The current time whenever an iPhone or iPad is featured in a commercial or print ad, is always 9:41.
It an innocuous choice, but there’s actually a deeper meaning behind it.
The time used to read 9:42 because in 2007, Steve Jobs announced the first iPhone device at that time during the product launch.
He stated 42 minutes into his address that, “Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone.”
Then, in 2010, the iPad was revealed. Along with its new technology, it had another noticeable difference. It’s time read 9:41.
According to former Apple executive Scott Forstall, Apple’s keynote addresses are planned to reveal their new product “40 minutes into the presentation.”
The product is also shown on a large screen at that moment, and Apple wants the time on the device to match what it is in the real world.
Since it’s nearly impossible to predict at exactly what minute the reveal will happen, they chose 9:41 as a safe bet.
There’s no guarantee the time won’t change again within commercial and print ads, but for now, whenever you see an Apple ad, it’s always 9:41.
