Fans of Mac and Apple software received a wealth of news at WWDC 2024. As usual at this event, viewers were also treated to multiple appearances from a very familiar face: SVP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, AKA Hair Force One.
Like all Apple spokespersons, Craig is happy to share his expertise on all upcoming releases. However, this man does his segments with a bit of spice. It started with a few jokes on stage when WWDC was in front of a live audience, but the pre-recorded events turned them into short comedy skits.
Love or hate his sketches (the Tech Advisor team is definitely divided), you’ll definitely remember them. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the highlights from Craig’s Apple event adventures over the years, including some of his latest antics at WWDC 2024.
Craig Federighi throws himself out of a plane
Where do I start? For WWDC 2024, Craig is assembling a (very dull) crew, and the only way to get to headquarters is to jump off an Apple-themed jet, in a corporate suit. Craig even gets a custom helmet shaped like his iconic bonce, living up to the Hair Force One nickname.
Security protocols? Never heard of them. Instead, it’s imperative that Craig packs his AirPods before jumping over 12,000 feet back. He even manages to take the time to turn off his iPhone in airplane mode before deploying his parachute.
Kudos to iconic driver Phil with his Topgun-esque outfit, first-generation iPod, and grumpy man energy. He’s done with Craig’s antics.
Craig Federighi gets his entry into James Bond
Just forget about stepping on a photo like all the other Apple idiots. That’s just not how Craig does things.
For his MacOS segment in 2020, Craig dramatically reveals a vintage red sports car and drives to a hidden (apparently underground) Apple base without a single hair on his beaked head being out of place.
Extra points are awarded for the OTT vertical sliding door, the cross-room mount and, above all, the fact that Apple CarPlay is installed on this retro vehicle.
Craig Federighi heads “down”
Rumors continue that Apple headquarters resembles Doctor Evil’s lair. We cut to CEO Tim Cook via a drone shot across the Apple campus, which is nothing revolutionary for this kind of event. However, Craig is ready and waiting, holding a strong position in the middle of the room like a Street Fighter character.
Turns out he has to take us into a twenty(!) second elevator, where the whole floor opens after he taps his Apple Watch once. We descend through two seemingly empty and empty rooms, before ending on one last empty space to discuss iOS.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find this feature effective on our Apple Watches. It must be reserved for Craig only.
Craig Federighi has his Baywatch moment
There are several moments in which Craig runs – clearly he enjoys doing cardio during WWDC. However, the iPadOS segment in 2022 is very special, as Craig takes off as quickly as The Flash via Apple headquarters.
The camera slows down, giving us an HD shot of the software engineer running his hand through his bouncy silver locks. He then glides into frame (shoes squeaking and all) without slowing down his presentation.
This sketch really brings the Hair Force One joke to the forefront. Granted, this music video added a different song than the original, but that only adds to the humor.
Craig Federighi seduces a MacBook
Typically, most of Craig’s sketches happen when he’s introducing a new segment, so this one really caught me off guard.
When discussing a new feature about how MacBooks now instantly wake from sleep, he decides to “set the mood” by dimming the lights to a sultry pink and playing some Barry White in the background while that he’s looking way too intimately at the laptop in front. him.
Get a room, Craig!
Craig Federighi summons an iPad with Magneto powers
Apple fans will know that Craig loves demos. Last year, Federighi’s story became even more complicated when we learned that Craig apparently had the ability to summon an iPad at will and then send it back.
He even adopts a serious expression of concentration as he uses his power. You must applaud this commitment. He even brought this joke back to 2024.
Craig Federighi takes a leap of faith
It’s a shorty, but a goody. Craig continues to prove that he is allergic to walking from one segment to the next by opening a hole in the ground with his foot, before seemingly jumping into the abyss.
But don’t worry, he lands safely in the dimly lit “Privacy” room to discuss a serious topic for Apple users.
Now I desperately want to visit Apple headquarters. Not necessarily to get all the juicy details of the new iPhone, but to see those MI5-style rooms you enter through the ceiling.
Craig Federighi does parkour
First leaps of faith, now free running through buildings… Craig must think he’s in Assassin’s Creed. Fortunately, the senior vice president doesn’t show up for a murder contract, but just further into the building to discuss MacOS.
I particularly enjoy the grunts of effort as he balances on the perfectly usable stairs and the skater-style music playing in the background. I can only hope this is how he goes to all his meetings.
Craig Federighi plays a three-neck guitar
This clip is a nod to what is arguably Craig’s defining moment, where he shredded a guitar solo on stage at a live event.
This time, he ditched his signature blue shirt and pants for a biker-style leather jacket with 2000s emo-style badges pinned to the front. He also holds a three-neck guitar, which is excessive since he only really plays one.
However, I will forgive this as the solo he releases is quite impressive and serves as a great introduction for Ron, the next speaker.
There are plenty of other moments – Craig accidentally walking into fitness classes, rolling a live audience and of course that infamous (but admittedly un-WWDC) one where he tried to demonstrate Face ID in front of everyone an audience for iPhone X and IT DIDN. It does not work.
Hopefully there are plenty more plugs for the YouTube meme playbook to come. You can read about the headliners from WWDC 2024, including Apple Intelligence and the missing watchOS feature.
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