Apple Launches Powerful New iPad, ‘Air Tags’ to Track Lost Items

 

Apple has announced a new iPad equipped with the same chip technology used in Mac computers.

The company also released a line of new iMac computers and launched a small tracking device for important personal objects. The new products were announced during an online launch event Tuesday.

The new iPad Pro¹ contains Apple's M1 chip, which the company claims increases the tablet computer's processing speed by 50 percent. It is the first time Apple has put its M1 chip inside an iPad. Apple announced last year that it had decided² to replace Intel-based chips in all its Macs with its own version.

The new iPad Pros³ also contain additional ports for connecting larger monitors and were built with improved video quality. Apple said the devices also have better keyboard systems that work more like most laptop computers. They also offer connectivity to 5G, the next generation of wireless⁴ technology.

Apple's move to release more powerful iPads is seen as a way to meet rising demand as more people work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. The new iPads lowest-priced version costs $799 and will be available for online orders on April 30.

Another one of the company's new products is called AirTag. It is a small device that can be attached to objects that people commonly carry, such as keys or money holders⁵. If lost, the object attached to an AirTag can be tracked with a user's iPhone.

The AirTag system uses the company's existing "Find My" technology to help users find Apple devices or Macs that get lost. The system uses Bluetooth technology when the lost device is nearby and Apple's Find My network.

During the launch event, Apple showed that a person with AirTags can use their iPhone to be guided with step-by-step directions to the lost device. The phone uses its camera and other directional equipment to guide the user. Apple says currently, only iPhone 11 and 12 users will be able to use this service.

In a statement about the AirTags, Apple said the system was "designed from the ground up to keep location data private and secure." It said no data or location history is physically⁶ stored inside AirTag. Any communication involving the Find My network is also encrypted so that only the owner of the device sees the location data.

In addition, the company said it built in tools aimed at preventing people from being tracked with AirTag unknowingly. For example, AirTag devices that become separated from owners for longer periods of time play a sound when moved to draw attention. Apple says its devices can also identify an AirTag that is not with its owner and can inform users if an unknown AirTag is seen traveling with them from place to place.

AirTags will cost $29 each, or four for $99, and will be available for order April 23.

Apple also announced the launch of a line of new, thinner iMacs, which are also equipped with the M1 chip. The computers are designed to be used on a desktop⁷. They have better cameras and speakers for improved video meetings. They also have improved video quality and include keyboards with the same fingerprint⁸ identification sensor⁹ that unlocks iPhones.

The iMacs, which come in several bright colors, have a starting price of $1,299 and are expected to be available in May.

Apple also announced a new podcast subscription¹⁰ service aimed to compete with other podcast companies such as Spotify.

Words in This Story

chip – n. a small piece of semiconducting material used to make parts that help power computer processors

track – v. to follow the course along which someone or something moves or proceeds

tablet – n. a small, portable computer that you use by touching¹¹ the screen

monitor – n. a device, like the screen of a TV, that lets a person see computer activities or listen to programs and sound

laptop – n. a computer that is small enough to be carried around and used while a person is sitting

key – n. a piece of metal cut into a particular shape and used for locking things such as doors, or for starting an engine

location – n. a place or position

encrypt – v. to change (information) from one form to another especially to hide its meaning

subscription – n. an amount of money paid to regularly receive a product or service

1 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 pros   

abbr.prosecuting 起诉；prosecutor 起诉人；professionals 自由职业者；proscenium （舞台）前部n.赞成的意见( pro的名词复数 )；赞成的理由；抵偿物；交换物

参考例句：

• The pros and cons cancel out. 正反两种意见抵消。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision. 我们在对这事做出决定之前，应该先听取正反两方面的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

5 holders   

支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物

参考例句：

• Slaves were mercilessly ground down by slave holders. 奴隶受奴隶主的残酷压迫。
• It is recognition of compassion's part that leads the up-holders of capital punishment to accuse the abolitionists of sentimentality in being more sorry for the murderer than for his victim. 正是对怜悯的作用有了认识，才使得死刑的提倡者指控主张废除死刑的人感情用事，同情谋杀犯胜过同情受害者。

6 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

7 desktop   

n.桌面管理系统程序；台式

参考例句：

• My computer is a desktop computer of excellent quality.我的计算机是品质卓越的台式计算机。
• Do you know which one is better,a laptop or a desktop?你知道哪一种更好，笔记本还是台式机？

8 fingerprint   

n.指纹；vt.取...的指纹

参考例句：

• The fingerprint expert was asked to testify at the trial.指纹专家应邀出庭作证。
• The court heard evidence from a fingerprint expert.法院听取了指纹专家的证词。

9 sensor   

n.传感器，探测设备，感觉器（官）

参考例句：

• The temperature sensor is enclosed in a protective well.温度传感器密封在保护套管中。
• He plugged the sensor into a outlet.他把传感器插进电源插座。

10 subscription   

n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方）

参考例句：

• We paid a subscription of 5 pounds yearly.我们按年度缴纳5英镑的订阅费。
• Subscription selling bloomed splendidly.订阅销售量激增。

11 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。