Apple Unveiled a Range of New Products and Services

Apple unveiled a number of innovations at its latest virtual product launch, including an iPad Pro incorporating 5G and an AirTag tracking tile which will attach to non-Apple products. CEO Tim Cook said 5G will deliver download speeds on the iPad Pro of up to 3.5Gb/s in ideal conditions. He added the device is also compatible with mmWave frequencies in the US, on which data rates can reach 4Gb/s.

Other features of the new iPad Pro include a liquid retina display powered by 10,000 tiny LEDs, Thunderbolt data transfer connectivity, a wireless keyboard and an ultra-wide camera employing software to automatically adjust its angle. Apple also showed off its highly-anticipated AirTag, a tracking tile widely expected to lock more users into its ecosystem. The company said any iPhone with a U1 chip will support AirTag’s precision finding using the phone’s camera, accelerometer, and gyroscope.

The main smartphone move was cosmetic, involving the addition of a purple colour option for the iPhone 12. Updated versions of the PCs were also unveiled, with the vendor stating use of its M1 chip left enough space to relocate internal fans into the monitor. Apple more tightly integrated the latest iMac with its iPhone, with calls and SMS shown on the PC, and options to copy content from the smartphone to the computer.

Cook started the event by describing the Apple Credit Card as probably “the most successful credit card launch ever“. He said the company planned to make it easier for couples to build their individual credit scores by letting each attach their histories to the card. An Apple podcast app is also in the works, offering a subscription feature for content generators. The iPhone will also be used to colour balance a new Apple TV 4K set-top box.