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You are here: MacNN Forums > News > Mac News > Cook: new Apple TV Oct. 26, Apple Music boasts 6.5M paid users

Cook: new Apple TV Oct. 26, Apple Music boasts 6.5M paid users
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NewsPoster
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Oct 20, 2015, 04:39 AM
 
In an interview on stage the Wall Street Journal's WSJD Live conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple Music currently has 6.5 million paid subscribers, with another 8.5 million currently enjoying their three-month free trial. He also noted that the new-generation Apple TV would go on sale on Monday, October 26, with shipments beginning this Friday. While interviewer and WSJ Editor Gerard Baker was unable to get any information on future projects out of Cook, they did cover a number of other topics.

Cook noted, for example, that the company's new iPhone Upgrade Program is aimed at people who prioritize the ability to always have the latest model of iPhone, and that it is not intended to work quite like typical "installment plan" offerings of the carriers. While clearly a part of Cook's plan to sell more iPhones from the Apple Store, since the option still requires signing up with a carrier, it should not be thought of as competing with them. Apart from the yearly free upgrade, Apple's plan also includes AppleCare+ as part of the monthly payment -- and is subsequently a bit more expensive than options without the extended warranty from carriers.



Regarding Apple Music and the millions using it, Cook said the service was going "really well" and that "lots of people are liking it." He promoted the human-curation features and custom recommendations fine-tuned to each user as options its rivals do not offer. He also reiterated the company's overall stance on user privacy, saying that "encryption is a must in today's world," and adding that Apple will not capitulate to demands from the US government and foreign regimes to create a "back door" for secret access. Cook has often made the point that if a back door is known to exist, attackers will stop at nothing to figure it out -- making what was intended as a help to law enforcement into an easily-abused breach that would be exploited by others.

Cook was also asked about Apple Watch sales and about rumors of either an Apple Car or other advanced automotive programs. The CEO would not budge but politely dodged any questions about either, but did note that other technologies already in play from other companies, from all-electric vehicles to self-driving cars will eventually bring "massive change" to the industry. All he would say about Apple's role in the industry was that "what we really want in hopefully the short term is, we'd like people as they enter their car to have an iPhone experience in their car."

The Apple CEO also reiterated his vision for the company, noting that his predecessor and friend Steve Jobs had formed the company to change the world, to "democratize" technology. "He wanted to take it out of the glass house, the corporations, the rich people that had the technology. [...] That is still our drive." For Cook, an expansion of this mission has been to "leave the world better than we found it," which includes areas such as environmental initiatives, improving the education system, and diversifying Apple's workforce.

On the Apple TV, Cook went over his view that consumers are done with what he called "linear TV," meaning cable and broadcast television, and instead prefer to consume TV shows through a streaming system, interactive experiences, and a setup that is multi-device friendly and controlled directly by the consumer. Apps or "channels" that offer content on-demand, he said, "are the foundation of the future of TV." The new Apple TV includes either 32GB or 64GB of storage, and will sell for $149 or $199 respectively.



In a separate announcement, Cook revealed that he had joined an organization called the CEO Council for Sustainable Urbanization, which was co-founded by the Paulson Institute and the China Center for International Economic Exchange. The council is made up of 17 corporate leaders from China and the US with a shared goal of bringing more "clean" technologies to pollution-ridden China in an effort to help the country meet its newly-agreed-to climate goals. Apple has recently purchased land in the country for solar farms, and is helping its manufacturing partners such as Foxconn make the transition to renewable resources.

"Apple is committed to running our global operations on 100 percent renewable energy, and we're working hard to reduce emissions throughout our global supply chain," Cook said in prepared statement. "We look forward to participating in the CEO Council's effort to advance China's green transformation and hope to do our part in helping China reach its climate goals." Other members of the council include Apple partner Virginia Rometty of IBM and Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma Yun.

Cook noted that he was going to fly to Beijing after the WSJD interview. Apple is currently on track to have 40 Apple Stores open in China by the end of the year. The region is Apple's fastest-growing customer, and second-highest source of revenue behind the Americas. The CEO Council will meet in Beijing on Thursday.
( Last edited by NewsPoster; Oct 20, 2015 at 11:37 AM. )
     
pottymouth
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Oct 20, 2015, 09:28 AM
 
Eh? Was there some way to preorder?

I didn't see the actual video/quote, but others are reporting that he said ordering begins Monday for shipping later in the week.
( Last edited by pottymouth; Oct 20, 2015 at 09:39 AM. )
     
Charles Martin
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Oct 20, 2015, 11:38 AM
 
Fixed, thanks.
Charles Martin
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Oct 20, 2015, 04:47 PM
 
Doesn't look like it's fixed. Still says "He also noted that the new-generation Apple TV would go on sale on Monday, October 26, with shipments beginning this Friday." This implies shipments start before going on sale. Confused me, too.
     
Charles Martin
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Oct 20, 2015, 07:10 PM
 
I'll review the audio to see if I misinterpreted Cook's comment, or if he misspoke. I appreciate you guys picking up on this.
Charles Martin
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