CES 2019: Enemies No More? Apple Brings iTunes to Samsung TVs

CES 2019: Enemies No More? Apple Brings iTunes to Samsung TVs​

(Samsung/Apple)(January 8, 2019) One of the more shocking announcements from CES 2019 is a new joint partnership between Apple and its bitter rival, Samsung. As of this spring, Samsung Smart TVs will offer an iTunes app that allows owners to watch iTunes movies and TV shows that they currently own or plan to purchase or rent. And to deepen the intrigue, content can be controlled by Samsung’s rival voice assistant, Bixby, while Samsung’s TVs will carry Apple AirPlay 2 for streaming of videos, pictures, podcasts, and music from Apple Devices.

“We pride ourselves on working with top industry leaders to deliver the widest range of content services to our Smart TV platform,” said Won-Jin Lee, Executive Vice President, Service Business of Visual Display at Samsung Electronics. “Bringing more content, value and open platform functionality to Samsung TV owners and Apple customers through iTunes and AirPlay is ideal for everyone.”

Perhaps the great Dr. Peter Venkman said it best: “Dogs and cats living together – mass hysteria!”

This unlikely marriage of competing ecosystems is yet another sign that Apple knows its platform is doomed if it can only be accessed by Apple products. According to a recent analysis by nScreenMedia, Apple TV’s North American usage numbers are poor when compared the competition, lagging far behind other devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Smart TVs (in general). Some analysts predict that Apple will launch a new streaming service later this fall.

 

[mechman]

That's an interesting development. Odd that Apple's numbers haven't picked up as it's a much better platform than the alternatives in my opinion.

 

[Todd Anderson]

They are literally getting crushed.

 

[mechman]

Well I sure hope they don't abandon it!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I think they realize that sourcing is a great revenue generator... and they can’t tie their service only to Apple TV. I’m sure Apple TV will be just fine as a product... and it’s great that iTunes access is available on more platforms. I’m curious to see what materializes on the streaming service front. Is it conceivable that Apple will start producing original content??

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

They are literally getting crushed.

Which platform, exactly, is getting crushed? Apple Music? AppleTV?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Apple TV

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Apple TV

Right. It's by far the best device. But since it doesn't subsidize the hardware cost with advertising or selling your viewing habits and personal information, it has a higher cost.

Maybe someday people will realize that, but I doubt it.

 

[mechman]

I'm seriously considering buying a couple more AppleTVs. I cannot stand the interface for Playstation Vue on my Rokus.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I have Apple TVs sitting around like paperweights right now. I have 2 TVs and a projector in the theater, and I think I currently have 5 AppleTVs in the house, after giving 2 to my parents.

 

[mechman]

You must have gotten a good deal on them.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Only one of them is an AppleTV 4K. The rest are between the last two models. One of them was free when I signed up for DirecTV NOW. It's just a great device. I place a lot of value in the user experience, so the extra cost is worth it. Worth more, probably.