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January 9, 2007

events

MW07: Why today’s keynote was unusual

Posted Jan. 9, ’07, 3:56 PM PT by Aaron Freedman
Category | Apple » Events

Jobs286X500 While I’m extremely excited about the iPhone and AppleTV (except for their price tags), I found that today’s Macworld keynote was a little off. By this I mean that it didn’t follow what I usually expect of a Steve Jobs Macworld keynote. Here’s why:

1. It followed the rumors: In most Steve Jobs keynotes, there’s always at least one thing that’s totally not what you expected (see Number 4). Whether it be the iPod nano or the iTV, this product is hardly covered by the rumor sites at all. But the AppleTV and iPhone were both totally expected. Sure, Apple changing their name caught us all by surprise, but it wasn’t an actual product release.

2. Not the usual releases: Every Macworld keynote there’s almost always one constant release — an update to the iWork and iLife suites. But, this was mysteriously absent today. Why? Maybe Apple’s waiting to release iLife and iWork ‘07 along with Leopard. Maybe they’re just not done with them yet. Who knows. But, it still seems very unlike Apple not to keep up this constant pattern.

3. No products shipping today: For every keynote Steve Jobs does, at least one product he announces starts shipping that day. But this keynote, nothing. AppleTV? February. Airport Extreme with 802.11n? February. iPhone? June. Come on Apple, give us something we can buy today.

4. No “one more thing”: For a while now, Apple has been releasing a “one more thing” — something totally unexpected that comes out at the end of the keynote, and is usually released that day. But, this non-existent product remained mysteriously absent today at Macworld. Oh Apple, why do you torture us with the lack of one of the best things about your keynotes?


10 Comments

Ward Author Profile Page said:

Totally expected the "one more thing" to be Beatles on iTunes. It's the only thing that I think would have not taken away from the iPhone announcement.

January 9, 2007 4:42 PM
Fletcher said:

I found the keynote a bit disappointing. The iPhone is exciting, but six months out. The Apple TV is exciting, but so many details are still left unanswered, like where HD content for it is supposed to come from.

I was expecting some news about the Macintosh at MacWorld. The fact that Apple didn't deliver any leaves me a bit cold. I spend a lot more time using my Macintosh than I do my iPod or my cell phone, or my television for that matter.

January 9, 2007 5:04 PM
Samuel said:

I hope they have another unexpected "one more thing" event soon with the new ipod. It will have all the features of the iphone but obviously without the phone. So wifi, safari, multitap widescreen, widgets, mail, etc. Of course it will ship "today".

January 9, 2007 5:47 PM
Shawn.I said:

Honestly, to me, it seemed this was too big a deal for Jobs for him to announce anything more. If you listen to his voice when he first says its been two and a half years that he's been waiting to announce the iPhone. Something with that sort of signifcence that could such a huge impact had to be the only focus. I got a feeling the tv was tacked on because it was promised to be. The new airport wasn't even mentioned during the keynote. I dunno, just my thoughts after watching to keynote.

January 9, 2007 9:27 PM
Mike Cohen Author Profile Page said:

The big thing that struck me was that he barely mentioned the Mac and didn't mention Leopard or any other new software. This is the first Mac-free keynote.

Steve seemed to be teasing us with Beatles music, but he never announced that they will be in iTunes (they aren't now; I checked this afternoon).

Steve also didn't mention the new Airport Extreme base station they introduced today.

January 9, 2007 10:03 PM
Wilson said:

Well, you guys need some type of "Illuminance"? or are in some type of "Distortion Reality Zone"? Steve is "Illuminated"! He just doesn't want to share the impact iPhone will have on the media with other "minor"? anouncemments. Off course they (Apple) have much more to show (OS X secret features) that will beat and knockout Vista!

January 10, 2007 3:15 AM
Island in the Net Author Profile Page said:

The one product that is shipping that Steve did not mention is the update AirPort Extreme. http://www.apple.com/airportextreme/

January 10, 2007 3:44 AM
James said:

Im a bit disappointed. Nothing released, everything was predicted. I wanted to see Steve pull a rabbit out of his hat.

January 10, 2007 5:55 AM
Fxx said:

Now they've got the multi-touch input technology; so the next step is implementing it on the Mac. Steve has been very clear in lining mouse-clickweel-multitouch. So some upcoming version of Leopard is likely to support a multi-touch input device. No longer cluttered toolbars to adjust, rotate, zooming in or out, drawning, moving... maybe no more scrollbars at all! (such as on the iphone)...
Just dreaming... :-)

January 10, 2007 7:00 AM
troy said:

Wah! Wah! Wah! Why is everyone whining that the keynote wasn't exactly as it was last year or the year before? Or that there wasn't much of a surprise? Or what's up with not "one more thing"? He just introduced an amazing new product that has blown everything out of the water. What more do you want? Change is good--on all fronts. Do you really expect him to do the same keynote format forever? I am sure you will all get your Mac updates soon. In the meantime, I think the iPhone and its revolutionary new design and technology will suffice.

January 10, 2007 8:42 AM

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