This week on AppleInsider: Apple Music, TV delays, HomeKit & more
This week saw a flurry of last-minute rumors emerge about Apple's planned WWDC 2015 announcements -- including streaming music, and the absence of highly-anticipated TV offerings.
Despite being based on it, Apple will reportedly keep Beats Music intact until it's fully confident in Apple Music and can migrate subscribers over. The company is in fact believed to be racing to complete negotiations for the new service, even with a Monday announcement looming.
Almost a year after the platform's introduction, the first HomeKit-certified home automation products were launched this week by firms like Insteon and Lutron. These included everything from lighting systems and air sensors to thermostats.
Apple is likely to talk about HomeKit briefly at its WWDC keynote on Monday.
Separate stories indicated that Apple will skip announcing either a streaming TV service or a new Apple TV during the keynote. Although recent reports predicted that the TV service would miss WWDC, a refreshed Apple TV was often considered almost certain.
The streaming TV delay is thought to be due to disagreements with networks. The lack of a subscription offering could be a major reason why no new Apple TV will be present, even though rumored features like Siri and an App Store might theoretically sell the product anyway.
Thursday saw Apple issue its first-ever Japanese bonds, raising 250 billion yen, or about $2 billion U.S. The bonds are due to mature in June 2020.
Apple has previously used bond offerings in Europe and the U.S. to raise money for its capital return program, which will deliver some $200 billion to shareholders by March 2017 in the form of dividends and share buybacks. The company appears to have targeted Japan because of its low interest rates.
Looking towards the future, Apple is said to be considering lowering its cut from subscriptions bought through the App Store. Currently Apple takes 30 percent from any App Store purchase, but this has led to subscription services like Spotify charging more in-app than elsewhere, and/or asking that people subscribe on the Web and just use an iOS app for content access.
One possibility is that App Store cuts will parallel the Apple TV, where it's rumored that Apple is demanding just 15 percent from Netflix, Hulu, and Major League Baseball.
Apple Music races to the finish line
By far the highest number of reports surrounded Apple's upcoming streaming music service, which is expected to be called Apple Music and cost $10 per month, with no ad-supported free listening. There should, however, be a three-month free trial, and Apple is allegedly hoping to lure people in with exclusives, personalized genre selection, and an improved radio experience with celebrity DJs and human-curated playlists.Despite being based on it, Apple will reportedly keep Beats Music intact until it's fully confident in Apple Music and can migrate subscribers over. The company is in fact believed to be racing to complete negotiations for the new service, even with a Monday announcement looming.
First HomeKit accessories go on sale
Almost a year after the platform's introduction, the first HomeKit-certified home automation products were launched this week by firms like Insteon and Lutron. These included everything from lighting systems and air sensors to thermostats.
Apple is likely to talk about HomeKit briefly at its WWDC keynote on Monday.
No TV at WWDC
Separate stories indicated that Apple will skip announcing either a streaming TV service or a new Apple TV during the keynote. Although recent reports predicted that the TV service would miss WWDC, a refreshed Apple TV was often considered almost certain.
The streaming TV delay is thought to be due to disagreements with networks. The lack of a subscription offering could be a major reason why no new Apple TV will be present, even though rumored features like Siri and an App Store might theoretically sell the product anyway.
Apple reaps $2 billion from Japanese bonds
Thursday saw Apple issue its first-ever Japanese bonds, raising 250 billion yen, or about $2 billion U.S. The bonds are due to mature in June 2020.
Apple has previously used bond offerings in Europe and the U.S. to raise money for its capital return program, which will deliver some $200 billion to shareholders by March 2017 in the form of dividends and share buybacks. The company appears to have targeted Japan because of its low interest rates.
App Store could improve subscription revenue cut
Looking towards the future, Apple is said to be considering lowering its cut from subscriptions bought through the App Store. Currently Apple takes 30 percent from any App Store purchase, but this has led to subscription services like Spotify charging more in-app than elsewhere, and/or asking that people subscribe on the Web and just use an iOS app for content access.
One possibility is that App Store cuts will parallel the Apple TV, where it's rumored that Apple is demanding just 15 percent from Netflix, Hulu, and Major League Baseball.
Comments
The sound is awful. The volume is too low and inconsistent between host and guests.
Agreed. They really needs some professional help on the production side. I'll add, I always quit any video or podcast when someone's first words are ... 'Hey, how's it going guys?' It is code for 'Here I am in my parent's basement.'
The sound is awful. The volume is too low and inconsistent between host and guests.
Agreed. They really needs some professional help on the production side. I'll add, I always quit any video or podcast when someone's first words are ... 'Hey, how's it going guys?' It is code for 'Here I am in my parent's basement.'
ehh. Some parents have basements; some parents have garages. We all know, nothing worth wile ever starts there.
Agreed. They really needs some professional help on the production side. I'll add, I always quit any video or podcast when someone's first words are ... 'Hey, how's it going guys?' It is code for 'Here I am in my parent's basement.'
"How's it going" is now code for "I'm in my parents basement"? Oh, wow. Glad you cleared that up for us. I guess I've secretly been living in my parents basement every time I say "How's it going" on the phone. So what is the proper greeting, that makes it clear to everyone that someone is a successful, self-sufficient individual? "Fine evening, young sirs"? Honestly curious.
Either they can't do anything about this, or they just don't care. Until they fix it I'm just going to rely on reading AI content.
You took my words totally out of context. I was referring to the professionalism in making a video or podcast not shooting the breeze! Plus you dropped 'hey' and 'guys' from your reply. The phrase I specifically referred to, was 'Hey, how's it going guys?' ... and yes, when used at the start of a video or podcast, IMHO as an ex ESPN producer, it isn't the most professional start. That said my 'code' analogy was probably off, I should have said selling crack maybe?
Thats very true ... However we didn't have to listen to The Two Steve's podcasts back then either.
ehh. Some parents have basements; some parents have garages. We all know, nothing worth wile ever starts there.
Thats very true ... However we didn't have to listen to The Two Steve's podcasts back then either.
Ah, but if only we could've.
Hey man! open the door, it's Steve.
Steve's not here, man.
No, I'm Steve! Open the door, man.
Where's the bong?
Except for some companies. Actually one of the largest computer/consumer electronics companies in the world started in a "parents garage". I bet you had no clue.
ehh. Some parents have basements; some parents have garages. We all know, nothing worth wile ever starts there.
Except for some companies. Actually one of the largest computer/consumer electronics companies in the world started in a "parents garage". I bet you had no clue.
Oh don't be ridiculous. No real company ever started in some parents garage. pffft...
I have been complaining about this for weeks, by PM to AI, on these boards, and in my app review on the store. It never gets any better. For the first time this morning, after starting to listen, and the guy talking about Metaior (sp?) came on and was inaudible, I just turned it off and switched over to the Clockwise podcast which was loud and clear.
Either they can't do anything about this, or they just don't care. Until they fix it I'm just going to rely on reading AI content.
Yuck! Didn't know that. I just listened to it for the first time.