Who Really Challenges Apple in Streaming, Fitness & AI?

Beyond the iPhone: Who Really Challenges Apple in Streaming, Fitness & AI?

Apple may dominate our pockets with the iPhone, but its broader ecosystem—streaming, fitness, and artificial intelligence—is where competition is heating up. And while Apple is famously secretive, rivals aren’t waiting around. For consumers, this isn’t just about Apple losing ground—it’s about finally getting fairer choices in industries often ruled by a single giant.

Who Competes with Apple in Streaming and Fitness?

Apple TV+ has positioned itself as the prestige streamer, offering Emmy-winning originals like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show. But let’s be honest—the platform still trails heavyweights like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, all of which boast far larger content libraries and global subscriber bases. As reported by The New York Times, Apple TV+ is believed to have fewer than 50 million paying users, compared with Netflix’s 270 million worldwide. Apple recently raised subscription prices, sparking debate about whether exclusive content alone is enough to justify the premium.

In fitness, Apple Fitness+ leverages its hardware ecosystem—especially the Apple Watch—to lock in subscribers. According to The Verge, it has quickly become one of the most downloaded fitness apps, but competitors like Peloton remain a serious force. Peloton’s combination of high-end hardware and live-streamed classes has created a deeply loyal community that Apple has yet to replicate. While Apple wins on integration and accessibility, Peloton leads on immersive experience.

What About Apple’s AI Competition?

If there’s one area where Apple looks shaky, it’s artificial intelligence. Siri, once revolutionary, now feels clunky compared to Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft’s Copilot. As Business Insider reported, even Apple executives have admitted that Siri is lagging behind expectations.

To fix this, Apple is rumored to be in talks with Google about integrating Gemini, Google’s flagship AI model, directly into Siri. Bloomberg suggests that such a move reflects both Apple’s urgency to compete and its willingness to rely on rivals while building its own long-term solution. That reliance is uncharacteristic for Apple—a company that usually prides itself on controlling every part of the stack.

Are These Competitors Serious Threats—or Healthy Options for Consumers?

Here’s the truth: Apple doesn’t need to be dethroned for consumers to win. Rivalry across services—whether Netflix in streaming, Peloton in fitness, or Google in AI—keeps Apple accountable. Without that external pressure, would Apple be as motivated to upgrade Siri, diversify TV+ content, or expand Fitness+ offerings? Doubtful.

And that’s why competition matters. More rivals mean better shows, smarter AI, and fairer prices. For once, it isn’t just about Apple winning—it’s about the customer winning.

Competition Is Not Apple’s Weakness

Apple’s biggest strength will always be its ecosystem—every device and service works seamlessly together. But seamless doesn’t always mean best. When rivals outshine Apple in specific areas, it forces the company to step up. That’s not weakness; that’s the definition of healthy innovation.

Consumers deserve more than a single option. And if Apple’s rivals keep raising the bar, everyone benefits.

Sources

1. The New York Times – Apple TV+ subscriber growth lags behind major streaming rivals.

2. The Verge – Apple Fitness+ adoption and competition with Peloton.

3. Business Insider – Apple executives acknowledge Siri’s shortcomings in the AI race.

4. Bloomberg – Apple exploring Google’s Gemini AI to boost Siri’s capabilities.

Related: Apple vs Samsung: Which Smartphone Is Best for You?