If there was one thing heard across Twitter during today’s Apple announcements, it was the sound of money being sucked from wallets.
The introduction of an iPad 2, a more interactive Apple TV and the upgraded iPhone 6s generated tons of spending declarations on Twitter and in the posts written in another language, the exclamation point was a good indication of the social media excitement over Apple’s new products, rolled out today at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco.
Every Apple event generates tons of snark and awe by Apple fans – and trolls – chiming in on Twitter as they watch the event stream live.
There was the usual griping about time, especially when it was apparent Cook, Cue and company would surpass the two-hour mark on stage. There were also the familiar stat nerds counting the number of untucked shirts, times the word innovation was used and the number of women speakers (a record number Wednesday).
But there was also a giddy urgency to spend money.
Apple fans on Twitter seemed most excited over the new iPad Pro, but were also quick to point out how, with the optional keyboard case, looked like the Microsoft Surface.
Fans seemed to be unimpressed and even incredulous about the $99 Apple Pencil, which some called an insult to the late Steve Jobs, who famously said he did not want to ever see a stylus with an Apple product.
Those complaining about the time were impatient for news about the much anticipated iPhone 6s, which Apple saved for the end of Wednesday’s event. Many were impressed with the upgrades to the camera and 3D touch, but some said they were content with their now-old iPhone 6 and would wait for a 7.
Of course, the hashtag drew plenty of Apple believers who find no fault in anything the company does, and willing express their love and excitement from top to bottom.
David Pierini is a former newspaper writer and long-time photographer. Considered a luddite by most of his friends, they did not believe him when he broke the news that he would be writing for a technology website. He is fascinated by human nature and would love to cultivate stories about the people driving the tech bus. Reach out to him at [email protected].
13 responses to “iPad Pro seduces Twitter but Apple Pencil gets the shaft”
I’ve long disagreed with Jobs about a stylus. Yeah, they’re a pain. Yeah they’re another thing to lose, since they’re totally reminiscent of a cheap ballpoint but cost like that expensive fountain pen grandma gave you when you graduated and you can’t tell her that you left it on a bus a week later.
On the other hand, try writing for an extended period with your fingertip and you’ll know why we don’t just dip our fingers into ink. I tried, found my joints on my first finger irritated, and went and bought a stylus.
Yeah, Jobs said if you need a stylus you failed. Jobs was wrong about other things too.
I agree. I’ll be getting the Pro because of the pencil. I have a Samsung Note 5 and use the stylus religiously. Many great features on it. If they had offered an iPhone with a stylus I’d probably be on board as well.
I’m not a fanboy to either side. I go where the technology is that suits my needs.
It’s been out for 3 years.
People who complained about the pen just don’t understand. Jobs is referring to always carrying a stylus to use a phone but I don’t believe he is against using a stylus for drawings or precision works.
We all know Apple is working on a stylus if one follows the Patently Apple blog that Apple has filed many stylus patents during Jobs times which lead up to today’s announcement. Frankly I think the coolest announcement today is the Pencil.
I thought the same thing, You don’t need a stylus for the iPad. it just enhances the functionality for those that would use it. I would never use one, not because of philosophy just because I’m not an artist or someone who handwrites things. I have a friend that i showed the keynote to and he about wet himself, the pencil was the best thing he had seen in a long time, as an artist it was perfect for him.
The iPad Pro looks like the first legit laptop killer from Apple. The chicken or egg argument between iPad and Surface will rage on, but we’ll see who does it better. The iPad Pro definitely looks sexier.
It boils down to function for me. I don’t want to use business productivity apps like MS Office. If the Surface is a work PC replacement, great. I want an iPad for all the non-work FUNctionality (games, movies, music, photos, social media, and even books).
Steam is not available on the iPad. Everything else you mentioned is available already on the Surface, as well.
Where’s the new iPad Air????
Did anyone notice that Microsoft still doesn’t have a clue? Apple brings this new Pencil to the table with pressure sensitivity for line thickness and such, but when Microsoft showed off their Office apps saying how they made them with the Pencil in mind, they were still using drop menus to select line thickness. Idiots.
It’s almost like those ‘idiots’ took into account the however-many-millions of iPads that already ready exist sans-Pencil, and the fact that even the new one doesn’t come with one out of the box! What a bunch of morons.
The whole reason Microsoft was there was to show off how it worked on the iPad Pro using the new things that Apple was announcing. The fact that they didn’t have any code built into Office to fully utilize the capabilities of the Pencil just proves that they didn’t even attempt to do anything for it. They were using it like a finger would have been used in the first place. Yes. Idiots. As usual always bringing everything down to the lowest common denominator instead of innovating and pushing the industry forward.
All it proves is that they project basically 0% ROI for the time and effort it would take to make the changes you’re clamoring for. It’s almost like they’re running a grown-up business rather than being your personal tech incubator.
Is it just me or could Emily Wolff totally get it? I would love to stick my Apple Pencil in her lightning port, hey-ohhh.