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Apple Might Launch Its Long-Awaited TV Service In First Half of 2019 (theverge.com)
Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC's Mad Money host Jim Cramer that the company will announce new "services" this year, suggesting that Apple might be planning to launch its long-awaited TV service in the first half of 2019. "While Cook didn't say what kind of services -- Cramer was asking whether Apple had any tricks up its services sleeve, including healthcare or mobile payments -- it's the long-awaited TV service that has recently seen all the pieces fall into place," notes The Verge. From the report: Here at CES 2019, there's been a series of surprise announcements from TV manufacturers that are suddenly supporting Apple's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features to allow you to cast content directly from your iPhone, iPad and Mac -- including TVs running rival operating systems from Google and Samsung. New TVs from rival Samsung will actually support iTunes, too, letting you access your movies and TV shows there as well. It wouldn't be a stretch to think Apple might be priming the pump with those hardware manufacturers for the upcoming TV service, too.
Then, there's content: We reported last June how Apple has been spending over $1 billion on original TV content with no obvious place for users to watch it. Another report suggested that some of those original shows were slated to debut as soon as this March. And another still claimed that those shows might be free for people who own Apple devices. But even if the TV service is one of the "services" Cook mentioned, it's not clear what other services Apple might be talking about.
Then, there's content: We reported last June how Apple has been spending over $1 billion on original TV content with no obvious place for users to watch it. Another report suggested that some of those original shows were slated to debut as soon as this March. And another still claimed that those shows might be free for people who own Apple devices. But even if the TV service is one of the "services" Cook mentioned, it's not clear what other services Apple might be talking about.
The only ones awaiting this are those who have been saying it was "coming soon" for the last decade.
Like a stopped clock, it looks like they may finally be right.
But who actually cares? The best deal in for-pay TV was the $30 deal on PlayStation Vue a year or two ago. DirecTV tried something similar, but it was trash in execution and lineup and features. Maybe it got better, but when they refused to honor their 7 day free trial, I put them on the shit list and will never so much as look at them again. (Yes, I got my money back. The FTC helped when Chase wouldn't. Chase and its outsourced 3rd world "support" staff who refuse to even read a damned ticket can eat my ass.)
Google is never going to accomplish anything meaningful in this arena, and Hulu is crap with ads, or crap without ads for even more money. (Do they still have this option?) It's too late for new services to get in on the action, as everyone but broadcast is splintering off into their own services. Fucking DC has its own streaming service for fuck's sake! And let's be real - if you're the kind of fool who like their live action shit you're the kind of fool who's paying for cable/satellite to watch The CW (which you could get for free via your local affiliate). The only reason anyone should look at DC's streaming platform is Young Justice season 3, and DC knows it. That's why they're drip feeding season 3 AND splitting it into 2 parts. But hey - TPB is still cheaper, as are all the "apps" that reach out to sites to ind streaming sources for that shit.
That's hilarious! Am I wrong? Raise your hand if you've been looking forward to Yet Another proprietary streaming service. "The problem with proprietary streaming services is that there aren't enough of them," said ... who? Not a customer, I'll bet.
"claimed that those shows might be free for people who own Apple devices."
A new meaning of "free", because it will be neither "gratis" nor "libre."
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
Where one hipster tells you 24/7 how much better you are than everyone else because you own an Apple.
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
might not. (Psst... this isn't news)
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
Most everything that offers broadband to your home comes with TV service bundled. And it actually costs more to not get the TV service. I can't understand how these services expect to compete. The Koolaide is delicious, but asking people to pay $30 / month for something they already have?
And Apple _might_ NOT be planning to launch, so this is geek news because?
I like me 5SE and I hope that the phone downturn gets them to get back to a phone with that form factor again, Sadly I'm not holding my breath for that.
I read that one of the series being developed for Apple is an adaptation of Asimov's Foundation books.
Would be curious to try it.
Esp, if the rumour is true that initially it would be free for Apple device owners, then at worst I lose an hour of time if the first episode is bad.
People were waiting for Apple to come out with a TV, not a TV Service. No one fucking cares about ANOTHER streaming TV Service. It was all about the hardware. People thought Apple would do to TV what they did to MP3 players, tablets and cell phones.
I understand Apple wants to rebrand its self as a SERVICE company and not a HARDWARE company but this is revisionist history.
Is it going to focus on hipsters everywhere, 24/7?