Apple Is Holding A Big Event Tonight And Here Is Everything We Know So Far

It is about time Apple officially announce what it is heading next and to answer some of the rumors surfacing recently about its upcoming projects. So the company sets up an event today, which people think is to make public some updates about its recent projects.

As iPhone is seeing a stall in sales, Apple needs to excel in another tech field to make up to that. An earnings report released earlier this year showed that the iPhone’s sales decreased by 15% in the last holiday season. Another source of income from the iPhone is through upgrading, but the figure for this category is only 16%.

As we brace ourselves for Apple’s latest announcement tonight, here are all we expect to be answered:

Apple’s Video Streaming Service

Apple's might feature content from its partners as well as its own

This is a long-expected piece of news from Apple, and we will surely hear from them soon enough because from what we can make out from the invitation, which bears a tagline that reads “It’s show time”, Apple’s video streaming service will probably have a spot in tonight’s event.

The project is believed to allow access to a library of Apple-made as well as other companies’ content. The company is in negotiation with Showtime, HBO, CBS, Starz, as well as other channels for their participation in the service. Netflix has made it clear that it will not be in this project. On the other hand, Hulu has not revealed anything on whether it will or will not take the proposal.

All we know so far from this project is that it will somehow operate in much the same way as Netflix and Amazon Prime, and there is no need to store and download apps for all channels you want to watch.

Apple will take advantage of its massive network of iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs to distribute this service. For now, the library will feature mainly content from the company’s partner because Apple has not yet finished producing its own original shows. So far, there has been no official announcement on the releasing date of this service. CNBC said that Apple would launch this video streaming project in April or May while Variety reported that it should be in summer or fall.

A New Store Just Like Its App Store

As the public expects for another Netflix from Apple, another report claims that the company will focus on something like its App Store but for TV. And just like what it does with apps, Apple will keep a portion of the subscription for itself.

This new store is believed to be the most crucial part of Apple’s video project, and its own in-house shows will not be the core product.

A Bundle Of Not Only TV Channels But Also News And Music

Apple may bundle its TV, music and news service into one

If the store idea turns out to be true, the iPhone maker may pack several channels together and put them on sale for a single price. For example, a bundle like this might include Showtime, Starz, and HBO, and up to 15 channels.

The Information revealed an even more ambitious plan from Apple, which is to bundle up not only TV channels but also its music and news service in one package.

Celebrity Participation

Reese Witherspoon will be in the event tonight

Apple is trying to secure a spot in entertainment, and it is reported that the company will do that by featuring top celebrities.

The list of household names who have confirmed to join with Apple in tonight’s event includes Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, J.J. Abrams, and Jennifer Garner. Variety said that Hailee Steinfeld and Jane Krakowski would show up tonight too. However, we do not know whether they are going to play any part on the stage or just merely show up as audiences.

A Sneak Peak Into Apple’s Shows

Oprah is in a multiyear contract with Apple

Apple may provide us with a sneak peek from its original shows which are still under development. One of the previews is a drama featuring Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carell.

Apple has successfully secured the presence of several noted figures to star in its original series. Oprah is one of the A-list celebrities who has agreed to work with Apple through a contract that lasts for many years. M. Night Shyamalan is believed to be in the list and is working on a thriller while Steven Spielberg cooperates with the company to bring back the Amazing Stories, a fantasy, horror, and science fiction television anthology series.

Updates About Apple’s News Service

The New York Times will not be part of Apple's news service

Apple is currently working on releasing a service that let people have access to numerous news publications through one single subscription.

This service is dubbed “a Netflix for news” as it allows subscribers to read unlimited content from Apple’s partners for an amount of fee each month. This service is expected to be revealed with the refreshed Apple News app at tonight’s event.

According to The Journal, things are not going very well for Apple as it has not yet come to an agreement with publishers on some issues relating to finance. For now, Apple wants to cut half of the subscription fee for its own while the news houses divide the other half according to engagement rate the news of each publisher receives.

The company has had a deal with The Wall Street Journal but The New York Times rejected the proposal, and neither did The Washington Post, said The New York Times itself.

New Apple Pay’s Announcement

Apple Pay is in its way

The company might feed some new updates on its Apple Pay in relation with the Wallet App at tonight’s event.

The announcement aimed at preparing the public for its credit card cooperation with Goldman Sachs, a partnership that Apple scheduled to announce this year. For its part in the deal, the company will offer its users some more benefits through its Wallet App. One of the benefits is the feature that allows users to set objectives for their spending and they can also get rewards.

David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs since 2018, will attend the event tonight. This might be a sign of an announcement on the partnership.