Apple March Event

Shn99

Apple has sent out invites for the event which will be held on March 25th at the Steve Jobs Theatre with the phrase “It’s show time” which hints at the streaming service.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/techcrunch.com/2019/03/11/apple-sends-out-invites-for-march-25-special-event/amp/

Doodah7

Streaming service.. ugh!! Going by Apple’s previous actions, this will be a load of hoopla and the service will only be available in the USA.

Sad Professor

Doodah7 wrote: »

Streaming service.. ugh!! Going by Apple’s previous actions, this will be a load of hoopla and the service will only be available in the USA.

It's different with services like Apple News, Siri, etc which were basically half-baked betas with region specific versions that had to be developed. Apple Music launched in over a 100 countries simultaneously. I imagine their streaming video service will be much the same.

Doodah7

Sad Professor wrote: »

It's different with services like Apple News, Siri, etc which were basically half-baked betas with region specific versions that had to be developed. Apple Music launched in over a 100 countries simultaneously. I imagine their streaming video service will be much the same.

Indeed, but there is also talk of bundling a number of Apple services together, some of which are not widely available already which may complicate matters and hinder a widespread rollout.

eeloe

Music services are much easier to manage and sell than video services.

Spotify isn't geolocked, netflix is....dose.

Dades

The question I'm asking is... does anyone need another streaming service?

I guess they're trying to follow the money now that other sources are drying up.

What are they going to offer to lure people away from Netflix or Prime?

Sad Professor

Dades wrote: »

The question I'm asking is... does anyone need another streaming service?

I guess they're trying to follow the money now that other sources are drying up.

What are they going to offer to lure people away from Netflix or Prime?

Exclusives. They have a lot of money to throw at filmmakers. In which case they don't necessarily have to lure people away from Netflix. Just convince them that their tv shows are worth a monthly subscription too.

Dades

How much content can someone consume?!

I'm reminded of what's going on with Sports Subscription channels. Originally Sky held all the cards... football, tennis, golf, rugby ... but slowly the content is being divvied out among BT, Eir, Virgin Media etc.

A lot of people have given up their multiple sports subs and just go to the pub.

eeloe

Dades wrote: »

How much content can someone consume?!

I'm reminded of what's going on with Sports Subscription channels. Originally Sky held all the cards... football, tennis, golf, rugby ... but slowly the content is being divvied out among BT, Eir, Virgin Media etc.

A lot of people have given up their multiple sports subs and just go to the pub.

Pub = Kodi/IPTV

You'd wanna be a millionaire to be able to afford the top sky package if you're anyway in to sports.

godtabh

Aren't there new apple screens coming out also?

Dades

Mr.S wrote: »

It's getting very annoying indeed if you like the original content shows for each platform. Don't even get me started on the shows that are still on cable tv like Game of Thrones!

Now TV frequently have good offers for stuff on Sky. I see you can watch GOT on one of their entertainment packages for 15 quid a month. I use them for Sky Sports for 19 a month, and with no contract can just walk away in May when the footy season finishes.

Winter is Coming!

Eire Go Brach

Another streaming service. Netflix slowed down torrenting. It on the rise again because of the amount of streaming services now.

Apple stream needs to be on every device. I can get Spotify, Netflix and Amazon prime on all my devices. Even sky now supports most of the main devices. It’s only 720p though.
Hopefully they don’t limit it IOS devices.

eeloe

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

Another streaming service. Netflix slowed down torrenting. It on the rise again because of the amount of streaming services now.

Apple stream needs to be on every device. I can get Spotify, Netflix and Amazon prime on all my devices. Even sky now supports most of the main devices. It’s only 720p though.
Hopefully they don’t limit it IOS devices.

What Apple service do you know, that's accessible on non iOS/OSX devices?

iMessage, Facetime......

Of course it's going to be iOS/OSX exclusive, they need something to help boost the sales of their own devices, not boost the sales of others.

Sad Professor

Apple Music isn't limited to Macs and iOS devices. In fact, it just launched on Amazon's FireTV and was always available on Android and Windows. iTunes was never limited to Apple products either. So I'm sure their video service won't be.

Apple differentiates between what it sees as proper paid services (Apple Music, iTunes etc) and services that are just features for their devices (iCloud, iMessage, etc). They won't turn down subscriptions from non-Apple users.

Creamy Goodness

They also announced iTunes movie content and airplay is coming to new Samsung/LG/Sony etc TVs. One can only assume a streaming app will come too when it’s actually announced.

The only thing that’s certain with this event is it’s gonna cause a lot of whiners online (more than usual)

Dades

Yeah, I very much doubt Apple are going to limit their streaming service to try and boost flagging iPad/iPhone sales.

They see this as a replacement money spinner in a time where we'll be waiting a long while waiting for real innovation.

Oafley Jones

Dades wrote: »

Yeah, I very much doubt Apple are going to limit their streaming service to try and boost flagging iPad/iPhone sales.

They see this as a replacement money spinner in a time where we'll be a long while waiting for real innovation.

Recurring revenue from services are the future and Apple knows this. They've been signalling this quite clearly. Roaring it with the tv announcements. The question is will they bother and persist with the likes of the physical Apple TV. They never realised it's potential as a gaming device, so what else does it really offer that people will pay for. Looking at photos?

eeloe

eeloe wrote: »

What Apple service do you know, that's accessible on non iOS/OSX devices?

iMessage, Facetime......

Of course it's going to be iOS/OSX exclusive, they need something to help boost the sales of their own devices, not boost the sales of others.

It appears to have really been under the radar but it was announced in Jan that Apple and Samsung have teamed up and some apple tv capabilities will be available on Samsung tvs going forward (I think even as a software update on some current tvs). airplay2 and access to itunes store for movies etc will be possible natively on the tv.

bop1977

I see the Apple store app is down. New toys so they can focus on software for the event?

DubDJ

bop1977 wrote: »

I see the Apple store app is down. New toys so they can focus on software for the event?

Yeah that’s been the rumour that today they’ll release some minor hardware updates. New iPods, iPads and maybe even the AirPods and AirPower updates from 2017.

bop1977

Apple store back up. New iPad Air and iPad mini.

DubDJ

https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/18/apple-announces-new-10-5-inch-ipad-air-and-ipad-mini-with-apple-pencil-support/

DubDJ

There’s really not much value in either of those two new iPads. The 9.7” is a saving of over €200 and you aren’t loosing out on a whole lot. The mini is basically a processor bump and also more expensive than the 9.7”.

Shn99

Jaysus their line-up just gets more confusing...

Johnmb

Shn99 wrote: »

Jaysus their line-up just gets more confusing...

Yeah, I think they need to channel their inner Steve Jobs, and start looking to simplify the lineups somewhat. That was one of the first things he did when he returned, and for good reason. It is starting to get confusing for the average consumer to know what the differences are between products in a number of the current product lines...

Sad Professor

Cook can't bring himself to kill a high-margin product that is still selling, nor apparently give it a proper, reasonably priced update, even if nobody at Apple can remember what the point of the product is anymore.

The iPod Touch "7th Generation". Maybe Cook's feelings might be hurt like when Steve killed the Apple Newton. Steve rode it out though.

hetuzozaho

Shame keeping lightning port and old pencil. A mess of a lineup imo.

Wolverine359

I only got the Apple Pencil last year with the new iPad in May, so I for one am glad it’s compatible with the new mini. This new version will provide a much-needed spec boost for current minis without affecting the RRP. I’m in the market for a new mini, as the mini size is very appealing to me as an ultra-compact iPad option, that isn’t an overly-expensive oversized iPhone.

Glad to see an update to the iPad mini, I have one of the original ones and it’s really slowed down now (and can’t get updates) but I think it’s the perfect size for a portable tablet too so one of the new ones will definitely be considered.

Dades

So what news on a new iPod touch?

I'll be picking one up for my sons birthday next month and am waiting to see what they might have.

Will probably just go with the 6th gen unless there's a compelling reason and price for any new one.
Given Apple's habit of creeping prices in recent years I'm not hopeful.

awec

iPad lineup is bizarre. iPad + iPad Air makes no sense.

bop1977

It’s the same as iPad/MacBook, iPad/MacBook air and iPad/MacBook Pro.

Creamy Goodness

It makes sense. Cobble together parts from 3 year old iPads, whack the latest processor in there and sell for $$$. It’s the Tim Apple way.

Funny thing is... they’re still way ahead of any competition.

Sad Professor

I think the iPad line-up is improvement on what it was. At least there's something resembling a higher-tier (Pro), mid-tier (Air), lower-tier (iPad) strategy now. The Mini is the odd one out, but I guess it's basically just a smaller Air. It's still not clear to a potential customer which model they should go for, especially when you start considering screen sizes.

Bizarrely the new iPad Air/Mini is not compatible with the Pencil 2, only the Pencil 1, which is very confusing.

FourFourRED

New iMac’s as well:

https://www.apple.com/ie/newsroom/2019/03/imac-gets-a-2x-performance-boost/

Creamy Goodness

Sad Professor wrote: »

I think the iPad line-up is improvement on what it was. At least there's something resembling a higher-tier (Pro), mid-tier (Air), lower-tier (iPad) strategy now. The Mini is the odd one out, but I guess it's basically just a smaller Air. It's still not clear to a potential customer which model they should go for, especially when you start considering screen sizes.

Bizarrely the new iPad Air/Mini is not compatible with the Pencil 2, only the Pencil 1, which is very confusing.

The mini has a market in Aviation. iPad is the only tablet that's certified to be used inside cockpits in the US, and the size is perfect in such a limited space.

I was being a little facetious with my last post. The choice is better now but I would have liked it to be in a slightly new chasis, that design is a little long in the tooth now.

baby and crumble

Just had a quick look, there's nothing in the new Air that would make me splash out and 'upgrade' from my current iPad. All I wanted was a non Pro with Apple Pencil support for college. I don't do enough on it to warrant a faster processor etc. Even any screen or true-tone display update won't make a bit of difference because I keep a matte finish screen protector on because it helps with the feel of writing notes etc with the Pencil. Not ideal for media consumption but that's ok.

I can see the new mini as an option for small business - a lot of places now have done away with traditional card readers etc and use an ipad POS terminal. Most of those are sized for the mini, anything else is overkill. Plus with Pencil support it adds digital signature capabilities which is very useful.

Harcrid

Cant see any pricing on the Apple Ireland site. Any ideas yet what the Air and Mini will retail at here?

Up now I see.

bop1977

The iMac got a speed bump today.

https://www.apple.com/ie/imac/

Agent Coulson

Are they going to release something new everyday till the 25th now.

Shn99

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Are they going to release something new everyday till the 25th now.

No, according to rumors earlier this month the IPad update was due out Monday, IMac bump today and apparently iPod update tomorrow. First 2 are correct so far

eeloe

Airpods have been updated, and it was a silent release.

Which is a bit of a shock, they won't have a hell of a lot to release next Monday!

Agent Coulson

I wonder will the Airpower Pad get a release in the next few days then since the new Pods case is wireless charging one.

DelBoy Trotter

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I wonder will the Airpower Pad get a release in the next few days then since the new Pods case is wireless charging one.

I was thinking the same thing

brophs

Ordered the AirPods with the wireless case. I'd been wondering if I'd ever get to spend those bloody gift cards...

eeloe

I'm having the typical apple "i want it now" with the new airpods.

But to be honest, the only thing that's new for me, is the wireless hey siri...and to be honest, i NEVER use Siri.

awec

Meh.

DubDJ

This was always the expected update in fairness. The wireless was announced over 18 months ago (I think) and the hey Siri was the only other big addition to the updated pair.

There was another rumoured pair, supposedly much bigger update with better sound and updated design. That’s still rumoured as a possible late 2019 release.

Circuital

https://www.recode.net/2019/3/21/18275747/apple-tv-launch-plans-event-hbo-showtime-starz-netflix-news-magazine-goldman-amazon

Instead, Apple’s main focus — at least for now — will be helping other people sell streaming video subscriptions and taking a cut of the transaction. Apple may also sell its own shows, at least as part of a bundle of other services. But for now, Apple’s original shows and movies should be considered very expensive giveaways, not the core product.

So if the above is true, this sounds like it'll be US only for now. Unless they've come to an agreement with a number of networks outside of the US which I doubt at this stage.

But then:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/20/18254720/apple-streaming-video-service-greenlit-development-list-tv-film

eeloe

So the announcement is in a little over 2.5 hours.

What are we expecting/hoping for?

I'm guessing it's gonna be AirPower, iPhone SE 2, US only Streaming service......

either way, i'm excited.