Titled California Streaming, Apple launched a couple of new gadgets at its first hardware event of the year. They include an iPad, a redesigned iPad mini, a new Apple Watch and new iPhone 13 models.
iPhone 13
Apple announced four new iPhone 13 models, following the same naming pattern as last year. There’s the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Improvements include using the A15 Bionic processor for faster performance, longer battery life and improved camera features.
One of those improved camera features is a new Cinematic Mode that adds blur to the foreground and background of a video, before, during and after you capture the video. Or you can let the camera identify when an area in a video should be in our out of focus and apply effects on its own.
All four iPhone 13 models start with 128GB of storage now, with the Pro models going all the way up to 1TB of storage.
Pricing is $699 for the iPhone 13 Mini, $799 for the iPhone 13, $999 for the iPhone 13 Pro and $1,099 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
iPad
The base model iPad is receiving an update. The ninth-generation iPad is getting the A13 Bionic processor, up from the A12 in the eight-generation iPad. In addition to faster performance, the new iPad will benefit from an upgraded image processor in the A13 Bionic. But more importantly, the front-facing camera has a 12-Megapixel camera with a 122-degree field of view.
The new iPad is getting a display update, as well. TrueTone, which auto-adjusts the screen’s tint to match your surroundings, is also making its debut on the newest iPad.
Apple kept the $329 price point but doubled the storage to 64GB. Education customers can get the new iPad for $299. Preorders start today, with orders arriving next week.
iPad Mini
The iPad Mini is getting its biggest refresh since it was originally launched. The new design looks like the same design the iPad Air and iPad Pro have, with flat edges on all the sides. The Liquid Retina display now measures 8.3-inches, up from 7.9-inches. Despite an increase in size for the display, the Mini is the same footprint as the previous iPad Mini.
Touch ID has been moved to the sleep/wake button on top of the housing, using the same technology the iPad Air launched with last year. The same can be said about Apple swapping out the Mini’s Lightning port for a USB-C port — making it ideal to transfer a lot of data or offload photos to the tablet.
The new iPad Mini comes in four colors this time: purple, pink, starlight and space gray. The new iPad mini starts at $499, with preorders starting today. Orders arrive next week.
Apple Watch Series 7
WatchOS 8 will detect when you start riding a bike and prompt you to start a workout. There’s also a new workout algorithm for eBike riders, along with improved fall detection when you’re riding.
The new features join the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 7, which has a display that’s roughly 20% bigger than the Series 6. The increase in screen size was achieved by reducing the bezels around the display.
Apple Fitness Plus
Apple’s Peloton-like fitness service will expand from six countries, adding 15 new countries later this year. The service will also gain pilates, guided meditations and workouts to get ready for snow season. That is, workouts to help you get stronger for the coming skiing and snowboarding season.
Apple is also adding group workouts to Fitness Plus so you can invite friends and family members to share a workout with you. It’s coming to iPhone, iPad and Apple TV through AirPlay. You can have up to 32 people take part in a group workout.
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