Eddy Cue States Apple TV Boasts Significantly Greater Subscriber Numbers Than Previously Assumed

Following the rebranding of Apple TV+ to just ‘Apple TV’, Apple’s Services Senior Vice President Eddy Cue is scheduled to join Matt Belloni’s Hollywood industry podcast, The Town. In this episode, Cue talks about the performance and appeal of Apple TV as a streaming platform.

During the discussion, Belloni mentions an estimated subscriber base of around 45 million, a number indicated by several analysts. Cue, while not revealing precise figures, suggests that the actual subscriber count is “considerably higher than that,” implying that Apple TV is doing better in the streaming arena than many analysts have perceived. Nevertheless, Apple has been cautious about sharing exact viewership data and subscriber metrics.

At present, Apple TV is offered at $12.99 per month for a standalone subscription, a notable rise from its original launch price of $4.99 per month in 2019. This price increase reflects the growth of Apple’s content library, which now features an expanding selection of original programs. Many users may access Apple TV via Apple One or other bundled offerings.

Cue recognizes the difficulties of establishing a subscriber base without an existing library of content, stating, “It’s a lot harder than it appears.” He also mentions unforeseen obstacles, including a year and a half of suspended production and a nine-month strike, which led to delays in content release. In spite of these hurdles, Cue conveys satisfaction with the current status of Apple TV.

If the subscriber total is indeed nearer to 100 million, Apple TV would fall into the second tier of global streaming services, significantly behind the market leader Netflix, which has over 300 million subscribers.

The profitability of Apple TV remains unclear, with estimates indicating that the company spends over $4 billion each year on original programming. The insights provided by Cue serve as a preview for the complete podcast episode, which will be released later, as noted in Belloni’s Puck newsletter.

IDC Reports iPhone 17 Interest Brings Apple Near Samsung in Market Share

The iPhone 17 series has created notable excitement in the smartphone arena, with Apple almost matching Samsung’s market presence for the third quarter of the year, based on fresh data from IDC. This accomplishment is especially remarkable considering the tough economic conditions, and is due to a mix of elements that have boosted Apple’s sales.

IDC projects that Apple’s market presence in Q3 is at 18.2%, closely following Samsung’s 19%. This rise in favor is evident in the preorder statistics for the iPhone 17, which have eclipsed those for last year’s iPhone 16. In total, Apple recorded sales of 58.6 million iPhones in this quarter, reflecting a 2.9% rise from the same timeframe in 2024. Conversely, Samsung remains at the forefront with 61.4 million devices sold, accounting for a 19% market share and a 6.3% increase from the prior year.

The ongoing triumph of both Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone sector can be linked to relentless advancements in hardware and software. IDC points out that innovative payment options, like the iPhone Upgrade Program and trade-in offers, have also been instrumental in boosting sales. These financial models have simplified the process for consumers to move to high-end devices, typically priced between $800 and almost $2,000.

Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, highlighted the significance of these financing approaches, asserting that they have effectively minimized the obstacles associated with acquiring premium smartphones. By merging state-of-the-art technology with appealing payment plans, producers have made the upgrade decision an effortless one for consumers.

Although the influence of tariffs on smartphone sales has raised concerns, IDC remarks that their impact has not yet deeply affected demand. Still, the complete scope of how tariffs might have affected sales remains ambiguous.

In conclusion, the robust market performance of the iPhone 17 illustrates Apple’s capability to innovate and meet consumer demands, especially through efficient financing options that ease the purchase of premium devices. As the rivalry with Samsung progresses, both firms will likely concentrate on further enhancing their offerings to sustain and expand their market shares.

Spotify Unveils Managed Accounts to Improve Parental Oversight for Kids’ Listening Behaviors

### Spotify’s Managed Accounts: A Family Listening Solution

Parents utilizing Spotify often face the annoyance of having their music suggestions influenced by their children’s listening patterns. The well-known streaming platform has acknowledged this concern and is introducing a new feature named managed accounts, designed to offer a customized listening experience for younger users while enabling parents to retain control.

#### What Are Managed Accounts?

Managed accounts are sub-accounts intended specifically for younger listeners, allowing them to fully enjoy Spotify’s offerings without impacting the recommendations and playlists of the main account holder. This feature proves especially advantageous for families, as it empowers children to discover music independently while keeping their tastes distinct from those of their parents.

#### Key Features of Managed Accounts

1. **Customized Experience**: Each managed account provides a distinct listening journey, allowing younger users to assemble their own playlists and obtain personalized suggestions based on their listening behaviors.

2. **Parental Controls**: Parents can impose various restrictions on these sub-accounts, ensuring a secure and suitable listening atmosphere. The controls include:
– **Explicit Content Filter**: Blocks access to songs featuring explicit lyrics.
– **Artist and Song Limitations**: Grants parents the ability to restrict playback of specific artists or songs.
– **Video and Canvas Toggle**: Conceals video content and short looping videos paired with songs.

3. **Reduced Interactivity**: Managed accounts lack access to certain interactive features, such as messaging, which aids in sustaining a concentrated listening experience.

#### Rollout and Availability

First tested in countries like New Zealand, Sweden, and Spain, managed accounts are now expanding into significant markets, such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. To establish a managed account, parents can navigate through the Spotify app by selecting their profile icon and following the instructions under the Premium Family settings.

#### Conclusion

The launch of managed accounts marks a notable advancement for Spotify, tackling the prevalent challenge of conflicting music tastes within family accounts. This feature not only improves the listening experience for children but also alleviates parents’ worries regarding their music preferences being overshadowed. As families increasingly turn to streaming services, such developments are set to become more vital, and many parents are optimistic that similar features will be embraced by other platforms like Apple Music.

Coming Soon: Apple TV Film Showcases Mark Wahlberg in an Action-Comedy Role – Trailer Released

Apple TV has presented an exceptionally robust lineup of films this autumn, with its next significant release being a sequel to one of its most beloved movies to date: The Family Plan. Here’s the newly unveiled trailer for The Family Plan 2, set to arrive on Apple TV next month.

## The Family Plan 2 Arrives on Apple TV Next Month with a European Holiday Theme

Mark Wahlberg’s The Family Plan premiered in late 2023 on Apple TV and quickly became the platform’s most-viewed film to date. While it has been surpassed by other releases such as The Gorge and Wolfs, The Family Plan continues to be one of Apple’s highest-grossing films so far.

The sequel is now on the horizon. With Apple’s significantly expanded subscriber base, it has the potential to outshine the original. The Family Plan 2 is set to debut **Friday, November 21** on Apple TV, just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday in the US.

Apple has released the official trailer for this upcoming film, showcasing a holiday action-comedy set in Europe featuring newcomer Kit Harington in the role of the antagonist.

The original The Family Plan received mixed reviews from critics, but was much more favorably received by audiences. It holds a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes but boasts a 60% audience score. This sequel appears to promise a good time, particularly with its festive backdrop. However, we will see if the film can outperform its predecessor.

Are you excited to catch The Family Plan 2 when it becomes available on Apple TV? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Apple TV is priced at $12.99 per month and boasts popular TV series and films such as Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.

Apple Outlines the Major Updates to the iPhone 17’s Front-Facing Camera

Apple’s iPhone 17 and iPhone Air series offer a range of camera enhancements, featuring the new Center Stage front camera as a key highlight. In a recent discussion, Apple executives shared the reasoning behind the significant updates made to the iPhone 17’s front-facing camera this year.

### iPhone 17’s Front Camera: Breakthroughs in Capturing and Imagery

Today, BW Businessworld released an article showcasing interviews with two prominent Apple executives, Jon McCormack, Apple’s head of camera software, and Megan Nash, iPhone product lead. They talked about the improvements in the new Center Stage front camera found in the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.

This updated camera signifies a major advancement over earlier selfie cameras, revolutionizing the user experience. This transformation was driven by Apple’s recognition of the difficulties users experienced when taking selfies. McCormack remarked, “We observe users with selfie sticks; people transitioning to the 0.5 times ultra-wide camera; users tilting the iPhone to landscape; and even individuals passing the iPhone to the tallest person in the group to gain maximum arm reach before snapping a selfie. What’s happening is that our users are attempting to manipulate the camera to suit their needs, but we realized we could enhance this… what if the camera could intuitively grasp what you’re trying to capture and automatically make the necessary adjustments?”

This project has been in development for several years. McCormack indicated that the required processing capabilities and design were only recently realizable. “We’ve aspired to achieve this for some time, and this marks the first year we can genuinely deliver it,” he said.

Nash detailed the technological advancements, saying, “Long before, we considered that this new front camera would require the high-speed Apple Camera Interface. Thus, the A19 and A19 Pro utilize ACI to swiftly transfer data between the image sensor and the processor.”

The end product is set to enhance both the photography experience and the quality of the pictures taken. For example, maintaining the iPhone in portrait mode guarantees that subjects’ eyes consistently align correctly, which is a frequent problem with landscape selfies.

Improvements have also been made to selfie videos. McCormack highlighted the intention of creating a seamless camera experience with the iPhone: “Our objective with the iPhone’s camera has always been to render it inconspicuous.” This invisibility is accomplished through stabilization and intelligent framing, which now come standard with the front camera. “We accomplished this by utilizing the extensive overscan region on the sensor to deliver exceptional stability… The broader field of view and high-resolution sensor enable us to employ Action mode automatically every time you shoot a selfie video. You need not even activate it, so you can walk, cycle, or run and trust that your video will turn out fantastic.”

The new camera showcases Apple’s dedication to utilizing advancements in silicon to improve user experience by reducing the visibility of technology.

### Top iPhone Accessories

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Anticipated iPhone Collection Projected to Showcase Greater Application of Titanium

Apple’s iPhone range has undergone considerable transformations in recent years, especially with the inclusion and later decrease of titanium in its designs. In 2023, Apple gained attention by launching titanium in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max versions, emphasizing the material’s durability and lightweight characteristics. Nevertheless, in an unexpected shift, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max reverted to aluminum, leaving only the iPhone Air with a titanium design.

Looking forward, speculations indicate that the forthcoming iPhone lineup, expected to unveil in the autumn of 2024, will bring back titanium in a more prominent manner. Reports suggest that Apple intends to introduce four models: the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a new foldable variant, potentially called the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra. Notably, a standard iPhone 18 is absent from this lineup, with rumors suggesting that Apple aims to postpone its release until spring 2025 to prevent congestion in the autumn launch schedule.

The expected resurgence of titanium will see it incorporated in two of the upcoming models: the iPhone Air 2 and the new foldable iPhone. This signals a departure from prior years when titanium was restricted to the Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro cemented titanium as an essential feature, but the iPhone 17’s return to aluminum sparked discussions regarding the material’s future in the collection.

With the standard model being excluded from the fall release, it is anticipated that half of Apple’s new iPhones will feature titanium, echoing the recent past when titanium was prevalent in more models. This alteration not only underscores Apple’s continuous exploration of materials but also illustrates its strategy to set apart its product range in a competitive landscape.

As the iPhone lineup progresses, the inquiry remains: does the presence of titanium in an iPhone design appeal to consumers? The upcoming models are likely to shed light on the material’s influence on user preferences and buying choices.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 and M3 iPad Air Savings of Up to $220, Along with Lower Price on Beats Kickstand Case

### M3 iPad Air Promotions and More: Best Deals Today

In the current edition of 9to5Toys Lunch Break, we showcase notable markdowns on Apple’s M3 iPad Air models, as well as promotions on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and accessories for the iPhone 17.

#### M3 iPad Air Savings

Amazon has recently surpassed its own Prime Day pricing on the M3 iPad Air, presenting the **13-inch 512GB cellular variant** at an outstanding **$1,046.54**, which is **more than $200 off** the initial cost of **$1,249**. This offer signifies a new historic low for this configuration, available solely in gray. Other color selections remain above **$1,140**, establishing this as a remarkable deal for those seeking a high-capacity tablet with cellular functionality.

Alongside the 13-inch variant, savings are also available on the **11-inch M3 iPad Air** and additional configurations, all priced lower than those observed during Prime Day.

#### Apple Watch Ultra 3 Discounts

The **Apple Watch Ultra 3** is experiencing price cuts as well, with Amazon showing various configurations at **$780**, reflecting a **$20 reduction** on most models. Importantly, Best Buy is providing an **open-box listing** for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 featuring the Natural Titanium case and Anchor Blue Ocean Band for **$700.99**, yielding a **$98** discount compared to brand new models. This open-box selection includes a one-year Apple warranty and is verified by Geek Squad, ensuring its quality and dependability.

#### New Beats iPhone 17 Stand Case

For users of the iPhone 17, the new **Beats Stand Case** has been reduced to a record low of **$41.60** on Amazon, offering nearly **30% off**. This case boasts a sleek design and a dual-purpose lanyard that functions as a kickstand, making it an ideal option for users who appreciate hands-free viewing.

#### Other Accessories and Charging Discounts

A variety of accessories and charging alternatives are also available at lower prices, giving users an opportunity to enhance their device experience without overspending.

For those keen on the latest tech promotions, these deals offer a fantastic chance to save on high-quality Apple products and accessories.

Eddy Cue Proposes Apple Might Seek Future Sports Agreement with Formula 1

As Apple is reportedly approaching the announcement of a $140 million annual agreement for the US rights to Formula 1 (F1), the company’s senior vice president of Services, Eddy Cue, has been actively engaging in conversations regarding the landscape of sports streaming and the direction of Apple TV. His recent engagements, including participation in a panel at Motorsport Network’s Autosport Business Exchange NYC and an interview with CNBC, have illuminated Apple’s outlook on sports streaming.

### More Bundling

In his discussions, Cue critiqued the disjointed state of the current sports streaming environment, contrasting it with the straightforwardness of the cable television era. He remarked, “We’ve gone backwards. (…) You used to buy one subscription, your cable subscription, and you got pretty much everything they had. Now, there’s so many different subscriptions, so I think that needs to be fixed.” While Cue didn’t share specific details about Apple’s strategy, he hinted at the idea of “more bundling.” This was soon followed by the reveal of a new bundle combining Apple TV and Peacock, signaling a shift towards simplifying subscription choices for consumers.

Cue also underscored the potential of streaming technology advancements that have yet to be fully leveraged. He noted that leagues with multiple partners should easily integrate features such as picture-in-picture, implying that the industry has opportunities for innovation and growth.

### We Do Love F1

When the discussion turned to Formula 1, Cue conveyed Apple’s passion for the sport, pointing out that the F1 movie holds the record as the highest-grossing sports film ever. He acknowledged the upcoming F1 rights deal, stating, “We do love F1.” Reports suggest that Apple is nearing the completion of its long-anticipated F1 streaming package, which could be revealed at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.

A significant component of this deal might involve the cessation of the standalone F1.TV streaming service in the U.S., aligning with Cue’s remarks about minimizing fragmentation in the streaming marketplace. This could streamline F1 content access for viewers, facilitating easier engagement for fans with the sport.

### Conclusion

As Apple establishes its presence in the sports streaming sector, the prospective F1 deal represents a strategic move towards enhancing its content portfolio and tackling the issues of subscription fragmentation. With an announcement on the horizon, many fans are eager to observe how Apple intends to transform the viewing experience for Formula 1 and possibly other sports in the future.

Apple TV is presently available at $12.99 per month, offering a variety of popular shows and films, and the company’s continuous efforts to innovate in the streaming domain could further boost its attractiveness to both sports enthusiasts and general audiences.

iOS 26.1 Public Beta 3 Has Arrived: Latest Features and Enhancements

Apple has recently released iOS 26.1 public beta 3, just one day after launching beta 3 for developers. Here’s what’s new in this latest version.

### iOS 26.1 beta 3 introduces a new Apple TV app icon, Local Capture controls, and more

iOS 26.1 continues to be polished and enhanced ahead of its general public release. Today’s public beta 3 includes the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements generally found in later-stage betas, alongside a few significant additions.

The Apple TV app features a new icon, which aligns with the upcoming “vibrant new identity” anticipated with the rebranding of Apple TV+ to simply ‘Apple TV.’ This refreshed icon is now present across all platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. However, within the TV app, there are still numerous references to ‘Apple TV+’ as the rebranding has not completely rolled out yet.

Moreover, the Settings app has added a dedicated menu for Local Capture. Accessible through Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Local Capture, this menu enables users to designate a Files location where audio and video recordings made during calls will be stored.

Another new feature in Settings is the ‘Prefer Single-Touch Actions’ toggle, likely connected to recent modifications in alarms and timers that swapped a ‘stop’ button with a slide gesture. However, initial testing suggests that this setting may not be operating as intended.

Control Center has also received more dynamic animations in beta 3, improving the user experience.

While these are the main visible changes, underneath, iOS 26.1 beta 3 indicates Apple’s plans to introduce more third-party AI integrations alongside ChatGPT. This new integration could arrive as early as iOS 26.1, though a later update such as iOS 26.2 appears more probable.

Have you spotted any other modifications in iOS 26.1 public beta 3? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Apple Unveils Public Beta 3 of macOS Tahoe 26.1

Following the recent launch of macOS Tahoe 26.1 developer beta 3, Apple has now released the public beta. This update is anticipated to bring several significant features and enhancements.

macOS Tahoe 26.1 seems to be a crucial release as it establishes the groundwork for major AI-related developments. In particular, it incorporates support for Anthropic’s MCP and broadens third-party integration within the Image Playground, extending beyond merely ChatGPT capabilities.

The developer beta also unveiled a fresh, vibrant Apple TV logo and a revamped Macintosh HD icon, which have elicited mixed feedback from users. Moreover, there are indications of a second-generation Apple Pro Display XDR, suggesting forthcoming hardware advancements.

As is common with most updates, macOS Tahoe 26.1 consists of various bug fixes and performance upgrades. The current build number is 25B5062e, which aligns with the developer beta released the day before.

### How to Install macOS Tahoe 26.1 Public Beta 3

To install the public beta, users must first sign up for Apple’s public beta program at