It's been a long long time since I have seen this much hype surrounding an unknown announcement and this much expectation placed on rumor and speculation. With such a legacy of innovation to live up to, I personally was moved by yesterday's introductions of AppleTV and the iPhone. Keep in mind that this "legacy" is not to just a consumer group, but a cult-like following that has a personal connection to the tools they use, to the point of putting Apple stickers on the backs of their cars as if they (we) are highschool kids projecting and defining personality through association with a band, a surf/skate/snow brand, or a sports team.

I haven't even watched the keynote address yet, but I will. I read a play by play though and found that I too, was sitting on the edge of my seat.

In prepping to write this, I considered including a quote regarding "expectations".

I found the following...

Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

I read it and thought "That'll work." Then I looked at the attribution. Steve Jobs. I don't know if it was just ironic or a sign.

With so much buzz and technews coverage, the excitement heard in consumer response is widespread. However, there were more than a few responses that left me scratching my head...

"I have to say, I'm kind of disappointed with the iPhone. While it does seem crammed with features and is certainly visually attractive, I don't think that the smart phone aspect of it will take off."

He's probably right. Remind me to not include that guy on my team.

And...

"Aside from the somewhat excessive cost (though Jobs does have a point in that we seem to gladly pay as much for two to three separate devices), it does seem like the iPhone is everything hoped for, featurewise."

Excessive cost? I guess this guy doesn't remember the $800 Newton that although first of its kind, was widely panned for just not working. Or dropping $2500 on a Centris with a 500mb hard drive and "speech recognition."

Someone has to have vision. Someone has to be first. Someone has to have the nerve to innovate. There will also always be someone to doubt, find fault, or criticize and then take pleasure in failure. I'd bet too that if those same people read Steve's quote, they just really couldn't relate.

p.s. Just to be fair, upon additional reading and review during the day after, the New York Time's David Pogue did ask relevant and insightful questions while still giving it up to "the class, the looks and the effortlessness of [the] iPod"

"Note, too, that the software is still unfinished, and many questions are still unanswered. Will you be able to turn your own songs into ring tones? Will there be a voice recorder? Will the camera record video? Can you use Skype to make free Internet calls? Will the battery really last for five hours of talking, video and Web browsing (or 16 hours of audio playback)? Will you someday be able to buy songs and videos from the iTunes Store right on the phone?"

Labels: Apple, David Pogue, iPhone, New York Times, Steve Jobs