Apple Announces $200+ Photo Book Called 'Designed by Apple in California' [Update: Now Available]

[TrumpsWithUs]

This post has brought out the expert level trolls. Getting popcorn.

 

[bmunge]

This article was poorly timed for April 1st. Are we sure this isn't a link to The Onion? What incredibly absurd pricing. You can manufacture a $50 coffee table book and make a profit.



Which is incredibly frustrating because a very simple design alteration could have made the mouse usable while charging. Nothing worse than getting no meaningful warning on the office computer and the mouse dying during an important project.

How would you not get a warning? OSX gives you plenty of notifications when Bluetooth devices are running low and as the previous poster stated, you get 8 hours in 2 minutes. I really don't understand the complaints.

 

[Lone Deranger]

What a waste. Why not make it an e-book and save some trees.

 

[macguru212]

Mmm.... that's ok, I'll pass.

 

[xkam1x]

That book is so think, it is very unlike Apple...

 

[load97]

Or even the Apple Watch, which is surely one of the least stylish watches ever made. It's a chubby, flabby rectangle, devoid of any distinguishing features. I have a relative who is a collector of high end watches - needless to say he finds the Apple watch both amusing and distasteful.

Apple design isn't what it used to be, sadly. I guess there's only so far you can take the rounded rectangle.

Looks like a turtle on it's back...

 

[Aragrist]

No, I'm sorry but Apple is just being a dick now. The large size book should only cost $40 max. If they plan to only release 1000 copies that are all signed by the design teams themselves then sure, okay, I can see a $200 price point. But this is just a photo coffee table book. It's time to get back to reality Apple! We need a touch screen iMac that folds down so we can use the pencil on it to draw, we need more advanced Pro apps for art, audio, video and production. We need the old Apple back. Expensive paper weights and photo albums are just not apple.

 

[macguru212]

I do like the concept of these books, but what justifies that price tag? Does the book contain some very nifty details about the way Apple approaches new ideas and designs or some other kind of special sauce? If it only contains really nice, high-detailed pictures of various Apple products throughout history I can't for the life of me figure out why it should cost so much?

No, but the book may thoroughly explain the inflated markup process on its products.

 

[nsayer]

I boldly predict that a future Macalope column will be dedicated to criticism of this book.

 

[koa]

Judging by some of the images, one is paying $200 for quite a bit of blank white paper. I really hope the bigger book has the same size photos but with larger white matting. That would be really cool and the one I would buy.

Kramer would be proud...

 

[iF34R]

Goodness. This is the first "product" they've released that I won't even consider buying. Meh.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Samsung will literally start their photocopiers.

Will they explode like their phones and washing machines have been?

 

[Nick11Mac]

The book would make a nice gift, or keepsake. However, those prices are extraordinarily high for a single book. To those that came up with the photos, gilded edges and nice paper stock, good work. As for the many who budget their monthly income, such as myself, it won't be purchased.

 

[actinide]

While others shape the future (link), apple is stuck with watchbands, a book and gimmickry.

EDIT: I forgot Emojis,.. How can I forget Emojis

 

[cube]

Will they explode like their phones and washing machines have been?

https://www.amazon.com/Fahrenheit-451-Novel-Ray-Bradbury/dp/1451673310/

 

[BootsWalking]

"This archive is intended to be a gentle gathering of many of the products the team has designed over the years."

Can someone explain to me what a gentle gathering is?

 

[prowlmedia]

$300 for a book... you can buy Iconic which is very similar for £40.. http://iconicbook.com/work/

As I'm sure was said previously, they basically copied the book already published from two years ago:
Iconic: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation
https://www.amazon.com/Iconic-Photographic-Tribute-Apple-Innovation/dp/098858171X/

If you watch the video - This seems to be more about the Process and manufacturing too. While it's expensive... design books ARE expensive. I've bought ones for £300 before.

Now I hope they make a fully interactive iBook version...

 

[GreenFreaK]

As I'm sure was said previously, they basically copied the book already published from two years ago:
Iconic: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation
https://www.amazon.com/Iconic-Photographic-Tribute-Apple-Innovation/dp/098858171X/

 

[prowlmedia]

"This archive is intended to be a gentle gathering of many of the products the team has designed over the years."

Can someone explain to me what a gentle gathering is?

Kind of like a Hardcore Gathering but with Hummus.

 

[hybrid_x]

What, no electronic version of the book for viewing/reading on wide colour-gamut iPad displays? Note to Jony Ive: Print Is Dead.

I have the Apple Design book that came out in 1997, which I suppose this is the "sequel" to, covering 1998 to present. The original is a fascinating look at the work of Apple's Industrial Design group, with a lot of concept and prototype work, back when they made real physical prototypes. Unfortunately, that marvellous book was marred by typos, literally on nearly every page. It's like they only expected people to look at the pictures, and not actually read the damn thing. Hopefully this one is better.

 

[RichTeer]

I'm kinda surprised (and disappointed) that this isn't an iBook...

 

[Shlooky]

for $300 I'd rather buy the Apple Watch.

 

[amegicfox]

they are trying so hard to be part of Steve Jobs legacy but they will never be,
they have been actually ruining his legacy.

Apple died with Steve, like Ellison said.

 

[cube]

Can someone explain to me what a gentle gathering is?

It seems like something out of fashion.

 

[jamezr]

Lol...only Apple will publish a picture book of their products...then charge people $200 just to see Apple products. Now that's pure innovation right there....