Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said the company’s growing investment in film and television is intended to be a self-sustaining business rather than a tool to drive hardware sales. In an interview with Variety released Wednesday, Cook described Apple as a “toolmaker” for creative professionals and stressed that he does not “have it in my mind that I’m going to sell more iPhones because of it.” The remarks come as Apple pours more than $350 million into “F1,” a Formula One drama starring Brad Pitt that will premiere in theaters before heading to Apple TV+. To promote the project, the company introduced what it calls a “haptic trailer,” which synchronizes the film’s race-car engine sounds with the iPhone’s vibration motor, offering viewers tactile feedback while they watch the preview on compatible devices. The Formula One push has fueled industry speculation that Apple may try to secure live racing rights for Apple TV+, expanding on its recent sports deals. Apple has not commented on any talks, but the initiative underscores a broader strategy to extend the reach of its content business beyond the traditional streaming battlefield.
Tim Cook and Apple are all about F1 these days. CraigF raced a F1 car on top of the Apple Park as a keynote to the WWDC keynote. That was a nod to the new F1 movie coming to Apple TV. And now pals in the motorsport business are hinting at live F1 streaming coming to Apple TV.
Been waiting for this one! This week's cover story is by @Variety_Cynthia Tim Cook Reveals Apple’s Vision for Movies and TV: Why Spending Millions on Blockbusters Like ‘F1’ Is About More Than Selling iPhones https://t.co/3i0TvSPDdZ via @variety
Tim Cook explains why Apple TV+ exists https://t.co/F8cWwRjP89 by @iryantldr