15 votes

Apple Event — April 20

46 comments

  1. [16]
    stu2b50
    Link
    tl;dw Apple Card family functionality (i.e spending limits, purchase history, etc) iPhone 12/mini purple color Apple Podcasts app update + subscriptions - will be like Patreon, allows hosts to...

    tl;dw

    • Apple Card family functionality (i.e spending limits, purchase history, etc)

    • iPhone 12/mini purple color

    • Apple Podcasts app update + subscriptions - will be like Patreon, allows hosts to paywall episodes/ad free versions + take payments

    • AirTags release - $29/each or $100/4, replaceable battery, uses U1 chip when near, uses the bluetooth LE "network" otherwise

    • New Apple TV - has A12, new remote which actually has buttons, color correction with iPhone camera

    • New iMac - thinner, computer is in bottom chin, uses M1

    • New peripherals - come in colors, keyboard has TouchID

    • New iPad pros - come with M1, the 12'' version has MiniLED screen

    19 votes
    1. [8]
      hamstergeddon
      Link Parent
      Glad to hear they're adding touchID to their keyboards. It's a very useful feature on my MBP, but I almost never use it as a laptop (although I am at the moment, ha!) so I have to reach across the...

      Glad to hear they're adding touchID to their keyboards. It's a very useful feature on my MBP, but I almost never use it as a laptop (although I am at the moment, ha!) so I have to reach across the desk to the button to use it. Will be nice to have a more convenient option.

      I kind of think the gray border around the new iMac is kind of ugly. Black or just matching the machine color would look so much better.

      Excited about the Airtags. I know they're nothing revolutionary, but I've been investing heavily in the Apple ecosystem for the last year or so. FindMy is super useful because I often misplace my phone, so I'm excited to see that functionality brought to my keys and Roku remotes, which I lose constantly!

      5 votes
      1. [7]
        JXM
        Link Parent
        Touch ID on an external device is a huge leap forward. I’m surprised they didn’t just go with FaceID on the iMacs, since that seems like a much easier than adding a bunch of chips to a keyboard....

        Touch ID on an external device is a huge leap forward. I’m surprised they didn’t just go with FaceID on the iMacs, since that seems like a much easier than adding a bunch of chips to a keyboard. One downside is that if you want biometric unlock, you have to use the Apple keyboard.

        3 votes
        1. [6]
          elcuello
          Link Parent
          FaceID might even make more sense on the iMac but wouldn't it rely on the camera being on at all times.I've heard nothing but bad things about it for the iPhones and it's one of the things that's...

          FaceID might even make more sense on the iMac but wouldn't it rely on the camera being on at all times.I've heard nothing but bad things about it for the iPhones and it's one of the things that's holding me back getting a new iPhone. I don't want it and I don't want to go back to pin.

          3 votes
          1. stu2b50
            Link Parent
            FaceID uses a IR dot projector rather than the camera to do the facial recognition. Which is also probably why it's not on the iMac - it would just be annoying to source that part just for FaceID....

            FaceID uses a IR dot projector rather than the camera to do the facial recognition. Which is also probably why it's not on the iMac - it would just be annoying to source that part just for FaceID. It's definitely not always on - that would be an incredible battery drain if nothing else. With the raise to wake gesture, 80% of the time it's pretty seamless - just hold up your phone and you probably won't even notice anything, it'll just go to your unlocked phone directly. But it does require it to have some reason to think you're trying to access your phone.

            I'm surprised you've heard bad things about FaceID, though. Of course, it's ill-suited for a pandemic, but both before and after (and in your own home), it works fairly well. There are circumstances where a fingerprint reader is better, and times when faceid is better.

            6 votes
          2. [4]
            JXM
            Link Parent
            Really? What bad things have you heard about it? I absolutely love FaceID. It requires no additional action on my part other than lifting my phone up. I don't have to place my finger in a specific...

            Really? What bad things have you heard about it?

            I absolutely love FaceID. It requires no additional action on my part other than lifting my phone up. I don't have to place my finger in a specific spot to unlock it.

            5 votes
            1. [2]
              streblo
              Link Parent
              Counterpoint: trying to use my shopping list app at the grocery store during COVID. Otherwise I agree, FaceID is very convenient.

              Counterpoint: trying to use my shopping list app at the grocery store during COVID.

              Otherwise I agree, FaceID is very convenient.

              2 votes
              1. JXM
                Link Parent
                I agree that it is somewhat annoying, but that’s a temporary issue. And I’d imagine that people using an iMac or similar device in their office would be a lot less likely to be wearing a mask.

                I agree that it is somewhat annoying, but that’s a temporary issue. And I’d imagine that people using an iMac or similar device in their office would be a lot less likely to be wearing a mask.

                2 votes
            2. elcuello
              Link Parent
              That's the thing and it's not Corona specific. My finger is always on the button anyways and I can unlock my phone in my pocket on the way out and when it's on the table almost out of reach. It...

              It requires no additional action on my part other than lifting my phone up. I don't have to place my finger in a specific spot to unlock it.

              That's the thing and it's not Corona specific. My finger is always on the button anyways and I can unlock my phone in my pocket on the way out and when it's on the table almost out of reach. It might sound small but having to lift your phone towards your face is not that practical. Also when paying in stores it's a hassle. It's not a giant thing but an annoyance that's a step back in my book.

              1 vote
    2. [4]
      protium
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      So these basically a touchscreen mac without macOS right? I don't think I could give up on a desktop OS but I think it'll have a lot of appeal to people who only use computers for general work...

      iPad pros

      So these basically a touchscreen mac without macOS right? I don't think I could give up on a desktop OS but I think it'll have a lot of appeal to people who only use computers for general work stuff.
      It's also around the same price point as an M1 air. Outside of digital art I can't think of many cases where I'd prefer a tablet to a laptop.

      I also love the colors of the new iMacs, it really gives of G3 vibes.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        mrbig
        Link Parent
        Reading comic books and other visual media... The iPad Pro aspect ratio is literally the same used for american comic books.

        Outside of digital art I can't think of many cases where I'd prefer a tablet to a laptop

        Reading comic books and other visual media...

        The iPad Pro aspect ratio is literally the same used for american comic books.

        6 votes
        1. Octofox
          Link Parent
          The ipad pro 12.9 is pretty much the same as an A4 paper last I checked.

          The ipad pro 12.9 is pretty much the same as an A4 paper last I checked.

          1 vote
      2. joplin
        Link Parent
        I've been thinking about getting one as a gaming machine. Most of the games I play are on Apple Arcade, so they'd all work on the iPad. I play most on the phone at the moment, and it seems like...

        I've been thinking about getting one as a gaming machine. Most of the games I play are on Apple Arcade, so they'd all work on the iPad. I play most on the phone at the moment, and it seems like game developers aren't testing their games there (or at least not with people who don't have perfect eyesight), and the text is ridiculously small. I often can't read it even with my glasses on. The playfield often feels constrained on the phone, as well. It would be great to have something like the iPad Pro with really good graphics and a big screen. (I do sometimes play on my TV, but that bugs other people in the room who aren't playing, and I have an older model that's starting to show its age.)

        3 votes
    3. [3]
      nothis
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      I don't want to brag, but...

      new remote which actually has buttons

      I don't want to brag, but...

      I can easily see a trend back to physical buttons. Like Apple doing some ASMR style video praising the return out the home button in 2023 or something and everyone is like, "oh wow, that click feels so good!".

      2 votes
  2. [10]
    Greg
    Link
    Everything old is new again. I actually quite like the new designs, but I can't say there's anything in there I'm overly excited about. The M1 iPad Pro actively worries me because I don't like the...

    Everything old is new again.

    I actually quite like the new designs, but I can't say there's anything in there I'm overly excited about. The M1 iPad Pro actively worries me because I don't like the idea of walled-garden machines becoming accepted as people's main computer.

    10 votes
    1. [3]
      teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      A lot of people already use tablets and phones as their main computer.

      The M1 iPad Pro actively worries me because I don't like the idea of walled-garden machines becoming accepted as people's main computer.

      A lot of people already use tablets and phones as their main computer.

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        Greg
        Link Parent
        Fair - and this seems like it's designed to push that vanguard further into the professional/creative space. Blocking unapproved software is something that really concerns me, and every step in...

        Fair - and this seems like it's designed to push that vanguard further into the professional/creative space. Blocking unapproved software is something that really concerns me, and every step in that direction affects the industry as a whole.

        8 votes
        1. teaearlgraycold
          Link Parent
          I agree with you. I think it should be illegal to block unsigned software.

          I agree with you. I think it should be illegal to block unsigned software.

          4 votes
    2. [5]
      nothis
      Link Parent
      This is actually my biggest fear for Mac. iPad has always been a giant iPhone. Now they want to make it a small Mac. Macs still have a "dev machine" audience, though, so they can't totally close...

      The M1 iPad Pro actively worries me because I don't like the idea of walled-garden machines becoming accepted as people's main computer.

      This is actually my biggest fear for Mac. iPad has always been a giant iPhone. Now they want to make it a small Mac.

      Macs still have a "dev machine" audience, though, so they can't totally close it off. I'm hoping this will stay a separate category and not merge into Macs, removing features and openness even more.

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        stu2b50
        Link Parent
        I'm not too worried. The Mac Pro community research meeting seemed to be the about-face for Apple's vision of the Mac; there's a reason the Mac Pro still had USB-A ports, was replaceable down the...

        I'm not too worried. The Mac Pro community research meeting seemed to be the about-face for Apple's vision of the Mac; there's a reason the Mac Pro still had USB-A ports, was replaceable down the stack, why this iMac still has a headphone jack despite the obvious ergonomic and visual sacrifice made to have it on the side. The new Macbook Pro is supposed to have USB-A ports, a SD card slot, and even an HDMI port (not sure about that one). Jony Ive would be devastated if he didn't get promoted out of the company.

        I would be more worried around 2016 or so when mac sales were lagging, they hadn't released a mac pro in like 8 years, and it seemed like they just stopped caring about macs - it was possible then that they could stuff iOS into their mac line or just replace it with the iPad.

        1 vote
        1. [3]
          nothis
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          That's music in my ears. I also can't believe it! Was there some news/concrete rumor I missed? Edit: I found this? Sounds great!

          The new Macbook Pro is supposed to have USB-A ports, a SD card slot, and even an HDMI port (not sure about that one).

          That's music in my ears. I also can't believe it! Was there some news/concrete rumor I missed?

          Edit: I found this? Sounds great!

          1. [2]
            stu2b50
            Link Parent
            Ming-chi Kuo leaked it first, and he's fairly reliable (plus, supply chain leaks are just generally more believable) but there's been a continual stream of rumors that make it seem fairly likely...

            Ming-chi Kuo leaked it first, and he's fairly reliable (plus, supply chain leaks are just generally more believable) but there's been a continual stream of rumors that make it seem fairly likely in addition.

            Most recently, there's been a ransomware leak, where a hacker group has been releasing data of Apple supplier Quanta to extort money from them, which also show the new ports and lack of touchbar: https://9to5mac.com/2021/04/21/apple-ransomware-leak-new-macbook-pro/

            I would imagine it's almost certainly true at this point.

            2 votes
            1. nothis
              Link Parent
              It's always a sigh of relief when Apple drops a stupid practice despite stubbornly committing it before. It's mostly done quietly in a "we don't talk about this in this house!" kind of way, but I...

              It's always a sigh of relief when Apple drops a stupid practice despite stubbornly committing it before. It's mostly done quietly in a "we don't talk about this in this house!" kind of way, but I don't mind. No touch bar, an HDMI port and SD slot sound like they've rediscovered what the "Pro" stands for in MacBook Pro. I have high hopes for this refresh.

              1 vote
    3. Cycloneblaze
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Wow, those look really nice. If I had the budget, I might consider getting an iMac to use as a desktop just for that reason. But I'd need to have plenty of money to throw around!

      Wow, those look really nice. If I had the budget, I might consider getting an iMac to use as a desktop just for that reason. But I'd need to have plenty of money to throw around!

      1 vote
  3. JXM
    Link
    The new iMacs and the associated accessories look damn good. I’ve got an M1 based Mac Mini and that thing screams. It’s so much faster than even my 16-inch Core i9 MacBook Pro. The iPad Pro has me...

    The new iMacs and the associated accessories look damn good. I’ve got an M1 based Mac Mini and that thing screams. It’s so much faster than even my 16-inch Core i9 MacBook Pro.

    The iPad Pro has me intrigued. That’s a lot of specs to throw into a device that runs an operating system that doesn’t allow you to exploit all that power. I use an iPad Pro daily but it is far less efficient at multitasking than my Mac is.

    So I’m very curious to see what new changes to iPad OS they announce at WWDC in a few months. Hopefully they announce major new features and changes that allow users to take full advantage of all that power. Or even the power in the 2018/2020 iPad Pros. I feel like none of those can truly utilize all of the horsepower these devices have.

    7 votes
  4. [5]
    0d_billie
    Link
    I'm looking forward to the teardown of the AirTags. I like the idea of them, but I wanna know how recyclable they are. Lots of tiny gadgets getting batteries put in them (wireless earbuds are the...

    I'm looking forward to the teardown of the AirTags. I like the idea of them, but I wanna know how recyclable they are. Lots of tiny gadgets getting batteries put in them (wireless earbuds are the prime example) feels like a recipe for a whole bunch of e-waste. I'm curious to find out what (if anything) Apple plans to do on that front

    6 votes
    1. [4]
      stu2b50
      Link Parent
      Unlike wireless earbuds, these are explicitly designed to have replaceable batteries. They use standard CR2032 batteries (the tiny cylinders that are commonly found in watches, for instance); you...

      Unlike wireless earbuds, these are explicitly designed to have replaceable batteries. They use standard CR2032 batteries (the tiny cylinders that are commonly found in watches, for instance); you can get a 4 pack for $5 on Amazon right now. So until you no longer want to own them or they are no longer software supported you shouldn't have to throw them anyway.

      8 votes
      1. 0d_billie
        Link Parent
        Outstanding! Thanks 😁

        Outstanding! Thanks 😁

        3 votes
      2. meatrocket
        Link Parent
        Gotta replace 'em all once the AirTags Pro come out! 😁

        So until you no longer want to own them

        Gotta replace 'em all once the AirTags Pro come out! 😁

      3. NaraVara
        Link Parent
        How do you even fit a CR2032 in those? They must be like 96% battery by mass.

        How do you even fit a CR2032 in those? They must be like 96% battery by mass.

  5. [4]
    NaraVara
    Link
    The madlads have done it! I might actually make the jump to having an iPad Pro as my primary computer and give up on the Mac (for personal use, I'd still have my work Mac). An M1 iPad Pro is...

    The madlads have done it! I might actually make the jump to having an iPad Pro as my primary computer and give up on the Mac (for personal use, I'd still have my work Mac).

    An M1 iPad Pro is pretty wild honestly. I almost wondered if there would be a "One More Thing" at the end where they introduced a sort of keyboard dock that would transform the iOS iPad into MacOS.

    5 votes
    1. [3]
      JXM
      Link Parent
      I would absolutely love an iPad that could also run MacOS (see my other comment about the OS being the limiting factor with iPads). I just can’t imagine Apple doing that.

      I would absolutely love an iPad that could also run MacOS (see my other comment about the OS being the limiting factor with iPads). I just can’t imagine Apple doing that.

      5 votes
      1. [2]
        NaraVara
        Link Parent
        Neither can I. When I think about it in practice I can see how there's a lot of inelegance in that approach that Apple simply would not accept. Mainly they would never want you to feel like your...

        Neither can I. When I think about it in practice I can see how there's a lot of inelegance in that approach that Apple simply would not accept. Mainly they would never want you to feel like your iPad is hobbled by not being in the keyboard dock. But if they managed to solve that issue and it felt just as capable in iOS as in "Mac Mode" that would obviate the need to ever run MacOS in the first place. They already solve the compatibility problem by having everything on the same instruction set. If you write an app for modern MacOS you get the iOS app for free (and vice versa) minus the UI/UX design and testing.

        2 votes
        1. joplin
          Link Parent
          That's not quite accurate. MacOS will run iOS apps (unless the developer has set them not to run on macOS), but not the reverse. You can write cross-platform apps using the Catalyst framework, but...

          If you write an app for modern MacOS you get the iOS app for free (and vice versa) minus the UI/UX design and testing.

          That's not quite accurate. MacOS will run iOS apps (unless the developer has set them not to run on macOS), but not the reverse. You can write cross-platform apps using the Catalyst framework, but even doing that takes some work above just writing a normal macOS app. It's not super difficult, but it's also not nothing. And there are frameworks that don't exist on iOS so you need to supply that functionality yourself, or limit your app's functionality when running on iOS. It's probably easier than writing an app that runs on say macOS and Windows and Linux, but it's got its own set of issues to be aware of.

          5 votes
  6. [3]
    userexec
    Link
    The new iMacs make me wish I had any use for a Mac. I adored the old colored iMacs and the white G5 iMac may be my favorite computer of all time as far as looks go, and it's like they mashed the...

    The new iMacs make me wish I had any use for a Mac. I adored the old colored iMacs and the white G5 iMac may be my favorite computer of all time as far as looks go, and it's like they mashed the two together into this impossibly thin and sleek package. I'm actually a fan of the white bezel because it brings back that G5 look from the era when Apple product meant clean, bright white.

    Alas, I've gotten accustomed to way too many monitors running off cheap, hacky Linux machines for work and pleasure. But if they release a macbook that looks like this, though... like a throwback to the clamshell mixed with an iBook G4/white macbook... Take my money.

    4 votes
    1. 0d_billie
      Link Parent
      I know what you mean. I'm a sucker for hardware, but I've grown to love and be very proud of my janky, held-together-by-random-bash-scripts Linux setup. The Asahi project is an exciting prospect...

      I know what you mean. I'm a sucker for hardware, but I've grown to love and be very proud of my janky, held-together-by-random-bash-scripts Linux setup. The Asahi project is an exciting prospect for getting Linux to run on the M1 hardware, but when last I checked ARM support for Linux wasn't in a great state. At least not for what I want to be doing on it.

      3 votes
    2. NaraVara
      Link Parent
      Honestly I wish they would make a version of the iMac that gets rid of all the "computer" parts and just worked as a stand-alone display + USB Hub. I would pay $1,000 for one of those. (Which...

      Honestly I wish they would make a version of the iMac that gets rid of all the "computer" parts and just worked as a stand-alone display + USB Hub.

      I would pay $1,000 for one of those. (Which means Apple would charge $1,200 and I would still pay it, but bitch about it).

      3 votes
  7. DeFaced
    Link
    I’m disappointed they used a standard m1 in the iMacs and not an upgraded one. Just makes my purchase of an m1 Mac mini that much more satisfying. I’m going to guess they will announce the m1x or...

    I’m disappointed they used a standard m1 in the iMacs and not an upgraded one. Just makes my purchase of an m1 Mac mini that much more satisfying. I’m going to guess they will announce the m1x or whatever they’re gonna call it at wwdc with iMac Pro’s and Mac pros, which makes sense.

    I’ve been extremely happy with my m1 Mac mini though, I’m playing wow classic at 1440p 60fps on medium settings with max AA. Just tried diablo 3 out last night and it was a stuttering mess, but apparently that’s common with Big Sur right now and blizzard haven’t patched it for Big Sur yet. DotA 2 runs great, league of legends, csgo, all the big esports games run fine. Mac OS is also just really enjoyable to use, I can’t stress that enough. I work on windows machines every day at work and it’s so nice to sit down at my Mac and enjoy using the OS.

    Rosetta 2 is also just straight up emulation magic. IMO emulation of instruction sets is going to be the future of modern computing. Amazon is moving all of their ec2 instances to arm graviton processors, and apple have proven an arm desktop is capable of proper workflows with x86/x64 emulation. I will say it now, as emulation of instruction sets improve, the more relevant arm will become. The m1 may be an overclocked iPad chip, but I think the more important thing to realize is that it’s something amd and intel have been trying to make for decades with apu’s, and they did it with an arm chip. I would personally love to be able to go to a micro center and purchase a motherboard and a SoC, nothing else, and get the same level of performance as a midrange desktop for the same price, but I understand some people like the flexibility of separate components.

    4 votes
  8. [3]
    Akir
    Link
    The iMacs are kind of odd to me; it seems like it's a better dollar-for-dollar value to buy a MacBook, and the extra functionality afforded by portability really makes the gap seem that much...

    The iMacs are kind of odd to me; it seems like it's a better dollar-for-dollar value to buy a MacBook, and the extra functionality afforded by portability really makes the gap seem that much wider. The biggest difference between the two offerings is the larger screen, which leads me to believe that this product may be specifically targeted to video editors and graphic artists. Which may explain why they're finally bringing back color (which I am actually a bit jealous of, TBH).

    I also found the magsafe power cable to be an odd choice, but on second thought, these machines are probably so lightweight that kicking the cord would have them flying, so it might actually be a really clever choice.

    3 votes
    1. NaraVara
      Link Parent
      It's hard to show in a video just how good these displays are. At the low end, you're best off thinking about the iMac as an amazing monitor that comes with a free Mac.

      The biggest difference between the two offerings is the larger screen, which leads me to believe that this product may be specifically targeted to video editors and graphic artists.

      It's hard to show in a video just how good these displays are. At the low end, you're best off thinking about the iMac as an amazing monitor that comes with a free Mac.

      5 votes
    2. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. stu2b50
        Link Parent
        The M1 has its RAM on the SoC itself, so unless you've got very fine motor control that's definitely not replaceable. I wouldn't expect user upgradeable until the Mac Pro version of Apple Silicon,...

        The M1 has its RAM on the SoC itself, so unless you've got very fine motor control that's definitely not replaceable. I wouldn't expect user upgradeable until the Mac Pro version of Apple Silicon, since it seems a tad unreasonable to stick 1.5 TB of ram (the max config) onto the SoC, they'd probably have to work on supporting traces to ram on the motherboard.

        1 vote
  9. wycy
    (edited )
    Link
    I hope they introduce an M1 iMac with a ≥ 27” screen. I have a 9 year old 27” iMac now that’s itching to be replaced. But I’m not about to downgrade to 24”.

    I hope they introduce an M1 iMac with a ≥ 27” screen. I have a 9 year old 27” iMac now that’s itching to be replaced. But I’m not about to downgrade to 24”.

    3 votes
  10. Octofox
    Link
    These event videos are pretty impressive tbh. Apple didn't take covid as an inconvenience and publish a zoom screen recording but instead made something that was actually better than their in...

    These event videos are pretty impressive tbh. Apple didn't take covid as an inconvenience and publish a zoom screen recording but instead made something that was actually better than their in person events.

    2 votes
  11. Octofox
    Link
    I was really hoping they would put the M1 on the iPad Pro. I'm planning on getting one for drawing. iPadOS 15 really needs some massive features to make use of the hardware though. Whats the point...

    I was really hoping they would put the M1 on the iPad Pro. I'm planning on getting one for drawing. iPadOS 15 really needs some massive features to make use of the hardware though. Whats the point of 16 GB ram unless you can run multiple apps at once with an external monitor.