This week on AppleInsider: Apple Watch at Best Buy, Apple Music numbers, Apple TV news & more
The lazy days of summer were in full effect this week, but there were some brief glances of plans for the Apple Watch -- as well as a long-rumored Apple TV refresh.
Canadians will also be able to buy the Watch from Best Buy, but only a week later. Neither Canadian nor American shoppers will be able to get a $10,000-plus Edition model from the retailer.
While Apple has yet to release any hard statistics, one rumor claimed that Apple Music is already up to 10 million subscribers. That would be a fraction of the numbers reported by rivals like Spotify and Pandora, but impressive for a service only four weeks old.
Apple Music users are still in the middle of a three-month free trial period though, and numbers could potentially fall off rapidly once a paywall takes effect in October. By that point, Apple may have expanded the service's reach beyond iTunes and iOS to Android and the Apple TV, as promised.
Though rumors and even parts leaks once appeared to back the concept, Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri noted that evidence of a low-cost iPhone 6c has largely vanished. The product might have been similar in size and concept to the iPhone 5c, but with an aluminum body.
Arcuri speculated that Apple may have scrapped the idea to avoid harming sales of a discounted iPhone 6.
A Thursday report indicated that the fourth-generation Apple TV -- originally anticipated in June -- will finally make its debut in September. The device should have an A8 processor, more storage, and Siri support, as well as its very own app store.
The set-top should also be thinner than its predecessor, and come with a new remote with touchpad controls. Accordingly its operating system will be redesigned. One missing element though may be Apple's rumored streaming TV service, which could still arrive by the end of the year but is now forecast for 2016.
Apple Watch coming to Best Buy on Aug. 7
On Sunday, Best Buy announced that it would begin selling the Watch on Aug. 7, both online and at select outlets -- gradually expanding retail reach as the holidays approach. To date, the wearable has only been available through Apple's own online and retail outlets, as well as a handful of third-party luxury boutiques.Canadians will also be able to buy the Watch from Best Buy, but only a week later. Neither Canadian nor American shoppers will be able to get a $10,000-plus Edition model from the retailer.
Apple Music subscribers up to 10 million
While Apple has yet to release any hard statistics, one rumor claimed that Apple Music is already up to 10 million subscribers. That would be a fraction of the numbers reported by rivals like Spotify and Pandora, but impressive for a service only four weeks old.
Apple Music users are still in the middle of a three-month free trial period though, and numbers could potentially fall off rapidly once a paywall takes effect in October. By that point, Apple may have expanded the service's reach beyond iTunes and iOS to Android and the Apple TV, as promised.
No 'iPhone 6c' due this fall
Though rumors and even parts leaks once appeared to back the concept, Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri noted that evidence of a low-cost iPhone 6c has largely vanished. The product might have been similar in size and concept to the iPhone 5c, but with an aluminum body.
Arcuri speculated that Apple may have scrapped the idea to avoid harming sales of a discounted iPhone 6.
Apple TV's rebirth on track for September
A Thursday report indicated that the fourth-generation Apple TV -- originally anticipated in June -- will finally make its debut in September. The device should have an A8 processor, more storage, and Siri support, as well as its very own app store.
The set-top should also be thinner than its predecessor, and come with a new remote with touchpad controls. Accordingly its operating system will be redesigned. One missing element though may be Apple's rumored streaming TV service, which could still arrive by the end of the year but is now forecast for 2016.
Comments
Apple Music and the Music app are a terrible turn for the worse.
I'm hoping the new ATV will eliminate performance flaws in the current one, most notably,
inability to maintain personalized photo streams while playing music or at rest...it's
annoying to look up and see that it's reverted to a generic National Geographic stream instead...
Also, navigation and list access could be smarter.
commercialization of your music collection? what on earth does that mean? did you not engage in commercial business when compiling your collection?
and are you being forced to use Apple Music? I'm so confused.
It means the way the new app reduces usability of the music I've collected and highlights subscription services. Try turning off the service and see what happens to all the music on your phone. I really wish we could choose between an iPod app and the Music app. The currently provided version is awful!
Dumb is now having to use Siri to play by genre, but easily having a radio station that I never wanted. Knowing what band memebers are Tweeting is fine - but that's what Twitter is for. Apple Music - not my music. If you are happy with it, fine - millions are. Too bad you can't to allow other people to live their lives the way they want to, and then resort to calling names.
Amirite?
In the Music app, you have the "recently added" row at the top.
Just below that is the header "Artists".
THIS IS A MENU that allows you to view artists, albums, songs, music videos, GENRES, composers, or compilations, and show/hide iTunes purchases.
Previous music app - edit the selection row with my own choices. Press genres, choose which one, then press shuffle to play all of them.
Current music app - no editing the row but populated with playlists (which I don't use and never have), radio and connect (ditto). Press on the pull down as you suggest, then choose the genre I want. Then.... choose from an artist from within that genre.
To play a genre, I have to Siri 'Play [genre]' which, as you may imagine, is an undesirable way to interact with any system in public. What's worse, perhaps due to the minimal RAM, if I leave the Music App, it doesn't return to the genre, but to the infathomably commercialised-focussed load screen.
Therefore, less functionality.
Not at all forced. I can simply go back to using my 3rd Gen Classic. But why would I want to do that, apart from the geek-cred?
I'd rather simply have my music accessible as it was without a constant indicator taking up space and functionality highlighting Apple's venture into commercialised streaming, yes?