At the “It’s Show Time” media event held earlier today at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino, Apple took the wraps off the highly anticipated Apple News+ subscription service, which will allow users to gain access to over 300 magazines inside Apple News for a single monthly fee of $9.99. Unlike the other services announced by the company at the event, Apple News+ is available now in the United States and Canada as part of the iOS 12.2 and macOS 10.14.4 software updates.
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Apple Announces Apple News+ Service for Magazines: Our Overview and First Impressions
Apple’s March 25 Keynote: By the Numbers
Every time Apple holds a keynote event, a host of interesting numbers are shared related to the products announced. Although today’s event at the Steve Jobs Theater was unique in many ways, with no hardware announced and a focus entirely on new services, there were still plenty of metrics announced, which we’ve rounded up below.
Apple TV+, Channels, and the Redesigned TV App: Our Complete Overview
Today during Apple’s “It’s Show Time” event, the company took the wraps off its long-brewing new efforts in the realm of TV. There was a sneak peek at Apple’s own video streaming service launching this fall, Apple TV+, as well as a newly redesigned TV app that’s coming in May, and a new component being added to that app alongside the redesign: Channels.
Apple Releases iOS 12.2 with Apple News+, AirPlay 2 TV Controls, New Animoji, and More
Today following its event at the Steve Jobs Theater, Apple released the latest major update for iPhones and iPads: iOS 12.2. This version of iOS launches Apple’s just-debuted subscription service for News, includes support for enhanced AirPlay 2 controls on compatible TV devices, plus it brings four new Animoji, and more.
Apple Revamps Browse Tab in Apple Music to Surface More Content
Today Apple has rolled out an update to the Browse tab in Apple Music, which all users should see soon. The new Browse tab surfaces a lot more content up front without requiring tapping through other menus first; it does, however, retain the same basic design language and feel as before.
Google Announces Stadia, a Video Game Streaming Service Designed to Change the Way Games Are Enjoyed
Google wants to change the gaming landscape, and it’s not hard to understand why. After all, the game industry rivals Hollywood in size by some measures.
At a packed keynote event at the Game Developers Conference this week, Google unveiled Stadia, a new game streaming service coming later this year that seeks to put an end to expensive consumer hardware, large game downloads, patches, and other frustrations that accompany consoles by moving to a cloud-based system. The company also thinks it can enhance the gaming experience by bringing gamers and YouTubers closer together. The goals are ambitious and streaming feels like the future of gaming, but Google’s presentation left as many questions unanswered as answered.
Apple Introduces New Lineup of Watch Band and iPhone Case Colors
Alongside the release of the new AirPods, Apple has released a new lineup of spring Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases that span several different band models and case types.
For the Watch, Apple has introduced new versions of its Sport Band, Sport Loop, and Leather band. There are also new versions of the Nike Sport Band, Nike Sport Loop, and Hermès Leather bands.
Apple Announces New AirPods with ‘Hey Siri’ Support, New H1 Chip, Wireless Charging Case Option
In a surprise announcement following a string of daily releases this week, Apple today announced a major update to AirPods, the company’s wireless earbuds. As widely speculated over the past several months, the new generation AirPods come with support for hands-free ‘Hey Siri’ activation, feature improved performance over the original AirPods (which launched in late 2016), and support wireless charging (using the Qi standard) via an optional case.
Instagram Announces In-App Checkout Feature
Instagram has announced a new in-app checkout feature that will allow consumers to purchase items from brands they follow from within the app.
In a press release, Instagram explains that when you tap on a product from a participating brand, you’ll see a new ‘Checkout on Instagram’ button that displays options like colors and size when tapped. After any necessary selections are made, the app advances to a payment view where you enter billing and shipping information.
You’ll only need to enter billing and shipping information once. Instagram says it will store that information securely to make future checkouts faster. The new feature also tracks the progress of shipments from within the app itself providing alerts about status changes.
The advantage to Instagram and retailers is obvious. It will be easier for brands to make a sale if users don’t have to leave the Instagram app, which, of course, is in Instagram’s interest too. Currently, Instagram lists 23 brand-partners including companies like Nike, Prada, Zara, Michael Kors, H&M, Adidas, Burberry, Dior, and Warby Parker.
Instagram says the checkout feature is currently in closed beta and limited to the US Instagram users. The company hasn’t provided a launch date or indicated when it might be available in more countries.