Apple busy before big reveal
A new streaming service to take on Netflix may be just the start, writes David Court.
Apple has been busy. This week it has already announced a series of updates for its AirPods, iPads and iMacs.
And it’s not finished. Bigger news is on the way, as it’s hosting its first major event of the year on Monday (which will be Tuesday in New Zealand) when it is expected to announce a videostreaming service to take on Netflix.
And while concrete details about the new TV/film service event are non-existent, there is evidence suggesting that Apple has been working on creating content for the new streaming service for some time.
Oprah Winfrey, the creators of
Sesame Street, Damien Chazelle (director of La La Land), Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are all reported to have been commissioned by Apple to create content.
With such big news around the corner, it’s not surprising that Apple had more muted announcements this week.
However, a lot has still happened this weekHere’s everything you need to know about what Apple has been up to.
AirPods
The most exciting update of the past few days was the launch of AirPods 2. Yes, they look identical to the previous AirPods but there are some significant improvements in specs.
Most notable is the new H1 Chip. This is a chip that Apple has designed specifically for its wireless in-ear headphones.
It delivers performance efficiencies, faster connect times, 50 per cent more talk time and the convenience of hands-free ‘‘Hey Siri’’.
Alongside the new H1 Chip, Apple introduced the much-needed wireless charging case.
Each case gives the wearer enough charge for more than 24 hours of listening time, putting Apple’s wireless earbuds on the same level as its rivals.
AirPods 2 with standard charging case will cost $279.
AirPods 2 with a wireless charging case will be available for $349. The standalone wireless charging case is $139.
iPads
Apple also updated the iPad mini for the first time in nearly four years.
The new specs aren’t anything, er, spectacular though.
Instead, it seems the iPad mini is just being brought into 2019 with some of the more recent components enjoyed by other iPads.
Namely, Apple Pencil support and last year’s A12 Bionic processor.
The display gets a modest boost, too, with the introduction of True Tone technology.
The onboard cameras remain untouched, apart from the selfie sensor, which has been boosted up to 7-megapixels.
There’s no Face ID either, as the Mini sticks with a fingerprint sensor for now.
The new iPad mini starts at $679 for the wi-fi model and $899 for the wi-fi + cellular model.
Apple also quietly announced the 2019 iPad Air.
And just like the iPad mini, there’s nothing too crazy or brave going on here. The A12 Bionic processor and a move from a 9.7-inch to 10.5-inch screen, are the highlights.
The 10.5-inch iPad Air starts at $849 for the wi-fi model and $1069 for the wi-fi + cellular model.
iMacs
This is an update that will only appeal to fully-blown techos and those looking to buy a new all-inone PC.
That’s because not a lot has really changed with the iMac in the looks or features departments.
They both largely do the same things they have always done.
Apple has simply upgraded the specs of its 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs, closing the gap between the older iMac models and last year’s Intel Xeon-powered iMac Pro.
The new specs are impressive, though. Really impressive.
The updated 27-inch iMac comes with a gorgeous Retina 5K screen and is available with 9thgeneration 6-core or 8-core processor configurations.
The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac is no slouch either. It now has a Retina 4K screen with 8thgeneration quad-core Intel processor as standard.
Radeon Pro Vega graphics have also been added to the iMacs.
Apple claims this will deliver up to 80 per cent faster graphics performance for the 21.5-inch iMac and up to 50 per cent faster graphics to the 27-inch iMac.
The new 21.5-inch iMac starts at $2199 and the new 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display starts at $2999. Both are available to order from apple.com/nz/.
The [iPad mini] display gets a modest boost, too, with the introduction of True Tone technology.