Eddy Cue Talks Texture Purchase, Apple's Content Plans at SXSW
In a wide-ranging interview today at SXSW in Austin, Apple’s Eddy Cue discussed a number of topics including the recently announced purchase of Texture and the company’s plans for original content.
Cue said that Apple is pleased with the HomePod so far.
Apple’s Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services talked with CNN’s Dylan Byers. And 9to5Mac covered the interview in a live blog.
To start, Cue discussed the Texture acquisition and says that Apple is planning to integrated Texture content into Apple News.
Creating Apple News, and now purchasing Texture, Cue said is to avoid issues with inaccurate news being widely read and cited.
A year ago, Apple News users followed four publications. But now that’s increased to 20 different outlets.
Shifting to the subject of original content, Cue said Apple is “all in” and now has 40 people working on the company’s efforts.
Even so, Cue said not to expect Apple to make a purchase of big entertainment rivals like Netflix or Disney. That’s because Apple wants the next big thing and wants to focus on quality instead of quantity.
Cue also said that Apple Music now has 38 million subscribers with 8 million trial users.
Speaking of music, Cue said that Apple is pleased with initial sales of the HomePod that arrived in February.