"This One Is Big"
Hype. Hype can be the downfall of any fine product. I know this, you know this, Apple sort of knows this. It can damper the image of a genuine break through; all you need do is look to Ginger for proof.
iPod wasn't as "revolutionary" as the hype had promised, and this sentiment wasn't kept a secret. The articles following iPod's introduction all agreed it is a fabulous gizmo, but not one that could change society enough to be considered revolutionary.
Apple's putting the text "This One is Big. Even By Our Standards" on their front page (www.apple.com) should not be taken lightly. They are advertising to all people with any tangential or intense interest in Apple (ie, all those who visit their site) that something "big" is going to happen.
"Big" is a vernacular that implies importance, it implies something head turning, and it definitely means something that will impress the masses. Any average person who happens to be visiting Apple's website is being told they will be impressed - very impressed - by the announcements on January 7.
Apple has now set the level of expectations very high. Steve is going to have to announce products that generate as much excitement as Apple's front page is bound to do. If his products come up short, they will be judged harshly.
- Pook
iPod wasn't as "revolutionary" as the hype had promised, and this sentiment wasn't kept a secret. The articles following iPod's introduction all agreed it is a fabulous gizmo, but not one that could change society enough to be considered revolutionary.
Apple's putting the text "This One is Big. Even By Our Standards" on their front page (www.apple.com) should not be taken lightly. They are advertising to all people with any tangential or intense interest in Apple (ie, all those who visit their site) that something "big" is going to happen.
"Big" is a vernacular that implies importance, it implies something head turning, and it definitely means something that will impress the masses. Any average person who happens to be visiting Apple's website is being told they will be impressed - very impressed - by the announcements on January 7.
Apple has now set the level of expectations very high. Steve is going to have to announce products that generate as much excitement as Apple's front page is bound to do. If his products come up short, they will be judged harshly.
- Pook
Comments
What are Apple's standards?
Do they mean as big as the iMac intro back in '98, or the Mac in '84, or the intro of the G4 back in 98/99?
Someone's got to have something!?
Uhmm... well, it just changed. Countdown is at the bottom.
[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: erbium ]</p>
<strong>Uhmm... well, it just changed. Countdown is at the bottom.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ummmm, WHY did Apple do this?
I mean, whats the big deal if the heading is M/W Conf. & Expo or "7 days until Macworld san francisco"?
Sometimes they just don't make any sense
-Paul
There are two fundamental standards: the "knows" and the "Joe's.
By virtue of our discussing this topic on an Apple board, are the "knows." Big to us means G5, DDR, G4 iMac, and any other confirmation of rumors previously deemed far-fetched. The "knows" are also the graphics professionals who need the new hardware. Big to them means more raw power.
The Joe's are a different story. A flat iMac is a big deal to the average consumer. It symbolizes a leap forward in the previous iMac technology that both looks better and is more efficient. Also big to the Joe's are new iPod-like products and new iTunes-like software. Power means less to the average consumer because easy functionality with a spicing of gimmicness helps.
Now for the grand synthesis: Apple's front page is open to both of these parties. The message is directed to every person to visits apple.com, and it should apply to every person. I believe Apple will satisfy both parties with a new iMac and new PowerMacs. I'm not convinced about G5s yet, as I believe breaking the GHz barrier would be cause enough for Apple to celebrate.
- Pook
<strong>
iPod wasn't as "revolutionary" as the hype had promised, and this sentiment wasn't kept a secret. The articles following iPod's introduction all agreed it is a fabulous gizmo, but not one that could change society enough to be considered revolutionary.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
For the record Apple never said that the iPod was revolutionary. CNN said revolutionary, and all of the other news sites copied it. Apple's official statement was "breakthrough".
Perfect example of the dangers of hype. Apple didn't even say "revolutionary," yet the whole computing world got excited. Now they are actually promising something huge. Just imagine where this hype is going to go.
- Pook
I'm sure they said something revolutionary would be introduced, but this time it's different.
They're saying that the whole MacWorld is going to be BIG. I get the feeling that there will be more than JUST the iMac.
I'm not expecting G5's, just G4's that start at 1GHz and go to 1.6GHz.
The iPod was mentioned during a analyst briefing. Nothing was mentioned on their web site.
The original iMac was sprung right on us. I do not think anyone saw it.
A new iMac, while I know it will be "Insane(tm)", its not THAT big of deal. Of course, a G4 in it would help some.
If that happens, I think a G5 tower is in order.
Theere is one bad thing about a dual product intro at one show.
What does Apple do for an encore. What do they do for the rest of the year?
I DO NOT see new Ti's or iBooks this year. Just speed and feature bumps.
And the speculation continues.
Cobra
<strong>Majuki,
Perfect example of the dangers of hype. Apple didn't even say "revolutionary," yet the whole computing world got excited. Now they are actually promising something huge. Just imagine where this hype is going to go.
- Pook</strong><hr></blockquote>
See, even you are doing it! They said "big", not "huge".
This brings me back to my old threat called "What's the harm of a huge show?" It asked if it would really be a problem if Apple updated their entire product line within the span of one Stevenote.
This talk about "Big" could mean much more than any of us have ever seen before. That is what they are saying, afterall: "This one is big. Even for us." So this is going to a show with more in it than we on the boards are accustomed to. Maybe we'll see an entire product line update.
- Pook
...Apple is going to really revolutionize the computer industry...
...what if they came out with something so incredibly amazing, yet so simple, we all will say, "why didn't I think of that?!"...
...what if it was so revolutionary that it will change the way we live...
...what if I stopped this post right now and push "Add reply"?
- Pook
[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: jhtrih ]</p>
<strong>MacAgent, are you saying Apple could release something that is beyond the comprehention of the entire member base of the AI fourms!!! :eek: That would be amazing. I think almost any product from the iPoop (a pooper scooper) to iQ (Quantum transport device) has been talked about on AI boards.</strong><hr></blockquote>
What about the iPod?
Yeah, maybe you guys threw around the idea of an MP3 player... but not one with F/W or a HD THAT small. Or tight integration with iTunes.
I think it is perfectly feasable to think that Apple can come up with something that has not even been touched on by these boards.
I don't think it will happen tho
-Paul
No G5s until MWNY at the earliest.
Maybe I'm just crazy.
<strong>The image I'm conjouring in my mind is that of some sort of human/computer link of sorts. Computers that enhance your memory, make you think faster, let you upload information into your mind...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Now that would be bigger then big... Too bad it isn't going to happen until machine implants in humans are widely accepted. I read this article in WIRED that talked about this, very intresting...
one can dream tho...
-Paul