Worst Keynote Ever

[MBX]

Yesterday

[gloss]

Yeah. Pretty damn boring.

I think ol' Steve-o is on his way out, by the looks of it.

[wattso]

Worst post ever.

Seriously it's not like you even tried to elaborate or create a discussion, you just put "yesterday". Why did you bother wasting your time? It wasn't constructive or interesting or worthwhile. Many people including me are very happy at the outcome of the keynote. Im going to assume its the 3g iphone you have a problem with, try explaining your ideas if you are going to voice them.

Otherwise just keep quiet.

[StealthRider]

Alternatively, if you don't like a thread, you don't have to post in it. Amazing how that works. He was unhappy with the delivery of the keynote, not necessarily the product announcements. RTFT.

And I agree, he looked pretty bad...

[redAPPLE]

And I agree, he looked pretty bad...

iThink i'm lost... are we going to discuss the keynote (on how it is the "worst.keynote.ever") or on how bad sj looks like?

imo, the op's opinion on the keynote is lacking. it is the same as frequent posts in youtube... e.g. that video sucks...

without giving any reason, why the poster thinks this is so.

but anyway, there will always be people who will be disappointed after a keynote.

[wattso]

But its not a constructive thread! He hasn't explained why he didn't like it, and actually since this was moved from the iPhone section I'm quite entitled to assume. He's attempting to play the devils advocate not have a discussion or voice his opinions.

If someone posted in a book thread, worst book ever : the one i read yesterday. It defeats the whole object of posting. As does this thread. OP: what exactly did you not like about yesterdays keynote?

[MBX]

well to be a little more constructive:

- Plastic Case (Downgrade to the current first-gen iphone design)

- Nothing new really presented except the same ol app developer demos.

- No 32gb, wtf? Now i have to carry an additional ipod with me. Great.

- Again waiting after we just waited so long for this WWDC.

- New ****** expensive AT&T rates

- Nothing really about Snow Leopard either.

[Abstract]

Oh come on. We all know what the OP was referring to, and we all know how boring that Keynote was. I don't know if it was the worst Apple keynote ever, but it was the worst Stevenote ever. I've never seen an Apple keynote with a lot of "filler" before.

Usually, a Stevenote is 60-90 minute parade with Steve continuously shooting a brilliant hodge-podge of Skittle-coloured fireworks and glittery lights into the sky and watching them burst into an orgasm-inducing display of fluffy tap-dancing bears and pig-tailed bubble-gum cheerleaders on rollerskates. This keynote was Steve standing in the corner for 45 minutes, playing Brain Age on his DS.

[FarmerTed1971]

Anyone else kinda' wondering about Steve's health?
:confused:
He looks very skinny and not quite right.....

[MotleyPete]

Mobile phone chit-chat bores the balls off me.

So. Yeah.

[wattso]

I agree he did look very skinny and lost some of his stage charisma he usually possesses. I am worried what will happen to Apple when Steve retires, I assume he will still be involved with the company in some way and wont let anything cock up too much?

[tytanic11]

It was horrible - my friends and I just waited for the filler to end and the amazing products to come out, but it never really happened. The 3G phone was expected, as was the app store. The subsidy just sucks - the iPhone will turn into the next Razr or other semi-cheap carrier-pushed phone; I just hope that Apple will refuse to cheapen it in order to hit a price point - though this trend is already starting with the plastic back and lack of dock.

[Melrose]

I think if you're going to post an opinion about something, at least have the guts and ambition to say why you don't like it. I think just posting 'Yesterday' is ambiguous enough to be interpreted as meaning something else entirely. imo, post with substance. One-word posts should be disallowed.

That being said...
He did have cancer of something several years ago, right?

I watched the whole Jobsnote, and thought it was funny why he handed so much over that new guy who looks like a young version of Christopher Walken. That guy doesn't have nearly the panache of Jobs himself. I thought also it was a bit filler-y.

[nbs2]

well to be a little more constructive:

- Plastic Case (Downgrade to the current first-gen iphone design)

- Nothing new really presented except the same ol app developer demos.

- No 32gb, wtf? Now i have to carry an additional ipod with me. Great.

- Again waiting after we just waited so long for this WWDC.

- New ****** expensive AT&T rates

- Nothing really about Snow Leopard either.

Fair enough. As your opinions are your opinions, I cannot refute or deny them. However, I stand in contrast.


I would have preferred anodized Al in black, but Apple seems to prefer the plastic thing. Also, I don't know how the white logo would have worked on the Al.
Developer demos are good at developer conferences. Especially as it builds excitement for a new revenue stream. Apple will want/need that if the ATT kickbacks are gone.
Yeah, the limited size is crappy, but it is something that you just sort of make do with. Size for the iPhone won't increase, I expect, until the touch is ready for 32/64.
Waiting a month does a lot of good things, not the least of which is making sure there is ample publicity so that people don't start crying about how Apple just released a new iPhone and I bought mine yesterday.
The increased rates were a given, as people can be expected to use more bandwidth as the speed increases. All this $10 increase (not all that ****** in my view when viewed in a relative fashion) does is bring prices in line with what ATT charges for all their other products.
Snow Leopard was addressed in later sessions, I believe. If the supposed minimal features, better performace deal is true, there would be little to show off at the keynote that would really garner an ooo or aah


Oh come on. We all know what the OP was referring to, and we all know how boring that Keynote was. I don't know if it was the worst Apple keynote ever, but it was the worst Stevenote ever. I've never seen an Apple keynote with a lot of "filler" before.

Usually, a Stevenote is 60-90 minute parade with Steve continuously shooting a brilliant hodge-podge of Skittle-coloured fireworks and glittery lights into the sky and watching them burst into an orgasm-inducing display of fluffy tap-dancing bears and pig-tailed bubble-gum cheerleaders on rollerskates. This keynote was Steve standing in the corner for 45 minutes, playing Brain Age on his DS.

Fluffy tap-dancing bears? I gotta get me one of those.

[richard.mac]

the iPhone developer demos did drag on for what seemed like ages… everytime Scott said "and next up" i was like "ohhhh!".

but the enterprise features, SDK demo, iPhone 3G and the videos/ads were awesome.

[edesignuk]

The subsidy just sucks - the iPhone will turn into the next Razr or other semi-cheap carrier-pushed phone; I just hope that Apple will refuse to cheapen it in order to hit a price point - though this trend is already starting with the plastic back and lack of dock.The iPhone is about promoting Apple services which cost you money over time. They need a large user base to make this work. Letting the carriers subsidise the hardware cost is the only way iPhone will take a significant share of the market. All these iPhone's out there then provide a revenue stream directly in to Apple for years to come though commission on apps, music, movies, and .Me. They're looking at the bigger picture here. Next step is for the initial exclusivity deals to expire and version 3/4 of the iPhone to be available on all compatible carriers. Apple continually irritate me, but they do what they do very well. The Apple digital lifestyle has been a long term plan that has been years in the making, and is now all starting to really come together, with no doubt much more to come.

All of that said, yesterdays keynote was possibly the most boring thing I have ever bothered to sit through :eek: :D

[themadchemist]

While these products might not be terribly exciting for you, they'll probably be great for Apple's bottom line. With, for now, most of the key products in place across their areas of interest, Apple is making sure it's competitive at all price points. This year, it seems to me, is about filling in the gaps (including with the MacBook Air). You can't expect them just to keep producing ridiculous gadgets for your entertainment--because neither you nor anyone else will buy one.

When a new, lucrative market emerges, I'm sure Apple will be early on the scene. There just isn't one now. (That said, I agree that there are some incremental improvements to the current computer lines that, while not exciting, would be useful).

As for Steve, he is looking a little thin. I really hope it's not the cancer reemerging.

[redAPPLE]

does the special event about the ipod hi-fi count as a keynote?

if so, that is my imo most boring keynote ever.

[lofight]

does the special event about the ipod hi-fi count as a keynote?

if so, that is my imo most boring keynote ever.

Was there a keynote only dedicated to the ipod hi-fi? :o

It was indeed the one of the worst and maybe even the worst keynote ever. Although there was a big announcement, the first three quarters were very boring.

[Abstract]

All of that said, yesterdays keynote was possibly the most boring thing I have ever bothered to sit through :eek: :D

I saw the photo. You were practically sleeping. :p

Your wife seemed to be putting up with the boredom quite well, although I don't remember her posting with us at the time. Wasn't a pretty sight anyway.



Fluffy tap-dancing bears? I gotta get me one of those.

Hopefully they'll make their return at MWSF 2009.

[Klaxons2012]

well to be a little more constructive:

- Plastic Case (Downgrade to the current first-gen iphone design)

I'm not sure what you have in mind when you think "plastic", but given Apple's use of plastics in the past, I doubt it's going to be a flimsy plastic. I personally think style wise it's an upgrade.

- Nothing new really presented except the same ol app developer demos.

Games that use motion, medical imaging, enterprise software and a slew of other features were showcased yesterday. I don't understand how that is "the same ol app"?

- No 32gb, wtf? Now i have to carry an additional ipod with me. Great.

I understand that gripe, but 16gb isn't that bad. I could manage.

- New ****** expensive AT&T rates

I don't understand why people think they can pay the same rate for EDGE as they do 3G. It's amazing. That's like wanting to get the same rate for dialup as you would for a T1? Two different networks, two differnet speeds. If you want to upgrade, you're going to have to pay.

- Nothing really about Snow Leopard either.
Snow Leopard sounds like a service pack to me.

[edesignuk]

I don't understand why people think they can pay the same rate for EDGE as they do 3G. It's amazing. That's like wanting to get the same rate for dialup as you would for a T1? Two different networks, two differnet speeds. If you want to upgrade, you're going to have to pay.Data is data. Data cost for old EDGE iPhone vs 3G iPhone in the UK haven't changed. This does seem to be AT&T being greedy *shock*.

[BillyBobBongo]

Man, it was like pulling teeth! I was watching it this morning thinking "Okay so the iPhone has 3G and some new apps....get on with the rest of it"....but the rest never came! :( I get Apple are proud of their iPhone, the GLW (Good Lady Wife) saw the white one and I'm 100% certain what her new phone is gonna be, but to use so much time on it was mad.

I guess we have to look in the mirror though and realise that since we follow the rumors all the time it's just always gonna be that bit harder to impress us.

Let's hope his next one is more up to par!

[hotzenplotz]

I think the Keynote was solid, since this was a DEVELOPER conference, as opposed to the annual consumer Macworld. A lot of good information came out of it.

[Hawkeye411]

A thread like this always appears after a keynote LMAO
Usually posted by someone who didn't get the update they were looking for.

I'm surprised that it took a day for someone to post it though.

Cheers,
:):apple:

[IJ Reilly]

A thread like this always appears after a keynote

Well the new iPhone models aren't going to be plated in 14 karat gold, they won't double as an electric shaver, or make your lunch for you, so the disappointment is understandable.

[leekohler]

The disappointment results from the fact that Apple makes a lot more than a mobile phone. All those products, and this is all they had? I thought it was a joke yesterday, I really did. I kept waiting for the punchline.

[IJ Reilly]

The disappointment results from the fact that Apple makes a lot more than a mobile phone. All those products, and this is all they had? I thought it was a joke yesterday, I really did. I kept waiting for the punchline.

As pointed out above, this is a developer's conference not a consumer expo. The emphasis is generally on software development, which is why the main topic was the SDK and the next iteration of OSX. Apple delivered almost precisely as the rumor mill had predicted, in a way which probably nearly everyone would have thought was great, had the rumor mill not already predicted it. What else were you expecting, and why were you expecting it?

[JML42691]

I do have to agree that the keynote was quite boring, figuring the first hour was basically just advertisements for those particular apps. I think that they could have done a better job in that hour by publicly previewing Snow Leopard rather than previewing specific apps.

[MonksMac]

Yesterday's keynote was a bust. I'm sorry, but lately the Apple/Jobs keynotes have been getting worse and worse. Look back just two or three years ago and you can see how different they are. I'm not just talking about WWDC though, but MWSF too! I think 2006 was really the last year for pretty darn good keynotes from apple. What's with all these new people too? I can understand Phil helping, but can't Steve do those other things too?
As much as I love Apple and their products, I think they need to pull their head out of their a$$ and not neglect everything but the iPhone!:mad:
/Rant over:o:apple:

[PlaceofDis]

Yesterday's keynote was a bust. I'm sorry, but lately the Apple/Jobs keynotes have been getting worse and worse. Look back just two or three years ago and you can see how different they are. I'm not just talking about WWDC though, but MWSF too! I think 2006 was really the last year for pretty darn good keynotes from apple. What's with all these new people too? I can understand Phil helping, but can't Steve do those other things too?
As much as I love Apple and their products, I think they need to pull their head out of their a$$ and not neglect their other lines!:mad:
/Rant over:o:apple:

well steve won't be around forever. might as well get others in the spotlight. and everyone is always let down by the keynotes. always.

[MonksMac]

I know Steve won't be around for ever, but some of those people just rub me the wrong way, if you know what I mean. I think that Scott Forstall is annoying and is too smarmy. I know someone is always disappointed, but I can't help but feel that they are ignoring their core business of computers.:apple:

[leekohler]

As pointed out above, this is a developer's conference not a consumer expo. The emphasis is generally on software development, which is why the main topic was the SDK and the next iteration of OSX. Apple delivered almost precisely as the rumor mill had predicted, in a way which probably nearly everyone would have thought was great, had the rumor mill not already predicted it. What else were you expecting, and why were you expecting it?

They only spoke about software for a mobile phone. It would have been nice to at least get more details about OS 10.6. And to be fair, new products have been introduced in the past at WWDC and indeed, one was this time as well.

[FishStik]

Worst post ever.

Seriously it's not like you even tried to elaborate or create a discussion, you just put "yesterday". Why did you bother wasting your time? It wasn't constructive or interesting or worthwhile. Many people including me are very happy at the outcome of the keynote. Im going to assume its the 3g iphone you have a problem with, try explaining your ideas if you are going to voice them.

Otherwise just keep quiet.

Maybe he just wanted to create a discussion. After all, that's the point of a forum


Anyways, I agree that this was a really bad keynote. I can understand if someone was bored when they were talking about the various apps being designed. Certain apps, such as the medical ones, only interest certain people. But playing the advertisement twice? Taking forever to list all 70 countries the iPhone will be sold in? Waiting for the Edge connection to load? We get the picture, Steve. You love the iPhone 3G. Now let's move on with our lives.

[zioxide]

Yeah I know, where the **** is my 8-core headless iMac with dual SLI 9800GTX that can also make me chicken parm or a turkey dinner? Damn you Apple!


Seriously, some of you people have way too high of expectations. Anyone with common sense knew that they weren't going to do a small upgrade to laptops or something.

The iPhone 3G is exactly what everyone wanted, and combined with 3rd party apps it's going to be awesome.

[Bobdude161]

I think the Keynote was solid, since this was a DEVELOPER conference, as opposed to the annual consumer Macworld. A lot of good information came out of it.

Quoted for truthiness(TM). The keynote was very fun to watch for me. T'was very informative and I got to see the "how it's made" side of Apple. Steve is fun to listen to, but there is a LOT more to Apple than Steve and it's really nice to see and hear the other people who make Apple great.

[Daveman Deluxe]

I thought that the keynote was as it should have been. There are three tracks at this year's WWDC:

1. iPhone: Apple has a deliverable RIGHT NOW for development on the iPhone. Apple needed to demonstrate to iPhone developers what they can do with the iPhone. The vast breadth of possibilities means that it makes sense for Apple to demonstrate a large number of apps, to highlight as many of the possibilities as possible. Also, being the one brand-new option as of this year, it makes sense to give the iPhone as much keynote time as possible, since there's the most to say on this subject.

2. IT: Exchange support got some time in the keynote, though not much. Everything else on Apple's IT track isn't really new, so it didn't make much sense to me to have a bunch of IT-related stuff in the keynote anyway.

3. OS X: Apple announced that Snow Leopard is in the works, but obviously Apple does not have a deliverable that they're ready to unveil to the public. Snow Leopard is clearly getting a lot of attention at WWDC in the developer sessions, but it is also clearly not ready for public scrutiny in any amount. Remember, Mr. Jobs made certain to mention the Snow Leopard session after lunch, so it's not as though he wasn't trying to make a big deal out of it. I'm sure that hundreds of developers attended that session, but it was under an NDA.

In short, the one major product that Apple has a deliverable for right now was the iPhone. Therefore, the only major product that Mr. Jobs could have POSSIBLY had a lot to talk about was the iPhone, and on that subject he succeeded magnificently. The WWDC keynote is not about entertainment--it's there to kick off a week of developers learning about the new APIs and frameworks that Apple is creating. Some of that stuff is important to us consumers as well, but the main purpose of the WWDC keynote is to get DEVELOPERS excited about what's coming down the pipe.

[EricNau]

And I agree, he looked pretty bad...
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that...

After every keynote people start planning Steve's funeral. I've never understood it: steve looks exactly the same, sounds exactly the same, and acts exactly the same, and yet, people are always disappointed. This holds especially true after every WWDC, which people incorrectly mistake for a consumer expo: it's not. It's about developing - it's supposed to be boring.

[stagi]

I thought the keynote was OK, some predictable things and I know most of us were hoping for more but it was still pretty good to see whats coming in the next few months.

[IJ Reilly]

They only spoke about software for a mobile phone. It would have been nice to at least get more details about OS 10.6. And to be fair, new products have been introduced in the past at WWDC and indeed, one was this time as well.

New hardware products are often announced, but the focus of this event is still software, as it always has been, and the big software deal at the moment is the mobile applications SDK. If they had any more to say about Snow Leopard I suspect it would have been included. I don't know where the expectation developed that WWDC is a second MWSF, which it never really was. Apple does product rollouts all year long now anyway.

[gkarris]

(limping slowly along...)

M i n i , w h e r e ' s t h e u p d a t e d M i n i . . . .

(left arm falls off.....) :eek:

[RedAbundance]

steve looked incredibly thin... anna wintour should love that
and i actually think he's getting more and more attractive
:D

[Eraserhead]

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that...

You'd be almost as rich as if you owned a few shares of AAPL :p.

If they had any more to say about Snow Leopard I suspect it would have been included.

The lack of Snow Leopard discussion doesn't matter, the things Apple needs to improve in Cocoa are Quicktime (and Web Services) and bug fixes, the "consumer" bit of Web Services has been announced (Mobile Me) and only developers care about the others. That Quicktime is bad is something they won't make public as it almost entirely concerns the interfaces for developers. Additionally anything more superficial in the OS can wait until they seed it to developers.

[nbs2]

Data is data. Data cost for old EDGE iPhone vs 3G iPhone in the UK haven't changed. This does seem to be AT&T being greedy *shock*.

But, if all ATT is doing is bringing iPhone data rates in line with what they charge for other devices, is it really greedy or is it simply the end of a promotional vehicle? I expect that once tethering is available as an option, it will be an additional $30, just as it is for the other devices.

Granted, it won't be as attractive to pay $40+30+30=$100 for 450 minutes compared with the $100 that you pay with Sprint for unlimited minutes. With Sprint charging $70 for 450 minutes it is essentially free tethering. But, I suppose the network can be called bigger and more stable than Sprint, and I don't see Verizon taking up Sprint's challege (nobody is bothered by Sprint going 7 to 7 and offering 6 to 6, all better than the 9 to 9 on N/W).

PDA (http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/services/services-list.jsp?catId=cat1510009&LOSGId=&catName=Data/SmartPhone+Connect) and Blackberry (http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/services/services-list.jsp?catId=cat1510007&LOSGId=&catName=BlackBerry%C2%AE+Services)

[twoodcc]

but we got nothing yesterday, except a date. no updates to anything. i was kinda disappointed, and it was a boring keynote

[66217]

What were you people expecting? Apple can't be putting into market new products every six months. It is much better if they put one new product and make sure it is the best, than having tons of products and not polishing any of them.

As said before, the wait till July is a very effective publicity. More and more people would get to hear of the new iPhone and be more excited about it. Do notice that apple fanboys that read MR are a very little minority. Do notice that most people can live with even 8GB of space.

And then you say nothing new was introduced. Either we saw different keynotes, or you are suggesting that the 3G iPhone is not new, or that MobileMe is not new, or that perhaps Snow Leopard is not new. Really, what did you wanted??

Remember one more thing: AT&T and Apple want money. They'll do the best to get money.


I guess we have to look in the mirror though and realise that since we follow the rumors all the time it's just always gonna be that bit harder to impress us.


Exactly! If you keep reading rumors of an iPhone with video, unlimited space for songs, thinner, faster, made of gold, you name it! You would never be satisfied.

[IJ Reilly]

Steve needs to start firing skyrockets over the heads of the audience. Even a balloon drop would be a nice touch. Otherwise, what a bore.

Seriously, every Apple event these days seems to get the same response from jaded users. If it doesn't thrill me, chill me, and make me write bad checks -- then it's a complete bust. Just look at all the gripe threads that pop up like rhubarb in the springtime. Never mind that everything we had any reason to expect actually happened. Since when is that ever good enough?

[leekohler]

If they had any more to say about Snow Leopard I suspect it would have been included.

I guess that's what is bothering me. There should have been more to say. The focus is seems to be coming off the computer products, which I find disturbing. Computers don't have to be all they do, but I expect Apple to pay as much attention to those products as they have in the past. I don't think that's an illegitimate concern. Besides, if there were no iPhone, would they just have canceled WWDC? I doubt it.

[66217]

I guess that's what is bothering me. There should have been more to say. The focus is seems to be coming off the computer products, which I find disturbing. Computers don't have to be all they do, but I expect Apple to pay as much attention to those products as they have in the past. I don't think that's an illegitimate concern. Besides, if there were no iPhone, would they just have canceled WWDC? I doubt it.

The whole situation could also be seen the other way around. The iPhone is making the Mac grow faster, just like the iPod did in the past. By getting people to know Apple better by the iPhone and iPod, many will end up buying a Mac.

Also, I believe they are seeing a bigger business opportunity with the iPhone. And they don't have much time to make the iPhone a standard around executives or the general user, Nokia and Blackberry must be getting ready to fight back. On the other hand, the Mac seems to be growing extraordinarily by just good marketing and keeping them up-to-date.

[Cassie]

Anyone worried about steve...
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/06/10/apple_says_steve_jobs_feeling_a_little_under_the_weather_recently.html

[Col127]

Yesterday

lol... i was pretty disappointed watching the stream. all the past keynotes have been a lot more exciting. i found this one to be a lot more techie than years past. but i suppose the biggest thing stirring at apple right now is the iphone :0

[Me1000]

I don't understand why people think they can pay the same rate for EDGE as they do 3G. It's amazing. That's like wanting to get the same rate for dialup as you would for a T1? Two different networks, two differnet speeds. If you want to upgrade, you're going to have to pay.

Well what about the MANY MANY people that dont even have 3G coverage? There isnt a 3G tower within two hours of me! So if I get a new iPhone my data plan is going to increase $10 and my speeds stay the same.
As for the people using a 2.5G iPhone in a 3G network it costs at&t just as much to send out edge data as it does 3G data...

It is just greed! Nothing more...



Anyway about the keynote.
I was a little disappointed that it was all iPhone and no Mac. I understand the market value for this, but the Mac has the potential to bring in the most revenue. More so than the iPhone...

Although I remember last years WWDC people said that is the worst keynote ever given by Jobs. Honestly this year was better than last...

[leekohler]

The whole situation could also be seen the other way around. The iPhone is making the Mac grow faster, just like the iPod did in the past. By getting people to know Apple better by the iPhone and iPod, many will end up buying a Mac.

Also, I believe they are seeing a bigger business opportunity with the iPhone. And they don't have much time to make the iPhone a standard around executives or the general user, Nokia and Blackberry must be getting ready to fight back. On the other hand, the Mac seems to be growing extraordinarily by just good marketing and keeping them up-to-date.

While I don't disagree with you, and it's definitely good to get into new markets and diversify a your product line, it's also just as important to stay equally focused on the entire product line. I think we know what happens when that's not the case. The entire product line gets diluted.

[IJ Reilly]

I guess that's what is bothering me. There should have been more to say. The focus is seems to be coming off the computer products, which I find disturbing. Computers don't have to be all they do, but I expect Apple to pay as much attention to those products as they have in the past. I don't think that's an illegitimate concern. Besides, if there were no iPhone, would they just have canceled WWDC? I doubt it.

Snow Leopard is still more than a year off, and they are advertising it as essentially a glorified maintenance release -- which may be good, or may be bad, I don't really know. I suppose some of us are looking for signs that Apple is leaving the Mac behind in favor of iPods and iPhones. Personally, I don't see it. I see a company with a far more diverse product line and a much more sophisticated strategy they've had in the past, when it was all about the Mac. I think the mobile strategy isn't entirely about handheld devices, to the exclusion of computers. It's about unifying computing from the hand to the desktop. So far they are succeeding in ways which have eluded Microsoft for years. Apple is in the process of outmaneuvering Microsoft instead of battling them head-on. Read between the lines. I believe this is far more important than asking "why didn't Steve talk more about the Mac?"

[leekohler]

Snow Leopard is still more than a year off, and they are advertising it as essentially a glorified maintenance release -- which may be good, or may be bad, I don't really know. I suppose some of us are looking for signs that Apple is leaving the Mac behind in favor of iPods and iPhones. Personally, I don't see it. I see a company with a far more diverse product line and a much more sophisticated strategy they've had in the past, when it was all about the Mac. I think the mobile strategy isn't entirely about handheld devices, to the exclusion of computers. It's about unifying computing from the hand to the desktop. So far they are succeeding in ways which have eluded Microsoft for years. Apple is in the process of outmaneuvering Microsoft instead of battling them head-on. Read between the lines. I believe this is far more important than asking "why didn't Steve talk more about the Mac?"

I get the strategy, IJ. I understand it completely. However, Leopard has been out now for quite some time and still needs quite a bit of help. Tiger was never this buggy. I'm not saying they're getting out of the computer business or anything of the sort. I just think they need to pay equal attention to everything, and I'm just not seeing that.

[PlaceofDis]

I get the strategy, IJ. I understand it completely. However, Leopard has been out now for quite some time and still needs quite a bit of help. Tiger was never this buggy. I'm not saying they're getting out of the computer business or anything of the sort. I just think they need to pay equal attention to everything, and I'm just not seeing that.

why give everything equal media attention when its not needed? thats basically what the keynote is.

they have plenty of sessions going on that involve Leopard and Snow Leopard, but they don't need to yell about it during a Keynote, since it has no place in the news and headlines etc.

[MonksMac]

I guess that's what is bothering me. There should have been more to say. The focus is seems to be coming off the computer products, which I find disturbing. Computers don't have to be all they do, but I expect Apple to pay as much attention to those products as they have in the past. I don't think that's an illegitimate concern. Besides, if there were no iPhone, would they just have canceled WWDC? I doubt it.

You have summed up my concerns perfectly!
It seems that all Apple wants to do is focus on the iPhone. I don't want the latest and greatest every few months, but I want Apple to actually talk about the Macintosh. I knew this would happen when they became Apple Inc. Apparently they don't care about their founding business anymore. How sad.:(

[leekohler]

why give everything equal media attention when its not needed? thats basically what the keynote is.

they have plenty of sessions going on that involve Leopard and Snow Leopard, but they don't need to yell about it during a Keynote, since it has no place in the news and headlines etc.

(Sigh) I'm about to give up. I guess I'm not expressing myself clearly enough.

I brought this up to IJ before- just suppose that there were no iPhone at the moment. Would there have been no WWDC, or would it have focused on something else, such as Snow Leopard? How much further along do you think it would be right now? That's what's getting me. There needs to be equal focus on all the products.

[Eraserhead]

While I don't disagree with you, and it's definitely good to get into new markets and diversify a your product line, it's also just as important to stay equally focused on the entire product line. I think we know what happens when that's not the case. The entire product line gets diluted.

The thing is that in terms of developers using new features of the OS and the quality of their OS from a developer perspective they are 5 years ahead of Microsoft (and Microsoft would have to play their cards pretty well to meet that) and this seriously isn't hyperbole. Its *possible* for them to catch up by Windows 7, but it would be phenomenally difficult. Frankly if they managed it and could continue the pace Apple is screwed whatever they do.

If you aren't a developer this is basically the reason Delicious Library and other similar applications are Mac only ;).

However in terms of non-developer features IMO they are about level with Microsoft. In ease of use they are also ahead, but as the world has to use Windows so its not that relevant. On the mobile in terms of non-developer features they are about level, but are ahead on ease of use. They are also probably ahead from a developer perspective, but I don't know enough about mobile development to make a better judgement than that, but it is almost certainly only a maximum of a couple of years maybe three.

All-in-all they need to keep going with the mobile side but even if they do have great underlying features to add to Mac OS X there is truly no point in showing their cards now other than to give the competition time to copy them. However they are clearly fixing the niggles with the OS as Microsoft should have done when they won the browser wars.

[IJ Reilly]

It is fair to ask whether Apple is stretched too thin. The delay in shipping Leopard, and the issues with the first release strongly suggests that they can't hire enough talent to move everything forward at the same time. That's the price of success I suppose.

What would they talk about at WWDC if there was no iPhone? Not much, is my answer.

[leekohler]

It is fair to ask whether Apple is stretched too thin. The delay in shipping Leopard, and the issues with the first release strongly suggests that they can't hire enough talent to move everything forward at the same time. That's the price of success I suppose.

What would they talk about at WWDC if there was no iPhone? Not much, is my answer.

Thanks! That's what I meant to say. That's what I see as a problem. "Me Talk Pretty One Day". :D

[Eraserhead]

It is fair to ask whether Apple is stretched too thin.

That's true, personally I think they straining a bit, but should be OK as long as they don't expand into any new markets.

Going mobile wasn't really that much of an option, as the iPod would have been "killed" by another phone soon enough, and you can see how much the iPod can be undercut in price ;).

[iMpathetic]

Yesterday

Why does there have to be a bitching about the keynote thread every year, guys? :confused:

[MonksMac]

Why does there have to be a bitching about the keynote thread every year, guys? :confused:

Because there were no Macintosh updates it gives us something to do instead of complaining about problems with those.;):apple:

[iMpathetic]

Because there were no Macintosh updates it gives us something to do instead of complaining about problems with those.;):apple:

Of course, when Apple introduces a skulltrail rig running OS X, people will whine because they think "skulltrail" is a stupid name for a motherboard. :rolleyes:

[EricNau]

Anyone worried about steve...
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/06/10/apple_says_steve_jobs_feeling_a_little_under_the_weather_recently.html
Not at all; there's no reason to be worried. After every keynote Steve's health is brought into question, and every time it's unwarranted.

As I said before, he doesn't look different, he didn't sound different, nor did he act different. I wouldn't be half surprised if Apple made the "common bug" story up months ago, predicting this would happen.

[Cassie]

Not at all; there's no reason to be worried. After every keynote Steve's health is brought into question, and every time it's unwarranted.

As I said before, he doesn't look different, he didn't sound different, nor did he act different. I wouldn't be half surprised if Apple made the "common bug" story up months ago, predicting this would happen.

Oh I'm not worried about him, I was just posting that link so all the people who were worried could calm their fears.:)

[firestarter]

(Sigh) I'm about to give up. I guess I'm not expressing myself clearly enough.

I brought this up to IJ before- just suppose that there were no iPhone at the moment. Would there have been no WWDC, or would it have focused on something else, such as Snow Leopard? How much further along do you think it would be right now? That's what's getting me. There needs to be equal focus on all the products.

I disagree with you (just a little! :) )

I think the Snow Leopard release is much bigger than Apple are making out. I think they're trying to downplay it - but I think it's going to be a 'stealth' project to attack Microsoft head on.

Apple seems to have spent a lot of time with the new iPhone talking to big businesses and making sure it works for them. I expect they've made some friends too ('Apple, please save us from Microsoft!')

The fact that Apple is adding exchange server support to Leopard, and client support too is the biggie. For the first time in more than a decade, Apple is actually showing some intent that it's going back into businesses. I think they will be welcomed with open arms this time. This is a massive departure from the last 10 years of home/internet appliance/iLife type focus - and I think it's an extremely strong re-affirmation in the Mac.

[PlaceofDis]

(Sigh) I'm about to give up. I guess I'm not expressing myself clearly enough.

I brought this up to IJ before- just suppose that there were no iPhone at the moment. Would there have been no WWDC, or would it have focused on something else, such as Snow Leopard? How much further along do you think it would be right now? That's what's getting me. There needs to be equal focus on all the products.

well if there was no iPhone, hypothetically of course there would be something else to talk about. and something else that would dominate the entire keynote probably. probably snow leopard or some other OS X, and Leopard wouldn't have been delayed. but it could've been a tablet device released instead and talking about development for that. etc.

is apple stretched too thin? i don't think so, i think they're playing the marketing game as usual.

[MacNut]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the original G5 released at WWDC.

[FF_productions]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the original G5 released at WWDC.

Yup, 2003 WWDC to be exact.

iPhone is opening the floodgates to Apple, with the only thing holding it back is AT&T (in america, then again, if I can afford an iPhone, I'd be more than willing to pay for AT&T, which makes the argument moot)

Why did all those keynotes in the past focus so much on the Mac?

OS X, Steve Jobs and co. wanted to nail it into our heads that not only did they have the fastest computers, but the most advanced OS in the world.

But then the iPhone came around with the revolution of Multi-Touch. Apple is molding around a Portable lifestyle, why do you think they are cutting down OS X and cleaning it up in Snow Leopard? Portable devices with very little space, such as the Air, do not have the space and would help big time if the OS is slimmed down.

So to sum up my long ass post, what did I think of WWDC 08? Apple is AGGRESSIVELY pushing out iPhone, willing to sell it at the same price as an 8 gig iPod Nano just to get the customer base to grow. I think it's great. I know for a fact that when I do get enough $ I will own an iPhone. No point for a laptop for me if I have an iPhone that knocks out a laptop/iPod/and any other Phone.

[Daveman Deluxe]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the original G5 released at WWDC.

It was, but the G5 was very important to developers because it ushered in 64-bit development options for Mac devs. The Intel transition was announced at WWDC because of its implications for developers. The same happened yesterday with the iPhone (remember, Apple has a WWDC programme specifically for iPhone devolpers this year).

The pattern for hardware announcemends at WWDC is that they always have a strong impact on third-party developers.

[kabunaru]

Yesterday

I agree. Worst WWDC ever in history so far. I hope MacWorld '09 won't be a repeat.

[Abstract]

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that...

After every keynote people start planning Steve's funeral. I've never understood it: steve looks exactly the same, sounds exactly the same, and acts exactly the same, and yet, people are always disappointed.

Not really. He really does look a lot different. I thought perhaps it was being exaggerated a bit, but this is definitely noticeable. This is the first keynote I have followed in 2 years (amazing, I know), and I have never really bothered reading articles, or looked at photos since then. I'd read about the new products on the MR front page, or at the forums, and go directly to Apple.com to check out new products. Now that I have stayed awake for this one (it started at 3 AM here in Australia), he does look 15-20 lbs skinnier than in the last photos I saw of him. Look at his face. (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/06/10/apple_says_steve_jobs_feeling_a_little_under_the_weather_recently.html) Maybe my memory of Jobs' appearance in the past isn't accurate.

[majordude]

Well the new iPhone models aren't going to be plated in 14 karat gold, they won't double as an electric shaver...

Brilliant!

iShaver! You can talk on the phone, shave your beard, and vibrate mode would be just like one of those "power" shavers...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5153M893CDL._SS400_.jpg

[jodelli]

Two words: Gil Amelio. But only if you're including Macworlds.

[Zwhaler]

I think the Keynote was solid, since this was a DEVELOPER conference, as opposed to the annual consumer Macworld. A lot of good information came out of it.

I'm with you, basically every year (except 2006, that was actually really interesting) people always expect WWDC to be exciting and consumer-oriented. It is not, and people always get let down since they hype themselves up for it. Remember what WWDC actually stands for... it isn't MacWorld.

[grider]

I guess the reason why this didn't seem like one of the better keynotes was because, it was meant more for the developers! It was a developer conference!

[grider]

I'm with you, basically every year (except 2006, that was actually really interesting) people always expect WWDC to be exciting and consumer-oriented. It is not, and people always get let down since they hype themselves up for it. Remember what WWDC actually stands for... it isn't MacWorld.

Sorry, I should have read the post above before I commented :D The thread was a little too long!

[MrSmith]

Yesterday
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in

Yesterday

All together now...

[mark88]

I guess the reason why this didn't seem like one of the better keynotes was because, it was meant more for the developers! It was a developer conference!

We've had years and years of WWDC's and each time Apple has released new products not specifically aimed at developers.

I notice how all of sudden there's a bum WWDC everybody comes out and says "yea but it's a developer conference".

Apple set the rules, so it's only right people are to be disappointed when they don't bring out anything new or have an interesting keynote.

The iPhone has turned Apple into a yawn-a-thon if you're not actually interested in iPhones. The keynote barely saw the words 'mac or 'os x' mentioned at all.

[JML42691]

^^Great post Mark88, it seems that at some times people are completely missing the point that it is a developers conference, and that Apple is the one that decides if it will be geared more towards the consumer (as the iPhone) or the actual developers, but if I were the developers that were at that keynote for the sole purpose as being developers, I would have been somewhat disappointed over the keynote, as the first half was more of a bunch of infomercials, and the second half was more of a product announcement, it seems that Apple could have done a lot more for the developers at that keynote, but Apple are the ones to decide.

[Masquerade]

This keynote in 3 words: super monkey ball.
these .me clouds... remembers super mario... apple party like 1989??

[IJ Reilly]

I notice how all of sudden there's a bum WWDC everybody comes out and says "yea but it's a developer conference".

There's no "all of sudden" about it. We hear these complaints after every keynote, at WWDC or MWSF. A lot of people are way too jaded. They seem to think that if Steve doesn't give them the exact product they always wanted, even if nobody had any legitimate reason to expect it, then Apple has stumbled somehow. Silly but true.

[Bwilky]

I have to agree. It was pretty dam boring. I fell asleep at the mobile me part. That was just boring. Plus there weren't enough "BUT!!!!!'S".
I don't think Jobs is on his way out though, without Job's I think they will die again.