We’d heard toward the end of last year that Apple may planning to launch its long-awaited TV service in the main portion of 2019, and none other than Apple CEO Tim Cook just poured some gasoline on that blaze — telling CNBC’s Mad Money host Jim Cramer in an exclusive interview that the organization will declare new “services” this year.

While Cook didn’t state what sort of services — Cramer was asking whether Apple had any tricks up its services sleeve, including healthcare or mobile payments — it’s tlong-awaited TV service that has recently seen all the pieces fall into place.

Here at CES 2019, there’s been a series of surprise announcements from TV producers that are all of a sudden supporting Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features to enable you to cast content directly from your iPhone, iPad and Mac — including TVs running rival operating systems from Google and Samsung. New TVs from rival Samsung will really support iTunes, as well, letting you a chance to get to your films and TV shows there also.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to think Apple might be priming the pump with those hardware makers for the upcoming TV service, as well.

At that point, there’s content: We reported last June how Apple has been spending over $1 billion on original TV content with no obvious place for clients to watch it. Another report suggested that a portion of those original shows were slated to debut as soon as this March. Another still claimed that those shows may be free for individuals who own Apple devices.

Yet, regardless of whether the TV service is one of the “services” Cook referenced, it’s not clear what different services Apple may discuss.

Cook additionally tended to reports that the iPhone XR probably won’t sell and in addition expected, saying that it’s still been the most popular iPhone consistently since launch, and that the Apple Watch and AirPods wearables business is acquiring more cash than the iPod at any point did — 50 percent more than iPod at peak deals. As a matter of fact, Apple’s a way greater organization now, and Apple Watches are valued as high or higher than the iPod at any point was.

Topics #AirPods #Apple Watch #iPad #iphone #Smartphone #TV service