Apple's event on May 7, labeled Let Loose, was held virtually for the media and featured some pretty significant announcements. Most of the focus was on the reveal of the first new iPad in almost two years, but there were also first looks at other updated accessories and software.
This industry gathering saw the tech giant unveil a redesigned 11‑inch and a brand‑new 13‑inch iPad Air, both supported by the M2 chip. Speaking of chips, Apple also showcased its new M4 processor consisting of a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU.
It is built using the more efficient 3nm process, with the firm claiming that since its CPU is 50 percent faster than the M2, it is "an outrageously powerful chip for AI." There was also the news that the iPad Pro would have an OLED display, with both models comprising a base storage of 128 GB with higher options coming at 512 GB and 1 TB.
Apple also announced a new Apple Pencil Pro that supports haptic feedback and a new squeezing gesture that can open up a menu. Rolling it can change brush shapes, with the device also supporting Find My — the company's asset tracking service — and being compatible with the iPad Pro.
All these announcements helped the Apple Event 2024 May 7 event notch 424.5 Peak Viewers, putting it in the top three when it comes to the most popular such showcases held so far this year. It also accrued 262K Hours Watched and 393K Average Viewers over an airtime of 40 minutes on the official channel of Apple on YouTube.
One important decision from the organization at this gathering that had everyone talking was the reduction of the price of the entry-level 10th-generation iPad to $349, which is a massive $100 less than its previous cost point. There was also the redesigned Magic Keyboard equipped with a function row, a larger trackpad (with haptic feedback), and an aluminum palm rest.
Three most popular showcase events held so far in 2024
| Broadcast
|
Peak Viewers
|
|---|---|
| State of Play (Jan 31)
|
1 628 176
|
| Samsung Galaxy Unpacked (Jan 17)
|
637 785
|
| Apple Event 2024 (May 7)
|
424 578
|
Getting back to viewership, this event was an improvement on the previous event held by Apple, Scary Fast, in October 2023. It only attracted 252.8K PV, ten times fewer than the previous showcase in September where the fans saw the premiere of the iPhone 15.
These numbers are in keeping with what Streams Charts analysts had previously calculated. Here, the presentations of new iPhones generate the highest interest and reaction from viewers while other gadgets and accessories like headsets, watches, AirPods, and software receive the least discussion among Apple fans.
Five most popular Apple showcase events
| Broadcast
|
Peak Viewers
|
|---|---|
| Apple Event (September 7, 2022)
|
3 694 821
|
| Apple Event (September 12, 2023)
|
2 489 621
|
| WWDC 2023 (June 5, 2023)
|
1 084 096
|
| WWDC 2022 (June 6, 2022)
|
655 702
|
| Let Loose Event (May 7, 2024)
|
424 578 |
There will be lots more showcase events over the next six months to satiate the appetites of video game and tech fans, and they will also give us insights into the dynamics of each industry at that point. So stay tuned to Streams Charts for all the updates and follow us on social media to get news at your fingertips.