Apple Keynote now showing ads in its UI

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Apple has begun promoting its own paid features inside the Keynote interface, prompting backlash from users who see this as yet another step in the “enshittification” of previously premium, ad-free software. Many argue that upsell nags inside productivity tools devalue Apple’s brand and user experience, especially given the high hardware prices, and compare the move unfavorably to Microsoft’s and Google’s in-OS advertising. Others counter that this is simply product discoverability within an ecosystem increasingly driven by services revenue, though even some of them worry it signals a broader shift toward more intrusive monetization.

Keynote UI “Ads” and What They Are

  • Screenshot shows Keynote promoting a related paid Apple product / “Creator Studio” within the theme chooser.
  • Some argue this is normal in-app upsell / feature discoverability, not “ads” in the sense of third‑party banners.
  • Others insist any unsolicited commercial prompt in the UI, even for first‑party upgrades, is an ad and an unwelcome distraction.
  • A few note this feels uncharacteristic for Apple’s historical UX standards, even if functionally similar to common in‑app purchases.

Apple’s Growing Nagging and Services Push

  • Multiple reports of persistent red badges in Settings for AppleCare, Apple Pay, or iCloud prompts, often reappearing after dismissal.
  • Complaints about Apple News having low‑quality, clickbaity ads despite being a paid service; desire to pay extra to remove them.
  • Apple TV+ reportedly shows unskippable or skippable promos before content, even for paying subscribers.
  • Some see this as part of a long‑running shift: services as a major revenue line and routine cross‑promotion throughout the OS.

Brand, “Enshittification,” and Incentives

  • Many feel this behavior cheapens a premium brand and undermines the “it just works / ad‑free” image.
  • Others counter that brand metrics and sales remain strong; from a business perspective, every monetizable surface gets used.
  • Discussion around Apple as premium vs luxury: high-end hardware only, but still far from traditional luxury positioning.
  • Theory that internal teams measured on subscription growth push these tactics even if they harm long‑term brand perception.

User Reactions and Alternatives

  • Some are actively exiting Apple’s ecosystem for Linux or older PCs, citing reduced distraction and cost.
  • Others remain because of hardware quality and specific apps (e.g., Keynote), lamenting weak or unpleasant alternatives like LibreOffice Impress.
  • A few suggest other tools (PowerPoint on Linux via workarounds, Typst, iA Presenter), but none are seen as direct, equally polished replacements.

AI, Cloning, and Future Platforms

  • Speculation that AI could help clone macOS, reverse‑engineer Apple APIs, or generate full alternative stacks.
  • Skeptics note the gap between “in principle possible” and “someone actually doing it,” pointing to Linux’s limited desktop penetration.
  • Some are hopeful that AI plus open platforms (e.g., Linux with better hardware/UX) could eventually offer a compelling, ad‑free alternative.

General Attitudes Toward Ads

  • Strong sentiment that ads and upsells are unwelcome regardless of whether they’re first‑party or third‑party.
  • Some ask if people are becoming too sensitive; replies often say the same standard should apply to Apple and Microsoft alike.