Apple Announces New iPad Pro

Tech News Highlights: April 20, 2021

Significant announcements from Apple, a novel approach from Amazon, and expanded cryptocurrency features within Venmo marked the day’s key developments. This summary provides a concise overview of the most important tech stories from April 20, 2021.

Apple Unveils New Product Lineup

Apple held a press conference today, revealing a comprehensive range of updated products. A new iPad Pro was a central announcement, promising a performance boost of up to 50% compared to its predecessor. Pricing for the 11-inch model begins at $799.

Beyond the iPad Pro, Apple also introduced a revamped Podcast application, now supporting paid subscription options. A new purple colorway was added to the iPhone 12 series. The long-anticipated AirTag devices, designed to assist in locating lost items, were also presented.

Further additions included a new Apple TV 4K featuring an updated remote control – available for separate purchase – and vibrantly colored iMacs powered by the M1 chip.

Major Tech Company Updates

Amazon is venturing into the beauty industry with the opening of a hair salon in London. This location will serve as a testing ground for augmented reality (AR) and other innovative retail technologies. The salon occupies over 1,500 square feet on Brushfield Street in Spitalfields, London.

Venmo has integrated cryptocurrency functionality, enabling users to buy, sell, and hold digital currencies. This expansion mirrors similar features recently added by Venmo’s parent company, PayPal, late in the previous year.

Netflix attributed a slowdown in subscriber growth to a “lighter content slate.” However, the company confirmed that production has resumed in most global markets, with the exceptions of Brazil and India.

Startup Activity and Investment

Discord terminated discussions with Microsoft regarding a potential acquisition, and is now considering an initial public offering (IPO). Prior to the cessation of talks, the company had been valued at approximately $10 billion.

Clearbanc achieved unicorn status following a rebranding initiative and a $100 million Series C funding round.

Tom Brady and Salesforce Ventures have invested significantly in Class, an edtech startup focused on enhancing remote learning experiences. The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with Zoom.

Extra Crunch Insights

Increased investment is flowing into the privacy technology sector, driven by evolving regulations and growing concerns over data security. New rules governing cross-border data transfers and demands for data sovereignty are contributing to this growth.

Insurtech startups are capitalizing on rapid expansion to secure substantial funding. Recent capital injections have been observed in companies such as Clearcover, Alan, Next Insurance, and The Zebra.

Recent research highlights the development of artificial intelligence systems that are introspective, detail-oriented, and capable of anticipating and responding to disasters.

Additional News

A cannabis banking act passed the US House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

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