The Challenges of Live Product Demos: A Reflection on Meta Connect
On Wednesday evening, I experienced a profound sense of déjà vu. Mark Zuckerberg opened his Meta Connect keynote with a live backstage tour from his new glasses, reminiscent of a moment in 2012.
A Journey Back in Time
Back then, I was part of the live audience at Google I/O, witnessing Sergey Brin as he introduced a dramatic skydiving demo featuring Google Glass. Athletes dove from an airship, executed stunts, and streamed it all live through their headsets. It was a groundbreaking moment that drew awe and excitement from everyone present.
The Missing Energy
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy surrounding product launches has diminished significantly. Apple, for instance, transitioned from their once-electric keynotes to polished, pre-recorded videos. While these productions have their strengths, they lack the spontaneity and raw excitement that live demos can offer.
Preparing for Failure
However, for live demos to succeed, preparation for failure is crucial. Demos should aim to impress and bring a reward that matches the risk involved. At Meta Connect, Zuckerberg was clearly trying to recapture the thrill of live moments from 2012, now reintroducing glasses with a screen that could create rich experiences.
The Unfortunate Glitches
Despite his attempts, Zuck didn’t seem ready for failure. Multiple attempts to establish a glasses-to-glasses video call with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth fell flat, leaving the audience wondering why basic video calling tech was failing during a high-profile demonstration. Additionally, a cooking demo involving chef Jack Mancuso turned awkward when the AI voice malfunctioned, leading to an unending loop of miscommunication.
Blame Game and Recognition
Interestingly, the failure in the cooking demo was later attributed to Wi-Fi connection issues by Zuck and Bosworth, though tech-savvy observers knew better. Bots should stop talking altogether when disconnected, and the glitches led many to question the legitimacy of the demo.
Bringing Realness to Demos
Despite these hiccups, the demonstration of real-time captioning through glasses was impressive and highlighted the potential of this technology. When Bosworth apologized for fumbles during the demo, it validated the authenticity of their presentation—this was indeed real and not just a stage-managed show.
Learning from the Past
The failures at Meta Connect reminded many of Steve Jobs’ notorious demo fail when trying to showcase the iPhone 4’s capabilities in 2010. Just like Zuck, Jobs faced a connectivity issue that resulted in an incomplete demonstration. However, unlike Zuck, Jobs had a valid reason for the disruption and ultimately delivered a powerful finale with the introduction of FaceTime, highlighting the successful execution of innovative technology.
Embracing the Thrill of Live Demonstrations
Live demos possess an inherent thrill that polished videos simply cannot replicate. For tech enthusiasts and average consumers alike, knowing that mistakes can happen often adds to the authenticity of the product presentation. In an era where AI and slick production are the norm, the value of genuine demonstration is more critical than ever.
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