Apple has finally released its first original series, Planet of the Apps, with the first episode available to watch for free.
The company screened the show on the second day of WWDC 2017, where Apple has made a variety of important announcements that include the Siri-powered HomePod, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and the iMac Pro, before premiering Planet of the Apps later that night.
What Is 'Planet Of The Apps' About?
Planet of the Apps is a reality show that gives developers 60 seconds to make a pitch to a panel of advisers on their idea for an app. If more than one adviser support the idea, they then do whatever it takes to have the developer choose to work with them for the app.
Developers stand to gain funding of up to $10 million, with their app to be prominently featured on Apple's App Store. To get there, they will work with their chosen mentor to prepare them to ask for support from venture capital company Lightspeed Venture Partners, which is the first investor in Snapchat.
If the concept of the show sounds familiar, it is because it is essentially a version of Shark Tank focused on app development. The panel of advisers include actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and musician will.i.am.
Will.i.am and producer Ben Silverman shopped the program to traditional TV channels before approaching Apple, which agreed to host the show on Apple Music. Filming for the show started near the end of 2016 and finished in February.
"The question when you have ideas is how to take those to fruition," said Apple's senior VP on internet software and services Eddy Cue. Planet of the Apps shows how developers can take their ideas all the way to the App Store.
How Can You Watch 'Planet Of The Apps'?
The first season of Planet of the Apps lasts 10 episodes and is Apple's first attempt at adding exclusive content to Apple Music to attract subscribers.
The first episode is now also available online through iTunes and the official website of the show. The succeeding episodes of Planet of the Apps will be rolled out every Tuesday, but they will only be accessible to Apple Music subscribers.
Apple Music offers a three-month trial period, with individual plans coming with a price tag of $9.99 each after the trial ends.
The first two episodes feature developers who showcase ideas on apps focused on online shopping, campus safety, and a school backpack. One of the teams scrambles to adapt after Google rolls out a feature similar to its project, while a developer is overwhelmed by the long list of ideas thrown out by will.i.am.
Apple is planning to heavily promote Planet of the Apps, with Cue stating that all Apple customers will likely be exposed to the original program.
Apple Music will also soon host an adaptation of James Corden's Carpool Karaoke, which is set to start in August. In June, Apple Music will launch a documentary about Sean "Diddy" Combs, which will be followed in a few months by another documentary on music executive Clive Davis.
