Apple Reportedly Eyeing Hardware Subscription Service

pcmag.com:

Apple is reportedly working on an iDevice subscription service that would allow users to receive regular hardware upgrades.

The project, which is still in the planning phase, would mark "Apple's biggest push yet into automatically recurring sales," according to Bloomberg, which cited "people with knowledge of the matter."

Just as Apple charges a monthly fee for iCloud storage or an Apple Music account, the company wants to offer the same for customers buying a smartphone or tablet. But rather than splitting the full cost over 12 or 24 months, Apple would collect a regular, ongoing payment depending on which product you choose and then keep the upgrades coming at regular intervals.

There is no word on pricing options or which devices may be included. While the company traditionally unveils new iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch models each year, the rest of its lineup—Macs, Apple TVs, wireless headphones, and HomePods—are few and far between. The subscription program is expected to be managed through users' Apple accounts and appear as an option at checkout online and in store.

Put on the back burner in favor of Apple's effort to launch a "buy now, pay later" program, the ongoing service could kick off as soon as late 2022. There's always a chance, of course, that it gets delayed until next year, or canceled altogether.

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