Apple has an annual subscription program that allows you to update to the latest and greatest version of the smartphone. What if you could do the same with your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch? As an Apple journalist that would be very cool and convenient. I can’t see it happening, but CCS Insights predicts the Cupertino, California-based company will introduce a combined subscription model for its hardware and services in 2018.
“The concept of ‘Apple as a service’ builds on the success of Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program,” the research group said.
Of course, the success of such a program depends on what it would cost. Needless to say, it wouldn’t be inexpensive. And while I’d love to be able to easily keep all my Apple equipment up to date, I’m dubious this will happen. However, this isn’t the only prediction CCS made. The analysts also predict:
- Apple will extend its apps and services to other platforms by 2018;
- Apple will launch a mixed reality platform and hardware by 2017;
- Apple will engage in a bidding war to acquire CityMapper.
