During its "Spring Loaded" event today, Apple shared a new trailer for season two of the popular comedy "Ted Lasso." In the trailer, it's confirmed that the new season will launch on Apple TV+ July 23.
Ted Lasso has garnered a huge amount of praise over the months since it launched last summer, including a Golden Globe for Jason Sudeikis in the titular role, and a Critics Choice award for best comedy series.
The show centers on a small-time college football coach from Kansas who is hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, despite having no experience coaching soccer. Apple has renewed the show through its third season.
Apple today seeded the RC version of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming one week after the launch of the eighth beta and more than two months after the release of macOS Big Sur 11.2, a bug fix update.
Developers can download the macOS Big Sur 11.3 beta using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.
macOS Big Sur 11.3 introduces more customization options for Safari, adding a way to rearrange the different sections on the Start Page like Favorites, Reading List, Siri Suggestions, Privacy Report, and more. Developers also have access to a new integration to develop features for the Start Page.
The update includes optimizations for using iOS apps on M1 Macs. When running iPhone and iPad apps on M1 Macs, there's a Touch Alternatives preference pane that allows users to set keyboard commands for touch input alternatives, plus iPadOS apps launch with a larger window if the Mac's display allows it. Touch Alternatives can be enabled for iPhone or iPad apps by clicking on the app's name in the menu bar and then selecting the Preferences option. Touch Alternatives let you customize taps, swipes, and drags.
Apple has added a "Controller Emulation" feature that can be enabled for iPhone and iPad apps to map game controller buttons to keyboard keys and mouse buttons. Controller Emulation will allow iPhone and iPad games that have controller support built in to be accurately controlled with a keyboard and/or mouse when those games are played on an M1 Mac.
In the Reminders app, reminder lists can be sorted by Due Date, Creation Date, Priority, or Title, and there is an option to print lists by going to File > Print. Reminders can also be moved manually across lists with drag and drop, something that wasn't possible before.
Apple is adding a new "Made For You" library shortcut in Apple Music for finding personal mixes and Replay playlists, and the Listen Now section has been updated with support for highlighting live events.
The Apple Music app includes a new autoplay option that allows the streaming service to continue to play music after a playlist or music queue ends. Apple Music sources music similar to what's in a person's Apple Music library, similar to the autoplay feature added in iOS 14.
With this feature enabled, Apple Music audio will not end even after a playlist or album is over. To check that it's on, play a playlist or album and then click on the three dot/line menu button in the upper right hand corner. From there, make sure the infinity symbol is toggled on.
In the Apple News app, there's a redesigned Apple News+ tab with a dedicated "For You" section and a new Browse tab that makes it easier to browse through available content. The new For You section is designed to help Apple News+ users find favorite magazines and newspapers much faster, plus it adds new tools for managing downloaded issues.
macOS Big Sur 11.3 adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers for use with macOS games, and there's an updated "Support" interface when accessing "About This Mac." The new design includes details on your warranty and it allows for starting a repair right from the Mac interface.
The tab works similarly to the AppleCare coverage menu in the iOS Settings app, which lets users request repairs, buy an AppleCare plan, and check their coverage.
For HomePod users, macOS Big Sur 11.3 brings support for HomePod Stereo pairs, allowing a set of paired HomePods to be set as the default sound output option, with the two HomePods showing up as a single selectable speaker rather than separate as in prior versions of macOS.
Code in macOS Big Sur 11.3 suggests that the Optimized Battery Charging feature will now make sure the Mac's battery is fully charged before a scheduled calendar event. The Mac will charge to 100 percent three hours before a calendar event's start time.
Optimized Battery Charging is designed to preserve the lifespan of the Mac's battery by limiting the amount of time that a Mac sits at 100 percent battery.
In Safari, there's support for WebM video playback, allowing users to play WebM videos using Apple's browser. WebM is a niche video format designed to be a royalty-free alternative to the H.264 codec used in the MP4 format. WebM allows video files to remain small without sacrificing quality and can be played with little processing power, making it ideal for webpages and browsers.
There are also appear to be new assets that suggest a feature for mapping game controller buttons to keyboard layouts, and there's a Game Center toggle to enable or disable connections with friends, which lets games set you up with your friends or prevents apps from accessing that info.
Apple's M1iPad Pro is available with either 8GB RAM or 16GB RAM, the most memory that's ever been made available in an iPad model.
iPad Pro models with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage will come with 8GB RAM, while iPad Pro models with 1TB or 2TB of storage will feature 16GB RAM.
It does not appear that there will be a way to customize lower storage iPad Pro models with the upgraded RAM, so those who want the 16GB RAM option will need to opt for higher storage tiers. Both the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are available with up to 2TB storage.
The iPad Pro will be available for order on April 30, but orders will not ship out until late May.
Apple today seeded the RC versions of upcoming iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta updates coming one week after Apple released the eighth iOS and iPadOS 14.5 betas.
iOS and iPadOS 14.5 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or iPad.
iOS 14.5 is the biggest update to iOS 14 to date, introducing several significant new features. First and foremost, Apple is making it easier to unlock an iPhone when you're wearing a face mask with a new "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature.
This opt-in option lets you use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method to unlock an iPhone alongside Face ID. With this feature, you no longer have to enter a passcode or remove your mask to unlock your iPhone. Both an iPhone running iOS 14.5 and an Apple Watch are required to use this, and the Apple Watch cannot authenticate Apple Pay purchases, App Store purchases, or unlock third-party apps that use Face ID.
The update also brings worldwide support for 5G in Dual-SIM mode on iPhone 12 models, so if you use multiple lines, both can now connect at 5G speeds. Prior to now, Dual-SIM mode was limited to LTE networks.
With watchOS 7.4, iOS and iPadOS 14.5 include AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness+, so Apple Fitness+ subscribers can start a workout on an iPhone or iPAd and then AirPlay it to a compatible smart TV or set-top box. AirPlay 2 supports audio and video, but it does not display on-screen workout metrics.
PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers are supported on the iPhone and the iPad with iOS 14.5, and code suggests that Apple is going to add joint account support for the Apple Card in the near future.
iOS 14.5 includes a Waze-like crowdsourcing feature for reporting accidents, hazards, and speed checks along a route in Maps when getting directions.
There's a new "Report" button available in the Apple Maps app that lets you tap to report an accident, hazard, or speed trap at your location in the Apple Maps app, which is a feature that mapping app Waze offers. This is available directly on the iPhone and in CarPlay.
There are several new emoji characters in the iOS 14.5 beta, with Apple introducing heart on fire, mending heart, exhaling face, face with spiral eyes, face in clouds, along with different gender options for people with beards. There are also new couple emojis that have new skin tone mixes.
Apple removed the blood from the syringe emoji, updated the Headphone emoji to look like the AirPods Max rather than a generic set of headphones, and added a helmet to the rock climbing emoji.
In the Find My app, there's a new "Items" tab that's been added, which will work with non-Apple products like Beats headphones and Belkin's wireless earbuds that have been designed to integrate with the Find My app. Anything item tracking function that uses Apple's Find My API will be shown here right alongside your Apple devices, and the Items tab will also work with AirTags when those are finally released.
The iOS 14.5 beta addresses the green tint issue that some iPhone owners have been experiencing, with Apple confirming that the beta has "optimizations" to help with the issue.
"iOS and iPadOS 14.5 beta 2 includes an optimization to reduce the appearance of a dim glow that might appear at reduced brightness levels with black backgrounds," reads Apple's iOS 14.5 beta notes. For some users, there are improvements thanks to the optimizations, but for others, the issue still appears to exist, so Apple may have some further work to do.
iOS 14.5 also includes a new process for recalibrating the battery health reporting in the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and Pro Max. Apple says that the update recalibrates the maximum battery capacity and peak performance capacity on the iPhone 11 models to address inaccurate estimates of battery health reporting that some users have encountered.
iOS and iPadOS 14.5 add a new feature for choosing a preferred streaming music service to use with Siri. So if you prefer Spotify over Apple Music, for example, you can now choose Spotify as the app you want to use with Siri and all Siri song requests will go through Spotify without the need to add "on Spotify" to the end of Siri requests. This is a new Siri intelligence feature that works with music apps, podcast apps, and audiobook apps.
There are two new Siri voices in iOS 14.5, and Siri is no longer female by default in the United States, with users instead able to select their preferred Siri voice at setup.
iOS 14.5 is the update where Apple will begin requiring developers to comply with its App Tracking Transparency rules. Going forward, developers will need to ask for and receive your permission to access your random advertising identifier and track your activity across apps and websites.
Apple has made design tweaks to the Apple News and Podcasts apps, plus there are new print and sort options in Reminders. There are new settings for emergency alerts, a horizontal loading screen on the iPad, and tons of other smaller feature tweaks that are outlined in our full iOS 14.5 features guide, which we've been keeping updated throughout the testing process.
Apple today in a press release about its new AirTag item tracker announced that iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 will be available starting "next week."
iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 are 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. iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 will also be the minimum software versions required for the just-announced AirTag item tracker, according to Apple.
Apple today seeded the RC version of an upcoming watchOS 7.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming two weeks release of the seventh beta and over two months after the launch of watchOS 7.3 with "Time to Walk" functionality, expanded ECG availability, and a new Unity watch face.
To install the watchOS 7.4 beta, developers need to download the proper configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once the profile is in place, the watchOS 7.4 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
To update to the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.
Alongside iOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4 introduces a new "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature that lets an iPhone with Face ID use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication measure when you're wearing a mask, alleviating the need to enter a passcode to unlock the iPhone.
Face ID does not work when wearing a mask, but this new Apple Watch feature provides an easy but still secure way to access the iPhone without the hassle of a passcode. It's similar to the Apple Watch unlocking on Mac and can be enabled in the Settings app under Face ID & Passcode.
An unlocked Apple Watch paired with Face ID can unlock the iPhone when a mask is worn, but it's only for mask usage. The Apple Watch cannot be used to authenticate Apple Pay or App Store purchases, nor can it be used to unlock apps that require a Face ID scan. In these situations, the mask will need to be removed or a passcode/password will need to be used instead.
When the Apple Watch unlocks the iPhone, you'll feel a haptic tap on the wrist and will receive a notification on the watch, similar to how it works when using the watch to unlock a Mac.
For those who use Apple Fitness+, the watchOS 7.4 update combined with iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 enables AirPlay 2 for Apple Fitness+, so workouts can be streamed to an AirPlay 2-enabled TV or set-top box. Apple Watch metrics do not show up on the screen when AirPlayed, however, and that feature is limited to iPhone/iPad/Apple TV.
Apple today seeded the RC version of an upcoming tvOS 14.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta software coming two weeks after Apple released the seventh tvOS 14.5 beta.
Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV, the tvOS 14.5 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that's installed using Xcode.
tvOS 14.5 brings support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers, which can be used to play games from the tvOS App Store and Apple Arcade.
Support for the new controllers has also been included in iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, so the latest gaming controller options from Sony and Microsoft are now compatible with Apple's product lineup.
In tvOS 14.5, Apple is removing mentions of the "Siri Remote" and replacing them with "Apple TV Remote" across the operating system. This could be just a general cleanup of the language because there's no real need to refer to it as the Siri Remote anymore, but it also suggests that the next-generation Apple TV remote will not be called the Siri Remote and will have a simpler name.
The update renames the "Home Button" under the "Remotes and Devices" section to "TV Button," but the functionality is ultimately the same and can be set to go to the Apple TV app or the Home Screen.
Other new features include frame rate options of 29.97Hz and 59.94Hz instead of 30Hz/60Hz, an optional "Type to Siri" Accessibility feature that can be enabled, which mirrors the Type to Siri feature on iOS devices, a new option for choosing "Other Wireless Speakers" as the Default Audio Output, and tweaks to the Podcasts app to bring it in line with the changes introduced in iOS 14.5.
The release of tvOS will see Apple begin enforcing its new App Tracking Transparency rules, with developers now required to ask for and receive a user's permission to access their random advertising identifier (known as the IDFA) to track user activity across apps and websites for ad customization purposes.
Going forward, when an app wants to access a person's advertising identifier on tvOS, users will have a prompt with options to "Allow Tracking" or "Ask App Not to Track." Selecting "Ask App Not to Track" will prevent the app's developer from accessing the user's IDFA, and developers will also have to respect the user's tracking preference and refrain from using other invasive cross-app tracking methods.
The main tvOS 14 update released in September brought expanded Picture in Picture support, new HomeKit integration with HomeKit Secure Video cameras, support for multiple Apple Arcade profiles, and more, with details available in our tvOS 14 roundup.
As part of its new iPad Pro unveiling, Apple today also announced the availability of the Magic Keyboard in a new white color.
Apple in the spring of 2020 unveiled and released the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which is similar to a Smart Keyboard for iPad but with a built-in trackpad for better navigation with a cursor. The only color it originally came in was black, but Apple is now offering an optional white color.
The Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro costs $299, and the Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro costs $349. The Magic Keyboards can be purchased from Apple's online store, with layouts for over 30 languages.
Alongside the brand new M1iMac, Apple today revealed a collection of accessories for the desktop computer. The biggest product is a new version of the Magic Keyboard that includes support for Touch ID, providing quick access to macOS and even allowing users to switch profiles with the touch of their finger.
This keyboard will come in seven different colors, matching the options on the M1 iMac. In the same spirit, Apple is updating the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad with colorful options as well. It should be noted that Apple mentioned that there will be a version of the new keyboard without Touch ID, for anyone who wants to opt out of that feature.
This story was part of our coverage of Apple's "Spring Loaded" event today. Read our live blog for a recap of all of Apple's announcements.
Apple today announced the next-generation iPad Pro with the same M1 chip found in the latest Macs, Thunderbolt and USB4 support, 5G connectivity on cellular models with mmWave support in the United States, and more.
With an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, Apple says the M1 chip in the new iPad Pro provides up to 50% faster performance and up to 40% faster graphics compared to the A12Z Bionic chip in the previous-generation iPad Pro.
The new iPad Pro is available with up to 2TB of storage, which is double the previous limit. iPad Pro models with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage will come with 8GB RAM, while iPad Pro models with 1TB or 2TB of storage will feature 16GB RAM, marking the first time that Apple has offered varying amounts of RAM in the iPad Pro.
Exclusive to the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro is an all-new Liquid Retina XDR display, with up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness, up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. As was widely rumored, the display uses mini-LED backlighting with over 10,000 LEDs to deliver true-to-life HDR content.
Newly added support for Thunderbolt and USB4 provides up to 40Gbps total bandwidth. Thunderbolt supports 10Gbps Ethernet, high-performance accessories, and high-resolution displays like Apple's Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.
The front-facing TrueDepth camera system in the new iPad Pro features a new 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens that enables a 120-degree field of view for a new "Center Stage" feature that automatically keeps users perfectly within the frame during video calls.
Cellular models of the new iPad Pro in the U.S. support mmWave, the higher frequency version of 5G, allowing the tablet to reach speeds up to 4Gbps.
The new 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,099. Pre-orders will begin April 30, with availability beginning in the second half of May. No specific release date was provided.
Otherwise, we're seeing the usual collection of new spring colors. The Smart Folio for iPad Air is now available in Mallard Green and Electric Orange. It runs for $79.00.
The Smart Cover for iPad has all of the same new colors: White, Mallard Green, and Electric Orange. It runs for $49.00.
Last for iPads, the Smart Cover for iPad mini now comes in Mallard Green and Electric Orange as well. It runs for $39.00.
AirTags
There are quite a few new accessories for AirTags. You can get a Leather Key Ring for $35, Leather Loop for $39, Loop for $29, Hermès Key Ring for $349, Hermès Luggage Tag for $449, and Hermès Bag Charm for $299.
There's also a Belkin Secure Holder with Strap for $12.95, and a Belkin Secure Holder with Key Ring for $12.95.
Apple Watch
Of course, Apple Watch has also gained a ton of new band colors. Starting with the Solo Loop, there's Tomales Blue, Pistachio, and Cantaloupe.
Braided Loop now has Electric Orange, Pistachio, and Pink Punch.
Sport Band now comes in Mallard Green, Cantaloupe, and Capri Blue.
Sport Loop comes in Sea Salt, Sunflower, Abyss, Olive, and (Product)RED.
Nike Sport Band comes in Chlorine Blue/Green Glow, Hasta/Light Silver, and Ironstone/Black.
Hermès has the Noir/Bleu Saphir Jumping Single Tour, Rouge de Coeur Jumping Single Tour, Kraft/Rouge de Coeur Jumping Single Tour, Orange/Rose Mexico Jumping Single Tour, and Bleu Saphir/Orange Jumping Single Tour.
Lastly, there's the Hermès Rose Mexico Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour, Bleu Saphir Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour, Blanc Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour, and Noir Swift Leather Attelage Double Tour.
Apple has announced a new, redesigned 24-inch iMac, featuring an M1 chip, a 4.5K display, and a range of color options, as well as an improved cooling system, front-facing camera, speaker system, microphones, power connector, and peripherals.
The new iMac features a completely new compact design, and comes in a range of seven striking colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. Brighter colors feature a more muted front with an intensely saturated rear. The iMac's overall volume has been reduced by over 50 percent and is now just 11.5mm thin.
The iMac features a new 24-inch 4.5K display with slimmer bezels and 11.3 million pixels, in a design that is only slightly larger than the previous 21.5-inch model, and offers 500 nits of brightness, True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating.
The 24-inch iMac is the first iMac to feature Apple's own custom silicon processor for the Mac, the M1 chip, after years of using Intel chips, allowing for a completely redesigned cooling system containing just two small fans.
Compared to the previous Intel-based 21.5-inch iMac, the new iMac with the M1 chip features 85 percent faster CPU performance, up to 2x faster GPU performance for certain apps like Affinity Photo and Photoshop, and up to 50 percent faster performance than the most powerful discrete graphics in the fastest 21.5-inch iMac.
The new iMac is able to take advantage of the image signal processor in the M1 chip and the Neural Engine to enhance the image quality of the 1080p camera with better noise reduction, greater dynamic range, and improved auto exposure and white balance.
The iMac contains a "studio quality" beamforming three-microphone array, as well as a more powerful six-speaker system that supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos.
The iMac offers two Thunderbolt ports, and the 8-core configuration also adds two additional USB-C ports and a 1Gbps Ethernet port in the power adapter. The iMac also features a magnetic, two-meter long rear power connector, supports Wi-Fi 6, and external displays with up to 6K resolutions, such as the Pro Display XDR.
The new iMac comes alongside new peripherals, including a color-matched Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, as well as an all-new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for the first time.
The 24-inch iMac with 7-core GPU starts at $1,299, featuring an 8-core CPU, 8GB of unified memory, a 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt ports, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Mouse, while the 24-inch iMac with 8-core GPU starts at $1,499 features an 8-core CPU, 8GB of unified memory, a 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt ports, two additional USB 3 ports, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Magic Mouse, and Ethernet.
The new iMac comes in green, pink, purple, blue, and silver, with the yellow and orange color options being exclusive to the 8-core model.
Orders begin on April 30, with devices arriving in the second half of May.
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.
