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A look at Tim Cook's presentation style
Last Tuesday's "Let's Talk iPhone" Apple event was the first time that Apple CEO Tim Cook had the opportunity to run the show for a major product introduction. In the past, of course, most Apple product announcements were "Stevenotes," with the late CEO Steve Jobs wowing the audiences with whatever new products were coming out of Cupertino. Nick Wingfield of the New York Times discussed Cook's different presentation style in a post on the Bits blog. Wingfield noted that Cook left the demonstrations of new products to his colleagues, in particular Eddy Cue, Scott Forstall, and Phil Schiller. He quotes Van Baker, a Gartner analyst, as saying that Cook was smart to avoid being like Steve Jobs: "I think one of the things Tim did was to, in essence, put a stake in the ground and say 'I'm not Steve, don't expect me to be Steve.'" As Wingfield says, the number of iPhone 4S units presold during the first 24 hours of availability seems to show that it doesn't make much of a difference who is telling Apple's story. But former Mac evangelist and current venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki appeared to criticize Cook's style in a Sunday blog post, notes Wingfield. In his post titled "What I Learned From Steve Jobs," Kawasaki wrote that "Real CEOs demo." What's Kawasaki's objection to letting the product guys handle the product show and tell? "Maybe it's to show that there's a team effort in play. Maybe. It's more likely [if the CEO doesn't demo the product] that the CEO doesn't understand what his/her company is making well enough to explain it. How pathetic is that?" I'm hoping that Kawasaki was not singling out Cook with this comment, and would hope that he'd point out Cook's positives with two of the other bullet points in his post: "A players hire A+ players" and "Real CEOs ship." What are your thoughts on Cook's presentation style and the comments from Guy Kawasaki? Leave your comments below.
TUAW looks back at Stevenotes past
As Apple watchers, TUAW staffers tend to congregate in San Francisco each January for Macworld Expo. Until recently, the central event of each Expo was the Stevenote. Since TUAW bloggers have covered our fair share, I've collected some memories of Macworld Expo's Keynote Speeches. We'll start with Victor and Mike. VICTOR AGREDA JR: The only one I attended was the Intel announcement in 2006. But it was huuuuge -- lots of gasps from the audience, it seems like a long time ago! Anyway, I remember Steve's polish and how it seemed to effortless for him. Like a geek showing his friends all his cool new toys. MIKE ROSE: Among the Stevenotes I've attended (quite a few over the years), the one that stands out for me is Macworld Boston 1997. I was an enterprise customer at the time, and our Apple SE had arranged for me to get a pass to sit up front in the press section, quite near the stage. Steve's announcement of the alliance with Microsoft ($150m investment, IE to become default Mac browser, Office development locked in for at least 5 years) took a lot of people by surprise. The "IE to become the default Mac browser" announcement did not go over well at all. But it wasn't until the gigantic projected noggin of Bill Gates appeared on the screen that the situation turned ugly. In the press section, even, there were boos and stern shakings of heads along with the gasps and scattered applause from the audience. I don't think Steve had ever had a Macworld crowd go rogue in this fashion (see for yourself), and it seemed to me that he was a little bit embarrassed by the reaction. I certainly would have been -- you invite a guest into your keynote, representing a company that has just saved your company from possible doom and destruction, and the audience treats him like an unwanted interloper? Awkward. Aside from the 1997 event, I'd have to say that my two favorite keynotes were the ones I had the privilege of liveblogging for TUAW: 2008 and (the Steveless "Philnote") 2009. Unfortunately I missed the 2007 historic iPhone introduction, and had to get the play-by-play over the phone from Laurie Duncan (the roar of the crowd in the background as Steve asked "Are you getting it?" was spine-tingling).
The best Steve Jobs Macworld Expo moments
Apple CEO and tech legend Steve Jobs doesn't present keynotes at Macworld Expo anymore, though he does occasionally rile crowds at WWDC and City Council meetings. Ranker, a website that publishes ranked lists of just about everything, has compiled a list of the top 10 Steve Jobs Macworld Expo moments. Each item on the list includes an accompanying video showing Steve at his best. Number one on the Ranker list is the 2007 Macworld Expo moment when Jobs introduced the iPhone to the world. That is my personal favorite -- I was in the audience and remember having the distinct feeling that the world was about to change. It was such a charged emotional moment that I ended up buying a Nitrozac painting of it that is on the wall in my office and at the top of this post. For those of you who have been Apple fans for a long, long time, what's your favorite Steve Jobs Macworld Expo moment? Leave a comment below.
Win big at Keynote Rumor Bingo on Monday
On Monday morning at 10 AM PDT (1 PM EDT), Apple CEO Steve Jobs will kick off the fun at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco. TUAW will be liveblogging the event, and now you can join in on the fun thanks to the good folks at KrazyBig. They've come up with a browser-based Keynote Rumor Bingo game that you can play during the keynote, blocking out squares every time Steve or one of the other members of the Apple team makes an announcement of a new product, service or feature. It's sure to be a hoot listening to the keynote, waiting for the moment when one of the assembled crowd of developers and press shouts out BINGO! at the most inappropriate moment. Many thanks to KrazyBig for making Keynote Rumor Bingo accessible from any Mac browser or iOS device. I know I'll have the game up on my iPad during the keynote.
TUAW TV Live: The forecast is iCloudy with a chance of syncing
What better way to spend a late spring afternoon than to sit inside in front of your favorite computer watching TUAW TV Live? I mean, warm weather, clear skies and singing birds are no match for the excitement of me and the chat room mixing it up on Ustream. This afternoon is no exception -- starting in about five minutes, you'll be able to use the chat tool and video feed on the next page to watch the show instead of getting a highly-overated and dangerous tan. After all, pale is the new tan... The topic today? Speculation on what's going to be said at the WWDC keynote next Monday. We know that iOS 5, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and iCloud are topics, but what might we hear about from his Steveness as "one more thing?" From your Mac or PC, go to the next page by clicking the Read More link at the bottom of this post, and you'll find a livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments. If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream Viewing Application. If you're on an iPad, you should be able to use the Skyfire Browser to watch the stream, although you will not be able to participate in the chat. We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the new TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
Live from Apple's fall 2010 event
We're inside the event and getting ready to get underway -- stay locked here for up the minute live coverage! Follow along after the break to see what's what, and make sure you're around at the times below for the start. 07:00AM - Hawaii 10:00AM - Pacific 11:00AM - Mountain 12:00PM - Central 01:00PM - Eastern 06:00PM - London 07:00PM - Paris 09:00PM - Moscow 02:00AM - Tokyo (September 2nd)
Apple's fall event happens today at 10AM PT / 1PM ET, and we'll be there live!
So it's just around the corner. What are we going to see? Some new iPods? A revamped Apple TV? Updates to iTunes? iOS 4 for the iPad? A fix to your heartbreaking antenna problem? New, brightly colored iShoes? Or all of the above? It's hard to say, but luckily Engadget will be covering Apple's latest event live with up-to-the-minute coverage. As usual, we'll be providing the best liveblogging in the business, so you can just kick back with a cool drink and enjoy the show. Tune in at this URL at the times below today for all the action! 07:00AM - Hawaii 10:00AM - Pacific 11:00AM - Mountain 12:00PM - Central 01:00PM - Eastern 06:00PM - London 07:00PM - Paris 09:00PM - Moscow 02:00AM - Tokyo (September 2nd)
Apple's fall event is tomorrow, and we'll be there live!
So it's just around the corner. What are we going to see? Some new iPods? A revamped Apple TV? Updates to iTunes? iOS 4 for the iPad? A fix to your heartbreaking antenna problem? New, brightly colored iShoes? Or all of the above? It's hard to say, but luckily Engadget will be covering Apple's latest event live with up-to-the-minute coverage. As usual, we'll be providing the best liveblogging in the business, so you can just kick back with a cool drink and enjoy the show. Tune in at this URL at the times below on Wednesday, September 1st for all the action! 07:00AM - Hawaii 10:00AM - Pacific 11:00AM - Mountain 12:00PM - Central 01:00PM - Eastern 06:00PM - London 07:00PM - Paris 09:00PM - Moscow 02:00AM - Tokyo (September 2nd)
'Antennagate' press conference video and official pages up
Now that Apple's command performance for journalists in Cupertino this morning to deliver the full story on the iPhone 4's image problem is concluded, the company has posted the video of the event [link fixed] for your viewing pleasure. See the fetching Keynote presentation and the demonstrations of other smartphones' reception issues with your very own eyes! Enjoy. Along with the video, there's a new section on apple.com that shows the anechoic chambers, the design process, videos of other smartphones and more than you ever wanted to know about antenna engineering for modern cellphones. Apple clearly wants us to understand that the iPhone 4 wasn't just thrown together by some cavemen in a cubicle. [For those who were getting the WWDC video off that link, the CDN redirect was flaky -- the canonical link for it is http://www.apple.com/apple-events/july-2010/]
Why Apple has a split personality when it comes to keeping iPhone owners happy
After shelling out top dollar, the customers felt betrayed and angry. The shine on the company's new flagship product was tarnished. The remedy wasn't cheap... and the CEO stepped up and spoke to those irate early adopters. "We want to do the right thing for our valued customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of us," he said, responding quickly after the first complaints came in. Within a few weeks, the PR hiccup was calmed, and the new product went on to glory and success. Looking back on that experience is illuminating. With the rapid response, the willingness to pay for customer happiness, and the frank handling of the situation, it's a bit surprising to be in the midst of the current stressfest and see how things have deteriorated. Where's the corporate responsibility and the can-do attitude of 2007 when we need it? Let's take a look at how the two scenarios diverge, and why Apple didn't -- or couldn't -- step up to the plate now like it did then.
iPhone OS 4 keynote video now online
Sure, you devoured every word of the liveblog (or perhaps just casually refreshed throughout the day, who are we to judge), but if you want to see the Steve Jobs-delivered iPhone OS 4 keynote with your own two eyes, the streaming video is now online. Multitask your way on over!
Apple announces 2009 will be its last Macworld Expo, Schiller to deliver keynote
In a surprise announcement, Apple said that next month's Macworld Expo will be its last. The company doesn't plan on exhibiting at the event after 2009. Also, Steve Jobs will not be giving the keynote address, handing that honor to Phil Schiller, senior VP of worldwide product marketing. It will be Apple's final keynote address at the event. In a press release, Apple said it has scaled back its presence at other trade shows, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo, and Apple Expo in Paris. This will be the 25th Macworld Expo. Steve Jobs had given the keynote address since 1997, when he returned to the company as interim CEO. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Apple announces final MacWorld, Steve Jobs won't deliver keynote
Watch this space folks -- it's the end of an era. Apple has just issued a press release stating that this coming MacWorld in January will be its last, and Steve Jobs won't be on hand to say goodbye. Instead, Phil Schiller will be heading up the proceedings, thus marking a quiet end to a conference that's been the launching point of some of the most important pieces of consumer tech in recent memory. In Apple's words:Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers. The increasing popularity of Apple's Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways.Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.Update: Oh, and just to clarify, this is merely Apple's last MacWorld, not the last MacWorld. IDG just made a statement confirming that it's on for an Apple-free MacWorld 2010 at the Moscone Center -- January 4th through 8th if you're planning ahead.[Thanks, JBCornelius]
Apple Store back online
Now that the WWDC Keynote has ended and live coverage has ceased, the Apple Stores around the world are returning to normal after an interesting Stevenote. Some of the changes on the store that we've noted are: 3G iPhone details, pricing and availability MobileMe pricing, availability Have you noticed anything new in the Apple Store? Be sure to give us your comments. WWDC coverage here on TUAW is just getting started, join us at 3:30pm EST for a live chat with the bloggers to discuss today's event.
Mahalo Daily's 60 second Keynote
Don't have enough time to watch the whole keynote from the other day? Worry not-- our good friends (including Veronica Belmont) at Mahalo Daily have condensed Steve's whole 90 minute presentation (including the musical stylings of Randy Newman) into this quick sixty second breakdown. Thrill to the announcement of Time Capsule! Gasp at the reveal of the MacBook Air! Wonder idly just who Randy is singing to during that song from Toy Story.I of course read our liveblog as it happened, and was planning to watch the video separately, but after seeing this, I've seen all I have to. Now if only we could make the wait to the next Stevenote (and the reveal of the iPhone SDK?) go as quickly.
Stevenote video now live on Apple's site
You brought AOL to its knees, you took out the Apple online store, but now the true test: can the power of one billion fanboys take on Akamai?Update: The answer was a quick yes -- but we're sneaky and figured out the direct link. Have fun, kids.
Help Steve Jobs prepare for his MacWorld keynote
Getting psyched for next week's Macworld Steve Jobs keynote? Some of us at Joystiq, despite their gaming deficiencies, do love Apple. We present to you a flash game created specifically for Jobs' morning routine next Tuesday. Move around the streets picking up keynote essentials and avoid undercover journalists trying to learn the company's new secrets. Note: this game is Mac compatible.[Via Engadget]
Grab your 2008 Keynote Bingo cards!
With just over a week to go until the Steve Jobs January Riot Macworld Keynote and mockups of desired Apple products flying at us, Ars Technica's John Siracusa has posted his definitive Macworld Keynote Bingo card. Complete with that immortal Jobs-ian catch-phrase "Boom" and "a few squares for the phone weenies," it's everything you need for the keynote guessing-game.Be sure to check out the rules and regulations to see what will tick off each square -- we'd hate for any keynote attendees to jump up and shout "Bingo!" only to find that their line isn't really valid. That would be embarrassing, wouldn't it?
Macworld 2007 Keynote available on iTunes
It seemed that every other comment on my post about the Keynote QuickTime stream was, 'Why isn't Apple putting this on the iTunes Store?' Well, folks, Apple has heard your pleas and has made the Keynote available from the iTunes Store. At least, they are going to. At the time of this post the Keynote page was set up, but the file itself was not available (soon, I am sure).It is interesting to note that this Keynote appears under 'podcasts,' which seems to be a trend.Update: The file is now available.
Macworld SF 2007 Keynote stream available
The Keynote is now available for streaming on Apple's Quicktime site. Interestingly, you can watch either the whole Keynote, or just the iPhone introduction. Apple is really betting the farm on this phone and if a first impression from a distance is any indicator then they have a hit.I just tried to stream the Keynote, but 'Due to exceptional demand, your request could not be completed at this time. Please try again at a later time.' Try again, Mac faithful, try again.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
