UPDATED 17:39 EDT / MARCH 24 2019

APPS

Here’s what to expect at Apple’s big launch event Monday

The rumor mill is in overdrive ahead of Apple Inc.’s product event Monday at the Steve Jobs Theater at its Cupertino, California headquarters.

The launch of new streaming services is a given, though hardware likely isn’t on the agenda after Apple launched new iPads and iMacs during the week. Here’s what to expect at the event, which will also be livestreamed starting at 10 a.m. PDT Monday.

Streaming video

In one of the worst-kept Apple secrets of all time, the company has been building a streaming service that could take on the likes of Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.’s Prime TV. Along with original content, Apple is expected to offer subscription bundles to third-party providers.

Confirming a previously outside chance, The Wall Street Journal claimed today that Apple will offer subscriptions to HBO for $9.99 per month, along with previously confirmed content providers Showtime and Starz, also at $9.99 each per month.

Apple is said to be negotiating to bring its TV app to smart TV sets in the future, an extension of a deal it signed with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. for iTunes in January. Having the Apple TV app on smart televisions gives the service exposure and makes it easier for people to sign up without the need for a separate device, such the Apple TV box.

News subscription service

Unlike the streaming video service, Apple has managed to keep the details of its news subscription service somewhat more secretive, though some leaks have occurred. The news service is expected to be offered for $10 per month and will include content from the Journal as well as hundreds of other magazines and publishers.

How many major mastheads are on the service is unknown at this time. A report in February noted that The Washington Post and The New York Times were reticent to join the service given Apple wanted to take a 50 percent cut of earnings.

Credit card

Another announcement at the event may be a new financial offering. Exactly what the product will be is subject to speculation, but it may involve a credit card or a credit facility with Apple Pay.

QZ reported that Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer David Solomon is attending the event, meaning that whatever the product is, it could be a joint venture between the bank and Apple.

Gaming subscription service

The dark-horse prediction for the event is a potential announcement or a teaser of Apple’s plans to launch a gaming subscription service.

Hot on the heels of Google LLC announcing Stadia, its own game streaming service, on March 19, the Apple service may focus on iPhones and iPads and bundle paid games from different developers that consumers can access for a monthly fee, Bloomberg reported.

Image: Apple

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