The Apple One services
As you may know, Apple offer a number of digital subscription services and they bundle them together in a discounted package. To help you work out what suits you, I’ll take you through the Apple One services, apps and subscription options available.
iCloud+
Although Apple offer free iCloud storage to all their customers, it’s easy to run out of space. All those photos, files and backups build up over time, so I think it’s safe to say that most people will benefit from a bigger, paid plan.
This should solve all your storage problems.
While you don’t need to subscribe via an Apple One plan, it obviously comes at a discounted price. It varies according to the subscription plan you choose. It’s also the only service here that doesn’t take the form of an app.
I think the first thing we need to explore is why you would use iCloud. While there are alternatives out there, like Dropbox or Amazon Drive, iCloud integrates with your Apple devices.
This is particularly helpful if you own a Mac, as it simply acts like another drive and gives you instant access to your information. It’s particularly useful if you have several Apple devices and the desktop sync is superb. You just need to work out how much storage space you need.
I’ve always used iCloud and it’s always come through for me. I would just carefully consider if you’re going to keep your Apple One subscription going on an ongoing basis. If you just plan to dip in and out, a separate subscription to iCloud may suit you.
Apple TV+
This is Apple’s streaming service. They think different. This is clear when you compare it to Netflix, Disney, Paramount and Amazon.
It all looks amazing.
As this is Apple, everything is presented to the highest standards. You’ll find eye-watering UHD and all the high-end sound you’d expect. It’s just beautiful, and the content is perfectly presented.
You’ll also find the app on non-apple devices. This is really handy and you should also be able to access your purchased content in your iTunes library if you have any. This was huge for me, and you don’t need to subscribe to get access to it.
The app will also integrates with other services to act as an efficient content manager. It makes a difference if you have a single playlist to check.
Going back to what I said at the start, this isn’t a service like the others. They focus on their own, quality content. While this has been generally well received, it’s taken a long time to establish itself.
Their monster hit Ted Lasso leads the way, followed by familiar names like The Morning Show, Slow Horses, Shrinking and Severance. They also feature their own movies, with big names such as Tom Hanks, Will Smith and Bill Murray on board.
If I’m honest, I would never choose this service over Disney+, Netflix or even Paramount+. I honestly don’t think it is essential, at the moment. I also don’t think it’s worth it as a full price standalone subscription, unless there’s something you really want to watch.
Apple TV makes sense to me as part of the discounted Apple One plan though. I appreciate the quality and look forward to seeing where it goes in future.
Apple Arcade
Help yourself to a selection of high-quality app games. You can play them on all your compatible Apple devices.
There’s something for everyone here.
Apple Arcade offers a huge selection. You’ll find puzzle games, multiplayer favourites, platformers and racers among a lot of others. You can play these on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Most of them are compatible with controllers as well.
Your progress is synced on the cloud and you just download them from the App Store. While these aren’t at the same level of Xbox, PlayStation, or even Switch games, you’re sure to be surprised.
I’ve been playing games on my iPhone since the App Store was introduced. It was a lot of fun at first and it reminded me of the glory days of the first Palm Pilot, where creative developers would come up with simple, fun games. Things soon changed though, and I think it’s safe to say that a lot of people got greedy.
We were soon expected to pay for all those extras, or put up with endless advertising. Big names also expected us to pay out for outrageously cut-down versions of their big console titles, that were nowhere near the real thing.
I’d fallen out of love with app games, but then Apple Arcade came along. As you’ve probably realised, I love Apple Arcade. I think it’s great value and should reward anyone with a compatible Apple device.
The only competitor I can think of is the Xbox Game Pass, but that’s a very different service. Most people will benefit from having both of these at the same time.
It’s obviously worth it on its own, but Apple Arcade makes the Apple One subscription a lot more appealing. I would try it as soon as you can. You’re sure to be hooked on something.
Apple Music
This is Apple’s music streaming service. Its key features include lossless and spacial audio. It will particularly reward anyone with AirPods or a HomePod.
It just sounds amazing.
If we’re honest, Apple have struggled a bit with this service. People have tended to prefer Spotify, with all it social options and ease of use, and Apple made some errors early on that upset recording artists.
It’s evolved though, and the inclusion of advanced features, a comprehensive catalogue and hardware designed around it make it highly appealing. You can also integrate your old iTunes library if you need to.
This is a service I simply have to use. As the owner of AirPods and HomePods, it makes sense.
I really appreciate the lossless streaming and spacial audio as well. I often use AirPods Pro to listen to my music on this service and it really makes a difference. It also integrates perfectly if you’re using Apple devices.
Music is really important to me, so I’m always going to subscribe to a streaming service. To get Apple TV and Apple Arcade bundles in with this at a discount removes all choice. I think you’ll be rewarded as well.
That said, if Audiobooks are really important to you Spotify includes time-limited access to them with your subscription. That could make a difference for some people.
All of these apps are available for a bundled price. Currently, that’s £18.95 and I think this is a fairly good deal if all of these interest you, as you’re essentially getting one of them thrown in for free. This package also includes 50GB cloud storage. It’s also worth remembering that a family plan is available for £24.95 with 200GB of iCloud storage.
If you want more though, there are two more apps in the higher priced option.
Apple News+
Apple News+ features a huge collection of magazines and selected newspapers. It also enhances the standard Apple News service with exclusive content.
You’ll always find something to read.
You can build your own news feed that suits you and view it on all your Apple devices. It’s easy to bookmark favourites as well and see all of the things that interest you.
Although it’s a decent service, I have two huge problems with it. My first issue is that, in my opinion, there are better alternatives that aren’t restricted to Apple devices. I always used the Readly app to view my magazines, as I can view it on my Fire tablet as well as my iPad. I think this really makes a difference.
Although it has a different selection of newspapers, I get what I need and it also features exclusive blog posts. If that wasn’t enough, I honestly prefer the magazine selection on Readly.
The other problem I have with Apple News is that it threw adverts at me while I was using it. That’s right, after paying out for a monthly subscription, they want even more. I don’t think this is ok.
When it comes to the Apple One subscription, Apple News+ is only available in the highest tier along with the following service.
Apple Fitness+
You’ll find a selection of workouts you can do in your own home here. Apple Fitness presents Inspiring video sessions from a range of instructors, that include yoga, mindfulness and pilates. You can also track metrics as well as your progress on your Apple Watch or iPhone.
This is a great way to get in shape.
Although this service was initially only available if you had an Apple Watch, they have opened it up to iPhone users as well. This makes a big difference. It’s also extremely effective if you have an Apple TV.
As this is Apple, everything looks great and there’s some impressive technology behind it. It should suit users at all levels. I really like the way they focus on wellbeing and mindfulness.
Like Apple News+, there’s an alternative you may want to consider. The Peloton app offers a similar service for a similar price, and you don’t need to own an Apple Watch or iPhone to use it. Don’t worry, you don’t need one of their expensive bikes or treadmills either.
I think this will particularly suit people who use their Apple Watch to stay in shape and track their health. It’s clearly designed around this device.
I think the decision regarding the larger bundle is easy. If you aren’t that interested in fitness, or prefer the alternatives, it doesn’t really make sense. It does have 2TB of cloud storage though and it’s currently priced at £36.95.
So that’s Apple One. I hope this helps and you now have a good idea of what’s on offer and what fits in with you.
Before you make a decision, just do these three easy things:
Think about the services you’re really going to use
Work out if individual subscriptions make more sense
Look at the alternatives
Please check everything with Apple before making any decisions. Although I’ll do my best to keep this up-to-date, the prices and packages could quickly change.