Apple Inc. today announced plans to hold an April 20 virtual event titled “Spring Loaded that reportedly could see the company introduce new additions to the iPad line.

Apple’s bestselling tablet series is expected to receive one of its biggest updates in recent memory this year. In the works, according to recent reports, is a new high-end iPad Pro featuring 5G support and a processor with computing capacity comparable to that of the M1 chip inside Apple’s latest MacBooks. The main upgrade, however, is expected to be a new 12.9-inch display based on mini-LED technology.

The pixels in LED displays don’t generate their own light but rather rely on semiconducting modules known as diodes for illumination. A diode emits light when it’s exposed to an electric current. In a mini-LED display, the diodes are several times smaller than in previous-generation products, which allows for more of them to be incorporated into the system design and thereby facilitates sharper colors. It’s also believed that the technology could potentially be more reliable than current screens.

Beyond the reported mini-LED iPad Pro, it’s believed that Apple may introduce a new version of the standard iPad and an update to the more affordable iPad mini. It has been reported that the iPad mini could feature mini-LED technology as well.

Tablets may not be the only focus of Apple’s Spring Loaded event. The company has long been expected to hold an official announcement for AirTags, an extensively leaked Bluetooth device that can be attached to items such as keychains to make them easier to find if lost. Apple rival Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. introduced a new high-end Bluetooth item tracker last week that may compete with AirTags.

On the software side, Bloomberg reported that it’s likely Apple will use the event to announce the launch date for iOS 14.5. The newest release of the operating system is set to bring, among other features, privacy controls that will require app developers to receive users’ permission before they can track them based on their device’s unique advertising identifier.

Other enhancements in iOS 14.5 include enhanced 5G support and improved versions of several default apps such as Apple News. 

It’s possible that the iPhone maker may pair the mobile updates with announcements related to the Mac line. Reports suggest that the company has plans to launch multiple Mac computers this year, and Spring Loaded, the iPhone maker’s first major product event of 2021, provides an opportunity to start introducing the new devices. 

Image: Apple