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Cupertino (dpa) - Apple flexes its muscles: Thanks to chips from its own development, the group challenges the PC competition with an innovative desktop computer.
The new iMac is only 11.5 millimeters thick - thinner than many monitors without a computer inside.
According to Apple, this is made possible by the switch from Intel processors to in-house M1 chips.
Among other things, this saves space drastically: Instead of a voluminous cooling system, only two small fans are required.
Another advantage of the M1 chip is that it shares a technical platform with the iPhones, which makes it easier for apps to work together.
For the first time, the keyboard of the device is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, as in the Macbook notebooks.
At 24 inches, the display is between the previous smaller and larger models.
The price from 1445 euros is comparable to what Apple previously wanted for an iMac.
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The M1 chip is also being used in the new generation of the iPad Pro tablet computer.
The larger model with a 12.9-inch screen also has a significantly improved display with a higher-contrast representation.
With working and learning from home, the iPad has become an important source of money for Apple during the corona pandemic.
In the past Christmas quarter alone, iPad sales rose by a good 40 percent year-on-year.
At the event, Apple also presented the long-awaited AirTags - small plates that can be attached to objects such as keys so that they can be found again quickly.
Apple is thus competing with established technology providers such as Tile.
Apple already has the necessary infrastructure for this with an in-house location network that is linked to the “Where is?” App.
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The Apple devices scattered around the world help to find the lost objects in their vicinity.
Communication for this is encrypted and anonymous, emphasizes Apple.
"AirTag was designed to track objects, not people."
Newer iPhones with an ultra-wideband radio chip on board can locate objects with AirTags particularly precisely.
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About "Where is?" So far, only Apple devices such as iPhones or AirPods earphones could be located. A few days ago, however, Apple opened the network to other manufacturers - including a supplier of electric bicycles. Competitor Tile has already criticized Apple's possible entry into the business as an unfair competition because the company would get a preferred position because of the iPhone. Apple set the AirTag price at 35 euros - the most expensive model of Tile's trackers costs just as much. Smartphone market leader Samsung recently presented its similar trackers.
Further announcements were a new version of the Apple TV box with better picture quality and a new remote control - the old one was often criticized for having a touch field that was easy to click on.
Apple is also introducing a subscription model for podcasts.
Authors can only make individual episodes available to paying users.
Subscription customers could also listen to podcasts without advertising.
Apple has expanded its subscription services business significantly in recent years.
The most important product of the group remains the iPhone, which brings in more than half of the proceeds.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210420-99-283791 / 2