CEO Tim Cook introduces Apple TV+ at the Apple event in California, 2019.
CEO Tim Cook introduces Apple TV+ at the Apple event in California, 2019.
Image: Getty Images / Michael Short

In light of declining sales, and a drop in share price, Apple has been looking to reinvent itself post-iPhone. On March 22, the company held an event in Cupertino, California, to announce its venture into services –TV and more.

We put our fingers to the screen to decode Apple TV+, the revived Apple TV app and the Apple credit card.

APPLE TV+

The announcement of Apple TV+, which looks set to rival to content streaming giants such as Netflix, has been the talk of the town.

What is it? Apple TV+ will feature original TV shows and movies created by the company. It will be collaborating with some pretty big names – Oprah, Reece Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg to name a few – as well as networks. Apple TV Channels will be a la carte subscription-based, giving users access to platforms like HBO, Starz and Showtime.

How much? No one knows yet.

What type of original shows can we look forward to?

  • Oprah is set to bring two documentaries - Toxic Labour, about workplace harassment, and an as yet untitled one on mental health – as well as something linked to her popular book club.
  • A travel show by Jason Momoa and Alfred Woodard.
  • Spielberg’s reboot of Amazing Stories.
  • The Morning Show sitcom with Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell. 

How do you use it? Apple TV+ will run inside the revived Apple TV app, available on iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch and Macs.

When does it launch? Apple announced they would launch the service “during Autumn”, so later this year. Whether this applies to South Africa is still to be determined.

Is it really competition for Netflix and Amazon? Eish. Who knows at this point? With its limited availability on Apple products only, and the vague details given by the company, it’s hard to say. The service is also not going to feature licensed content, like its competitors do, so no Hollywood hits or series.

What we can say is that with 360-million subscribers to existing Apple products, the base is already high. And with backing from names like Oprah and co, there’s got to be some method in Apple’s madness entering the already-oversaturated content-streaming sector. Pricing will also play a big role in how it fares.

Bonus: The service will be ad free and will allow users to download the content to watch offline. There is also a family sharing option (up to six members), allowing users to share Apple TV+ and subscriptions.  

APPLE TV APP

The Apple TV app was launched in 2016 as a sort of TV guide, recommending shows from other platforms across the movies, sports, news spectrum. On March 22, it was re-introduced with a few tweaks.

Apple TV App.
Apple TV App.
Image: Apple

What will change? Instead of being redirected to HBO or Showtime for example, you will be able to watch shows from HBO and Showtime inside the app. However, this only applies to the TV channels you subscribe to.

How much? Mahala. Unless you want to access Apple TV+ and Apple TV Channels.

How do you use it? The app comes pre-installed on all the latest iPhone, iPad and Apple TV devices.

When does it launch? May 2019.

It seems unclear why would someone choose this route when Netflix, Hulu and Amazon already exist and are simpler to use. However, Apple seems convinced enough to have spent big bucks getting into TV. And if the success of its phones is anything to go by, the content war is on.

APPLE CARD

What is it? A credit card backed by Mastercard and Goldman Sachs.

How does it work?

It functions through Apple Pay, which was launched in 2014 (but is not available in SA just yet), and is built into the Apple Wallet app on iPhones.

Apple Card.
Apple Card.
Image: Apple

You can also use the titanium card for payments, as a normal chip credit card, where Apple Pay is not accepted.

Any cool features?

  • Up to 3% instant cash back on all purchases.
  • The ability to track your spending to the last cent on the Apple Pay app.
  • Top security and privacy. The Apple Card has no CVV code, expiry date or signature. Security is taken care of by Apple Pay’s Face ID, Touch ID and unique transaction code technology. Apple has also said it can’t see where or what you’re buying and none of your personal data will be sold to any third parties.

How much? No fees. Yip, you read right. Apple has said there will be no annual, cash-advance, over-the-limit or late fees.

They also claim Apple Card will provide interest rates among the lowest in the industry.

When does it launch? In the next few months. We will have to wait to find out when it will be available in South Africa.

While the Apple Card doesn’t necessarily offer anything new in the world of online and streamlined banking, as The Verge succinctly puts it, “The Tim Cook era is not about being first, but about providing an Apple-centric option that’s good enough to keep you hooked in and uninterested in ever leaving.”

In essence, you’ll need to set up your TV app with Apple TV+ and Apple TV Channels subscriptions to get the most out of viewing - and you might as well get the Apple Card to pay for them too.

WATCH | For the all these highlights and more from the event:

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