Apple Can Do Big Things in Video, But Needs to Get Moving

There has been a lot of speculation lately that Apple will launch a video-streaming service to rival Netflix or Amazon Video. I accept no directly knowledge of this rumored service, but if yous read the tea leaves, it makes sense.

Opinions It's already jumped into news with the acquisition of Texture, a magazine subscription service that provides access to about 200 magazines for $nine.99 a month. I use it nigh daily.

Recently, Apple tree overhauled its free News app, which includes human curation as well as machine-learning and AI-based algorithms that effort to block fake news and just evangelize well researched and well-written stories that would be of interest to their customers.

I had a briefing on this News service when it relaunched and was highly impressed with the journalistic talent Apple tree has brought in to help curate this site as well every bit contribute to its content. In the by, I had not spent a lot of time in the Apple News app, but since it is now placed on the home screen of my iPhone X with the iOS 12 public beta, I find myself checking it multiple times a day to keep upward with the news.

These two apps have become vital to me since getting fact-based news and quality content is critical these days since imitation news and political bias is unavoidable on social media.

At present that Apple tree besides has Texture, it would be smart to integrate Apple tree News. These combined properties could go vehicles for more in-depth stories, documentaries, and even commentary based on more than personalized preferences.

Every bit Apple digs deeper into augmented reality, meanwhile, this could exist where it integrates AR content and visual views or even creates dedicated AR/MR magazines for Texture.

What makes this possible is that Apple tree has created a set of platforms that tin easily reside on top of its existing subscription services similar iTunes and Apple Music. While Texture has its own subscription platform today, Apple could either integrate that into its existing subscription platform or take the magazine content and add it to the subscription infrastructure it has now.

However, if it was to follow Amazon's example, there needs to be a video component. Apple tree is manner behind its competitors when it comes to video offerings, especially homegrown content, and it would demand to be more aggressive in acquiring or creating Tv shows and movies.

In our Techpinions Podcast last weekend, Ben Bajarin and Arthur Greenwald, a well-known Hollywood producer who co-produced Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and knows a great deal about creating original content, gave a proficient perspective on the challenges Apple has when it comes to attracting talent and getting quality original shows to market.

Apple's challenge volition exist dealing with content failures and Hollywood's "characters," who sometimes get into problem socially.
Apple tree is withal experimenting and does not know if it wants to be a network (like ABC) or premium channel (like HBO).
There are baseline metrics for success that indicate a prove'south return on investment. Apple tree's bar may be different but hits are few and far between in network television.
Global success is a gilt mine with content if it can exist accomplished. Apple's potential upside is the global scale of its customer base.

Given these challenges, I would not exist surprised if Apple buys several smaller video production companies that already accept hits to advance its original programming. Besides, given its tight relationship with Disney and Pixar, I could see it trying to tap into some of their skills and content (though Disney has streaming ambitions of its own.)

However it executes, Apple is in an fantabulous place to evangelize an encompassing media subscription service. With the right mix of content services, priced competitively, it could add meaning revenue.

While still mostly a rumor, odds are that Apple is moving in this management and Texture and an even more innovative News awarding could become one of the cornerstones of any subscription service it offers.

Near Tim Bajarin

Tim Bajarin

Tim Bajarin is recognized as one of the leading manufacture consultants, analysts, and futurists covering the field of personal computers and consumer technology. Mr. Bajarin has been with Creative Strategies since 1981 and has provided inquiry to most of the leading hardware and software vendors in the industry including IBM, Apple tree, Xerox, Compaq, Dell, AT&T, Microsoft, Polaroid, Lotus, Epson, Toshiba, and numerous others. Mr. Bajarin is known as a concise, futuristic analyst, credited with predicting the desktop publishing revolution iii years before it hit the market place, and identifying multimedia as a major tendency in written reports as early as 1984. He has authored major industry studies on PC, portable calculating, …