Apple said the new AirPods will cost US$179 and start shipping next week. Apple's new AirPods are sweat- and water-resistant for use with workouts and will have some sound features previously found in the higher-end AirPods Pro, Apple said during the launch event.
Apple's full service remains US$10 a month, and shares of streaming music rival Spotify Technology were up 0.4 per cent on the news, suggesting Spotify's investors do not view the new service as a major threat.Īpple also introduced a third generation of its AirPods wireless ear buds.
The company announced a US$5-a-month version of its streaming music service that will allow access to its full music catalogue on Apple devices by using its Siri voice assistant. As for Apple's other Macs, Gurman says that the company is working on a high-performance chip for a future Mac Pro, and an M2 for the MacBook Air, iMac and lower-end MacBook Pro models. Customers trying to order Apple's latest iPhones, watches and iPads are being told that products won't be delivered until November or December.Ĭheaper airpods with some premium featuresĪpple also announced several new music-related products at its Monday event. The new computer goes on sale on Monday and is due to hit stores next week but shipment delays have hampered other recent launches. One challenge Apple may face with its new MacBook Pro is the ongoing chip shortage and supply-chain slowdown sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic. The products also support a new fast-charge feature, which can quickly juice the laptop's battery to 50 per cent from zero. The new 16-inch model can reach up to 21 hours of battery life when watching video, while the smaller 14-inch model has 17 hours, Apple said. That means if the charging cord is tripped on, it will be yanked out - rather than sending the computer tumbling to the floor. It uses a magnetic charging adapter for the laptop. MagSafe, meanwhile, makes its return to the MacBook Pro after the feature was added to the iPhone 12 last year. The HDMI connection makes it easier to tie the laptop to a TV or external monitor, while the SD card slot is a convenient offering for on-the-go photographers. The microphones and speakers were upgraded as well. And the company is adding a 1080 progressive-scan video-chat camera, improving a component that users of earlier MacBook Pros have found subpar. Apple added a similar feature to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max in September. The displays also include ProMotion, a feature that allows the screen refresh rate to reach higher levels for a smoother overall experience.