Macworld 2006 Is An iSnooze, Except For 'Dissing Intel

If you are a Mac lover, than you are probably aware that the annual Macworld Conference & Expo took place from January 9-13 in San Francisco. It comes just days after Microsoft's CEO Bill Gates took stage at CES to talk about his upcoming Microsoft products. Macworld on the other hand is the place where Apple's CEO Steve Jobs shows off his latest and greatest Mac products. It's the place where the iMac was first introduced to the public over a decade ago. Since then, there has been 2 major redesigns of the original iMac. This year I was expecting we would see the 4th gen iMac, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Since Apple's other big product is the iPod, surely we would see a new iPod at Macword, right? Nope, no new iPod either. So what did Steve Jobs show us? Well, not much if you ask me. It was a bit of an "iSnooze" of a keynote speech giving Mac lovers little to get excited about.

Of course in lue of a new redesigned iMac or iPod, Jobs had to talk about something. Therefore, the bulk of the Macworld news consisted mostly about Apple's new ties to Intel. In the hardware department, Apple released the first ever Intel-based iMac and the new MacBook Pro. When it came to software, 2006 versions of the iLife and iWork suites were introduced, along with a new program called iWeb that helps you design websites, set up blogs and assist with podcasting. New Apple accessories also debuted, including an FM receiver and remote for the iPod. Lastly, the OS X operating system will begin shipping with new widgets. Despite all these new products, many people will look back at Macword '06 and not remember the hardware or software introductions, but rather the huge "insert foot in mouth" Apple campaign slogan. Various banners were hung with the phrase..."What's an Intel chip doing in a Mac? A whole lot more than it's ever done in a PC."

It's no secret that Apple and Microsoft are heated rivals. It's also no secret that for years Intel chips have been the processor of choice in Windows PCs. So it's only natural that the bulk of Intel's business comes from Microsoft. Are you following me so far? Now the big question is...if you (Apple) are trying to break new ground in an area (gaining Intel's business) that is mostly controlled by your competition (Microsoft), I would tend to think you do not want to publicly bash your new business partner (Intel) regardless if they also do business with your competition or not. It just looks...well, childish.

I just don't understand what Apple's PR department and legal team is thinking when it comes to "smart business". You may remember awhile back when word got out that Apple made the biggest tech blunder of all time - forgetting to patent the iPod! When that news broke, I just couldn't believe it! How could a company as innovative as Apple be so dumb? Well it seems Apple didn't learn much from that huge mistake as they once again are embarrassing themselves, or perhaps more importantly, embarrassing their new partnership with Intel. Just a FYI for Steve Jobs in case he hasn't figured this out yet, Intel is pissed over the new campaign slogan. I suggest you change it before you find yourself in an ugly legal dispute.