Apple has released a new Apple TV+ app in the Google Play Store, bringing its award-winning streaming video on demand service to a massive new cohort of users.
Apple’s more recent financial results noted that the services business has grown significantly year on year, from about USD$23B to over USD$26B. Apple will, no doubt, be hoping it will get another boost with the streaming platform now available to a broader group of potential customers.
Apple says:
The Apple TV app on Android includes key features like Continue Watching to pick up where a user left off across all their devices, and Watchlist to keep track of everything they want to watch in the future. The app streams seamlessly over Wi-Fi or a cellular connection, and includes the ability to download to watch offline.
Over the last few years, Apple has worked with many TV manufacturers to offer Apple TV+ as a streaming app negating the need to purchase an Apple TV, connect a device via HDMI or to cast content using one of the many different software-based tools TV makers now offer.
As well as many TV series and movies, Apple is moving into sports broadcasting having acquired the rights to Major League Soccer in the United States as well as Friday Night Baseball. While movies and TV shows are important, access to live sport is critical for streaming success.
Amazon now has the rights to International Cricket Council tournaments. Optus has a number of major soccer leagues around the world and other services are snapping up whatever they can get their hands on. And Disney also announced that it will be bringing its ESPN sports network to Disney+, potentially diminishing the value of Kayo in Australia.
While getting subscribers to switch allegiance is important for increasing their customer base, Apple’s move opens it to a group of customers that it would otherwise not reach.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.