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The new iPad Pro’s M1 system on a chip puts the tablet on the same playing field as a whole bunch of Macs in terms of power and performance, but as Jason Snell writes at Macworld, that’s never really been a problem for previous iPads:

Here’s the problem with this clever marketing, though: it draws a direct parallel between the iPad and the Mac. And while the Mac definitely lacks in some areas (no touchscreen or Apple Pencil support, for instance) you can basically do anything on your Mac, including run a bunch of apps that originated on the iPad.

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Joe Rossignol has details over on MacRumors:

After paying upfront for an AppleCare+ plan for a Mac, the initial coverage period remains three years, but customers now have the option to purchase additional coverage that automatically renews annually until canceled. The new coverage must be purchased within 30 days of the end date of the original coverage, according to Apple.

Previously, there was no way to extend AppleCare+ coverage for a Mac once the initial three-year coverage window elapsed.

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Apple Support:

AirTag lets you easily track things like your keys, wallet, purse, backpack, luggage, and more. If you find one, learn how to see its serial number, help return it to its owner, or disable it.

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Since the introduction of the iMac G5 way back in August of 2004, the basic building blocks of what makes an iMac an iMac have been the same:

From the front, it’s rather remarkable how little the iMac has changed in nearly two decades. The screen is front and center, surrounded by a bezel with a chin below the display. The whole thing is mounted on a foot that lets a user tilt the entire computer easily.

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The new iMac may be my favorite announcement in today’s Apple event, but I do have thoughts on the other hardware that was announced:

Tim Cook

Dude has been hitting the gym. Daaaaaamn.

Purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini

I think it looks great. Apple has done a mid-cycle color change with Product RED phones, but this is a nice change.

AirTags

These things have been rumored forever, and I’m excited to toss one in my backpack next time I travel. I’m even more excited the battery can be replaced.

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Today, Apple unveiled an all-new iMac. Built around a 4.5K, 24-inch display, this is the first Mac designed from the ground-up to use Apple silicon inside.

Right off the bat, we gotta talk about the colors:

Yes, the new 24-inch iMac comes in green, yellow, orange, red, purple, blue and silver. The hue on the foot and front of the machine is more muted than around the back.

As a person with considerable experience with iMacs of various colors, I like this, even while I wish they were more saturated all the way around.

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Apple Support:

The most common cause for the ribbon to stop spinning intermittently is a worn spring: the spring that maintains constant tension on the nylon wire that drives the ribbon-drive gear assembly. If the spring is worn, the constantly-varying tension within the ribbon cartridge (transmitted to the gear assembly), causes the nylon wire to slip.

Try replacing either the Ribbon Wire/Spring assembly (service part number 935-0001) or the spring only (available as a part of the Miscellaneous Hardware Kit, part number 076-0317).

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On this episode of Liftoff:

With its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s first flight compete, NASA has made history, opening the door to missions beyond landers and rovers. Also: what SpaceX’s Human Landing System contract means for the SLS and the future of NASA leadership.

My thanks to our sponsor this week:

• Tuparev Technologies: Learn more about the new FITS Guide now.

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What an amazing achievement for humankind:

Monday, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter became the first aircraft in history to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. The Ingenuity team at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California confirmed the flight succeeded after receiving data from the helicopter via NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover at 6:46 a.m. EDT (3:46 a.m. PDT).

“Ingenuity is the latest in a long and storied tradition of NASA projects achieving a space exploration goal once thought impossible,” said acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk. “The X-15 was a pathfinder for the space shuttle. Mars Pathfinder and its Sojourner rover did the same for three generations of Mars rovers. We don’t know exactly where Ingenuity will lead us, but today’s results indicate the sky – at least on Mars – may not be the limit.”

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In our fast-paced world, things change constantly — and errors in messaging often have significant consequences.

TextExpander lets you make new approved messaging available to every team member instantly with just a few keystrokes, ensuring your team remains consistent, current, and accurate.

Get your message right every time: expand content that corrects your spelling and keeps your language consistent with just a few keystrokes

Your team members will consistently know the right message for the right person at the right time, without relying on memory or copy and paste.

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It’s feedback time on MPU, so David and I answer listener email, talk about iOS apps running on Apple silicon Macs and preparing your tech for the afterlife.

We also have new MPU merch! Dubbed the Classy Tumbler and Classy Tee, I’m really happy with how these two products turned out.

We have a set number of tumblers, and once they are sold out, they’ll be gone forever. Shirts, on the other hand, can be pre-ordered until May 4.¹

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David Sparks:

As the Tuesday event approaches, there are increasing rumors of the release of colorful iMacs. 9to5 Mac collects all of the rumors nicely.

I, for one, would love to see Apple add some more whimsey to their products, and colorful iMacs would be an excellent start. (If I were in charge, I’d also bring back the rainbow logo on at least some products.)

I obviously agree.

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