Apple on Monday unveiled several new updates to its existing AirPods, HomePod mini and MacBook Pro lineups at its Unleashed event in Cupertino, California.
Here are all of the biggest announcements from Tuesday’s major tech conference:
1. Apple unveiled its Third-Generation AirPods with spatial audio and a sleek new look
The latest AirPods update arrives with an all-new design, equipped with a new low distortion driver that delivers powerful bass and clear high frequencies. The listening device supports spatial audio, which provides a three-dimensional immersive listening experience for both surround-sound music and videos. By combining the power of the H1 chip with a new acoustic system, the new AirPods utilize computational audio to produce high-quality sound with Adaptive EQ.
Additionally, the new AirPods come with improved quality for FaceTime calls and the ability to announce notifications via Siri.
The third-generation AirPods are available to order today for $179 USD on Apple’s website. The device will be available in stores beginning Tuesday, October 26.
2. The MacBook Pro lineup has been completely revamped alongside the powerful new M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips
The new MacBook Pro comes in 14-inch or 16-inch models and can be further customized with either the new M1 Pro or M1 Max chip. The computer’s hardware has been updated to include a Liquid Retina XDR display, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, better audio systems and a broader range of ports — including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot, an HDMI port and an improved headphone jack — for better connectivity.
The new chips are the star of the MacBook Pro’s updates, providing up to 70% faster CPU performance and up to four times faster GPU performance versus the M1 chip, all while utilizing less power. Both chips offer a 16-core Neural Engine for on-device machine learning acceleration and improved camera performance, a new display engine to facilitate multiple external displays and Apple’s custom image signal processor, along with the Neural Engine.
The new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are available for pre-order today will be available beginning Tuesday, October 26. The 14-inch model starts at $1,999 USD, while the 16-inch starts at $2,499 USD.
3. Apple introduced a $4.99 USD per month Apple Music voice plan
The new subscription tier for Apple Music is designed around the Siri voice assistant and gives subscribers access to the service’s catalog of about 90 million songs.
Once subscribed, users can request music be played across all Siri-enabled devices, including HomePod mini, AirPods, iPhone, or any other Apple device and when using CarPlay.
The plan will be available later this fall in 17 countries and regions, including Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It will cost $4.99 USD per month.
4. Apple welcomes colorful new additions to its HomePod mini lineup
The popular HomePod mini has been updated in three new colors — yellow, orange, and blue, with the device’s cable and buttons color-matched.
In addition, users can now hand off the audio from their phones by bringing their iPhone close to HomePod mini.
HomePod mini will be available in these new colors beginning in November for $99 USD.
