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Since Apple quietly got all the hardware announcements like iPads and iMacs out of the way earlier this month, the Cupertino gawds are ready to focus on their services. With new features created to make your everyday lives just a bit easier and more enjoyable, here are the biggest announcements that Apple unveiled at its March 2019 event.
Apple News Plus
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After taking subtle digs at Twitter and Facebook for their algorithmic news offerings and not focusing on quality over quantity, Tim Cook announces that Apple News Plus will now hold over 300 magazines. With expert curation, you’ll see the news that fits you along with any magazine articles you’re looking to get into. With hundreds of magazines, and top publications LA Times and Wall Street Journal, it’d normally cost you $8,000 for all those monthly subscriptions. But for Apple Pay, there’s only a $9.99 monthly fee.
Apple Pay
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Apple’s built-in pay system has made buying anything at your local stores a breeze and making online purchases even simpler. Now, things are being even simplified even more with the introduction of the Apple Card, which is supposed to help you lead a healthier financial life. For one, there are no longer weird and confusing names and terminal numbers on your bill because every place you buy things from is clearly spelled out and can even be shown on Apple Maps. Similar to apps like Mint, there are budget-like features so you truly know where your money is going. And just in case you’re ever in a place that doesn’t accept Apple Pay, there’s a beautiful titanium card that comes along with it.
Apple Arcade
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The next market Apple plans to take over is gaming. Apple Arcade will be home to over 100 video games that will be playable on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. If you pay the monthly fee, there will be no ads or additional purchases. The service will become available this fall in over 150 countries, with the prices to be announced at a later date.
Apple TV
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It’s showtime. While Apple’s other announcements were relative surprises, we all had an inkling that this was coming. And by this, we mean Apple TV Plus. It will house original content and shows from Amazon, Hulu, HBO, Starz, and Showtime. Unlike archaic cable, Apple wants you to only pay for the channels you actually watch. Perhaps the most head-scratching is that Roku and Fire TV have signed on to host the service as well. Apple is also planning on getting into the original content game and to show just how serious they are, they got J.J. Abrams, M. Night Shyamalan and even Steven Spielberg. Big names like Alfre Woodard, Jason Momoa, Steve Carell, and Reese Witherspoon. While Apple’s new foray into adding to the culture is all-encompassing of its original mission to just offer products, it’s impact is still far off.
