New iPhone 11 models and Apple Watch Series 5 also revealed
CUPERTINO, CA — The Apple TV+ video subscription service is set to launch November 1 at an industry low price of C$5.99 per month, the company announced Tuesday at its fall product launch event where it also revealed its new iPhone 11 models, Apple Watch Series 5 and its newest iPad with a 10.2-inch display.
At a monthly subscription price of C$5.99 (US$4.99), Apple TV+ will compete directly against higher-priced streaming services in Canada such as Netflix (C$9.99 per month for its basic subscription) and Crave (C$9.99 per month for its basic offering). In addition, when the highly anticipated Disney+ streaming service launches November 12, it’s expected to cost C$8.99 (US$6.99) per month.
At the Apple event held in Cupertino, Calif., the company said customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch or Mac can get a one-year subscription to Apple TV+ for free. In addition, Apple will offer a Family Sharing subscription that allows up to six family members to share one Apple TV+ subscription.
Apple is touting Apple TV+ as the first all-original video subscription service, and the company highlighted some of the original shows, movies and documentaries that will be available for streaming on the service when it launches.
All-new, exclusive original content includes:
- See, an epic drama starring Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard, is set 600 years in the future after a virus has decimated humankind and rendered the remaining population blind. When all humanity has lost the sense of sight, humans must adapt and find new ways to survive.
- The Morning Show, a cutthroat drama starring and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, and starring Steve Carell, explores the world of morning news and the ego, ambition and the misguided search for power behind the people who help America wake up in the morning.
- Snoopy in Space, a new original from Peanuts Worldwide and Halifax-based DHX Media, takes viewers on a journey with Snoopy as he follows his dreams to become an astronaut. Together, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew take command of the International Space Station and explore the moon and beyond.
- Oprah Winfrey joins the world’s most compelling authors in conversation as she builds a vibrant, global book club community and other projects to connect with people around the world and share meaningful ways to create positive change.
More Apple TV+ originals will be added to the service each month, including:
- Servant, a new psychological thriller from M. Night Shyamalan, follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
- Truth Be Told, a gripping new series starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Emmy Award winner Aaron Paul, explores America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and navigates urgent concerns about privacy, media and race.
- Hala, a feature film and official selection of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, follows a high school senior struggling to balance being a suburban teenager with her traditional Muslim upbringing.
Subscribers will be able to watch Apple TV+ originals both online and offline, ad-free and on demand, on the Apple TV app, which comes pre-installed on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and iPod touch and will soon be on Mac with macOS Catalina. The Apple TV app is also available on select Samsung smart TVs, and will come to Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and VIZIO platforms in the future. Customers will also be able to sign up and watch Apple TV+ originals on the web at https://tv.apple.com.
Apple also announced today a slew of new products — most notably its iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max smartphones. iPhone 11 introduces a dual-camera system, offering an intuitive camera experience with the highest quality video in a smartphone and night mode for photos, Apple said. iPhone 11 is powered by the Apple-designed A13 Bionic chip to perform the most demanding tasks, while getting through an entire day on a single charge, and is designed to withstand the elements with improved water resistance.
The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models feature the new Super Retina XDR display and the powerful A13 Bionic chip, plus a new triple-camera system that provides a pro-level camera experience with an Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto camera, delivering huge improvements to low-light photography and offering the highest quality video in a smartphone that is great for shooting action videos, Apple said.
iPhone 11 comes in six colours and will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, Sept. 13, starting at $699 USD. iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models will be available in four colours, starting at $999 USD and $1,099 USD, respectively.
In a separate announcement emailed to Cartt.ca, Rogers said customers who choose to take advantage of its device financing option can get the latest iPhone 11 models from Rogers for $0 down and without having to pay sales taxes upfront. Furthermore, customers will be able to get the latest iPhones on Rogers Infinite unlimited data plans starting at 10GB of maximum speed data, with reduced speeds thereafter and no overage charges, Rogers said. Customers will be able to pre-order iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max on Rogers or Fido starting September 13, the company said.
Other products announced by Apple during its special launch day included:
- Apple Watch Series 5, debuting an Always-On Retina display that never sleeps, so it’s easy to see the time and other information without having to raise or tap the display. New location features, from a built-in compass to current elevation, help users better navigate their day, while international emergency calling allows customers to call emergency services directly from Apple Watch in more than 150 countries, even without an iPhone nearby. Pricing for Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS) starts at $399 USD and Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) starts at $499 USD. Both models are available to order directly from Apple.com today.
- The new seventh-generation iPad, with a 10.2-inch Retina display, support for the full-sized Smart Keyboard, Apple Pencil support, the fast A10 Fusion chip, advanced cameras and sensors, unmatched portability and connectivity, ease of use and all-day battery life. The new iPad is available to order directly from Apple.com today, starting at $329 USD.
- Apple Arcade, a game subscription service available on the App Store on Thursday, Sept. 19 for $4.99 USD per month. Apple Arcade users will get unlimited access to the entire catalogue of more than 100 new, exclusive games, all playable across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV. The catalogue will exceed 100 games in the coming weeks as new titles are introduced, with more games to come every month, Apple said.
For more information about all of Apple’s product and service announcements today, visit www.apple.com.
