Why the iPhone Keynote Was A Mistake

jcatcw writes "Mike Elgan at Computerworld lists six reasons why it was a mistake to make the iPhone keynote at Macworld. He argues that extremely high expectations can only lead to disappointment for consumers and investors. The focus on the phone during the keynote also took away from the Apple TV announcement, put iPod sales at risk, gave competitors a head start, and (perhaps worst of all) ruined the company's talks with Cisco over the iPhone name. From the article: 'The iPhone, despite its many media-oriented virtues and its sweet design, will do far less than most existing smart phones. The problem Apple now faces because of Jobs' premature detail-oriented announcement is that of dashed expectations. When customers expect more and don't get it, they become dissatisfied.'"

6 months!

[Realistic_Dragon]

The worst thing is the amount of time there is for your significant other to hear about the new iPhone and hide the credit cards before release day.

What's with the limiting to Cingular?

[88NoSoup4U88]

It's already dead in the water for me if they stick with being limited to one carrier. I don't care if it's possible through some loops to make it work with other carriers; If they limit my choice from the start, I won't be wasting my money on it.

Then again, it is also a very nice bottle opener [youtube.com], an electronic razor, a blowdryer, a mousetrap......

Re:As Jobs Said...

[bheer]

> As for Microsoft Outlook... who uses it these days anyway? I sure as hell don't.

It's like this club that was cool once ... but no one goes there any more, it's too crowded.

Re:still

[TheRaven64]

grad-student worshiping

Hey, I'm a grad student! Where do I sign up for worshipers? Or even a few minions...

Re:FCC leaks

[Mike1024]

Judging from all the rumours about the Zune the future iPods that have been helped along by FCC documents, I think they made the right call.

If I was a big apple I'd submit a few dozen fake products for approval just to throw people off. When the documents about the Apple Bananaphone and the Apple ipod/condom become public, people will start taking these rumours with a bigger pinch of salt.

Re:FCC leaks

[Ankou]

Dude where have you been? Didn't you watch the commercial? The iPhone is a prophylactic [youtube.com] too.

Re:6 months!

[NosTROLLdamus]

Me.

Re:still

[flyingsquid]

grad-student worshiping

I don't know what weird parallel universe you inhabit where grad students are worshiped... but as a grad student, I desperately want to go there.

Re:still

[Divebus]

Perhaps he should write about how it was a mistake for Microsoft to announce the Zune so early. They should have waited another decade.

Re:still

[Lemmy Caution]

I think he's getting it from having lost a girlfriend to a beret-wearing, cappuccino-sipping, book-reading, liberal grad-student. At least, that's the characterization I was getting from his post.

Re:FCC leaks

[mgabrys_sf]

Don't attach "condom" to the word "leak" please - particularly when talking about the FCC.

Re:6 months!

[cadeon]

Haha, you're still only +4.

Dogs and Cats

[dangitman]

The focus on the phone during the keynote also took away from the Apple TV announcement, put iPod sales at risk, gave competitors a head start, and (perhaps worst of all) ruined the company's talks with Cisco over the iPhone name.

He went on to say that the iPhone keynote would also cause "Fire and brimstone coming down from the sky, rivers and seas boiling, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together and mass hysteria."

Re:6 months!

[VlartBlart]

"your significant other..."

You mean your laptop?