RECAP: Apple unveils major MacBook Pro and AirPod redesigns
Apple
- Apple held a major event for its MacBook Pro and AirPods on Monday afternoon.
- 14-inch and 16-inch models of the MacBook Pro were unveiled, with new chips and redesigned bodies.
- The third generation AirPods were also revealed, with a slightly smaller stem and touch panel.
Apple
The first major MacBook Pro update in years was the marquee news from Apple's Monday event.
There are now two models of MacBook Pro: A 14-inch and a 16-inch model, each powered by Apple's new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
The laptop looks distinctly different from the prior model, with the touch bar removed, a variety of ports along both sides, and a streamlined body design. The bezel around the laptop's screen has been reduced dramatically. Rather than a camera cutout within the bezel at the top of the screen, there's an iPhone-style notch built in.
Apple said its new M1 Pro and Max chips enable the new MacBook Pro models to be significantly more powerful than the most powerful version of the prior MacBook Pro model.
Of note, Apple appears to have re-implemented a version of its MagSafe charging port — the beloved magnetic laptop port that Apple removed from its laptop lines in recent years.
Both of the new laptop models are available for pre-order starting on Monday, Apple said, with a full launch planned for October 26. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1999 and the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2499.
Apple also announced a major update to its AirPods.Apple
After two years, Apple is finally giving its wildly popular wireless headphones a major update: Apple unveiled the third generation Apple AirPods.
The new headphones look relatively similar to the previous model, albeit with a slightly shorter stem and the addition of the AirPods Pro force sensor for touch-based media controls. They come with bolstered battery life ("up to six hours of listening time and up to four hours of talk time," Apple said), the ability to charge through Apple's MagSafe wireless charging pad, and a $179 price tag.
Apple said the new AirPods can be ordered starting on Monday, and will be available starting next week on Tuesday, October 26.
HomePod Mini got several new color options.Apple
Alongside news of a new tier of Apple Music comes new color additions to Apple's HomePod mini lineup, naturally.
The full lineup, seen above, now spans five colors — orange, yellow, blue, white, and space grey — and retains the same $99 price tag. The new colors are expected to start arriving in stores this November.
Apple Music users now have the option for a new, less expensive tier.Apple
Apple kicked off its event on Monday with a surprise announcement: A new, less expensive tier of its Apple Music subscription service, which competes with Spotify and Amazon Music.
If you're using Apple Music on "Siri-enabled devices," like HomePod Mini, AirPods, iPhone, or CarPlay, then this tier is for you. For just $4.99 a month, users get access to their full Apple Music library, but not premium features, such as spatial audio, lossless audio, lyrics, and music videos.
Notably, you wouldn't be able to use Apple Music through Android devices with this tier.