Apple has released two new chips built into more powerful MacBook Pro laptops and a third-generation AirPod wireless earbud that pairs with a new, cheaper, monthly music streaming service.
The company, which launched its new line of iPhones just more than a month ago, added more products just in time for the holiday season.
The iPhone maker will have a $4.99-a-month (about R80) Apple Music subscription plan and added vibrant colours to its HomePod.
Here are three key announcements from the event:
Bigger, faster chips
Apple announced two new chips called the M1 Pro and the M1 Max, making them bigger and faster than its previous M1 chips. They will help Apple improve video processing in its computers, while extending their battery life.
“The Mac is now one year into its two-year transition to Apple silicon, and M1 Pro and M1 Max represent another huge step forward,” Apple said as it continues to move away from the Macs that ran on Intel Corp chips.
MacBooks with new sizes, cameras and prices
Apple announced two new MacBook Pros fitted with its latest M1 Pro and the M1 Max chips. The new laptops got a new chassis design and Apple replaced the touch bar with a row of physical keys. The laptops, aimed at high-end creative professionals, also have a new 1080-pixel camera.
The new Apple chips also helped the company expand the battery in these new laptops. Apple claimed that the 14-inch model will deliver up to 17 hours of video playback, while the 16-inch will play video for up to 21 hours, adding seven and 10 additional hours of battery life to the new notebooks.
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro model will start at $1,999 (about R30,000) and the base 16-inch MacBook Pro model will cost $2,499 (about R36,400). The top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro will cost $6,099 (about R89,000).
Cheaper AirPods with some premium features
Apple launched the third version of it popular AirPods. The new earbuds will start at $179 (about R2,600) and come with some features it will share with the higher-end AirPods Pro. The new AirPods will come with spatial audio, a longer battery life and a new design.
The AirPods and AirPods Pro will come with a MagSafe charging case, enabling customers to use magnetic wireless chargers to juice up their earbud case.
The new laptops and earbuds will available for online orders from Monday and be in stores on Tuesday.
— Reuters
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