Key Takeaways:
- Apple unveiled a new native sports application designed specifically for iPhone users.
- The Apple Sports app is focused on providing real-time game scores for fans.
- It currently supports major sports leagues like the NBA, NHL, and Premier League.
- Future updates will include additional leagues such as the NFL, MLB, and WNBA.
- Unlike typical sports apps, the Apple Sports app integrates with Apple News and Apple TV.
- This integration enables users to access contextual news and video clips seamlessly across different Apple platforms.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) launched Apple Sports, a new native app for iPhone available for download in the U.S., U.K., and Canada via the App Store.
Users can select preferred leagues and teams upon downloading the free app.
The homepage displays scores for ongoing and previous day’s games, along with upcoming match schedules and betting odds.
While the app provides betting odds, it does not integrate sports betting services.
Major sports leagues worldwide, including Major League Soccer (MLS), are supported, with Apple owning exclusive streaming rights for MLS until 2033.
Apple aims to acquire media rights for the NBA and the U.K.’s Premier League in the future.
According to Apple Senior Vice President of Services Eddy Cue, Apple Sports is designed to provide sports fans with fast access to scores and stats.
User preferences for favorite leagues and teams can be carried over to Apple TV and Apple News, although users need to navigate to these platforms separately.
Apple Sports distinguishes itself from competitors like ESPN, theScore, and Bleacher Report by focusing solely on scores and stats, without offering news stories, video highlights, or commentary within the app.
The debut of Apple Sports follows closely on the heels of the company’s strong performance in the first quarter, which exceeded expectations. Additionally, Apple made significant strides in the realm of augmented reality with the introduction of the Vision Pro. However, amidst these developments, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a substantial sell-off of nearly $2 billion in Apple shares during the last quarter of 2023.