You are correct, Netflix wasn't like that at start.You made my point for me. Netflix was nowhere near what it is now, back then. The hadn't made original content, everything was on a DVD, and then it grew after it had established a market. It was not amazing at launch.
Also — you keep conflating their hardware and their services when the rules don't really transfer across that line. Apple has been making laptops and desktops for decades, services don't follow the same pedigree. Apple had never made a watch before... I have the first one (series 0) it was great but not as good as it is now.
It just a ridiculous concept that the launch of something "needs" to be amazing when the first iPhone wasn't. The first iPod wasn't. Every single product they've made got better with time. I guess it's just the hyperbole people feel they need to inject into every comment — it's either hatred or adoration, the best or it sucks. Must be exhausting.
But my point was about the fact that we already have such service from Amazon Prime videos, Netflix etc.
So, if you are bringing new product to the market then it should offer something better and be great otherwise whats the point.
If I use your analogy with the watch - when apple released watch you are right, it sucked and it still kinda does (I have S2) but its getting better each time. However, when Apple put them on the market they were far better than anything else. Same with original iPhone - it sucked so much but it was revolutionary than anything on the market.
So, that was my point - either Apple shows something amazing or its DOA. Apple as a brand is losing image and customer retention. The most innovative company wasn't Apple nor was even close. Apple became "safe choice" company for the past few years. So, my point here, they can't bank on the fact that they have loyal customer base because the fan base is not the same as it used to be.
Its not hyperbole, hatred or anything like that. Its disappointment that has been growing over the time and sadness at the same time. As an Apple fan I'm disappointed with Apple these days because the company that was once pushing the boundries etc. is not a little stagnant. The excitement before each event slowly started to diminish and these days I'm just not expecting much from Apple.
Just tell me honestly, when was it the last time (for you) that you watched an Apple event and then after said - this was great. Really good job, Apple - you've impressed me.
Last time I was impressed was with the trash can Mac Pro (not for the specs but for the amazing design which unfortunately later turned out to be flawed)
I certainly wasn't impressed with the Touch Bar Macbook Pro (even though I have it at home), or Mac Mini etc.
On software side its similar. Snow Leopard was great OS but again its kinda slow on that front now. iOS 12 focused on speed and bugs which is a good call IMO but the releases before that was kinda meh too.
iPad Pro is still crippled with the iOS, iMac is ancient, Aperture killed, Airports (best routers ever killed), Displays too (lets hope we get some nice this year) etc.
Competition is catching up and in some cases come up with amazing things but overall the problem is that competition doesn't deliver the whole package. Once they do then Apple might have a problem.
So, you may see the positive side of things and you may be happy about the current state but I'm not. Not for the reasons you have assumed though.
We can talk after the event and see how content you are but I'm not expecting much.
I'm sure we will get more emojis and watch bands though as that seems to be the theme these days.