Apple has just wrapped up its “Unleashed” special event after unveiling new products and services, including an all-new Apple Music Voice Plan subscription, new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips for the Mac, and a whole lot more.
Here’s a run-through of everything announced at the “Unleashed” keynote, including some surprise announcements.
The event, live-streamed from Apple Park, followed a similar format to Apple’s other most recent digital events, which have seen new products announced in pre-recorded segments from different areas of the Cupertino campus.
Apple Music Voice Plan
Kicking off the October event, Apple introduced an all-new Apple Music Voice Plan subscription designed around Siri.
Priced at $4.99 per-month and available later this fall, the new subscription offers subscribers access to the service’s catalog of 90 million songs and is described as offering users “an effortless music experience just by using your voice.”
Image: Apple
The Apple Music Voice 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.
Apple Music Voice Plan subscribers will get a customized in-app experience with suggestions based on the listener’s music preferences and a queue of recently played music through Siri. Within the app there will also be a dedicated section called “Just Ask Siri” where subscribers can learn tips to optimize Siri for Apple Music.
Three new HomePod mini colors
In somewhat of a surprise announcement, Apple introduced three new colors to the HomePod mini range.
Image: Apple
Available to order next month, HomePod mini will soon be available in yellow, orange, and blue. The speakers feature all the same specs as the original HomePod mini, including an Apple-designed acoustic waveguide for a 360-degree audio experience, a three-microphone array to listen for “Hey Siri” commands, smart home controls, and more.
Redesigned AirPods
Continuing with the Music-themed start to the event, Apple announced its long-rumored new third-generation AirPods which boast an AirPods Pro-style redesign, spatial audio support, sweat and water resistance, and more.
Available starting today, the new AirPods will be available in-store next week priced at $179 (US).
Image: Apple
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s new AirPods
M1 Pro & M1 Max MacBook Pro
The star of today’s show was Apple’s all-new 14-inch and redesigned 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which come with new M1 Pro and M1 Max custom chips.
As the rumor mill suggested, the machines feature a complete redesign. The 16-inch and 14-inch models are all new with the return of ports, a new notch and edge to edge design and the return of MagSafe. The Touch Bar has been replaced by full function keys, sunken in a new deeper colour background for the keyboard. The screens are larger but retain the same overall footprint as the previous 13.3-inch and 16-inch models.
Available today, the new MacBook Pro is priced from $1,999 and $2,499 for the 14-inch and 16-inch models, respectively.
Image: Apple
With the release of the new MacBook Pro models, Apple is bringing macOS Monterey out of beta and will be releasing the software publicly on October 25, bringing new features including Universal Control, Focus, Shortcuts, redesigned Safari, FaceTime upgrades, and more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new MacBook Pro