Redefining “awkward”
A lot is being made of this video from 2007 of Bill Gates purportedly “predicting the iPad” in 2007 while sitting next to Steve Jobs at the All Things Digital conference. Personally I don’t think Bill is saying anything that someone who grew up watching bad sci-fi movies from the 80’s hasn’t envisioned for the last 30 years (guilty) – plus odds are by 2007 there was already an iPad prototype in Cupertino. However, Bill’s opinions are not what interest me here. I’m posting this clip solely because it may be the single most awkward interview ever done by any person. Ever.
As interviewers go, Walt Mossberg is certainly no Mary Hart (and Mary Hart is no Mario Lopez, who is himself no Kathy Ireland).
[via Gizmodo]
I think that Bill watched the Knowledge Navigator video. For that matter, so did Steve.
“or an iPhone…”
“you have one?”
“yes…”
“right now?”
“yes…”
“on you?”
“yes…”
haha so awkward
been awhile since i watched this – SJ does have a case that there has been little innovation in the PC (personal computer incl. macs) realm. if you see it now, the PC is stagnant, very little has changed with the device. it’s still a screen, a keyboard and a pointing device. much like the car industry. this of course is changing with the adoption of hybrid, electric and more fuel efficient engines. but the PC is still like GM of recent years, changing designs and adding slightly different engines.
just my opinion, but i’m starting to see the PC as a device that may not evolve further than it’s general purpose – like a washing machine or a refrigerator.
what i like about the iPad is that it brings something new to different uses – internet use, media consumption, and gaming. it’s not there to replace the PC – which is what most people seem to not be able to understand.
sorry for the rant – but noone reads my comments anyway 😛
Steve is so funny because it’s hard to tell if he’s joking or being seriously. Like the iPhone banter, it’s like he’s thinking “Well of course I’ve got my iPhone on me, didn’t you see my keynote, the thing is freaking awesome.”
And the “You can get into trouble for using that term…post PC devices.” His “well anyway” is more like “yeah Walt? Well now you’re not getting an iPhone as soon as you thought.”