“Apps are the future of television.”
That’s what Apple CEO Tim Cook stated during the company’s recent Special Event. He was presenting the new Apple TV to an audience of millions worldwide.
The migration of users away from desktops and laptops, to mobile devices, has already generated a multitude of app developers and streamable content. Apple’s statement is not altogether stunningly revolutionary. It’s an admission of where consumers and developers want to watch video content.
“With the new Apple TV and its powerful new tvOS, developers are creating experiences that will change what you expect from your big screen, making your TV feel as personal as your iPhone or iPad.”
Apple sees the future of broadcast via mobile devices. Gaming, shopping, and other tasks are already a part of their newly revamped Apple TV, while Android has a similar product.
If indeed apps are the future of television, then the data will prove it out. So let’s take a snapshot of the marketplace tvOS and Android is inviting into it’s streaming devices.
In June 2015, there were 1,500,000 apps in the Apple App Store. Five years ago there were 225,000. That growth of 255,000 new apps per year is propelling such products as the new Apple TV into the lives of consumers.
“The apps you love now on your TV,” says Android. Like their competitor they offer “personalized recommendations for videos, shows, and sports in your home screen.” Additionally, Android offers its counterpart to Apple’s Siri voice activation technology. As of September 2015, there are 1,702,075 apps available for Android devices via the Google Play Store.
In 2010, there were 62.6 million smart devices in the USA. That’s around a device for every 4.9 people, from a population of 309 million. In 2015 that number has risen to 182.6 million, with 1.7 users per device, from a population of 325 million. By 2018 it is projected to jump to 220 million, with a device for 1.7 people, from a population that has risen to 339 million.
Broadcasters, movie studios, and content creators are all getting the point. Get your content into an app and get it available to Apple and Android ASAP. Some have moved faster than others. The same was true of the transition from landline to cell phone, yellow pages to search engines, as well as products and services sold online.
As with all empires, the kings of TV shows, movies, games, goods, and services, will fall and rise according to their foresight, innovation, and creativity amid the present reality.