The best Apple Keynotes to watch before Wednesday’s iPhone 7 Keynote

A few times a year we are treated to unique events that are as much product introductions as fanboy entertainment events. We are talking about Apple Keynotes of course. In a few more days we will be able to enjoy another one of these, and for those of you who want to get in the mood for here is our selection of some of the most exiting Apple keynotes we’ve seen.

Steve Jobs reveals the iPhone (2007)

The original iPhone introduction in 2007 was one of the most important moments in Steve Jobs’ and Apple’s history. It was later described as a ‘bet-the-company’ event and many people held their breath as the keynote progressed and none of the system crashed. None of this tension shows as Steve Jobs, visibly excited, introduces not one, but three new devices…

iPod launch (2001)

Steve Jobs announced a ‘Breakthrough digital device. (Hint: it’s not a Mac)’ in 2001 when Apple’s goal was to become the digital hub in your life by making it easy to connect to cameras, MP3 players and your VCR. It ended up becoming more than just that, and transformed almost every category for which it wanted to become a hub:

Antennagate (2010)

This event is different from any other Apple keynote event. It is the press conference that Steve Jobs gave to explain what was causing iPhone 4 antenna issues; the little crisis known as ‘antennagate’.

It is interesting because instead of taking the initiative and showing the press what they would be writing about Apple was reacting on criticism and found itself in a position where of having to defend its product:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuzDgkEXFUk

Revealing the iPad (2010)

This is the iPad introduction special event in 2010. It was one of the more surprising and at times even most awkward events we’ve seen from Apple. The setting was different, with Steve Jobs sitting on a couch instead of walking around to show off the iPad but I also remember the mixed reactions from people who watched the event.

We needed a few weeks to get used to the idea of the iPad. It looked weird, with the oddly-spaced icons and it didn’t have flash and it wasn’t immediately clear why we needed one. The most heard criticism was ‘It is just(!) a big iPod touch!’ but we got used to them pretty fast. Watch the whole spectacle:

G4 Cube ‘One more thing’ (2000)

The Cube. One of the few products where Apple really missed the ball. It didn’t sell well and the ones that did often had to be replaced because the translucent case cracked at the seams.

This is the Cube introduction and it almost hurts to watch Steve being so proud about it and knowing it will end up a dud. During the keynote, Steve also introduced a new mouse and openly talked about how people didn’t like the previous mouse. The Cube is a ‘One more thing’ so skip to the end (1:21:46) if that’s what you want to see:

Launching the Mac (1984)

The one that started it all; the original Macintosh introduction. This is the full shareholder meeting + Steve Jobs keynote and introduction of the original Macintosh:

The iPhone 4S and Siri (2011)

This is the iPhone 4S introduction. The event itself isn’t that noteworthy, except for the introduction of Siri, until you realize it took place on October 4th 2011. The next day, on October 5th Steve Jobs died.

The team presenting here, all close to Steve, knew he was on his deathbed and almost cancelled this event. Watching again with this knowledge makes it a poignant point in Apple’s history.

One more thing…

Steve Jobs was famous for his ‘One more thing…’ moments so here’s a ‘one more video’ page. Seemingly at the end of his presentation, he would suddenly throw in a ‘oh, one more thing!’ and then announce a new and amazing device or product. Here’s a compilation of a bunch of them:

If you want to watch even more Apple Keynotes check the unofficial AppleKeynotes Channel on Youtube or Apple’s own YouTube channel which also includes all their commercials.