Apple Arcade & Apple TV+ want you glued to your screen

Whether you're into films, TV shows, documentaries or gaming, Apple is certainly pulling out all the stops to tempt people in a market that's spoilt for choice.

This week Apple has announced Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade to attract content and gaming junkies alike.

Apple TV+ offers plenty of viewing choice

Apple TV+ is being hailed as Apple's first all-original video subscription service, which will bring plenty of new options in quite a crowded online streaming marketplace.

A couple of the most important qualities for video on demand services are price and the variety of shows.

Apple TV+ will be available for NZ$8.99 per month,  ad-free and on demand across all devices that can run the Apple TV app. Customers can also sign up and watch Apple TV+ originals on the web.

As for original content - there are new shows, movies and documentaries like:

• "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.
   
• "Helpsters," a new children's series from the makers of "Sesame Street," stars Cody and a team of vibrant monsters who love to help solve problems. It all starts with a plan.
   
• "The Banker," a feature film inspired by a true story, stars Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson as two African American entrepreneurs who try to circumvent the racial limitations of the 1950s and quietly provide housing loans to the African American community in Jim Crow Texas. Nia Long and Nicholas Hoult also star.

"Each Apple TV+ original offers its own unique story, fresh perspective and powerful message — all meant to entertain, connect and inspire cultural conversations," says Apple's head of worldwide video, Zack Van Amburg.

Apple Arcade goes for gaming gold

With exclusivity in mind, Apple Arcade is the company's attempt to attract gamers to a subscription platform.

For NZ$8.99 per month, Apple Arcade will offer unlimited access to the entire catalogue of over 100 new, exclusive games, all playable across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV.

While an internet connection is required to download the games, games can then be played online or offline, ad-free.

However, only some games will support controllers, including Xbox Wireless Controllers with Bluetooth, PlayStation DualShock 4 and MFi game controllers, in addition to touch controls and Siri Remote.

"We are so excited to launch Apple Arcade on the App Store. A curated selection of over 100 new and exclusive games from many of the most innovative game developers in the world is the perfect complement to the App Store's existing massive catalogue of games," says Apple's vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller.

"We think customers of all ages are going to be delighted that a single subscription gives the whole family unlimited access to the full catalogue of amazing Apple Arcade games, all without any ads or additional purchases, while knowing every game must meet Apple's high privacy standards.

Some of the games on offer include:

• "ChuChu Rocket! Universe" explodes as Sega launches the beloved ChuChus into a universe of strange and wonderful planets with over 100 mind-bending puzzles.
   
• "Overland" from Finji, is a post-apocalyptic road trip adventure where players fight dangerous creatures, rescue stranded travellers and scavenge for supplies to survive.
   
•  In "Rayman Mini" from Ubisoft, Rayman has been reduced to the size of an ant! Players use insects, mushrooms and plants to run through the world as quickly as possible or try over and over again to achieve the perfect score.
   
• "Various Daylife" from Square Enix, is a brand-new RPG from the creators of "Bravely Default" and "Octopath Traveler." In the year 211 of the Imperial Era, players explore a newly discovered continent while living life to the fullest in the city of Erebia.

Apple Arcade will be available on 1 October on iPadOS and tvOS 13 and in October on macOS Catalina. The subscription will automatically renew for NZ$8.99 per month.