10 things you need to know about Apple TV+
Right on schedule, Apple launched its TV streaming service — Apple TV+ – on the 1st of November. And yes, it is available in 100 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Jordan.
So, if you’re excited or wondering what the fuss is all about and whether you should try Apple TV+, following are the most important things you need to know to make an informed decision:
Apple TV is available for $4.99 in the 100 countries it has launched in, although exact pricing may vary depending on the region.
It is offering a seven-day free trial for the service. However, it is better to wait and see how the content is received before signing on.
You can get a 1-year subscription to Apple TV+ for free if you buy or have bought a new Apple iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod Touch since 10 September 2019.
In a limited time offer, students with subscription to Apple Music also get a free subscription to Apple TV+ that is valid till the time they have the subscription and until they graduate.
Apple has reportedly spent billions on its original content, signing on celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey.
Original shows currently airing include: “The Morning Show,” “See,” “Dickinson,” “For All Mankind,” “Oprah’s Book Club,” as well as a movie named “Hala”. Shows for children include “Helpsters,” “Ghostwriter” and “Snoopy in Space.” Check out the full list of content here.
At the moment, not all episodes of the series are available. Moreover, additional movies, documentaries and shows are expected to be added at a later date.
Unlike Netflix, Apple will not be releasing full seasons at once, which means binge watching may not be an option until all episodes have been added. Another reason to wait before subscribing to Apple’s service.
Apple wrote in its statement: “Customers with AirPlay 2-enabled Samsung, LG and VIZIO smart TVs must update to iOS 12.3 or later or macOS Catalina to play Apple TV+ originals from the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac directly to their smart TVs. Customers with eligible Sony smart TVs will be able to enjoy AirPlay 2 support later this year.”
You can watch Apple TV+ from Apple TV app on your Apple devices as well as on https://tv.apple.com/ae
Apple TV+ is entering a crowded market, but its launch hasn’t been as big and strong as expected. The run up to the launch did not see strong promotions of its content either, and while reviews are yet to kick in, it does not seem as promising as Disney’s launch on 12 November, with big-label content from Marvel and Star Wars.
Nevertheless, the launch of the platform in 100 countries may have a significantly larger impact compared to the limited launch of Disney+. For the moment, Apple TV+ is yet to show its strength in the video-streaming sector.
Netflix currently has 151 million subscribers worldwide, while Apple has 1.4 billion active devices, out of which 900 million are iPhone users. If Apple’s content picks off, it has the potential to give Netflix and others some serious competition.
