Apple April event: what new products could the company announce?
The "Spring Loaded" event could see a range of new technology unveiled with updated iPads and AirPods, and the new Apple AirTags, rumoured to be announced.
Apple has announced the date for its first product launch of 2021 in a press release, with experts expecting some big developments and exciting new products from the tech giant.
The virtual event, christened “Spring Loaded”, will take place on Tuesday 20 April and will be hosted from the company’s Apple Park buildings in Cupertino, California. The event was unveiled ahead of time by Apple’s Siri programme, which began answering questions on the new product launch before the official press release was circulated.
Apple set to announce new batch of iPads
The most hotly-tipped inclusion in the new range of Apple products is a major revamp of the iPad Pro, with a fifth generation of the popular tablet expected to be announced. Reports suggest that the 12.9-inch model will be the first Apple offering to utilise mini-LED technology for the display. There may also be a switch from USB-C port to Apple’s own Thunderbolt alternative.
To go with the top-end offering, Apple may give details of a new base model of the iPad and a sixth-generation iPad mini. Both of these are expected to feature improved processors to give performance a bit of a boost.
To go along with the iPad advancements, there could be a new Apple Pencil with some images of proposed models circulating online. It would certainly fit with the event’s ‘squiggly’ Apple logo.
What other products are Apple rumoured to announce at their “Spring Loaded” event?
The updated iPad offerings appear to be the most likely new products to be announced, but there are a number of other alterations that Apple could make to its product range. There could well be third-generation AirPods unveiled next Tuesday with features and design updates taken from the AirPods Pro, such as spatial audio support and in-built touch controls.
Apple has not made any significant changes to the MacBook range for a while, but this may be too soon for a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. The iMac Pro line was recently discontinued, meaning that there could be a new desktop computer coming at some point in the future.
In terms of brand new products, there are reports that Apple has been working on a new physical tracking device, nicknamed the AirTag, which would allow personal items like keys and wallets to be integrated into the popular Find My app. This would be Apple’s answer to products like Tile and Adero, with small discs that can be attached to items and tracked via an accompanying smartphone app.