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TMO at MWSF - Attendees React to Steve Jobs Keynote

by , 3:30 PM EST, January 15th, 2008

If attendees of the Macworld Keynote could sum it up in a word, the word would be "great." One after another, attendees gave the keynote solid reviews, but none appeared blown away or wildly excited about Apple's new products.

Software engineer Mike Kreuckenberg could think of "no disappointments," but also wasn't planning to buy anything announced at the show. Similarly, Jim Dandy of 24-7 Lighting Services thought this keynote was "better" than the others he's seen, and liked the new products: MacBook Air, Time Capsule, and the updated Apple TV. But he saved the best review for Randy Newman's performance at the close of the presentation.

Bob "Cowboy" Andres, a dentist and aspiring rock star, was still digesting the news from the Keynote when we spoke with him. He's been to "quite a few" (about 5) keynotes, and this one didn't distinguish itself noticeably from others. "The new Apple TV... I think that's going to be great," he said, and he plans to buy one, along with one of the new Mac Pros announced last week. As for the MacBook Air, he said, "I really want one of those but can't buy that many computers."

Few of those we talked to felt anything important was missing from the keynote. But Carmen Pearson, a publicist for Game Loft, said this was her first keynote. She had a good review for Steve Jobs' performance ("He's a great speaker" who "presents his products really well"), and is planning to buy the new MacBook Air because she travels often. But the iPhone announcement was "disappointing" because there were no announcements about mobile gaming. Ms. Pearson is waiting for the iPhone SDK to hit the market before she considers buying an iPhone.

"It was great" -- this was the mantra from attendees leaving the Keynote hall, and Mr. Kreuckenberg was one of those to chant it. Mr. Kreuckenberg "had heard the rumors about the thin MacBook," and liked the product, but won't be purchasing one because he doesn't travel "that much."

On the way out of the hall, we ran into Shawn King, host of the radio show Your Mac Life, and a veteran of Jobs keynote addresses. "Jobs' performance seemed a little off," said Mr. King, but the products were "great." Mr. King said he felt like Jobs "gave and took away" with some of the announcements. For example, Apple updated the iPod touch but will charge $20, and announced movie rentals but won't provide them until 30 days after the DVD release.

All in all, the attendees seem to agree: it was a solid showing from Apple -- a great keynote -- but it seems unlikely that this keynote will go into Jobs' portfolio of expectation-shattering presentations.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
View Name:Guest
Subject: I will be buying
Close Name:wilf53 Posts: 22 Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Subject: Better than most...

I'd say, when it comes to product announcements. I have been one of those who haven't got the idea about Apple TV, but now I do - when movie rentals will come to Europe, that is, and when I bother to buy a TV - but still.
But I have been holding off buying a new laptop and it seems like I did the right thing. Just want to see some benchmark first, on that little thing.
But one item on my list is definitely the Time Capsule, which I guess I will buy together with Leopard.
Strange that not anyone so far has been commenting that this was a real Mac-keynote? If you look away from the update to the iPhone and the iPod Touch, it was all about Macs and Mac-peripherals and applications (iTunes etc.)

Maybe that was why the market reacted negatively?

Close Name:gslusher Posts: 2001 Joined: 13 Nov 2002
Subject: Comments

"Ms. Pearson is waiting for the iPhone SDK to hit the market before she considers buying an iPhone."

That has to be one of the lamest "reasons" I've heard. If she buys an iPhone now, she'll be able to play games or whatever when the applications come out.

"Mr. King said he felt like Jobs "gave and took away" with some of the announcements. For example, Apple updated the iPod touch but will charge $20, and announced movie rentals but won't provide them until 30 days after the DVD release."

That is very likely the condition that the studios imposed. Why does King place the onus on Apple?

"All in all, the attendees seem to agree: it was a solid showing from Apple -- a great keynote -- but it seems unlikely that this keynote will go into Jobs' portfolio of expectation-shattering presentations."

The third-to-last word is critical. There was so much hype and rumor-mongering by Wall Street "analysts," Mac sites, and many others that, if Jobs had announced contact with an alien civilization, it wouldn't have "shattered expectations."

Close Name:nealg Posts: 120 Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Subject:

I am not hearing anyone complain about the 20 bucks for increased functionality on the Touch. I am sure no one is going to hear any complaints about essentially adding a gps device to the iPhone for free. There were many who bought iPhones who were willing to buy a separate gps device. For many, this upgrade will suffice.

As a shareholder, I think there is a sleeper here that many are not considering. I think the Time Capsule Backup Appliance may be a big revenue generator for Apple. For anyone that buys a new machine that needs a backup device, this could be it. And this could easily add several hundred dollars per purchase. The other thing that this does is it will get me to upgrade one of my home computers to Leopard to be able to use it.

JMO though.

Neal

View Name:Guest
Subject: Apple's Boring Keynote
View Name:Guest
Subject: Re: I will be buying
View Name:Guest
Subject: Great Keynote...Leave Newman in the home next time.
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