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In a word: showmanship. Apple makes its sales events (WWDC is a sales event) feel like something big, an occasion, something special to look forward to, like t

by shon 4y ago

In a word: showmanship. Apple makes its sales events (WWDC is a sales event) feel like something big, an occasion, something special to look forward to, like the revealing of a secret to the in-crowd. This focus on the spectacle, the presentation and the perception, is a huge part of the company’s DNA. People love this. Google is pretty terrible at it. Like Microsoft, they are getting better by watching Apple but showboating is not in Google’s DNA. This isn’t just about Apple presentations. It’s all through the products and everything the company presents externally (internal tools are sometimes ugly and shit though). Go back and look at the release of the original iMac; an outdated computer with a shoddy OS, built into a curvy, shiny, colorful case… people literally lined up to buy them. I refused on the grounds that I knew what was in that box… yet I still want one today. Mmmm shiny… WWDC is the same. It’s not an accident. They think and work hard on making it happen.

D13Fd 4y ago
I don’t think any amount of showmanship would make Google product and service announcements as interesting and impactful as Apple’s. One problem is that Google doesn’t stick with or commit to most things, except Search and e-mail. So Google products just aren’t that interesting. Another is time to release. Apple doesn’t generally announce things (with a few exceptions) unless they are close to release. It’s no fun to get excited about something and then wait a year or two.
- shon 4y ago
  100% agree that release timing is part of the allure of WWDC. That’s part of the show! You know you’re going to be using this great stuff very soon. I disagree that Google’s products aren’t as interesting. They have great tech. I’ve been very interested in the Pixel phone and other Android related products. But Google has different drivers. With Apple, everything is aligned on the show. They put everything they have into making stuff we want to buy and use. It’s like a singular goal. Pixel could be great. It was getting there —I switched and loved it in the Pixel 2 / iPhone 7 era. But they are not committed enough to making it the best for the consumer.
astrange 4y ago
"Outdated" isn't a good description of the iMac, which got rid of floppy drives and introduced slot-loading CDs/USB ports/Wi-Fi.

by shon 4y ago

D13Fd 4y ago

I don’t think any amount of showmanship would make Google product and service announcements as interesting and impactful as Apple’s. One problem is that Google doesn’t stick with or commit to most things, except Search and e-mail. So Google products just aren’t that interesting. Another is time to release. Apple doesn’t generally announce things (with a few exceptions) unless they are close to release. It’s no fun to get excited about something and then wait a year or two.

shon 4y ago
100% agree that release timing is part of the allure of WWDC. That’s part of the show! You know you’re going to be using this great stuff very soon. I disagree that Google’s products aren’t as interesting. They have great tech. I’ve been very interested in the Pixel phone and other Android related products. But Google has different drivers. With Apple, everything is aligned on the show. They put everything they have into making stuff we want to buy and use. It’s like a singular goal. Pixel could be great. It was getting there —I switched and loved it in the Pixel 2 / iPhone 7 era. But they are not committed enough to making it the best for the consumer.

astrange 4y ago

"Outdated" isn't a good description of the iMac, which got rid of floppy drives and introduced slot-loading CDs/USB ports/Wi-Fi.