Macworld SF 2007 Keynote Notes

[Porco]

So many people are talking about "this is the day the Mac died." Shut up.

[....]

This may have been one of the most important Keynotes in Apple (computer), inc. history.

I agree... I posted this on another site, in a similar vein:

I don't think any of us Mac fans should be worried about Apple's 'diversifying'. This [iPhone] runs some sort of version of OS X, Safari, iTunes, Mail... it's almost a Mac in all but the name! If anything, this is a move back towards their core business of the Mac, adding more Mac technologies to the iPod.

The Apple TV and iTunes downloads underline the point, albeit slightly less dramatically than the iPhone: there is a central belief that all this stuff in our life (media, communication, creativity, organisation, work and fun) can be brought together and exponentially improved by using the Mac.

Apple is not so much diversifying as integrating - and I think that is exactly what they've been about for years. I see the iPhone as a fortuitously natural progression of everything else they have done, and I think it has the potential to be the best thing they've ever done.

 

[maveness]

I find it interesting that no one has commented on the earthmoving change in Apple tactics with this keynote.

Steve Jobs spent 2 hours, essentially, talking about a product that will not be released for 6 months. So much for not talking about products in the pipeline!

It's clear to me that this keynote was, more than anything, aimed at Wall Street. The iPhone rumors had reached such a fever pitch that, had the keynote NOT presented the iPhone, Apple stock would have taken a huge hit. So it was announced and demoed way ahead of schedule. I suspect Leopard-dependent features and other goodies (iChat connection?) were NOT shown because they're simply not ready. I also suspect there WILL be an API (and companies like Skype will find a way to make the iPHone into a VOIP handset).

No new Mac, no iLife software, no other Apple product could possibly have offset the disappointment that the market would have expressed by punishing Apple stock had the iPhone not been introduced.

The AppleTV was also important for the addition of Paramount studios. Expect the trickle of studio participation in iTMS to become a steady flow.

I also expect a steady, perhaps monthly, schedule of Special Events to present new hardware, new software, and especially Leopard. Apple, who already saturated the news cycle today, will continue to be out front with new cool stuff on a regular basis.

 

[kresh]

I find it interesting that no one has commented on the earthmoving change in Apple tactics with this keynote.

Steve Jobs spent 2 hours, essentially, talking about a product that will not be released for 6 months. So much for not talking about products in the pipeline!

It's clear to me that this keynote was, more than anything, aimed at Wall Street. The iPhone rumors had reached such a fever pitch that, had the keynote NOT presented the iPhone, Apple stock would have taken a huge hit. So it was announced and demoed way ahead of schedule.

He plainly said that the FCC approval process took months and that he prefered that Apple made the announcement instead of the FCC (Really by others reading the FCC filings).

I don't see this in the same light as Microsoft's behavior to pre-announce things to freeze the market.

 

[york2600]

Thanks for mentioning this

He plainly said that the FCC approval process took months and that he prefered that Apple made the announcement instead of the FCC (Really by others reading the FCC filings).

I don't see this in the same light as Microsoft's behavior to pre-announce things to freeze the market.

I've been wondering how this whole Apple vs. FCC thing was going to work out for a while now. Sites like Engadget.com regularly show off FCC pictures of new phones. Apple really had to announce this whole thing before the FCC got their hands on it. If all we had were images everyone would assume the worst (as they always do) and Apple's stock would take a hit.

 

[twoodcc]

Even though this was a great macworld, i can't help but think of what they didn't show...... Like OS X for one and what the hell happened to "one more thing"?????

i agree, but i'm still excited about the iphone though.....

 

[mi5moav]

did anyone notice that the John Lennon Bus now has the Apple logo on the front of it!!! They will probably make their announcement in the next few days about the catalog.

http://www.jlsc.com/bus/

 

[Marzzz]

What I am wondering is when all that touchscreen technology will make it to laptops.....can you just imagine the MacBook Pro becoming the "MacScreen Pro?"

 

[loftzon]

Macrumorslive was terrible

Hi, i gotta tell you and mean this in a good way! The live broadcast from macrumorslive.com was terrible! Just terrible. Whoever maintained it kept writing unfinished sentences so you couldn't make any sence of what was really going on. Like who was Steve thanking in the beginning of the keynote?? the Engadget Live broadcast from this event was much better. A moderator here should check that out and compare,
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/09/live-from-macworld-2007-steve-jobs-keynote/

 

[mambodancer]

The Hidden "Leopard" demo

I agree... I posted this on another site, in a similar vein:

I don't think any of us Mac fans should be worried about Apple's 'diversifying'. This [iPhone] runs some sort of version of OS X, Safari, iTunes, Mail... it's almost a Mac in all but the name! If anything, this is a move back towards their core business of the Mac, adding more Mac technologies to the iPod.

The Apple TV and iTunes downloads underline the point, albeit slightly less dramatically than the iPhone: there is a central belief that all this stuff in our life (media, communication, creativity, organisation, work and fun) can be brought together and exponentially improved by using the Mac.

Apple is not so much diversifying as integrating - and I think that is exactly what they've been about for years. I see the iPhone as a fortuitously natural progression of everything else they have done, and I think it has the potential to be the best thing they've ever done.

I haven't seen it posted here yet but if you read between the lines of the iPhone demo you just saw 2 new Leopard technologies demonstrated. (Remember, the iPhone has OSX built in it).

The first-resolution independence

The second-gestural UI

The addition of gestural UI probably means that the 6G iPods (the ones without phone capabilities) will have that built in. In fact, it'll probably look exactly like the iPhone.

This also may imply that the next generation displays may incorporate this touch technology and if that's the case, you can bet that touch screen MacBooks are not too far behind.

Finally, AppleTV implies a new version of iTunes. What I didn't see and I don't think it can do this, I don't think you can play a DVD from your computer to your AppleTV.

 

[gugy]

It's clear to me that this keynote was, more than anything, aimed at Wall Street. The iPhone rumors had reached such a fever pitch that, had the keynote NOT presented the iPhone, Apple stock would have taken a huge hit. So it was announced and demoed way ahead of schedule.

very true!

I am pretty sure in the upcoming months until end of spring we will see:
widescreen ipod
Mac pro octo-core
iLife and iWork at the same time of Leopard.
new displays and isight

The new iPhone is just incredible. Just hate the fact Cingular is the carrier. I hate them.

Apple TV is great the biggest disapointment is the lack of HDTV support.

great times for Apple!

 

[3282872]

Multi-touch - You have to see this!

You all should check this out on multi-touch screens:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=89sz8ExZndc

I remember seeing this demonstration on Youtube a loooong time ago. When Jobs announced its use, my first thought was "Wow, Apple was quick in securing that technology". This was developed many years ago in Japan, so I am assuming Apple quietly "secured" this technology, quite possibly making someone very wealthy.

 

[3282872]

very true!


The new iPhone is just incredible. Just hate the fact Cingular is the carrier. I hate them.

Hmmmm, don't know why everyone is hating on Cingular. I used Verizon for years and just recently switched. Verizon and Sprint are on ancient CDMA technology, which can not be used internationally as GSM. With GSM+EDGE and Cingular's recent anouncement of adding HSDPA to the network, faster download rates (as fast as 10+ MPS) are on the way for HTML rich browsing, IMAP and POP3 Emailing, etc. Would Jobs pick a company whose service is "mediocre" to launch what Jobs claims to be the next revolutionary product? Most of the world uses GSM technology, millions in fact, rather than U.S. companies such as Verizon and Sprint [CDMA]. Personally, after Verizon screwed up dozens of my bills [as well as countless friends'] coupled with their horrid customer service [which has been on record] as well as their "business tactics" in crippling bluetooth OBEX in order to charge customers more money to download ringtones, pictures and contacts [remember, Verizon was sued by customers for falsely advertising the Motorola v710 as a fully operational phone when Verizon knowingly crippled the bluetooth file exchange functionality - article link http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1751567,00.asp ], I would rather use a company that treats its customers with respect. CIngular doesn't cripple their phones. Having left Verizon after 8+ years and moving to Cingular, I can download pictures and videos I have taken with my RAZR wirelessly with bluetooth, sync my contacts, iCal, mail, etc. all seemlessly on my Mac Pro. My calls are crisp and clear, never dropped and my signal range is much greater than Verizons. It's a breath of fresh air. In short, I highly recommend the "haters" stop being so sensitive about their "service" and realize that Cingular is a great company. Would Steve Jobs stake his reputation and the "next revolutionary device" on "horrid service"? I think not.

 

[mi5moav]

Actually, multi touch capable sensing on screens i believe was patent by a company called fingerworks or something about 5 or 6 years ago. And if I recall it was done by a grad student at the univerity of Mass or Deleware.

People have mentioned that Apple quickly snapped up the patents and have added their own as well as some from their newton patents. Some have also speculated that Apple is contemplating a buyout of Palm since they own Handspring patents, Palm patents as well as some other Patents By Be, Inc. regarding touchscreens, handwriting recognition and some other odds and ends. Securing as many touch screen patents could really jeopardize the market for the future of smart phones and other tablet devices.

 

[3282872]

Actually, multi touch capable sensing on screens i believe was patent by a company called fingerworks or something about 5 or 6 years ago. And if I recall it was done by a grad student at the univerity of Mass or Deleware.

Hmmmmm gonna have to research that. I have been reading up on multiscreen use for almost two years now, and the farthest back any records I could find go is to 2004. If in fact it did come out as long ago as you say, then why did Jobs and his team only just implement multi-screen technology last year [which is indicated from the US patents that were filed]?

Securing as many touch screen patents could really jeopardize the market for the future of smart phones and other tablet devices.

My thoughts exactly. I'd hate to see any company (Apple, Inc. or M$ or Palm) buy out any one technology. I'd hate to think any one would secure this technology and monopolize it, as competition and free market use would [in theory] produce improvements and cheaper alternatives.

However, any one else thinking Multi-touch Apple Cinema Display's might be pretty cool? Perhaps not completely practical, but cool none the less...

 

[cicottrell]

Apple TV USB Connector
When initially previewed, many wondered why the "iTV" (now Apple TV) contained a USB port. According to the Apple TV website, the USB port is for "service and diagnostics" use.

Here in the UK, I use EyeTV (http://www.elgato.com/) to view Freeview Digital TV on my Mac, and can pause, rewind and record using my Mac's hard disk. The freeview converter is a very small USB stick. Do you think someone will make a USB Digital Telly stick to plug into the USB port on AppleTV, and allowing us to record directly onto the AppleTV's hard disk? From there we could stream recorded Telly back to the mac to store, burn to DVD or put on a iPod. The stick could also allow cable or satelite telly to go though the AppleTV.I read somewhere that the main reason for not including TV in frontrow is that digital telly uses different connectors in different parts of the world, but if we all had a USB telly stick adaptor, that would solve that problem.

I can see why there is not DVD player, as most people have a DVD player under their TV anyway, and unless the law changes allowing us to rip DVD's, Apple won't go down this route.

 

[dswoodley]

Anyone who is dissappointed shouldn't be if they know the history of Apple. Apple uses MacWorld for showing off innovation - period. iLife, iWork, all that jazz will come, but honestly if those were things jobs promoted at the expense of iPhone and Apple TV, everyone would have screamed bloodly murder. Apple keeps its image fresh by not being formulaic.

 

[JZ Wire]

Even though this was a great macworld, i can't help but think of what they didn't show...... Like OS X for one and what the hell happened to "one more thing"?????

Thats what I kinda thought at first but remember that Steve said this is going to be a great year and that they have stuff in the pipeline for the months to come. So expect lots of great things from Apple before the year is up!

 

[drlunanerd]

Is the iPhone display really that high resolution? It's only 320x480, 153600 pixels at 3.5 inches. Current DSLR cameras are running at 230000 pixels at 2.5 inches.

 

[JonDann]

Of course we have seen Leopard!

I haven't seen it posted here yet but if you read between the lines of the iPhone demo you just saw 2 new Leopard technologies demonstrated. (Remember, the iPhone has OSX built in it).

The first-resolution independence

The second-gestural UI

The addition of gestural UI probably means that the 6G iPods (the ones without phone capabilities) will have that built in. In fact, it'll probably look exactly like the iPhone.

This also may imply that the next generation displays may incorporate this touch technology and if that's the case, you can bet that touch screen MacBooks are not too far behind.

Finally, AppleTV implies a new version of iTunes. What I didn't see and I don't think it can do this, I don't think you can play a DVD from your computer to your AppleTV.

I have a third to add to this Core Animation. There's no way they were going to release a phone with a technology that you can get on the desktop yet. When he said that I thought Leopard was our 'one more thing...'

We saw alot of new things today, in the keynote transitions aswell, that's iWork '07. Also, a new iTunes to accommodate AppleTV and iPhone.

My bet is that iLife'07 and iWork '07 both have some Leopard-only features, they'll still run on Tiger and G4/G5 systems, but to see their full UI beauty they'll need CoreAnim

 

[JonDann]

One more thing...

Does anyone think that the multi-touch UI could spell a new wave of iMacs and displays, one that use multi-touch aswell as all the standard input devices?

If it works on such a small device, there must be larger iterations.

 

[goosnarrggh]

Hum.

We have no evidence of exactly what Apple means when it says the iPhone "runs OS X".

The way I see it, it could mean at least three things:
1) They actually threw an embedded PPC or x86 chip into the phone and have installed a stripped-down version of the MacOS (kernel, API, core technologies) onto the thing.

In that case, if Apple chose to, they could open it up to any existing Universal application, with caveats such as limitations in the display size (resolution independence can only buy you so much since you're still stuck with 320*480 pixels), UI (how many existing applications would lend themselves to the touchscreen interface) and library dependencies due to features that may have been stripped out to limit the firmware size.

2) They ported the underlying MacOS ecosystem (kernel, API, code technologies) over to a new embedded architecture (likely ARM). Maybe they also expanded Rosetta to allow PPC or Intel programs to run on this new chip; maybe not.

If that is the case, then the development paradigm to get new OSX applications to run on it natively would likely be akin to what developers had to go through to transition from PPC to Intel. We'd end up with 5 architectures in a full-up Universal binary: PPC32, PPC64, x86, x86_64, ARM.

3) They re-implemented core OSX user experiences to a different underlying ecosystem (kernel, API).

If that is the case, then the iPhone's operating system would really just be "OSX" in brand-name only. It would be very similar to what Microsoft has with the Win32/WinCE branding dichotomy: The two are not truly interchangeable. Of course, MS has simplified the situation by making versions of the .NET framework and CLR that run on both architectures, so it is possible to create limited platform-independent applications which, after JIT recompilation, run at nearly-native speeds, on both operating systems.

For the record, the fact that there are applets called "Safari" and "Mail" which bear a visual and functional similarity to their namesakes in the "normal" Mac OS is not sufficient evidence to support any of the three possibilities I listed above. There is nothing stopping them from doing what MS did with the PocketPC platform and "Internet Explorer Mobile", "Windows Media Mobile", etc: Creating visually similar versions of the desktop equivalent software, but with a different underlying OS driving the programs.

Maybe soon we'll get an answer; I think any conjecture we come up with right now is premature.

 

[PharmD]

I sure hope they release a SDK. I need some sort of device to put my drug info databases on and I sure don't want it to be a Palm anymore.

 

[Sol]

Does anyone think that the multi-touch UI could spell a new wave of iMacs and displays, one that use multi-touch aswell as all the standard input devices?

Yes, that is exactly what I think but it will take a while; who knows what multi-touch functionality will add to the cost of a display? Functionality would be improved in many ways; windows could be moved around, text highlighted, brush-strokes simulated and applications launched with the use of our fingers. The problem would be designing a User Interface for both the touch-screen and mouse & keyboard inputs.

On another note, did anyone notice the subtle reference to the Motorola ROKR's keynote demonstration? I recall Steve Jobs taking a call and then fumbling the resumption of music by pressing the wrong button. Today he took a call and after hanging up the iPhone automatically resumed playing music. Something tells me he fumbled during the ROKR demonstration on purpose to impress us with the Apple phone years later.

 

[MacVault]

Yahoo?

I'm just wondering why Apple & Google shared the stage with Yahoo? I don't really have anything against poor little Yahoo, and I use their webmail all the time, but the Yahoo founder had the nerve to get up there in front of Eric Schmit and talk about their new search features, etc. What's up with that?

 

[barakthecat]

I sure hope they release a SDK. I need some sort of device to put my drug info databases on and I sure don't want it to be a Palm anymore.

I'm with you. Get Epocrates and other healthcare apps running on this thing and my Treo 700p will be on Craig's List pretty quickly (and I love my Treo 700p which is much easier to use than Steve would want us to believe).

On another note, did anyone track down the Starbuck's Steve called and get his cell phone number?