Apple[/hotlink] hopes an updated version of its cheapest iPhone and a new Mac desktop computer are among the new products that will keep it ahead of rivals.</p> <p>The tech giant held an online event on Tuesday to show off a new iPhone SE model that’s aimed at more thrifty consumers and a new iPad Air tablet. [hotlink]Apple also debuted the new Mac Studio desktop computer for the designers and video editors that it has long catered to.
Here’s a rundown of some of Apple’s biggest announcements.
Say hello to the new iPhone SE
Apple updated the iPhone SE so that the budget smartphone now comes with the same A15 chip that powers the more expensive iPhone 13 models, which Apple revealed in September. The new phone, which resembles the older iPhone 8, comes with a physical home button, TouchID fingerprint sensor, 5G wireless connectivity, and a 12-megapixel camera.
Although Apple increased iPhone SE’s price on Tuesday by $30 to $429, it’s still cheaper than the iPhone 13, which starts at $699.
New iPad Air 5 supports 5G
Apple’s latest iPad Air 5 updates the previous iPad Air 4, which debuted in 2020. The new tablet comes with Apple’s M1 chip, which powers the bigger iPad Pro. Apple executives said the M1 chip helps the iPad Air 5 run applications faster and display more detailed graphics.
The tablet also has a 12-megapixel camera and Center Stage technology that automatically shifts the camera’s position to people’s faces during video calls.
The iPad Air 5, which starts at $599, is available in gray, pink, purple, blue, and white.
Mac Studio and Studio Display are intended for creative professionals
Apple debuted the Mac Studio desktop computer, a middle sibling to the Mac Mini and Mac Pro computers.
The basic Mac Studio, which starts at $1,999, comes with 512 GB of storage, 32 GB of memory, and is powered by the M1 Max chip, which Apple released in October. The more expensive version, which starts at $3,999, comes with the new M1 Ultra chip that processes graphics more efficiently, making it a suitable workstation for video editors. The top-end Mac Studio comes with 64 GB of memory and 1 TB of storage.
Apple also unveiled the Studio Display monitor featuring a 5K retina display and six speakers that help it produce more accurate 3D audio, referred to by Apple as spatial audio.
The new screen also has a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage technology. A version of the Studio Display that comes with a conventional glass screen costs $1,599 while a so-called nano-texture glass screen that reduces reflections costs $1,899.
Major League Baseball comes to Apple TV+
Apple has partnered with MLB to broadcast Friday night baseball games on its Apple TV+ subscription service. The games will be available to viewers in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Apple said that U.S. viewers will also be able to watch the MLB Big Inning live show that airs weeknights and features baseball highlights.
The deal sets up Apple to be more of a live-events broadcaster. Rival Amazon has already partnered with the National Football League to broadcast Thursday football games via the Amazon Prime subscription service.
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