Apple Should Bring TV+ and Other Services to Android Devices

If Apple wants to market its hardware to more people, it should bring Apple TV+ and other services to the operating system. CarKey comes to three new models, and the company is planning a hardware subscription for the iPhone.

Last week on Power On, Apple should get back into the home wi-fi market.

The Starters

Last year, Apple added a new page to its website called "Only on Apple" to highlight its growing range of online services. That includes Apple TV+, Arcade, and Fitness+.

It's a not-so-subtle reminder that you can only get on Apple. Most people wouldn't know what services are.

I would argue that Apple has little to lose by expanding its services to Android.

I think the opposite is true, because Apple has been reluctant to take such a step. It would expose more people to the Apple brand and generate revenue for the platform with billions of users if services were put on the platform. If they like what they see, they may buy Apple hardware.

Apple Music is the only big app on the platform. Why? The short-lived predecessor to Apple Music was already on the platform. It would be hard for Apple Music to compete with Spotify Technology SA if it did not have those potential customers.

It's probably still worthwhile for Apple to be there because Apple Music isn't performing as well as other music apps. According to Sensor Tower, Apple Music is the No.42 ranked music app by downloads and has been downloaded about 81 million times to date.

Last year, Apple launched a way for customers to create links in the app so they can join calls. That is far from an actual app, but the move is still a step towards exposing fans to the Apple ecosystem.

The rest of Apple's Android apps are not that interesting, including one to operate Beats headphones, another to identify nearby AirTags, and an app to migrate data from the phone to the computer.

Here are the services I would like to see Apple launch on.

• Apple TV+: In order to compete with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max, Apple TV+ really needs to be on every platform possible. Apple knows that, and that’s why it took the rare step of launching TV+ on PlayStation, Xbox, the web, Google and Amazon streamers, and many TVs. The one missing platform: Android phones, which is the device of choice for tens of millions of video watchers. (Android users can already watch TV+ via the web, but it’s not an ideal experience.)
• Apple Books: Apple’s app for reading and buying books—including audio versions—isn’t the market leader, but it’s still an important member of the company’s services family. And there isn’t a technical reason why it couldn’t exist on Android devices, especially tablets. 
• iCloud Notes, Calendar, Mail, Reminders: Believe it or not, not every Mac user carries an iPhone in their pocket or iPad in their bag. There’s a legion of Mac owners who actually rely on Android smartphones. For those people, Apple should make it easy to sync with iCloud. That could keep those users from switching away from the Mac to a Chromebook or PC that works better with their phone or tablet.
• Podcasts: It simply makes sense for Apple Podcasts to be available on Android to complement Apple Music, the company’s other audio service. Podcasts subscriptions on Android could help create additional recurring revenue.
• News: Google already has its own news application on Android, and Apple’s is pretty good. Why not launch it on Android and gain some more subscribers?

There are a few major Apple services that are not listed here.

Apple Maps would be a waste of engineering time, as most of the customers wouldn't bother to use it. The integration of the maps into the phone is still superior.

I'm looking at you,Galaxy Fold, Apple's iMessage and FaceTime are huge deterrents to switch to a hot new phone. It would greatly expand the user base of Apple's social tools, but it could also loosen the company's hold on its $200-billion-a-year smartphone business.

Even though it might be a hit with consumers, Apple is probably wise to keep that to itself.

The Bench

Soon you will be able to subscribe to an iPhone like Apple Music. The company is planning to allow users to subscribe to hardware and pay monthly in the same fashion as iCloud, Apple Music or TV+. Users will be able to swap out their current phone annually for the new model under the plan, which will be available from the Apple online store and physical retail stores at checkout. The pricing structure won't be the same as the standard carrier or Apple plan. It will be similar to the subscription that Peloton Interactive Inc. is testing out.

For the second time in three months, Apple is paying out special one-time retention bonuses to keep key talent. The bonuses went to the engineers in Apple's virtual and augmented reality and chip engineering departments. They went to some hardware and software engineers. At a time of soaring inflation, the idea is to keep employees happy.

If you live in Arizona, you've got a leg up on other Apple fans. A new feature that was promised last year allows users to store digital copies of their ID in the wallet app. This will speed up the lines, but what about situations where you might have to give your ID to someone for a few minutes? That is not clear. I will keep a copy of my physical ID in my real wallet when I move to California.

I reported in a Janurary edition of Power On that Apple's CarKey feature lets you store your car's key. Here we are. According to an update to Apple's website, the feature is coming soon to the two brands. The bad news is here. The feature will only be available in three models: the Genesis, G90 and Kia Niro. It feels like the team behind CarKey is working on the Apple Car.

The Schedule

Apple's shot at the best picture. The Apple TV+ service has a chance to win the best picture award at the Academy Awards this year.

Post Game Q&A

Do you think Apple sees the potential in a monitor under $1,000?

When will the new iPad Pros come out? Is it a good idea to wait for the fall?

Do you want to buy a MacBook Air until the next model?

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