Gavin Newsom Reveals Early Encounter with the iPhone in New Memoir
In his recently published memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery,” California Governor Gavin Newsom recounts a transformative moment when he was introduced to the iPhone prior to its public debut. The book was released on Tuesday and chronicles Newsom’s experiences in the tech realm.
Newsom reminisces about an encounter in the penthouse suite of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, where he found himself in distinguished company – tech luminaries such as Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the co-founders of Google, alongside Steve Jobs, then the CEO of Apple.
Describing the atmosphere, Newsom notes, “I was the only one in the room adorned in a suit and tie. Sergey and Larry sported casual T-shirts, while Steve donned his signature blue jeans and black mock turtleneck.”
In this intimate setting, Jobs unveiled a revolutionary device that was unlike anything they had encountered before: “a sleek apparatus—an unblemished piece of glass devoid of a keyboard, effortlessly holdable in one hand.”
As Jobs demonstrated the gadget, Newsom vividly recalls their collective astonishment: “He swiped the screen, and we exclaimed, ‘Whoa.’ Each of us had a turn, and I echoed, ‘Whoa’ once more.”
Newsom further articulated the significance of the moment, stating, We were acutely aware that he was divulging something akin to a state secret, a proprietary gem of immense value that could potentially render him a billionaire multiple times over.
Yet, Steve appeared unfazed, intent only on imparting the device’s innovative mechanics and sharing the creativity behind its exquisite design.
My background in art history prompted reflection on whether this San Francisco unveiling heralded a renaissance akin to Florence’s illustrious past.
The iPhone, which brought multitouch technology to the forefront, has since become a cornerstone of the smartphone industry. It now represents a staggering portion of Apple’s revenue, amassing over $85.3 billion in the last quarter alone, contributing to a total of $143.8 billion.
In the backdrop of his discussions, Newsom highlights the rapid evolution of San Francisco’s tech landscape, intertwining it with his own political ascent from local figure to mayor.
“We experienced mutual growth at the same juncture and locale,” Newsom reflects, “driven by the same unrestrained ambition.”
Additionally, he acknowledges the profound lessons gleaned from his interactions with tech innovators: “To cling to antiquated visions in the face of urban challenges would be to overlook the transformative magic inherent in technology.”
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