According to media reports, Apple might soon launch a cheaper Apple TV dongle – something similar to Google’s Chromecast or Amazon’s Fire Stick.
The Cupertino-based firm has already discussed the matter with interested parties. If these plans come to fruition, the new device would be cheaper than the Apple TV, and one would simply plug it into the back of their existing TV set.
Apple is reportedly considering such a hardware product to promote a future streaming service that might soon be introduced. A more affordable Apple TV dongle would bring the service, which will only be accessible from Apple devices, within reach of more potential buyers.
At the moment, the company’s sole TV product is its Apple TV, which is priced at $149 for the standard version and $179 for the 4K version. TV dongles from Google and Amazon are much cheaper, selling for anything between $25 and $35.
Rumours are getting stronger that the company is planning to introduce a streaming service in 2019, possibly as early as March, and that it will launch this service in well over 100 countries before the end of next year.
Apple could offer this service as an individual product, or it might bundle it with an Apple News subscription and Apple Music, and possibly also its newly acquired magazine service Texture.
Original TV content produced by Apple could be available for free on the iPad, iPhone and Apple TV via such a TV app. Apple is reportedly also involved in discussions to offer access to subscription television channels such as STARZ and HBO.
As far as the new streaming service is concerned, Apple has around a dozen original TV shows in the pipeline, and it has already signed agreements with several production firms for movies.