| Profiles for Apple TV: Auto-play previews aside, I’m looking forward to tvOS 13 for multi-user support, which will allow each user to have their own recommendations in Apple’s TV guide app and their own listening preferences in Apple Music. Other apps will be able to support the feature as well, so you could imagine Hulu or Netflix defaulting to different profiles depending on who’s signed in at the system level.
I’ve become increasingly impressed with Apple TV lately. While the hardware remains much more expensive than comparable streaming players (at $180 for the Apple TV 4K), the software has steadily outgrown the capabilities of other platforms. The TV app, which lets you browse and follow shows across disparate streaming services, works better than anything I’ve seen from Fire TV and Roku players, especially now that it ties into several live TV streaming services, and a recent software update made it even easier to navigate. Its apps are often of a higher quality than other platforms as well (see: quad-channel viewing in PlayStation Vue), and you can even launch videos with voice commands from an iPhone or iPad now. Multi-user support is just another nice touch that other streaming platforms are lacking.
The end of iTunes (on Mac): In another announcement out of Apple’s WWDC event this week, the company plans to dismantle the Mac version of iTunes this fall, replacing it with three separate apps for Music, Podcasts, and TV.
The Mac’s TV app will be similar to the Apple TV version, providing access to iTunes video purchases and Apple TV Channels subscriptions. It could make something like the Mac Mini a bit more interesting as a cord-cutting option for power users, though it’s unclear how the new approach will handle video files they’ve imported into iTunes, such as those from ripped DVDs. You may need alternative software such as Kodi or Plex for that.
AT&T’s streaming price possibilities: On Sunday, the New York Times reported that AT&T was facing a dilemma over the price of its forthcoming streaming service, which will include content from HBO and other WarnerMedia properties. While AT&T doesn’t want to price itself out of an increasingly competitive market, HBO’s current $15 per month price precludes AT&T from charging less for the new service–that is, unless it agrees to reduce HBO prices for all its distributors (including cable providers).
It sounds like AT&T isn’t willing to make that leap, as the Wall Street Journal now reports that the new service will cost $16 or $17 per month. While I can’t imagine this will end well for AT&T, taking a big risk on an unproven new streaming service is hard when you’re loaded with debt from acquisitions.
On a related note, AT&T has told analysts that it will not offer three price tiers for its streaming service as originally planned, though it may offer an ad-supported tier for less than the price that the Journal is reporting.
Transferring YouTube TV from iTunes: Quick correction on some news I posted last week about YouTube TV costing an extra $5 per month when you sign up directly through the app on iOS: Contrary to what I wrote, your recordings and viewing preferences will remain available when you cancel through iTunes billing and sign up again with the same Google account directly through YouTube. There’s really no reason not to make the switch at this point. Thanks to those of you who emailed me to point this out! |
