Apple's April 2021 'Spring Loaded' event: Here's everything launched today!

Today, we saw a slew of new products launched at the Apple April 2021 event. There weren’t any new iPhones for this launch (those usually land in the Fall), but we did see plenty of new hardware and even new services.

Below, we’ve given the low-down on everything new Apple announced today. There’s a lot to get through, so let’s get to it!

New iPad Pro models

A refresh of the iPad Pro line was today’s biggest news. Although the iPad Pro models look the same as last year’s, they feature a lot more power under the hood.

First, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro model has a Mini-LED display now. Mini-LED tech is used with LCD screens but offers a lot of the same benefits as an OLED panel (deeper blacks, less power consumption, etc.). We expect Apple to be all-in on Mini-LED tech going forward when it comes to things with larger displays, such as iPads and MacBooks.

Related: Chromebook vs iPad: Which is best for you?

Outside of the display, the new iPad Pros launched at the Apple April 2021 event have a new chipset: the M1. This is the chip the company launched last year for its MacBooks and Mac Mini. Apple claims that this chipset is faster and more power-efficient than any other iPad chip. There are also 5G-powered options for those of you who take an iPad Pro on the go.

Finally, the new iPad Pros have Thunderbolt connectivity. Previous iPads in the Pro line have had USB-C ports only, which limits available accessories to USB-C connections. With Thunderbolt onboard, users can attach USB-C products as well as Thunderbolt products, such as external displays, storage, and more. As far as storage goes, though, the iPad Pro now maxes out at 2TB of space.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro for 2021 will start at $1,099 (99,900 INR) and will be up for pre-order starting April 30. It will hit general sales in the second half of May. Meanwhile, the 11-inch iPad Pro will cost $799 (71,900 INR) for its base version with pre-orders and general sales starting on April 30.

Updated iMac

The new iMac launched at the Apple April 2021 event comes with the brand new M1 chipset. It also comes in multiple colors, harkening back to the G3 iMac with its transparent color case.

There are seven colors available: green, yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, and silver. The keyboard, mouse, and optional trackpad have a color finish that matches the iMac.

Related: The best gaming PC desktops

The new iMacs are much thinner than any other previous models. Now, the design is just 11.5mm thick, looking like a giant iPad or iPhone. The 4.5K display is also bigger, with the entry-tier model packing a 24-inch screen. At the top, you’ll find a 1080p webcam, which is twice as good as the 720p model on older models.

Of course, there’s no standalone GPU on offer, with all graphics handled by that M1 chip. The chip does support iPhone and iPad apps though, just like the current M1-powered Macs.

The new 2021 iMac starts at $1,299 (119,900 INR) and comes in four of the seven colors. You’ll need to upgrade to the $1,499 model to get all the color options. You can pre-order the device on April 30 and it will hit general sale in the second half of May.

Long-awaited Apple TV 4K refresh

It’s been a long, long time since Apple refreshed its streaming box, the Apple TV. Today, the company launched the newest Apple TV 4K and it comes with a brand new remote.

First, it now runs on the A12 Bionic chipset, which makes it faster and capable of delivering higher-quality images. The new Apple TV 4K supports HDR at high frame rates.

A new feature is the ability to tune your television using your iPhone as a tool. You hold your iPhone up to your TV and run a calibration suite which will then give you the info you need to make your TV look its best.

See also: The best Android TV boxes of you can get

The biggest news, though, is the redesigned remote. The Apple TV remote is comically anemic when it comes to capabilities. The new remote has a touch-enabled circular navigation pad and a power button (!!!) that allows you to turn your TV on or off.

The 32GB model of the new Apple TV 4K starts at $179 (18,900 INR). You’ll be able to grab it through a pre-order on April 30. It will have a general launch in the second half of May.

Apple April 2021 event: Everything else

Along with the big hardware announcements above, Apple also squeezed in a few other goodies. Here are the rest of the Apple April 2021 event products and updates!

• AirTag: Years in the making, Apple’s response to the popular line of Tile trackers is finally here. AirTags are small devices you can attach to almost anything. You can then use the Find My app to easily locate it using the power of the millions of iPhones out there to help with location tracking. They are $29 (3,190 INR) each or $99 (10,900 INR) for a four-pack. There are also plenty of accessories that will be available.
• New iPhone 12 color: You can now get an iPhone 12 in purple. You can get a pre-order on Friday, April 23, and it will be available on April 30 for general sale.
• Apple Card: You can now share your credit with your spouse/partner. Apple Card Family also allows you to share your account with your kids (over the age of 13) while also controlling and monitoring spending.
• Apple Podcasts: Along with a newly-designed Podcasts app, there is now a subscription plan available for podcast developers. This would allow you to contribute financially to your favorite shows in exchange for exclusive content.