Apple today announced a new version of the Apple TV 4K, simply called the new Apple TV 4K, with the A12 Bionic Chip and an all-new Siri Remote.
The addition of the A12 Bionic Chip provides a significant boost in graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing. The set-top box now supports high frame rate HDR and Dolby Vision video, enabling fast-moving action at 60 frames per second.
This allows content to play more smoothly and appear more lifelike than on the previous generation of Apple TV 4K. Apple said it's also working with leading video providers as they begin to stream high frame rate HDR, like NBCUniversal and Fox Sports.
There's also a new feature that allows the Apple TV 4K to work with iPhone to improve your television's picture quality. The Apple TV 4K uses the light sensor in iPhone to compare the color balance to industry-standard specifications.
With this data, Apple TV 4K can automatically tailor its video output to deliver more accurate colors and improved contrast tailored specifically to your TV set, and all without having to go into the TV's settings.
One of the biggest additions to this new generation of Apple TV 4K is a newly redesigned Siri Remote. This device features a new clickpad control with five-way navigation, which Apple says provides better accuracy when browsing content on tvOS.
Users can also scrub their finger along the outer ring of the clickpad to access a "jog" control, helpful for finding a specific scene in a show or movie. Hoping to address issues with the current Siri Remote, Apple mentioned that the new version sits more comfortably in hand.
Additionally, there's a separate power button that controls a TV's power, a separate button for mute, and Apple moved the Siri button to the side of the remote. You'll also find the usual buttons for volume, play/pause, back, and home.
The new Apple TV 4K will be available at $179 for 32GB and $199 for 64GB. Pre-orders open up on April 30, and the device launches in the second half of May in more than 30 countries and regions.
Apple is also planning to sell the Apple TV HD with the new Siri Remote for $149, and the new Siri Remote will be available separately for $59. It's compatible with the previous generation of Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.
The new Siri Remote is included with the new Apple TV 4K, and the Apple TV HD going forward. The new remote will also be sold separately for $59 and is compatible with the previous-generation Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.
The all-new Siri Remote features a physical clickpad that offers five-way navigation, and the clickpad is also touch-enabled for swipe gestures that Apple TV users are already familiar with. The new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TV's power, and another for mute, making it the only remote needed while watching TV.
The new Siri Remote has a one-piece aluminum design that Apple says fits more comfortably in the hand, with silver being the only color option. The outer ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into what Apple calls a "jog control," which it says is perfect for finding a scene in a movie or show.
Apple also announced that Siri now works on the Apple TV in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand.
The new Apple TV 4K and new Siri Remote can be ordered starting Friday, April 30, with availability beginning at some point in the second half of May in the United States and more than 30 other countries and regions.
This story was part of our live coverage of Apple's ongoing "Spring Loaded" event today. Read our live blog for a recap of other announcements.
Apple today announced Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, allowing users to unlock additional podcast benefits such as ad-free listening, access to additional content, and early or exclusive access to new series.
Apple says that users will be able to enjoy a range of premium subscriptions from NPR, the Los Angeles Times, Sony Music Entertainment, and more. Listeners will also be able to access channels, which are groups of shows that feature unique titles, descriptions, and artwork. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will be available in over 170 countries in May.
With iOS 14.5, the Podcasts app is gaining a major redesign with an enhanced Search tab and updated pages for shows and episodes. There's also a new Smart Play button that lets users automatically start the latest episode from episodic shows. Additionally, users can download individual episodes for offline playback, making podcast listening more accessible.
Apple also unveiled a new Apple Podcasts for Creators website that is designed to help creators learn more about podcasting. Creators can also now access an updated Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard that has new features to make it easier to manage shows on Apple Podcasts, and creators can use the site to enroll in the Apple Podcasters Program to access the tools needed to build and distribute premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts.
This story was part of our live coverage of Apple's ongoing "Spring Loaded" event today. Read our live blog for a recap of other announcements.
During its "Spring Loaded" event today, Apple announced that it would be expanding Apple Card to allow spouses to share accounts and enable families with members over thirteen years old to share a single Apple Card.
Available in the US starting in May, Apple says Apple Card Family will enable families and spouses to co-own an Apple Card, and share and manage their credit lines independently, while also building a credit together.
Alongside the ability to share with spouses, Apple Card Family enables parents to share their Apple Card with their children above thirteen. Apple will use iCloud Family Sharing to enable up to five people to share an Apple Card account.
Apple Card can be shared with any eligible customer who is 18 years or older as a co-owner, providing the opportunity for both to build credit history together, get the flexibility of a combined limit, provide transparency into each other’s spending, share the responsibility of making payments, and deliver the convenience of a single monthly bill to pay.
Apple Card can be shared with anyone who is 13 years or older as a participant, so they can learn how to spend independently and responsibly, while giving co-owners transparency and features that provide insight into purchases and control over their purchase limit. Participants over the age of 18 can also opt in to credit reporting.
The new features with Apple Card will be coming in May, likely through an upcoming iOS update. You can learn more about all of Apple's other announcements from its "Spring Loaded" event on MacRumors.Com.
Apple today announced AirTag, a Tile-like Bluetooth tracking device that's designed to be attached to items like keys and wallets for tracking purposes, letting you find them right in the Find My app.
AirTags are accessories for attaching to backpacks, luggage, and other items. Any U1 device like the iPhone 12 can be used for precision finding to guide you right to the item you're looking for. Combining visual, haptic, and audio feedback, AirTags aim to make keeping track of your things simple.
"We're excited to bring this incredible new capability to iPhone users with the introduction of AirTag, leveraging the vast Find My network, to help them keep track of and find the important items in their lives," said Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. "With its design, unparalleled finding experience, and built-in privacy and security features, AirTag will provide customers with another way to leverage the power of the Apple ecosystem and enhance the versatility of iPhone."
Each AirTag is made of stainless steel and is IP67 water and dust resistant. The small, lightweight devices feature a built-in speaker that plays sounds to help locate them, and the cover is removable so users can easily replace the battery.
AirTags use a similar setup method as Apple's AirPods – just bring an AirTag close to your iPhone and it connects. You can assign an AirTag to an item and name it using defaults like "Keys" or "Jacket," or use a custom name instead. Apple says AirTag location data is kept private and anonymous with end-to-end encryption.
AirTags can be placed in a bag or pocket on their own, or attached to a range of Apple-designed AirTag accessories.
Once an AirTag is set up, it will appear in the new Items tab in the Find My app, where you can view the item's current or last known location on a map. If you misplace an item and it's within Bluetooth range, you can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it. You can also ask Siri to find an item, and AirTag will play a sound if it is nearby.
Each AirTag is equipped with the Apple-designed U1 chip using Ultra Wideband technology, enabling what Apple calls "Precision Finding" for iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users. This technology can more accurately determine the distance and direction to a lost AirTag when it is in range. As you move, Precision Finding fuses input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope, and then can guide you to an AirTag using a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback.
If an AirTag is separated from its owner and out of Bluetooth range, the Find My network can help track it down. You can place AirTag into Lost Mode and be notified when it is in range or has been located by the Find My network. If a lost AirTag is found by someone, they can tap it using their iPhone or any NFC-capable device and be taken to a website that will display a contact phone number for the owner, if they have provided one.
The trackers can be personalized with custom engravings, including emoji. AirTags start at $29 each or $99 for a four-pack. Online orders open this Friday, with AirTags shipping April 30.
Apple is also releasing a new MagSafe Leather Case and Leather Sleeve in Deep Violet, a Silicone Case in Capri Blue, Pistachio, Cantaloupe, or Amethyst, and a Leather Wallet in Arizona, all available to order beginning today.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in the new purple color will ship with iOS 14.5, according to Apple.
Apple continues to sell the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in existing colors, including Black, White, Blue, Green, and (PRODUCT)RED. Pricing starts at $699 for the iPhone 12 mini and $799 for the iPhone 12 in the United States.
This story was part of our live coverage of Apple's ongoing "Spring Loaded" event today. Read our live blog for a recap of other announcements.
Apple's virtual "Spring Loaded" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with Apple expected to debut updated iPad models and perhaps some other hardware such as AirTags or iMac models based on Apple silicon.
Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across its platforms. We will also be updating this article with live blog coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the keynote unfolds. Highlights from the event and separate news stories regarding today's announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.
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9:23 am: As is typical for events, the Apple online store has been down since early this morning. Several readers have also noticed that the Discover tab in the Home app is offline, which is likely related to the store downtime.
9:31 am: Just under 30 minutes to go!
9:50 am: The stream is live on Apple's website with ambient music and animated ribbons of color in the theme of the event logo.
9:58 am: With just a couple of minutes until show time, the YouTube stream is now live.
10:00 am: Here we go!
10:01 am: We're zooming in to Apple Park with the colored ribbons chasing through the campus.
10:02 am: Tim Cook: Hello and welcome back to Apple Park! It's important that Apple makes a difference in people's lives. This week is Earth Day celebration. Today, we're carbon neutral for corporate, and by 2030, we'll be carbon neutral across end-to-end footprint.
10:03 am: Now some services updates, beginning with Apple Card.
10:04 am: Talking about fairness in credit scores. Now allowing spouses and partners to share and merge credit lines, allows both to build credit.
10:05 am: Now talking Podcasts. Biggest change since podcasts debut. Newly designed app. Every show has a beautiful page, channels for creators, recommendations. Podcast subscriptions to unlock additional benefits. Launching in 170 regions and countries next month. Will make listening easier and more enjoyable.
10:06 am: We're adding a new iPhone 12 color...purple!
10:07 am: Switching gears to Find My. Camera zooming through Apple Park to Carolyn Wolfman-Estrada for more.
10:08 am: Find My is an encrypted network available on nearly a billion Apple devices. Today, we're adding a new accessory to this ecosystem.
10:08 am: Playing a teaser video with a guy looking for his keys and getting lost inside his couch.
10:09 am: AirTag. The next time your couch eats your keys, AirTag will help find them.
10:10 am: Can be personalized even with emoji. Accessoriess for attaching to backpacks, luggage, and other items. Any U1 device like iPhone 12 uses precision finding to guide you right to the item. Visual, haptic, and audio feedback.
10:10 am: Privacy is important, and AirTag tracks items not people. We built in features like unwanted tag detection, audible alerts, and rotating identifiers. Priced at $29 or four for $99. Orders start Friday, available April 30.
10:12 am: Now back to Tim. Let's talk Apple TV. It brings you the very best cinematic experience. This starts with Apple TV+...Morning Show, Wolfwalkers, Billie Eilish, Oprah, Ted Lasso. Here's a sneak peek at season two of Ted Lasso.
10:14 am: Ted Lasso returns July 23.
10:14 am: Throwing it to Cindy Lin to talk Apple TV 4K.
10:16 am: Apple TV has powers smart TVs just don't have. Apple Arcade, late-night movies with AirPods, and more. Here's the next generation of Apple TV 4K, now with A12 Bionic chip. Dolby Vision, HDR high frame rate. We're working with global providers who are beginning to stream in high frame rate HDR. AirPlay enhanced to support it.
10:17 am: New color balance feature will work with iPhone to improve TV picture quality. Apple TV uses light sensor in your iPhone to compare your TV to standards and automatically compensate its output.
10:17 am: We completely redesigned the Siri Remote. New one-piece aluminum design with brand-new clickpad.
10:18 am: Circular gesture for jog control. Now has power/mute buttons for your TV, and Siri button is moved to the side. $179 for 32GB or $199 for 64GB. Order April 30, available second half of May.
10:19 am: Heading back to Tim. Now let's talk about the Mac. We recently said we were embarking on 2-year transition to Apple silicon and we're off to a great start. Response has been off the charts.
10:20 am: Mac continues to lead industry in customer satisfaction. M1 represents majority of Mac sales, and today we're going to take another exciting step forward.
10:21 am: John Ternus going over the first batch of M1 Macs with breakthrough performance and power efficiency. Developers have been busy building universal versions of their apps.
10:21 am: Thrilled to introduce new Mac built from the ground up for M1.
10:22 am: New iMac in rainbow colors. More powerful, personal, and capable than ever.
10:23 am: Wanted it to feel light and optimistic while brightening any space. Single sheet of glass on the front with subtle color. Rear has bold, saturated shades that bring a sense of joy.
10:24 am: Digging into the internals to show how M1 has consolidated everything into a smaller logic board and requires just two small fans. iMac overall volume reduced by over 50%, just 11.5mm thin.
10:25 am: 24-inch 4.5K display with narrower borders. Design is only slightly larger than previous 21.5-inch model. Comes with True Tone, antireflective coating, etc.
10:27 am: Navpreet Kaloty talking camera technology, now 1080p. M1 delivers computational video to analyze and enhance each pixel as you use the camera. Exposure and white balance are always perfect. This camera will make you look like a rock star.
10:27 am: Studio-quality three-mic array with beamforming to help ignore background noise to you come through loud and clear. Best mic system ever in a a Mac.
10:28 am: Increased speaker power with two pairs of force-canceling woofers to produce excellent bass response with mimimal vibration. 6-speakers system with a massive soundstage. Supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos.
10:30 am: M1 performance is incredible. iMac wakes almost instantly, showing off Safari, Photos, etc. CPU performance is up to 85% faster than previous 21.5-inch iMac. GPU performance is up to 2x faster, even up to 50% than fastest discrete graphics available in 21.5-inch model.
10:32 am: Machine learning up to 3x faster with 16-core neural engine. As with other M1 Macs, you can run iPhone and iPad apps right on your iMac. And with iCloud and Continuity, it's easier than ever to use your iMac and your iPhone together...Handoff, universal clipboard, etc.
10:34 am: New color-matched keyboards, including one with Touch ID. Also available with numeric keypad. Color-matched Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad also now available.
10:34 am: Showing a promo video for new iMac.
10:36 am: With iMac, the possibilities are endless. And as with other products, Apple is touting environmental benefits.
10:36 am: Starts at $1299, and there's an upgraded $1499 model. Order April 30, available second half of May.
10:38 am: Video showing a burglar breaking into Apple Park and crawling through air vents trying to get his hands on an M1 chip.
10:40 am: Raja Bose talking about M1 in the iPad Pro. Big jump in performance for a high-performance ecosystem. Power efficiency has to be amazing, and M1 delivers.
10:40 am: Going over the 8-core CPU with 50% improved performance compared to previous generation. Performance is 75x the original iPad.
10:41 am: 8-core GPU offers up to 40% faster graphics than previous generation, and 1500x faster than original iPad
10:42 am: ProMotion display, four speakers, support for latest gaming controllers. New iPad Pro is yet again the fastest device of its kind, not even close, but it's more than that. Neural engine, image signal processor, and more make it more powerful than ever.
10:43 am: Up to 2x faster storage access, up to 2TB storage available. Faster connectivity as well...USB-C port now supports Thunderbolt and USB4. Offers 4x bandwidth for wired connections. Supports Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.
10:44 am: Ultra fast wireless with 5G cellular support to let people be productive wherever they are. Download speeds up to 3.5 Gbps, though it varies. With mmWave, can reach up to 4 Gbps. You can do just about anything, just about anywhere.
10:45 am: Fiona O'Leary to talk cameras. Built-in studio quality mics, and LiDAR scanner deliver new workflows.
10:47 am: Showing off new version of Clips that uses LiDAR to transform your living room into a studio. Smart HDR 3 support for improved quality. Front TrueDepth camera supports Face ID and portrait selfies, but there's a huge step forward with an all-new 12MP Ultra Wide front camera. New feature called Center Stage that automatically pans to keep you in the shot and zooms to fit people in the view as they come and go.
10:50 am: Heidi Delgado to discuss the XDR experience on iPad Pro. We went back to the drawing board. Uses an array of LEDs across the back of the display. These need to be incredibly small, and there are over 10,000 of these Mini-LEDs with over 2,500 local dimming zones.
10:51 am: All this fits in a design that's just 6.4mm thin and 1.5 lbs.
10:53 am: Recapping the specs of the new 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, and we couldn't wait to get it in the hands of developers. Video with fast-moving clips of high-profile developers talking about the incredible M1 iPad Pro.
10:55 am: We're always amazed by the capabilities developers put in the hands of our users. You also have to talk about accessories. Apple Pencil Scribble now has support for five more languages. Magic Keyboard is now available in a white color.
10:56 am: Even with M1, the 11-inch iPad Pro still starts at $799. The 12.9-inch model starts at $1099. Order April 30, available in second half of May.
10:57 am: Now showing a promo video for iPad Pro.
10:59 am: M1 takes iMac and iPad Pro to the next level. Now back to Tim.
11:00 am: Tim is recapping...Apple Card Family, Podcasts, purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini, AirTag, Apple TV 4K and redesigned Siri remote, new iMac, and the new iPad Pro .
11:00 am: Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
11:01 am: Event has wrapped up. Check out our front page as we cover all of today's announcements in more depth!
Apple can be expected to shed some light on its highly secretive internal project called "Project Titan," a codename for its self-driving car sometime in the next 3-6 months, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives.
Ives made the comments during a segment on CNBC Television, in which he reiterated Wedbush's belief that Apple will not actually release a consumer car until at least 2024. Ives says that even with a release years out, the company will need to release "some information" to "lay the groundwork for an Apple Car." Ives believes that Apple will open up publicly about its future car ambitions sometime this summer.
When pressed on the timeframe, Ives says that Apple needs to "find the partners" for its self-driving car, which concides with reports that the tech giant has been in talks to partner with several car manufacturers for the production of Apple Car.
Apple has reportedly been working on a self-driving car for the past number of years, and a flurry of reports in the past few months have further cemented the company's rumored car ambitions. The Apple Car, which Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says will not be released until at least 2023, is expected to be produced and manufactured by a third-party contractor but remain an Apple-branded product.
More recently, a report out of The Korea Times suggests that Apple is "very near" to signing a deal with LG and Magna to build the Apple Car.
Apple today unveiled limited-edition Beats Studio3 in collaboration with Psychworld and singer and rapper Don Toliver. The headphones will be available on Psychworld's website starting April 22 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
"Psychworld's neon green palette brings exciting energy to the streetwear scene, and now to Beats Studio3," said Apple. "The digi-camo print makes the headphone stand out, while Active Noise Cancellation will keep you immersed in the music." (At quick glance, these look like they could double as a Minecraft edition of the Beats Studio3).
Beats Studio3 launched in September 2017. The wireless over-ear headphones feature Apple's W1 chip and Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling technology. The standard Studio3 are priced at $349.95 in the United States.
The Car Connectivity Consortium today announced that its Digital Key 3.0 specification with support for Ultra Wideband and Bluetooth LE connectivity will be made available to members like Apple by the middle of 2021.
At WWDC 2020, Apple introduced a new NFC-based digital Car Key feature that allows users to unlock and start their vehicle by holding a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch near the driver-side door. Similar to credit cards and boarding passes, digital car keys are stored in the Wallet app on devices running iOS 13.6 and watchOS 6.2.8 or later. So far, the feature is only compatible with select BMW models manufactured after July 1, 2020.
With support for Ultra Wideband, Digital Key 3.0 will enable hands-free, location-aware keyless access to vehicles and other location-aware features for an improved user experience. The specification will allow Apple to improve its Car Key feature so that users can unlock and start a compatible vehicle without taking their iPhone out of their pocket. NFC will continue to be supported as a "mandatory back-up solution."
The improved Ultra Wideband version of Apple's Car Key feature would require devices with the U1 chip like iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models.
BMW previously announced plans to offer Digital Key Plus, an enhanced version of Apple's Car Key feature, in its new iX electric vehicle. BMW said the feature would be available in Europe starting in late 2021 and in North America by early 2022.
In addition to providing a hands-free, location-aware experience, BMW said Ultra Wideband's precision would ensure that relay attacks, where the radio signal is jammed or intercepted, are not possible, resulting in improved security.
"Digital Key Release 3.0 addresses security and usability by authenticating the Digital Key between a vehicle and the mobile device over Bluetooth Low Energy and then establishing a secure ranging session with UWB, which allows the vehicle to perform secure and accurate distance measurement to localize the mobile device," said the Car Connectivity Consortium.
Apple previously said the new version of its Car Key feature with Ultra Wideband support would be available in 2021, but an exact timeframe is unknown. Apple will be hosting a virtual event today at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
Apple is holding its first virtual media event of 2021 today, with the event kicking off at 10:00 am Pacific Time and likely consisting of a pre-recorded stream from Apple Park. Still, some MacRumors readers who can't follow the event as it's being broadcast are interested in avoiding all of the announcements and waiting until the event has ended and is available for on-demand viewing so as to experience it without already knowing the outcome.
For those individuals, we've posted this news story, which will be updated with a direct link to the presentation once it becomes available from Apple. No other news stories or announcements will be displayed alongside this story.
Apple's recent virtual events have been made available to view almost immediately following the conclusion of the broadcasts, and we expect similar timing for today's event.
Users waiting for the video to be posted are welcome to gather in the thread associated with this news story, and we ask that those who follow the events as they occur refrain from making any posts about Apple's announcements in this thread.
Eve has today released a new version of the smart home connected Eve Light Switch featuring support for Thread, in what seems to be the first Thread-enabled light switch for any smart platform (via HomeKit News).
The Eve Light Switch, which is designed for the European market, can use both Thread and Bluetooth to connect to a smart home network, depending on which is available. It requires a neutral wire and is not compatible with existing switch plates, meaning that the only option is to use the one that comes with the Eve Switch itself.
Until now, Eve's popular smart home devices have mostly been Bluetooth-based, which attempted to avoid the occasional reliability issues of Wi-Fi networks, but came at the cost of slower response times. Thread technology is now proliferating through Eve's smart home products. The new Eve Switch is constantly powered, allowing it to expand the Thread network in a user's home as a Thread Router.
Eve Light Switch supports Bluetooth and Thread, and joins your Thread network automatically. As a router node, Eve Light Switch relays other Thread accessories' data packets and enhances the stability and reach of your smart home. Thread is also a pillar of CHIP – the smart home standard of the future.
Apple has begun looking toward open standards in the smart home space, working with other companies such as Google and Amazon to develop a universal standard for smart home products. Apple's commitment to open standards and Thread within HomeKit was demonstrated by the launch of the HomePod mini last year, which is the first Thread-enabled Apple device.
Although the HomePod mini supports thread, it only serves as a Border Router, unlike the Eve Light Switch, which works as an entire Thread Router. Thread accessories do not need a proprietary bridge to communicate with each other, instead only needing a Border Router like the HomePod mini. The new Eve Light Switch puts the company center-stage with the advancement of Thread in conjunction with HomeKit.
Ahead of Apple's "Spring Loaded" event later today, Samsung has announced an update to its SmartThings Find platform that can scan for unknown Galaxy SmartTags and other Tile-like trackers nearby and alert the user if one appears to be moving along with them in their vicinity.
Called "Unknown Tag Search," the anti-stalking feature aims to detect if someone has slipped a SmartTag into the user's bag or vehicle and is surreptitiously tracking their location.
iOS and iPadOS 14.5 beta 3 includes a similar Find My feature called "Item Safety Feature" that helps prevent someone from stalking or tracking you with item trackers such as Apple's rumored AirTags.
With the feature enabled, the user's iPhone can tell if someone has placed an AirTag or other Find My-compatible item tracker on their person and can prevent your location from being shared.
In a related discovery, MacRumors contributor Steve Moser last year found code within iOS 14.3 beta 1 that states, "If you feel your safety is at risk due to this item, contact your local law enforcement. You may need the serial number of this item."
In its announcement today, Samsung also explained that its Bixby voice assistant can now be used to find SmartTags based on their custom name and direct the user to their location with an audible alert. Apple's Siri is likely to offer similar functionality with AirTags.
Apple has already opened up its Find My network for third-party accessories makers to take advantage of ultra-wideband technology in Apple devices. Under the network, accessory makers will tap into the Find My ecosystem, allowing customers to track their items on their iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
AirTags have been rumored to be launching for months now, and the most recent hope is that they will be unveiled later today during Apple's "Spring Loaded" virtual event. The event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time via a live stream on Apple's website and YouTube channel.
If you can't watch the live stream, you can follow along for full coverage of all of the announcements from the event on MacRumors.com or follow us on Twitter at MacRumorsLive for our live tweet coverage.
As is tradition, Apple's online store has gone down ahead of its "Spring Loaded" event, which will be streamed on Apple's website and on YouTube at 10 a.m. Pacific Time today. Apple's online store should become available again when the event has concluded, likely with new products and accessories available to order.
The event will consist of a pre-recorded video with Apple executives speaking from locations around the company's Apple Park headquarters in California. Apple is widely expected to introduce new iPads at the event, including a new iPad Pro with a Mini-LED display, and there could be a few other surprises in store, such as Apple's long-awaited AirTags item trackers or a redesigned iMac with Apple silicon.
This week could also mark the final release of iOS 14.5 following over two months of beta testing, so we could hear about this during the event. The software update is packed with new features, including the ability for iPhone users who are wearing an Apple Watch to unlock the iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask.
MacRumors will have in-depth coverage of Apple's event across our platforms, including a live blog on our website and live tweets via @MacRumorsLive on Twitter, so be sure to follow along later today to keep track of everything announced.
Update: Check out our Apple Event news hub for complete coverage of today's announcements.
We're just hours away from Apple's first event of the year, and alongside widely reported updates to the iPad Pro and possibly the reveal of other new products, Apple will announce a new paid podcast subscription service, according to The Wall Street Journal.
According to the Journal, this new service will be built into the Apple Podcasts app and will "allow listeners to compensate hosts directly." Yesterday, Vox's Peter Kafka tweeted that he is "pretty sure Apple is prepping its own podcast plan - a paid subscription service - on Tuesday."
Neither Kafka nor today's new report offers any new concrete insight into the pricing of this new service and its specific breakdown. While it may come as a surprise, news of an Apple podcast subscription service is not entirely new. Bloomberg and The Information have both independently reported that Apple is in talks with production companies to produce new original shows for the service.
Even without the new service, Apple has launched several original podcast shows based on content from Apple TV+, such as "The Line." Further corroborating rumors of a paid service, changes found within the Podcasts app on iOS 14.5 by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser indicate that Apple is reworking the app with more subscription-centric features.
Apple's "Spring Loaded" event will officially kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time via a live stream on Apple's website and YouTube channel. If you're unable to watch the live stream, you can follow along for full coverage of all of the announcements from the event on MacRumors.Com or follow us on Twitter at MacRumorsLive for our live tweet coverage.
While we wait to see if rumors of a new iMac announcement today are accurate, popular 3D concept channel ConceptsiPhone and Khahn Design have taken a stab at envisioning what Apple's redesigned all-in-one desktop Mac could look like. Check out the pictures and video embedded below.
According to Bloomberg, Apple's redesigned iMac models will feature slimmed down bezels around the display and the metal chin will be removed. The new look is expected to be quite similar to the Pro Display XDR monitor that Apple released in 2019, and that's what we see here.
Instead of a curved rear design, the iMacs will feature a flat back, and prior rumors have described the new iMacs as using an "iPad Pro design language." At least one of the new models that will replace the 21.5 and 27-inch models will measure in at 23 to 24 inches, but it's not clear what size the second iMac will be.
Serial leaker L0vetodream has said that at least one of the new iMac models will feature a display that is much larger than the current 27-inch model, presumably due to reduced bezels.
Meanwhile, leaker Jon Prosser has suggested that the 2021 iMac models will come in five colors that match the colors of the fourth-generation iPad Air (Silver, Space Gray, Green, Sky Blue, and Rose Gold). This rumor has since been hinted at by L0vetodream, who suggested that the colorful new iMacs may be launched at Apple's "Spring Loaded" event.
Apple has developed underlying Mac support for Face ID, Apple's facial recognition technology. Apple initially planned to include it in the iMac refresh coming in 2021, but according to Bloomberg, it has been delayed and is not likely to be included in the first iteration of the new iMac lineup.
Apple is also expected equip the new iMacs with next-generation versions of its Apple silicon chips. Not only will be faster and offer more GPU power, better efficiency, cooler running chips, and tighter mainboard integration could allow for a thinner chassis.
References to two unreleased iMac models has been found in macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta code, identified as "iMac21,1" and "iMac21,2." Could they reference new models that take cues from Apple's first-generation iMac by coming in different colors? We may know for sure before the day is out.
Apple will hold its first media event of 2021 later on Tuesday, April 20, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through a live stream. The event is expected to see the unveiling of updated iPad models, likely some information related to new features in iOS 14.5, and there's a possibility of a surprise like AirTags. Check out everything that's coming in our What to Expect guide.
Facebook has introduced a tool that lets users export notes and text-based posts to third-party services, making it easier than ever to leave the social network without saying goodbye to your content.
The new "data portability types" mean people can now directly transfer their notes and posts to Google Docs, Blogger and WordPress. The updates are extensions to Facebook's existing tool that lets users transfer photos and video to Backblaze, Dropbox, Google Photos and Koofr.
To better reflect the range of data types people can now transfer to our partners' services, we're renaming the tool "Transfer Your Information."
We designed this tool with privacy, security and utility in mind. We'll ask you to re-enter your password before the transfer starts and encrypt your data as it moves between services, so you can be confident it will be transferred securely.
To access the tool from a desktop browser, follow these steps.
Log in to the Facebook website, click the Account button in the top-right corner of the screen, and select Settings & Privacy.
Click Settings.
Click Your Facebook Information, and next to "Transfer a copy of your information," click View.
Select a media type to transfer (Photos/Videos/Posts/Notes), choose a destination which service your information will be transferred to, then click Next.
Authorize Facebook to access the chosen service.
Click Confirm Transfer.
The process may take a while to complete depending on the amount of content being transferred, but once it's done you'll be able to find it in your chosen destination, ready for perusal.
Back in January, we saw a few promotional images for third-party AirTags accessories from both Nomad and Spigen's Cyrill brand, and while Apple's item trackers have yet to launch, we're now seeing more signs of similar accessories starting to show up in the wild.
An increasing number of sellers on eBay, Walmart, Etsy, and other online marketplaces are now offering AirTags holders for sale as details on the device continue to spread.
MacRumors has also received a pair of images of one particularly interesting set of straps that our source says are made of a similar material as the fluoroelastomer Apple uses for its Apple Watch Sport Bands. The band design appears to have a snap closure to secure the AirTag and a short leash with an opening at the opposite end to allow the strap to be secured to an object to be tracked.
An image of a very similar but not identical design has been shared on Weibo today by leaker UnclePan (via DuanRui). This design appears to rely on the elasticity of the strap rather than a snap to hold the AirTag in place.
The increasing number of third-party AirTags accessories comes just ahead of Apple's "Spring Loaded" event tomorrow, although it's still unknown whether the accessory will make an appearance at the event. The first hints of AirTags surfaced in leaked code two years ago, and they've yet to be officially unveiled, but information on them is clearly circulating among accessory manufacturers.
Apple's infrastructure to support AirTags is already in place, as the company earlier this month launched its Find My network accessory program that lets third-party devices like Belkin earbuds, Chipolo item trackers, and VanMoof e-bikes be tracked right in the Find My app.
AirTags are expected to work in exactly the same manner, except with Ultra Wideband U1 chip support that would allow for greater accuracy than standard Bluetooth and even an augmented reality experience to help direct you right to a lost item.
