Steve Jobs on Macintosh Software: Bill Gates Joins the Bit
What Jobs talks about
This short television segment is framed as a playful “Macintosh Software Dating Game,” with Bill Gates introducing Microsoft’s interest in Macintosh software. The exchange centers on the Macintosh as a platform worth building for.
The bit is comic and competitive, but it also reflects how significant the Mac had become as a software opportunity. The audience reaction underscores the cultural moment around the Macintosh in 1984.
Because the transcript is so brief, the page mainly captures the energy of the appearance and the way Jobs's presence is tied to the Mac’s momentum.
Bill Gates speaks throughout; Steve Jobs is referenced in the framing and closing setup.
In his words
“Welcome to the Macintosh Software Dating Game.”
“I'm chairman of Microsoft.”
“And during 1984, Microsoft expects to get half of its revenues from Macintosh Software.”
“The Macintosh, of all the machines I've ever seen, is the only one that meets that standard.”
“Apples are red.”
Key points
- Bill Gates introduces Microsoft and says it expects a large share of revenues from Macintosh software.
- The segment treats the Macintosh as a major new standard for developers.
- The performance is staged as a TV joke, with audience reactions driving the rhythm.
- Jobs’s role here is tied to the Macintosh’s importance as a software platform.
Full transcript
Welcome to the Macintosh Software Dating Game. My name is Bill Gates. I'm chairman of Microsoft. And during 1984, Microsoft expects to get half of its revenues from Macintosh Software. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! And the Macintosh, of all the machines I've ever seen, is the only one that meets that standard. Woo! Woo! Woo! Well, sorry, Steve. Time's up. We'd like to give Steve a few moments to decide today's winner. Apples are red.
IBM's blue. If Mac's going to be the third milestone, I need all of you. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!
Transcribed from the audio with OpenAI Whisper. Timestamps link to the video above. Errors are possible.