

 

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Types of fraud

Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

* Nada El Sawy

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059