The soulless keynote

[rafark]

I was very much looking forward to today's keynote. I really liked the phones. the keynote however, was so dull and boring, even more than last year's and THAT says a lot.

I know the main purpose of these events is to showcase the new products, but also one of the main reasons this company is so iconic is because their presentations have always had character, they are fun, they make their products, despite being being expensive, connect with non corporative people.

Today it all seem so robotic and bland, like they didn't even bother making forced jokes, I barely Heard phill say "it's the most (x) ever", no "one more thing", etc. it felt like they just wanted to get over with it as fast as posible.

What do you think? This is about the keynote, not the iPhone.

 

[Fluttershy]

At times Tim and Phil just seemed a bit pissed off lol "like fine here's an iPhone whatever ok"

 

[sean000]

These events always feel a bit weird to me. When I tune in, I do it because I enjoy seeing the new products and features and they present them very nicely. Everything and everyone is pretty to look at and pleasant to listen to. That said it's easy to see why people still talk about Apple like it's a cult. These events feel a bit too polished, even when there are mistakes or when announcements fall flat. But I get why they do it this way. It's a format that Jobs was especially suited to preside over and present. It must feel good to the employees to see their hard work celebrated in such a big way. It's hard not to want what they are selling when you see it presented like this, at least until the shine wears off as you are browse the specs, prices, and reviews.

I usually skip these events and read the summaries, because they are a bit long, but I tune in when I am interested in upgrading an old iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch (I don't own any Macs). I'm now more excited than ever to upgrade my three-year-old Apple Watch, so I guess the event worked its magic on me. I enjoyed most of it, and tuned out for a few stretches here and there.

It must be hard to keep doing a format that Jobs excelled at presenting, trying to make every event top the last one. Maybe it's time for them to try a new format, but what would that look like? I'm sure they've had some clever people brainstorming alternatives, but in the end I care much more about the products and features themselves.

 

[now i see it]

I've never liked watching these but seem to suffer through them. This event seemed exactly the same as all the rest. Tedious and pretty boring. Same ole stuff. But if you want to see genuine boring, watch a Google or Intel or NVidia promotion. Holy hell those are tedious.

 

[pacmacman]

This year really did feel like they're going through the motions, and the offerings show it.

I wasn't expecting a huge upgrade, just a couple of features that should be standard by now: fast charger included in the box, and better use of the 6.5" screen (dual apps, picture in picture, etc). Instead we got a larger version of last year's X, but that's it - it's just bigger. No other value add.

 

[Black Magic]

I like the events and while some can be tedious especially when I'm not upgrading that year, I think they are the bar in presentation. In fact, Microsoft and others try to emulate these and Apple's website.

 

[M33-1]

Never the same without charismatic Steve.

 

[mikemj23]

Cook just seems so contrived at these events. Jobs really believed he was changing things. Cook is just going through the motions.

Jobs was a master presenter so it’s a bit unfair to compare, but Cook is really cringeworthy with some of his diction and attempts at excitement.

 

[nippyjun]

The Bethesda guy was the most genuine sounding

 

[dontwalkhand]

Its only like this because everything we already knew was all leaked out. What happened to doubling down on secrecy Tim?

 

[Enygmatic]

At times Tim and Phil just seemed a bit pissed off lol "like fine here's an iPhone whatever ok"

Probably tired of all the leaks stealing the thunder...

Then you have people clamoring for leaks and rumors for months , then comes September and the threads complaining that there weren’t any surprises.

Clockwork.

 

[karmamule]

The Bethesda guy was the most genuine sounding

I've been a big fan of Bethesda games since the 90s, and really perked up when Todd Howard stepped out. And, he was my favorite speaker of the day.

 

[rafark]

Probably tired of all the leaks stealing the thunder...

Then you have people clamoring for leaks and rumors for months , then comes September and the threads complaining that there weren’t any surprises.

Clockwork.

Its only like this because everything we already knew was all leaked out. What happened to doubling down on secrecy Tim?

leaks did play a role, but remember when the iPhone 4 was unveiled? Everybody had already seen those infamous leaks and it was still a great keynote regardless.

 

[Ralfi]

Thought it was great. The bloke who spoke on the iPhones is a natural presenter. He should do the whole thing.

Cook's emphasis on words grates/cringes all at once.

 

[Enygmatic]

Different time, and different people. Steve was Steve. Tim is... not Steve.

And we, as customers, weren’t nearly as jaded (and whiny) as we are now with these absolute supercomputers we carry in our pockets and on our wrists.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I was very much looking forward to today's keynote. I really liked the phones. the keynote however, was so dull and boring, even more than last year's and THAT says a lot.

I know the main purpose of these events is to showcase the new products, but also one of the main reasons this company is so iconic is because their presentations have always had character, they are fun, they make their products, despite being being expensive, connect with non corporative people.

Today it all seem so robotic and bland, like they didn't even bother making forced jokes, I barely Heard phill say "it's the most (x) ever", no "one more thing", etc. it felt like they just wanted to get over with it as fast as posible.

What do you think? This is about the keynote, not the iPhone.

What would you expect from a trillion dollar company?

 

[rafark]

I like the events and while some can be tedious especially when I'm not upgrading that year, I think they are the bar in presentation. In fact, Microsoft and others try to emulate these and Apple's website.

Exactly my point. A lot of other tech companies make similar events because of Apple. I feel like keynotes from the past years are less and less Apple-like.

 

[Macalway]

It just an update. Nothing new here folks.

Some nice improvements. They will sell. Frankly, i'm bored with the whole thing. I'd just keep my 6 if it wasn't so pathetically slow (this thing is slooowww folks )

 

[jeremiah256]

We Apple followers were spoiled because Steve Jobs was a presentation performing pimp daddy. Outside of when Steve was alive, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, most of their keynotes are and have been cringe worthy at times. Most of these presenters are geeks and nerds. I don't say or view this as derogatory, it's just what it is.

 

[maflynn]

At times Tim and Phil just seemed a bit pissed off lol "like fine here's an iPhone whatever ok"

To me it seems Tim was trying to hard to be energetic and charismatic and it came off as him yelling. It did feel awkward, forced and not organically produced.

Some people have the the gift, others do not. Tim does not, so he shouldn't try to "manufacture" charisma because it does not come off very well.

tbh, I'm tired of how they do things. They announce a product. Trot out an Apple executive to describe it, maybe some third party person, then roll the Jony Ive video that doesn't do anything but rehash the same thing that was just said.

 

[Macalway]

They need better writers. Gosh knows, they can afford them.

 

[mikemj23]

Some people have the the gift, others do not. Tim does not, so he shouldn't try to "manufacture" charisma because it does not come off very well.

This

 

[sunapple]

I'm just glad they didn't bring out Kevin to give a demo of Apple Watch's latest new watch face... I'm just watching for the amazing videos and just to get to know every detail when it comes out (ignoring the million articles about all the little details).

 

[ksec]

Did you guys notice how many Spec, and Numbers they were given out, and in a very Geeky way?

If Steves were there, he would either make it like a very big deal, or get rid of those quantitive numbers which has absolutely no meaning to the audience.

The other problem is, they are "trying" to show what ever diversity they are doing and getting people on stage. I am not sure Steve would have cared about diversity, he could care less if you are a bloody Alien with Purple Skins, he care if you can sell and deliver. And he cares about the Keynote being good, not just sending them up to talk.

It also shows how little rehearsals they had, they kept looking at the text display, not really memorising their scripts. And the pause were all over the place. Steve wouldn't have allowed any of that, or more like people were so afraid Steve is not happy with their presentation, they would spend lots of time practicing and getting it right.

With Tim is more slacking off, just get over with it. And it kind of shows not just with their keynote but all the other Apple products too and software too.

Having said all that, it is still WAY better than Microsoft and Google's keynote. This just shows Steve is in a league of his own.

I miss him.

 

[Lioness~]

Last keynote that got my attention.

It's just boring today.

The apple magic died with Steve. Today Apple is just another big company.
I still happen to like their products more then other similar stuff.
I give my attention to other things that inspire me.

That's it.