September iPhone event marks return of live stream for Windows users

Next month's iPhone event will mark the first time in recent history that Windows users will be able to officially live-stream an Apple presentation, the company quietly revealed on Thursday through the event's website.

Windows 10 users will be able to watch via Microsoft's built-in Edge browser, according to the site's fine print. This is because the software supports the same HTTP Live Streaming technology found in Apple apps like QuickTime and Safari.

Previously, people wanting to tune into an Apple event had to have an OS X, iOS, or Apple TV device, or else find workarounds through software such as VLC. iTunes for Windows technically supports HLS, but for reasons unknown the company has never given it options for tuning into live press events.

Using HLS has offered a variety of advantages for Apple, including avoiding Flash, but the standard has comparatively little support beyond the company's ecosystem. The decision has inherently limited the scope of audiences.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific, or 1 p.m. Eastern. The focus of the event is expected to be on an iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, but Apple should also show off a fourth-generation Apple TV enhanced with an A9 processor, an App Store, Siri voice control, and a touchpad remote.

35 Comments

anantksundaram 20391 comments · 18 Years

About 9 years ago

[quote name="DanielSW" url="/t/187903/september-iphone-event-marks-return-of-live-stream-for-windows-users#post_2766871"]Sounds like a clever scheme to cultivate more switchers![/quote] My prediction is the opposite. AppleTV will work with Windows (from more than just iTunes). iLife and Siri will become compatible with Windows as well. It will attract huge numbers of Windows users to AppleTV. The product is finally ready for takeoff. Huge move with significant financial implications for Apple, if it comes to pass. (Incidentally, given the Mac OS is now free and primarily exists in the Apple ecosystem to help sell more Apple hardware, why doesn't Apple just elevate Bootcamp to a new level of simplicity and integration to allow users to easily install Windows? If users then experience Mac OS and its elegance, security etc., they may decide to switch anyway. What does the dependence on Mac OS buy for Apple? Serious question!)