On Sunday, Apple and Samsung announced a surprising new deal that will put iTunes on later-model Samsung smart TVs and allow people with iPhones and iPads to use Apple's AirPlay 2 technology to display their device's content on the Samsung TVs. Apple and Samsung have had a contentious, complicated relationship as smartphone rivals and collaborators — last June, the companies settled years of Apple complaints that Samsung had stolen its designs for its smartphones, but during the litigation, Apple was also buying screens and other components from Samsung.
The deal was also seen as a strategic shift for Apple from focusing on hardware to emphasizing its growing services business, though it also raises questions, including how Samsung and Apple will resolve their differing views on customer privacy and about Apple's plans for its Apple TV box.
Apple internet software and services chief Eddy Cue described the deal as a way to give Apple customers "yet another way to enjoy all their favorite content on the biggest screen in their home." Samsung's Won-Jin Lee similarly described the partnership as "ideal" for both Samsung TV owners and Apple customers. Samsung said iTunes will be available on 2019 smart TV models starting in the spring and "support on 2018 Samsung smart TVs will be made available via firmware update." It did not list which models will get the update.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Florida wages crosswalk war on public displays of prideIN THE SPOTLIGHT Gov. Ron DeSantis' anti-woke campaign comes for colorful crosswalks, as Florida residents engage in guerrilla graffiti as a form of resistance
-
6 blooming homes for gardenersFeature Featuring a greenhouse in Illinois and 13 raised garden beds in New Mexico
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own listspeed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
New York court tosses Trump's $500M fraud fineSpeed Read A divided appeals court threw out a hefty penalty against President Trump for fraudulently inflating his wealth
-
Trump said to seek government stake in IntelSpeed Read The president and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan reportedly discussed the proposal at a recent meeting
-
US to take 15% cut of AI chip sales to ChinaSpeed Read Nvidia and AMD will pay the Trump administration 15% of their revenue from selling artificial intelligence chips to China
-
NFL gets ESPN stake in deal with DisneySpeed Read The deal gives the NFL a 10% stake in Disney's ESPN sports empire and gives ESPN ownership of NFL Network
-
Samsung to make Tesla chips in $16.5B dealSpeed Read Tesla has signed a deal to get its next-generation chips from Samsung
-
FCC greenlights $8B Paramount-Skydance mergerSpeed Read The Federal Communications Commission will allow Paramount to merge with the Hollywood studio Skydance
-
Tesla reports plummeting profitsSpeed Read The company may soon face more problems with the expiration of federal electric vehicle tax credits
-
Dollar faces historic slump as stocks hit new highSpeed Read While stocks have recovered post-Trump tariffs, the dollar has weakened more than 10% this year
