Apple's WWDC: Future Splash?

Each year, Apple Computers hosts a little shindig called the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC).  The event is largely for tech people, like those who are designing new software to go with the newest Mac computers & devices, but it is the hottest ticket in the tech world.  The event draws from all over the world--66 nations represented this year--and this years WWDC sold out in 71 seconds!  Former Vice-President Al Gore was in attendance, and Hollywood producer/director JJ Abrams will be one of the week's presenters, while some of Pixar's animators were going to help show off the new Mac Pro desktop revealed during the event.

Apple CEO Tim Cook presenting at the WWDC
(the image on the giant screen is of the new Apple Store
in Berlin--a restored, historical theatre.  The actual
store is in front, while the theatre was kept for
concerts and future events - maybe a 3W Seminar ;)

At first glance, this may appear to just be an event in which Apple pats themselves on the back and gets applause from all the people who are "drinking the Apple Koolaid." And that may be true; a great deal of interest in this event is the hype at wondering what new product will launch from Apple.  Apple may be a victim of its own hype and success because there seemed to be universal disappointment without the introduction of a new iPhone or iPad, nor the rumored iWatch or iTV.  Some are even beginning to speculate that Apple is losing it's "cool factor." 

Apple did introduce new product and programs, but the WWDC has become much more than that.  It may also be the proverbial pebble tossed in the water--that doesn't look like much now--but produces 20-foot waves on opposite shores.

On a side note, there's something to this "throwing pebbles" metaphor that is overlooked by observers but not lost on "vision casters" who cast those proverbial pebbles.  As a kid, if I ever tossed a rock in a pond or creek, I rarely tossed one -- I was looking for a splash, I was trying different rocks and different places to target.  Same thing with skipping stones; you're trying to skip one 8, 10, or more times -- but you have several duds that only skip once or twice.  Kids have no problem with multiple attempts--who cares how many go in, so long as they get that one good splash, or that one long series of skips.  "Vision casters", those individuals in business, politics or organizations, that are attempting to mold the future or how to get there, they have meetings/events like this where they throw out a lot of stuff--they know not everything is going to work (though they wish and present it like it will)--but only time, the work, unseen factors, and sometimes just luck will determine what takes and what doesn't.

Every year as a lead pastor, we had what we called "serve love pray Sunday" on the 2nd Sunday of August; it was the day in which we reminded everyone of the 3-word strategy/ethos we were attempting to follow within our mission, we reviewed the past and we tossed ideas/plans for the future.  Not everything worked or took off--those things are largely forgotten--but the ideas that did work, those helped to shape the future.

Apple's annual WWDC is their attempt to look for a splash or super string of skips -- it only takes one to be a game changer with the resources and clout that they have -- and even if it all amounts to nothing this year, they have enough success to give them time for several years to come to try again.  Apple's event gives us glimpse at where technology may take our future--which will impact our culture.  It's worth giving some time and attention to the ideas, presentations, and speculations--what may be a reach today maybe routine tomorrow.

What may be influenced in our future?  Here's a few of my takeaways from watching the 2+ hour event:

pic from Apple.com presentation page

The literal shape of computers: largely unappreciated by observers was the preview of the soon to be released new desktop computer "Mac Pro".  Desktop computers have been losing market share at a free fall pace to notebooks and now tablet computers--some have even speculated "the death of the personal computer".  But more power, memory, and better interfaces will always be needed in computing--the tablets may eventually replace laptops as our travel computers, but a good home/business desktop computer will still be important.  However, computers have been unappealing boxes since their creation--though they got smaller and recently even began merging with their displays, it's still a bulky box.  The reviews on the new Mac Pro desktop are mixed, but the revolutionary design of the small cylinder may take computers in a new direction, if only in their shape.  The cylinder is essentially hollow with the components around empty space -- the top of the cylinder is a uniquely designed fan that pulls the air from the base through the components and out the top; the resulting cooling effect is reportedly much more efficient (and more quiet), which therefore allows more power to be diverted to computing rather than trying to keep itself cool.  The cylinder is also 1/8 the size of Mac's previous desktop model.  Whether or not the computer will be accepted with it's less than universal Thunderbolt ports will be determined by consumers and the designers/artists/musicians for whom the computer seems to be built--but the revolutionary redesign of the computer frame and fan may influence computers for the next generation.

Apps = Capital = Increased R&D = Bigger Application = Future Change - Apple's five year old

ANKI CEO Boris Sofman demonstrating the AnkiDrive at WWDC
- the screen behind him was an overhead view of the track
at his feet.

App Store has created a new technology industry in the design of applications for mobile computing devices; regardless of your brand of smartphone or tablet, they are "smart" mobile devices by the ability to run these various programs while you are on the go--from games to information to GPS to streaming music to medical programs.  And these apps have resulted in Apple paying App-Developers $10 Billion in the past five years, and the pace is picking up.  Perhaps one of the most mindblowing presentations during the WWDC keynote was not an Apple product, but when they gave the stage to a quirky App-developer as if a commercial spot.  ANKI introduced themselves as a "robotics and artificial intelligence company" that was launching their first public product through the WWDC.  ANKI officers introduced a racing game through a less than perfect demonstration; the game doesn't take place on your mobile device, but your mobile device or computer can direct little robotic cars either directly at your hand or via the artificial intelligence of the program.  At first glance, 4 little cars speeding around a modified oval on the floor isn't necessarily that impressive; after all, remote control cars have been around for quite a while.  But these little devices were driving themselves--they were processing information about their position on the track, the proximity of the other vehicles, the upcoming curves, the need to adjust speed and turn angles, etc.  In the demonstration, three were programmed to block one car from passing; they maneuvered, changed speeds, and worked together to prevent one determined little car while that little car was calculating speeds, turns, and scenarios that would allow for a pass.  Your typical RC car doesn't do that--the typical RC operator doesn't do that very well.  Why this matters now and in the future: ANKI is on the precipice of making the cars from futuristic sci-fi movies like "Minority Report", "I-Robot" and other films a possibility.  They start with a "living room game" because it begins to give them exposure, brand loyalty, and capital--this not only funds future Research & Development, but gets them opportunities to have conversations with car manufacturers and policy makers.  Pretty soon, an ANKI automatic drive program may be an option on a car like GPS has been in recent years.

Enhanced e-Education - Schools have been incorporating computer technologies at a fascinating rate since I was in school.  Today, my daughter, as a freshman in high school, was required to have a laptop or tablet computer while my son's 6th grade class provided a laptop each day as a part of a 1-to-1 technology program to begin preparing them for the responsibilities and opportunities of using technology in their education.  Assignments could be accessed, completed, and turned in via the computer--emails, slide presentations, video, and even animations were a part of the preparation and production of these assignments.  Access to more information via the web, as well as different types of textbooks have been attempted; this year, Grace had a pdf textbook for science -- a clumsy and practically terrible idea.  But new enhanced textbooks are increasing in availability while simultaneously decreasing in price -- the future of print in education continues, for better or worse, to decline.  Apple's offering of iBooks in the new Operating Software OS X:Mavericks will make this digital material all the more useful.  The iBooks demonstration during the WWDC was a great example of what the future of studying from an enhanced textbook could look like (begins at 12:27 in the presentation clip from YouTube).



There were so many little things that fascinated me during the presentation, and so many others that were not that interesting.  But isn't that how it goes with making splashes and skipping stones?

Did anyone else watch the presentation?  Anything else make you marvel or wonder about the future?  What about the items I listed above--do they make you foresee a different future sooner than you imagined?

Other articles on the WWDC and related Apple presentations/products...
- Apple Adding Kill Switch via CNN to prevent "apple picking crimes" -- interesting article on the need for new police task forces and cooperation between tech developers and law enforcement.
- The beautiful new Apple computer most people won't buy via CNN re: the new Mac Pro Desktop
-New iOS7 review via CNN Money (the iOS is the mobile operating system for iPhones, iPads, etc)
-Apple's Innovation Conundrum via CNN Money