This 1999 email from a tech pioneer helped me think about Apple's WWDC
Back in 1999, faced with cramming the prehistory of the Mac into a tiny write-up, I quoted Raskin's point about Jobs's PARC visit warming him to the potential of the embryonic Mac project, and didn't get into his harsh assessment of current interfaces. But even that didn't see print. Like most things that get published in dead-tree magazines, my Mac origin blurb was trimmed by an editor to fit the layout. I must have noticed that Raskin's quote didn't make the final cut, and regret its excision today.
At least I've been able to belatedly share his entire email here—something that wouldn't have even occurred to me was possible in the space-constrained days of computer magazines. In it, he posed a question about computer usability: 'Are we anywhere near where we should be?' The answer, he said, was no. I don't presume to know how he might feel today. But the question remains a good starting point for judging new products. It always will be. And holding them to high standards, as Raskin did, is the best way to answer it.
You've been reading Plugged In, Fast Company 's weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to you—or if you're reading it on FastCompany.com—you can check out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Friday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me at hmccracken@fastcompany.com with your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. I'm also on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads, and you can follow Plugged In on Flipboard.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Baird Lowers Tesla (TSLA) to Hold, Citing Valuation and Robotaxi Risk
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is one of the 10 best tech stocks to buy according to billionaires right now. On June 9, Ben Kallo of Robert W. Baird downgraded Tesla from Buy to Hold mainly on valuation concerns, while keeping his price target unchanged at $320. In his view, much of the recent upside in the stock, up over 20% since Q1 earnings, has already factored in the excitement around Tesla's planned robotaxi service and the prospect of a lower-cost electric vehicle. Hadrian / Kallo cited two key areas of concern behind the downgrade. First, he flagged elevated market expectations ahead of Tesla's upcoming robotaxi event, which he believes could be difficult to meet. Second, he raised questions around 'key-man' risk, pointing to ongoing uncertainty tied to CEO Elon Musk's central role in the company's strategic direction. While Musk has resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it may still take time for him to recoup investor confidence. While Kallo still considers Tesla a core long-term holding, he expressed skepticism about the near-term ramp-up of the robotaxi program, describing current projections as potentially too ambitious. He also noted that Elon Musk's political affiliations, particularly his perceived alignment with former President Trump, could introduce additional headline and regulatory risk moving forward. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is an EV manufacturer and clean energy company known for its innovative approach to sustainable transportation and energy solutions. It designs, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems, solar products, and related services. It currently manufactures five different consumer vehicles: the Model 3, Y, S, X, and the Cybertruck. While we acknowledge the potential of TSLA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gates Industrial (GTES) Gets Target Hike as Margin Expansion Confidence Grows
Gates Industrial Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GTES) is one of the 8 cheap beginner stocks to buy right now. Jeffrey Hammond, a KeyBanc analyst, raised his price target for Gates Industrial Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GTES) from $23 to $26 on June 9 while maintaining the stock's rating of Overweight. This decision comes after meetings with investors and meetings with Ivo Jurek, the company's CEO. Gates Industrial is effectively controlling manageable elements to boost earnings without depending on higher volume, even as demand trends are erratic. By innovating and gaining market share, the company is also appears to be growing in its markets. Even in the absence of a notable end-market rebound, Hammond stated he is now more confident that Gates Industrial Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GTES) will be able to meet its margin targets by the end of 2026. This confidence is a result of the company's proven ability to improve profit margins and penetrate more markets. Gates Industrial Chemical Corporation (NYSE:GTES) is a multinational producer of fluid power and power transmission solutions. The company supplies products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as replacement channel clients in a variety of industrial and consumer markets. While we acknowledge the potential of GTES as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. Read More: and Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
RBC Raises First Horizon (FHN) Price Target After Management Meetings
First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN) is one of the 8 cheap beginner stocks to buy right now. On June 9, RBC Capital Markets maintained its Outperform rating on First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN) while modifying its outlook, increasing the bank's price target from $22 to $24. The change followed recent meetings with First Horizon's top executives—CFO Hope Dmuchowski, Head of Investor Relations Tyler Craft, and Chairman, President, and CEO Bryan Jordan. The management team focused on a stabilization in deposit costs during the talks, which they stated should help maintain a stable margin. They also talked about possible strategies to lessen the impact in the event that the Fed lowers interest rates again. Additionally, RBC Capital's analysis indicates that First Horizon's management is focusing on internal operations and strategy, even if investors were interested in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and the importance of exceeding the $100 billion asset benchmark. According to RBC, the revenue outlook remained stable even with some slowdown in near-term industry lending activity. First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN) is a financial holding corporation with headquarters in Tennessee. Its primary business divisions include Corporate, Specialty Banking, and Regional Banking. While we acknowledge the potential of FHN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. Read More: and Disclosure: None.
