From Experimac
Recently, Apple, Inc.® CEO, Tim Cook, took the stage in Cupertino, CA to announce several new expansions to the Apple product suite and oddly enough, none of them were physical products. Over the last few years, Apple, Inc. has been hinting at the possibility of expanding the Services they offer. Last week’s event included a parade of A-list celebrities, storytellers, and creators who have partnered with Apple, Inc. on the launch of their new product offerings.
So what can you expect from the new services?
Apple TV+® Service
Apple product enthusiasts had been guessing for months that Apple, Inc. was likely working on a streaming service that would compete with industry leaders such as Hulu, Prime TV, and Netflix. And right they were. Launching sometime this fall is the Apple TV+ streaming service which will include original content from Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Aniston to name a few. Oprah Winfrey, who closed out the evening, shared that she was working on two documentaries for the service, while Spielberg will relaunch the classic anthology show, Amazing Stories.
Apple, Inc. has yet to release what the cost of the service will be but it is safe to assume that Apple, Inc. will want to remain competitive with other streaming options so the service is expected to be between $10-$20. Unlike Hulu, Prime, and Netflix, the Apple TV+ service will not include third-party content.
Apple TV® App is Getting Updated
The Apple TV app is receiving a major update and will give users the flexibility of having all of their services in one central application – premium channels, streaming channels, and more. All the content from the various subscription services you enjoy will live side-by-side on the updated app. Users of the Apple app will see something that looks a lot like Netflix; the app will even make recommendations about what you may want to watch next. It will use AI to recommend content from all of your services based on your watching history. The new version will be available in May as a software update and as a new app on Mac® computers by the fall.
Apple News+® Service
Apple’s News interface launched roughly three years ago and has seen no changes since but according to Cook, it’s the number one news app in the world. The new service, which gives subscribers access to over 300 magazines and newspapers, is available now for $9.99/month and can be shared with up to 6 family members without fear of readers being tracked by advertisers.
Apple Card® Credit Card
Apple announced that it has partnered with Goldman Sachs to bring their first credit card to the market. The Apple Card credit card will use a reward system called Daily Cash that will give users 2% of the amount in Daily Cash when you pay with the Apple Pay® feature. The card will only give you 1% if you use the physical card. Everything you buy with your Apple Card gets placed into a category, which makes it easy to see what you have spent so that you can budget effectively. It is expected to launch this summer and if Cook is right, it would be “the most significant change in the credit card experience in 50 years.”
Apple Arcade® Gaming Service
The App Store® receives more than half a billion unique visits each week, with the games category being the most popular. Apple Arcade service will be a subscription-based service that will give users access to high-quality, well-designed games that can be played on Apple devices. Like the Apple News+ subscription, a single Apple Arcade subscription can be shared with up to 6 family members. Apple Arcade service is expected to launch in the fall.
The new services will have an impact on the way you use your Apple devices. The most exciting part to us is the fact that you don’t have to buy brand new devices to use these great services. If you are interested in subscribing to a new Apple service, chances are your current device will work just fine. Some devices may need an update but if you contact your local Experimac location, we can help you with that. Thinking its time for an upgrade but don’t want to bust your budget? Stop by and browse our certified pre-owned Apple products.
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