Everything Apple Announced at Today's 'It's Show Time' Event in 6 Minutes

[Fozziebear71]

I watched the first 15 minutes or so. That was all I could take. At that point I was hoping that I would be able to check back today and at least hear that Apple had announced they were increasing their free iCloud to 50 GB. Sad that didn't come to fruition. Very glad that I missed having to listen to the self-absorbed, self-important, stars that evidently came out later. Especially glad I didn't have to listen to whatever drivel Oprah spewed. The credit card is the only thing that piqued any interest for me. Definitely not subscribing to the tv+ thing just to give multi-millionaire "stars" more money to listen to their social justice warrior driven "stories". Oh well, maybe the developers conference will bring some interesting stuff later in the year.

 

[neliason]

My feeling is that Apple is trying to juggle too many balls at the same time.
I always think of Steve when he returned to Apple, simplified the hardware line and focused on software big time. While I get we live in different times, I wish Apple could focus on what matters most and stop trying to jump all over the place.

I am frustrated by what Apple doesn’t do, like work bugs out of their software or offer reasonable base storage sizes, but it really is a different time. Apple is now one of the most valuable companies in the US with one of the largest revenue streams and annual profits. Companies their size are always going to look to dominate even more markets than they currently do. They are going to look to integrate more products or services that others provide into their business to keep the profit for themselves. The best we can hope for is that they don’t neglect the products that got them where they are that we ourselves like so much.

 

[Baymowe335]

And where is the innovation in announcing several "me too" services?

See how people pivot to unrelated topics while ignoring the innovation?
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Neither is REMOVAL of all features, Ive's main focus since Jobs death.

Now think about all the “features” removed when Jobs was alive.

Also, think about things that have been added.

 

[ThisIsARealityCheck]

Why do you think Apple is doing anything new? Same services as every other provider out there.

I guess it all comes down to the price as to whether it takes off as a movie/tv subscription service.

Games haven't taken off of the Apple platform why is a subscription service change that?

Really?

Apple has always spread itself thin, thats why it takes so long for new releases to come out.

I don't think games developers will make much out of this.
People get bored of games and then move on to the next game.
So games developers on other platforms takes the $80 per game.
In Apples model, the developer will not get $80 out of each subscriber.
Games developers only have a short time to make money out of a game.
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I must have been listening to a different Oprah
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Will they allow drinking, sex and smoking in the movies and tv shows?

It will come down to the quality of the content. Also no games on the App Store cost £80. And as mentioned in the event, currently paid apps don’t do very well. These aren’t just any games, they’re games made in partnership with Apple. This hasn’t existed thus far so you cannot judge the experience.
Same goes for the shows, as far as we know these may be some of the best shows ever made. You cannot claim otherwise until you’ve seen them.

 

[curtvaughan]

So, here's the thing about that:

Apple isn't a small company any more. And where in the late '90s people actually thought Apple might go under, it's nowhere near that now.

Apple should be able to manage multiple product lines at the same time. Apple should be able to add useless and pointless crud like these announcements without people wondering if they've taken on too much.

But here we are. And the iMac got a new processor last week, about 6-8 months late. It took four years to update the Mac mini. There is still no new Mac Pro, you can go buy a brand new 5 year old 'trash can' Mac Pro today, and it was a cruddy design when in was introduced in 2013, the 2012 'cheesegrater' is still a better computer today, drop in PCIe SSDs, a new video card, and upgraded Xeons and you've got a machine that stomps all over the 'trash can'.

And Apple can't figure out that people want headphone jacks in their phones. Apple can't figure out that soldering SSDs to logic boards is even stupider than soldering RAM. Apple's idea of innovation today is frequently to break stuff people actually use, and in some cases really, really need, like the server app removing all server functionality.

Apple is big enough that none of this should be an issue now. But here we are, and Apple is a massively financially successful company that seems to have the hardware and software development capability of a startup in a garage. They can do better, they just won't.

Agreed. I think Apple should stop pretending to be a laptop/desktop company and just focus on wireless mobile gadgets and bluetooth devices to supplement their new directions in service provision. At some point forums like this one and "9to5Mac" need name changes more reflective of the new Apple.

 

[ThisIsARealityCheck]

I don't get the credit card excitement.
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It's Apple, the shows are going to be PG after school special rubbish. I can already feel it.

You don’t know that. And shows don’t need gratuitous violence or nudity to be amazing.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

The points on purchase is pretty much standard. I have Apple Pay as well but I only use it at certain vendors. I suppose if I were a more regimented Apple Pay user, then having Apple cash would help.

The benefits of the card itself seems worse than most other cards. I’m running thru my head how my “flow” would be like with this card, and I can’t really see any significant advantages

Personally, I only know one person in my circle that uses it, and they work for Apple. It’s funny because they usually have their spouse Venmo me for payments.

Also you don’t need an Amazon credit card for 5%. You can get the same with an Amazon store card. I notice Amazon doesn’t like to tout the store card as much

This is something like the 5th or 6th time Apple has tried to come out with a credit card of some variety. Some of them could only be used to buy Macs, some of them let you build up points you could use to buy Apple stuff, but they've been messing around with credit for years. It's never worked out for them before.

I may get one. The only real advantage I see is a card with no numbers printed on it, but that's got a definite advantage in a restaurant or bar where you have to hand a card over to somebody who takes it out of your sight, they'll need a card scanner to capture your number, not just a camera or a piece of paper and a pencil. Any card issuer could do that, nobody has yet.

But I have no illusions that Apple is going to be in the credit card business for long. That's never worked for them before.

 

[citysnaps]

Agreed. I think Apple should stop pretending to be a laptop/desktop company and just focus on wireless mobile gadgets and bluetooth devices to supplement their new directions in service provision. At some point forums like this one and "9to5Mac" need name changes more reflective of the new Apple.

"I think Apple should stop pretending to be a laptop/desktop company..."

What? That makes zero sense. Developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and supporting laptop and desktop computers, along with delivering frequent macOS updates, is hardly pretending.

 

[AppleWarMachine]

Seems like Apple wants to sell you a subscription for everything...no thanks! (But I'll take new products...waiting)

 

[bobmepp]

They already stream the music. They could charge 39.99 a month for it all and put Netflix out of business quick if they wanted

I sure hope not, or at least that the option for Music alone at 9.99 would still be available. I know I'm in a tiny minority, but I don't relate to video as a way to understand the world -- for me it is to me the most synthetic of all media.

 

[curtvaughan]

Happy for you, so just don't buy the subscription. No reason to get upset.

That is similar to advice given to folks upset about removal of the sound jack from phones and tablets, soldered non-upgradable parts, removal of useful ports on Macs, defaulting to 5400 rpm HDD storage on high priced computers, throttling high priced i9 MBPs, and making design decisions discouraging repairability. I'm in the process of following this advice, as are many others. I stopped buying iPhones after the 6S/6S+, my last iPad will be my 2017 iPad Pro, I no longer purchase Apple laptops, and if the desktop/pro lines of Macs are neglected much longer, my current 2017 iMac will be my last Apple desktop. You are correct that there's no longer any reason to be upset. Apple no longer offers the functional and reliable products I used to take for granted as a longtime Apple customer, and other companies are beginning to fill that void at cheaper prices. It's sort of like going through a divorce/separation - it's painful at first, but becomes less so over time, after which I still hazard nostalgic memories of happier days with the "ex". Given the times, Apple moving into being a service company probably makes financial sense, but it's hardly anything to get excited about. If their offerings become competitive with Netflix, Google, Amazon, and various other credit card companies, perhaps I'll bite.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

HP was founded in a Palo Alto garage. Apple garage was in Los Altos.

I thought it was Mountain View?

 

[Classie]

In ten years this event will be a clear post of where they really focused on new avenues. Services is a huge business, and I'm glad that today was a reminder for me to cancel stuff so I can save more money. It just wasn't a good event really. Good doesn't mean important though. Some of this stuff (apple card, privacy in general, where apple tv+ will be when they have five or six killer shows) are good things, it's just not exciting and it doesn't make for the best event. Their graphics and promo's were still top notch, as usual though.

Totally agree; this was a very “look where we’re heading” event. Apple needs to get into the service business fast!
Apple is late to the party but has an incredible reuputation and brand value that everyone else lacks - they will attract the big names!

 

[citysnaps]

Seems like Apple wants to sell you a subscription for everything...no thanks! (But I'll take new products...waiting)

How else would Apple provide an ongoing service if it were not via subscription?

Would you prefer Apple provide lifetime Apple Music, just as an example, with a price based on your age and life expectancy?

Let's say you're a male and 35 years old, and, your life expectancy via actuarial tables is hitting 80 years of age. That's 45 years. With Apple Music costing $100/year, they could charge you a one-time fee of $4,500.

How about your electricity, gas, garbage, and water service subscriptions? And your car insurance subscription. Would you prefer a one-time charge based on your age, life expectancy, average usage, and yearly inflation?

 

[Classie]

At least we can all agree that the intro video was amazing!!
It was so pure Apple!

 

[DNichter]

Kind of an underwhelming event for me, but I am still looking forward to some of what was mentioned. I think the Card is a great idea and will get right away, look forward to seeing what content they create with Apple TV+, and the new Apple TV app can now house all my Playstation Vue content within the app, which could be a nice plus. I have no use for News+, but I can see it being popular with some people. For the Mac die hards, yea this keynote is probably going to continue to drive you nuts, but Apple is catering to a different group of consumers today.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

All this Apple credit card talk really should scare everyone.
They weren't happy with just scamming you our of your money with over-inflated Apple-Taxed products.
Now they want to handle your money directly.
This is the stuff of 1970's dystopian stuff right here.

Oh..
In case you were going to make the "Apple cares about yer privacy n'stuff!" argument,
here you go.

Old news. Everyone should read Patriot Acts 1, 2, and 3. Yes there are three of them.

 

[MichaelLeed]

Perhaps Apple is still innovative, but I’m sorry... they crished my love for them when they discountuned the 4” iPhone handset.

— I deleted their free news app, due the overwhelming level of political crap... As hard as I tried, I couldn’t get it to stop showing up on the app, so it had to go.

— I don’t play games... so I don’t care about that stuff (tho I get it, cuz they way to target that massive community).

— I have Hulu and Netflix and would rather buy or rent my movies on Amazon because I’m so frustrated about giving more money to Apple, after they took away my 4” option (side note: I went with Spotify over Apple Music for this same reason).

Tim and his board members are only about money... which I understand, it’s a business.. and the truth is, I’ll stick with their computers for life, but beyond that, whatever they've been ‘considering’ to be ‘innovative’ has not been innovative to me because it doesn’t make my experience as user, better.

In short: I’m just as 100% disappointed with this keynote as I have been with every keynote since the dropped the perfect size phone... and hope that someone in the Android arena fills the void, so I can finally upgrade again.

 

[HarryWild]

Apple is the last in for doing streaming content: video and print! Plus, it Apple TV+ is no Netflix, it a startup!
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Seems like Apple wants to sell you a subscription for everything...no thanks! (But I'll take new products...waiting)

After 5 years if you think about the Mini 3&4 we finally get a Mini 5!

 

[DNichter]

I think the fact that Apple has pivoted away from focusing on the Mac business is still getting to a lot of people. The "lack of innovation" that many claim over and over are more so just a lack of innovation in things that you care about. They are innovating, just not in areas you want. For some people, they probably love what they are doing with their mobile, wearables, and services. This is where the money is for Apple and what the bulk of their customers want, not Mac Pro's and an updated Mac mini. Apple has moved on from that business (of course, not on the surface as they need to support it for developers). It wont sit well with a lot of you, but it is best to move on as well. You may not like the direction, the products, or the services, but millions of people do and that is what Apple will cater to. If you don't like it, it's probably time to move on to a company that is focused on products you want/need.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Agreed. I think Apple should stop pretending to be a laptop/desktop company and just focus on wireless mobile gadgets and bluetooth devices to supplement their new directions in service provision. At some point forums like this one and "9to5Mac" need name changes more reflective of the new Apple.

Oh no. No no no no no no.

That's not at all what I'm saying. Apple is big enough now that they can keep making fluff while also being an insanely great computer company. But if they're going to cut, they need to cut the fluff and refocus on making insanely great computers.

What I really want to see at this point is a next-generation XServe, a heavy duty blade server that I can put in a rack. macOS is UNIX, and a really great UNIX at that, it deserves to be on the desktop, in the server closet, and in the data center.

Look, Apple's 'services' are garbage fluff. The world doesn't need a new TV subscription, there's nothing tempting about their streaming music, another game platform, and ultimately another rewards card is fine but not all that interesting and definitely not truly innovative.

It's not like it's actually hard to build new computers. Most of what a Mac actually is these days is essentially an Intel reference design with a few extra bits grafted on. Leave out the idiotic T2 chip that nobody actually needs and a few competent engineers can knock out a new Mac desktop in a few weeks, even grafting that chip on shouldn't take them long at all if they have even remotely competent engineers. A Mac Pro tower with plenty of expansion room would be a cakewalk. And how can I say that with such certainty? Because I've set up nice new tower systems running macOS that Apple didn't build, and those work even with Apple actively trying to break them.

And it's not like the software work is doubled to have both macOS and iOS. They're the same operating system under the skin, a Darwin-kernel UNIX.

I don't know about you, but I spend far, far more time interacting with a desktop or laptop computer than I do with my iPhone. My iPad is a cute toy, I don't use it for anything work related. And my Apple TV is more neglected than any of the rest of it.

So no. Apple needs to double down on computers. They can keep the fluff, but they need to stop letting it distract from real work.

 

[citysnaps]

I think the fact that Apple has pivoted away from focusing on the Mac business is still getting to a lot of people. The "lack of innovation" that many claim over and over are more so just a lack of innovation in things that you care about. They are innovating, just not in areas you want. For some people, they probably love what they are doing with their mobile, wearables, and services. This is where the money is for Apple and what the bulk of their customers want, not Mac Pro's and an updated Mac mini. Apple has moved on from that business (of course, not on the surface as they need to support it for developers). It wont sit well with a lot of you, but it is best to move on as well. You may not like the direction, the products, or the services, but millions of people do and that is what Apple will cater to. If you don't like it, it's probably time to move on to a company that is focused on products you want/need.

"If you don't like it, it's probably time to move on to a company that is focused on products you want/need."

But that takes real courage. And for the most part, many people lack that and would rather sit at home moaning-n-whining for years and years, over taking action supporting companies and purchasing their products that meet their needs.

 

[Lankyman]

I believe this well respected UK broadsheet puts it much better than I can.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-...religious-cult-oprah-winfrey-steven-spielberg

 

[DNichter]

"If you don't like it, it's probably time to move on to a company that is focused on products you want/need."

But that takes real courage. And for the most part, many people lack that and would rather sit at home moaning-n-whining for years and years, over taking action supporting companies and purchasing their products that meet their needs.

I am sure it isn't easy. Some customers have been supporting the company for 20 plus years. It's just a different time we are in when it comes to tech products and Apple needs to adapt.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I think the fact that Apple has pivoted away from focusing on the Mac business is still getting to a lot of people. The "lack of innovation" that many claim over and over are more so just a lack of innovation in things that you care about. They are innovating, just not in areas you want. For some people, they probably love what they are doing with their mobile, wearables, and services. This is where the money is for Apple and what the bulk of their customers want, not Mac Pro's and an updated Mac mini. Apple has moved on from that business (of course, not on the surface as they need to support it for developers). It wont sit well with a lot of you, but it is best to move on as well. You may not like the direction, the products, or the services, but millions of people do and that is what Apple will cater to. If you don't like it, it's probably time to move on to a company that is focused on products you want/need.

Apple just plain isn't innovating.

And this announcement is a perfect example.

Let's see:

1. Magazine subscriptions. Need I really say more? Not an innovation, and I can read magazines online for free with a login from my local public library.

2. A cash back credit card. You can't call that innovative, it's one of thousands.

3. A video game platform. Steam, anyone?

4. A TV production company. Might have been innovative in the 1940s, isn't in 2019. But they stream it! Um, Netflix says hi to the new kid.

The fact is that all these things are copies of stuff other people have been doing for a long time. Apple is acting like they're doing something new when they're late to the game.

Maybe this junk will work out for Apple, maybe it won't. They rocked the world with the iTunes music store, and then got their butts handed to them with streaming, I don't know anybody who uses their music streaming service, I know lots of people who use Spotify.

And move on? To what? It's not like there's another operating system out there worth bothering with right now. Sure, Linux is great for some things, but it's just not there as a desktop OS. And even with all the shortcomings in Apple's current laptop lineup they still work better than anybody else's hardware. I mean, have you tried to use the trackpad on a Dull or HP? They're awful.