At an Apple event on the Apple Campus today, Apple CEO Tim Cook and colleagues introduced invited guests and a global TV audience to new services.
While there was a big focus on Apple News and Apple TV, Cook also revealed a revolutionary Apple credit card plus a gaming subscription service Apple Arcade.
Apple News+ attracts major magazine publishers
Cook told the audience the Apple News App is the #1 news app. Now Apple is bringing magazines to Apple News.
Apple is promising the best reading experience possible on a mobile device. Major US publishers on board at launch include Meredith, Hearst and Condé Nast.
The magazine service is initially available only in the US and Canada, and launches later this year in Australia and the UK.
The initial subscription price is US$9.99, which will give users access to subscriptions that otherwise would cost over US$8,000. Family sharing of the app is available for no extra charge.
“We’re committed to supporting quality journalism, and with Apple News+, we want to celebrate the great work being done by magazines and news outlets,” said Lauren Kern, editor-in-chief of Apple News. “We think the breadth and quality of publications within Apple News+ will encourage more people to discover stories and titles they may never have come across before.”
Apple News+ subscribers can access current and past issues and individual articles from The Atlantic, Better Homes & Gardens, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Elle, Entertainment Weekly, ESPN The Magazine, Esquire, Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping, GQ, Health, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, National Geographic, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, Parents, People, Real Simple, Rolling Stone, Runner’s World, Sports Illustrated, Time, Travel + Leisure, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Wired and Woman’s Day.
Apple noted the availability will vary for each country.
In addition, Apple News+ includes The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper. Apple News+ also provides access to premium online publications such as theSkimm, The Highlight by Vox, New York Magazine’s sites Vulture, The Cut and Grub Street, and Extra Crunch from Verizon Media’s TechCrunch.
Apple TV+ coming to Australia spring 2019
Apple has also announced Apple TV+, which will feature original shows, movies and documentaries, coming this spring. The service will launch in 100+ countries including Australia.
Apple TV+, Apple’s original video subscription service, will feature a brand new slate of programming from the world’s most celebrated creative artists, including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan, Jon M. Chu and more.
Some of the creators and actors shared the stage at the Apple event today.
“We’re honoured that the absolute best lineup of storytellers in the world – both in front of and behind the camera – are coming to Apple TV+,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services.
“We’re thrilled to give viewers a sneak peek of Apple TV+ and cannot wait for them to tune in starting this spring. Apple TV+ will be home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet.”
Additionally, Apple debuted the all-new Apple TV app and Apple TV channels coming in May 2019. The all-new Apple TV app brings together the different ways to discover and watch shows, movies, sports, news and more in one app across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs and streaming devices.
Users can subscribe to and watch new Apple TV channels – paying for only services they want, like HBO, Showtime and Starz – all on demand, available on and offline, with incredible picture quality and sound; enjoy sports, news and network TV from cable and satellite providers as well as purchase or rent iTunes movies and TV shows all within the new, personalised Apple TV app.
Rights sales mean the choice of content in Australia will look very different to the US and other markets.
Beginning in May, customers can subscribe to Apple TV channels à la carte and watch them in the Apple TV app, with no additional apps, accounts or passwords required.
Apple TV channels in the US will include HBO, Starz, Showtime, CBS All Access, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, Noggin and new services like MTV Hits1, with more to be added over time around the world.
All the content will be downloadable for offline viewing.