Apple’s developer conference this year was a big, fat ad for Canada.
While the focus of the event was the company’s new software products and updates to existing ones, we couldn’t help but notice the multiple on-stage nods to land of hockey and maple syrup.
First, Apple senior VP of software engineering Craig Federighi decided to demonstrate iOS’s updated search capabilities by looking up a recipe for none other than poutine, a beloved French-Canadian dish comprised of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Federighi could have looked up any recipe, but no, he knew poutine was inescapably delicious and went looking for a recipe.
Then at the end the of presentation, Apple brought out not one, but two Canadian music artists. Rapper Drake, formerly an actor going by the name of Aubrey Graham, took the stage in a vintage Apple jacket to tout the company’s newly-announced music streaming service, and especially its Connect feature, which lets artists share content with their fans.
And just when the media was finally done being in shock over Drake’s presence — but mostly his jacket — Apple CEO Tim Cook, who had come back on the stage to close out the marathon of announcements, brought out one more surprise: R&B singer The Weeknd.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and burst onto the music scene in 2010. He performed a brand new song as the developer conference closing act.
But whether Apple’s Canadian leanings this year were on purpose or by accident, we’ll never know. Siri is unlikely to have the answer.
