Not too crazy about the Apple Watch, which arrives on April 24? The wearable device isn't the only new product coming this year from the iPhone maker.
Since it first arrived in 2007, Apple TV has always been considered a "hobby" device. That is likely to change in June, when Cupertino is expected to unveil a new video streaming service.
As The Wall Street Journal first reported, the new service is expected to launch with a 25-channel TV bundle this fall, which will cost between $30 and $40 per month. The service would feature top broadcasters like ABC, CBS, and Fox. Other possibilities include popular channels like ESPN and FX. Discovery and Viacom are also in talks to be part of the new service.
A separate report later in the week indicated that NBC would also be providing an Apple TV app for the new service. Yes, an app. Apple TV 4.0 is expected to launch on a new Apple TV device that will have an App Store, more storage, and Siri.
Apple isn't the only company helping us to "cut the cord." Dish Network's Sling TV is already doing this, and across multiple devices, and this week saw the arrival of Sony Vue.
First introduced in January, Sling TV recently launched on Microsoft's Xbox One. The Microsoft gaming console joins other devices that support Sling TV, including Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, current-generation Roku players and Roku TV models, plus iOS, Mac, PC, and Android.
Sony Vue, by contrast, offers 53 channels for $50 per month. The service has already launched on PlayStation consoles in select markets, and will be coming to the iPad soon.
Are companies such as Dish Network and Sony worried about Apple's video streaming business? Not so much, according to Sling TV's Roger Lynch.
The CEO told AppAdvice that he isn't too concerned about Apple's likely entry into the video streaming market. He said it's been an open secret for a while now that Cupertino wants to be a player. He noted that it won't affect his company's business model, which is to offer quality service across multiple platforms.
"Our strategy isn't all or nothing. We view providing programming more like a puzzle; we simply want to be part of the puzzle," according to Lynch.
AppAdvice readers are mostly excited about Apple's video streaming service.
Others are concerned that the service may not go far enough.