Apple event live blog: new iPad Pro, iMac and more from today's big Apple launch

Excited to hear about the new iPad Pro 2021, new iMac, iPad Mini 6, Apple AirTags or the new Apple TV? 2021's first big Apple launch is fast approaching, and we'll be hearing about a variety of new Apple gadgets in the next few hours.

The Apple spring event is set to start on April 20 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST (that's 3am AEST on April 21 for those in Australia). This will be a virtual launch, so expect it to be a speedy livestream that gets through a variety of products in quick succession.

Apple's spring events tend to last around two hours, and we'll be here to talk you through what's happening on the stream as it's announced. Plus, we'll be trying to crack the odd joke or two as things heat up.

Before the event starts, we'll be talking you through what to expect and any last minute leaks that appear throughout the day. If you're excited about new Apple gadgets, this live blog is the place you'll want to be.

• How to watch Apple's Spring Loaded event

Apple event live blog: the whole launch as it happens

All times are in Pacific Standard Time (PST)

08:20 - The other thing that we might well see is the long-rumored Apple AirTags. Jon Prosser had suggested that these would land in March, so the spring event would be the ideal candidate - and he's since hinted that this event is likely to be where we'll see them.

These are expected to be item trackers similar to Tile, so you’d be able to attach them to belongings, like a bag, wallet, or phone, and then track the device if it’s lost or stolen. AirTags are likely to leverage Apple’s Find My functionality, and might be able to use the vast network of peoples’ iPhones to help with the tracking.

07:54 - Henry St Leger, TechRadar's Home Cinema Editor, says "It’s been four years since the last Apple TV 4K (5th generation), and with rumors around a 2021 release date for a next-gen model, it seems at least semi-likely that we’ll see it shown off or teased at tonight’s event.

"If a new Apple TV is shown off, though, you shouldn’t expect a retread of what’s gone before. The latest rumors say that Apple is planning an all-in-one streaming box, speaker and smart display – which could mean it ditches the ‘Apple TV’ moniker entirely and begins a new product line for the tech giant.

"A more conservative prediction might be another 4K HDR streamer in the vein of the 2017 model, but with a more advanced A12X processor to better handle Apple TV Plus streaming, as well as Apple Arcade games. Hopefully, though, we’ll get all of the above."

07:14 - Tim Cook is awake and he's at work... or, his social media manager is up bright and early instead. How do we know? Because Cook has sent his first tweet of the day.

06:30 - Apple AirPods 3... where are those true wireless headphones we've heard so much about? 

Olivia Tambini, Audio and Music Editor for TechRadar, says, "We've been hearing rumors about the Apple AirPods 3 for a while now, and everything is pointing to a 2021 release – and with the event happening later today, we're hopeful that Apple will take the opportunity to show off the next generation of its true wireless earbuds. 

"Of course, nothing is certain at this stage, and we've also heard conflicting rumors that the AirPods 3 won't enter production until the third quarter of this year, potentially launching alongside the next iPhone in September. 

"Plus, we've also been hearing rumors that the next AirPods Pro could launch in April, so we may see the AirPods Pro 2 be announced today instead. In any case, we'll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for a AirPods or AirPods Pro announcement today."

• Everything you need to know about Apple AirPods 3

05:30 - Now is when the rumored products start to become less likely, although we may see the iPad mini 6 arrive later today.

Ming-Chi Kuo (an analyst with a great track record for Apple leaks) has said to expect this slate in the first half of the year, and Jon Prosser has said that he’s heard “iPads” are coming in March (which would be almost right if it lands in April).

The plural there suggests multiple models, so it’s not out of the question that the iPad Pro (2021) and iPad mini 6 could both show up. That said, we’ve heard fewer release date rumors about the iPad mini 6, so we’d say it’s less likely to show up than the iPad Pro (2021).

Whenever it does arrive, rumors suggest it might have a slightly larger 8.5-inch screen (up from the 7.9-inch one used by the iPad mini (2019)). It might also stick with the Lightning port (rather than switching to USB-C), and use an A13 Bionic chipset, like the iPhone 11 range.

• Everything we know about the iPad Mini 6

04:12 - The Apple Store is down, so you won't be able to buy any new products from the company for the next few hours ahead of the launch event while the team tinkers behind the scenes.

Apple always pulls its store down ahead of a launch event so it can include new products without leaking them to the world ahead of time. If you wanted to buy a new iPhone 12 directly from Apple, you'll likely have to wait until the event is over now.

03:45 - It looks increasingly likely that we’ll see the iMac (2021) at the Apple event. This long-rumored all-in-one PC has been expected since Apple released two new MacBooks and the Mac mini late last year that run on its own M1 chip, rather than based on Intel hardware.

It looks increasingly likely that we’ll see the iMac (2021) at the Apple event. This long-rumored all-in-one PC has been expected since Apple released two new MacBooks and the Mac mini late last year that run on its own M1 chip, rather than based on Intel hardware.

An M1-powered iMac would see a decent bump in performance, and would bring the all-in-one PC in line with Apple’s other new computing products.

Earlier this year, Apple discontinued several existing iMac models, a pretty reliable sign that it was preparing to launch a new version. When the April 20 event was announced, many of us thought this would be an ideal time to launch the new iMac – and it looks like that could be the case.

A tweet over the weekend by Ian Zelbo (@RendersbyIan), states that “Apple is expected to release a redesigned iMac on Tuesday’s Spring Loaded event”, and is based on leaks by Jon Prosser, a very well-known Apple leaker, who has accurately predicted several Apple launches in the past.

Not only will the new iMac apparently come with the Apple M1 chip, but there are also rumors that they will have a new design, and will come in a range of colors – a nod to the classic iMac G3, launched back in 1998.

• Everything we know about the Apple iMac for 2021

02:50 - So what gadgets will we be seeing announced tonight? Throughout today we'll be running you through some of the announcements we're expecting, and we're kicking off with what we know about the new iPad Pro 2021.

The iPad Pro (2021) might end up being the headline announcement of the Apple spring event. Multiple sources had said a new model would land in March, and with the previous model landing last March, the timing would have made sense. Of course, we're now in April, but that's close enough.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it will be unveiled at the spring event, but it’s unlikely that Apple would have two different sets of announcements so close together, and Prosser has suggested it will land at this event.

As for what the iPad Pro (2021) might offer, a large number of leaks suggest it will have a Mini LED screen, offering an improved contrast ratio and color reproduction over a normal LCD display.

We’ve also heard that it will come in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, and that it might support 5G, have a powerful new chipset, and have a tweaked but similar design to its predecessor.

• Everything we know so far about the new iPad Pro 2021

01:45 - Do you expect to see Apple AirTags today? The Tile alternatives have been rumored for years now, but we've yet to see them be officially unveiled by Apple. Some leakers are saying today is the big day.

01:30 - Welcome to the first big Apple announcement of 2021. We're expecting a whole host of gadgets to be revealed later today, and there may be something for every Apple fan. 

In fact, this is arguably Apple's most interesting show of its year as it often unveils new tech from all around its business.

Throughout today we'll be running you through what we expect to see when the event starts, but the main highlights so far - according to leaks and rumors - are we'll be seeing the new iPad Pro, and maybe a new iMac too.

Don't expect to see the new iPhone SE 3 or iPhone 13 today, but we may hear something more about software (today could be the day iOS 14.5 drops) and there may be other gadgets like AirPods 3 or a new Apple TV.

Only time will tell, and we're excited to see what Apple do launch later today.

• Everything you need to know about the new iPad Pro