Apple executives talk about ‘Friends’ and Apple TV+, the coronavirus, iPadOS, and more in shareholders meeting

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Apple hosted its most recent shareholders meeting today, February 26, and some interesting details have emerged.

The shareholders meetings have limited space to go around, and they need to register well in advance if they want a seat in the meeting. But that doesn’t mean details can’t find their way out, as is par for the course. Today’s shareholders meeting was no different, as many people who were in attendance shared details as the meeting went on.

For example, Mark Gurman confirmed via Twitter today that Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, confirmed the company is still moving ahead with plans to open its online store in India before the end of 2020. After that, Apple is still planning to open its first physical retail store in the region in 2021.

Business Insider noted today that while Cook spoke about the global threat of the coronavirus in his opening remarks at the meeting, that was about all the chief executive was willing to talk about it. Cook did say that the coronavirus is a fairly “dynamic situation”, and that the health and well-being of the company’s employees is its first priority. Cook also admitted the virus is a bit “of a challenge” for the company so far, which would seem to line up with plenty of rumors.

Apple TV+ came up, in a fashion (via Abrar Al-Heeti), as Cook was asked why Apple did not try to throw its hat into the ring to nab the streaming rights of the mega-popular show Friends, before it was ultimately nabbed for the upcoming streaming service HBO Max. Cook reminded folks in attendance that Apple TV+ is focused on original programming, and that it “doesn’t feel right for Apple to just go out and take a rerun”. Cook noted that Apple TV+ isn’t about preexisting content from other services or networks.

Mark Gurman chimed in again, saying that Craig Federighi commented briefly on the future of iPadOS, telling folks in attendance, “If you like what you’ve seen us do with iPadOS, stay tuned, we’re going to keep working on it”.

As for the environment, Patrick McGee on Twitter noted that the ultimate goal for the company is still to create an Apple product without “taking anything from the earth”. Tim Cook added: “This is one of those things people say you can’t do — we’re going to find a way to do it”.

No major revelations in this year’s shareholders meeting, unfortunately. What do you think of Apple TV+’s focus on original programming? Do you think the company should start trying to fill its backlog with existing properties?