Apple just revealed its TV streaming service, credit card, and gaming platform

Apple has announced a multitude of new services during its star-studded special event today in Cupertino, CA, hosted by CEO Tim Cook. Alongside celebrities and filmmakers, Apple employees revealed new services including the updated Apple News+ app, Apple Arcade, the Apple Card, and the much-anticipated Apple TV+, an exclusive streaming service with original content.

Using Apple News+, readers can access and organize over 300 magazines located in the News app for a flat fee of $9.99 a month. The service, which includes publications like the Los Angeles Time and The Wall Street Journal, will also be available in Canada, and will feature 30 Canadian magazines and newspapers. The updated app features live magazine covers and suggested content via machine learning technology.

“We’re committed to supporting quality journalism, and with Apple News+, we want to celebrate the great work being done by magazines and news outlets,” said Lauren Kern, editor-in-chief of apple news. “We think the breadth and quality of publications within Apple News+ will encourage more people to discover stories and titles they may never have come across before.”

Apple also announced its rumored gaming service – Apple Arcade – which will feature 100 original games exclusive to subscribers. The tech giant partnered with both well-known and smaller game developers to create its library of new games, which will not contain ads or in-app purchases. The service will become available on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV devices this fall, with pricing still to come.

One of the biggest announcements of the day was the unveiling of the Apple Card, Apple’s exclusive credit card, created in partnership with Mastercard and Goldman Sachs. Users can apply for the credit card from their iPhones, and if approved, the card will instantly be added to their Apple Wallet app. The card is available for use at any store that takes Apple Pay and will track the user’s payments for smarter spending.

For cardholders that are making purchases at a store that does not support Apple Pay, Apple has also created a titanium physical card that will have the holder’s information laser-printed onto it. As for rewards, Apple promises “Daily Cash”, which will give customers two per cent cash back on every purchase, and three per cent back on Apple transactions. All cash back earned will go to a separate Apple Cash card, which will also be located in the Wallet App.

“Apple Card builds on the tremendous success of Apple Pay and delivers new experiences only possible with the power of iPhone,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of apple pay. “Apple Card is designed to help customers lead a healthier financial life, which starts with a better understanding of their spending so they can make smarter choices with their money, transparency to help them understand how much it will cost if they want to pay overtime and ways to help them pay down their balance.”

Lastly, Apple announced the release of the new Apple TV app, Apple Channels, and Apple TV+, its exclusive subscription streaming service. Apple will be working stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan, and Jon M. Chu to create exclusive original content for Apple TV+ subscribers, creating a rival for Netflix. Projects include original shows, movies, and documentaries that will be released this fall.

“We’re honored that the absolute best lineup of storytellers in the world — both in front of and behind the camera — are coming to Apple TV+,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of internet software and services. “We’re thrilled to give viewers a sneak peek of Apple TV+ and cannot wait for them to tune in starting this fall. Apple TV+ will be home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet.”

In addition to Apple TV+, the updated Apple TV app will store and organize all video subscription services and purchased movies from providers including Hulu, HBO, Starz and more. For customers who only want to pay for the channels they regularly watch, Apple has created Apple Channels, it’s a la carte video service. Apple TV will then suggest content for each person of the family using machine learning technology.

“We’ve also been creating a growing collection of world-class services, and that’s what today is all about,” said Cook. 

Array