This WWDC is going to be a make or break moment for Apple and the fact that they’re too cowardly to show up to the talk show and/or are using this as a retribution does not bode well.

Apple developer relationships have never been more strained than they currently are, and at least some of us were hoping that, in light of all of Apple’s, current legal battles, they might be willing to bury the hatchet and try to actually improve developer relations. This move doesn’t preclude that, but it certainly makes it seem less likely.

Apple is petty, they always have been (see Nvidia) but it’s a lot easier to be petty when you have hardware, software, and developers on your side. Right now, Apple only has hardware on their side. Their software has been in a state of decline and their developer relations are at an all time low.

Bold move Cotton.

We all know why. And we all know why they're still doing the weird Covid-era pre-recorded keynotes, unlike almost all tech companies. They're afraid of (mocking) laughter, booing, and jeering, from devs in the crowd that they keep treating like dirt.

The childish retribution for Gruber's mild criticism is just the cherry on top, but it might have happened regardless.