During its annual conference for developers who build apps for Apple products, Apple introduced no new products but offered a series of new services and software updates. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of Apple Music. A list of what was announced follows.
Apple Music
Apple remains the largest global music retailer through its iTunes download service. However, new streaming services like Spotify and Pandora are attracting more and more customers. Apple Music will launch on June 30 and it will be available across all Apple products and most notably on Android smartphones.
The late Steve Jobs is famously quoted as saying that ‘people do not want to hire their music’ and the company has to date followed this mantra. The announcement is effectively admitting that the future of music lies in streaming services and joining the fray.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay will debut in the UK next month. The payment services market is growing at a very fast pace as consumers maintain a steady shift from paper money to digital payments.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is the company’s first new product category in five years. During the event the company announced that it will shortly update the device’s software shortly. It is also introducing tools that will make it easier to develop new applications for the Watch. Various complaints on the Apple watch to-date centered on the clumsiness of the operating system and its response time.
iOS
The next update on iOS is probably the most important announcement at the event. iOS is the operating systems that makes most Apple products work. The next iteration will include a new personal assistant that will compete with Google’s Now.
Another important feature will be the possibility of multitasking on iPads, which will let users use two apps side by side. This feature combined with a revised keyboard point towards the introduction on a larger iPad model sometime this year.
El Capitan
The Mac line is also getting an operating system upgrade. This is being called El Capitan. El Capitan consists of minor visual enhancements that will make it easier to create graphics.
News
News is an app that is designed to provide easy to access articles from various news outlets including ESPN, the New Your Times and Bloomberg. The app supposedly resembles other offerings like Flipboard and News Republic.
Swift
Apple is enhancing Swift, the programming language that makes it easier for developers to build applications for iOS and OS X. Most importantly Apple is making Swift open source later this year, making it easier for developers.
Disclaimer:
This article was issued by Antoine Briffa, Investment Manager at Calamatta Cuschieri. For more information visit, www.cc.com.mt. The information, view and opinions provided in this article is being provided solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be construed as investment advice, advice concerning particular investments or investment decisions, or tax or legal advice. Calamatta Cuschieri & Co. Ltd has not verified and consequently neither warrants the accuracy nor the veracity of any information, views or opinions appearing on this website.