Reaction to Apple's Withdrawal from Macworld, Apple Expo Paris Cancelled

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/17/reaction-to-apples-withdrawal-from-macworld-apple-expo-paris-cancelled/)

Apple's decision to withdraw from Macworld entirely has been generating a massive amount of feedback, both in our forums (http://forums.macrumors.com) and the industry in general. Aside from the immediate impact, many are concerned that the withdrawal represents the end of the Macworld conference in general. Indeed, Apple's withdrawal from Apple Expo Paris has resulted in the cancellation (http://www.macworld.com/article/137605/2008/12/appleexpo.html) of that show going forward.

Veterans of the Macworld show such as MacOSXHints' Rob Griffiths (http://www.macworld.com/article/137595/2008/12/expochanges.html) sees it as the end of an era, and feels it represents a loss for the community:The most-affected group, I think, will be the Mac fans who made the annual trek to the Expo. Speaking as one of those folks—yes, it’s my job to go, but I still have a blast going—I’ll definitely miss the keynote, the One More Things, the cool new products (not just from Apple but the other vendors as well), and that great psychological kick I get from seeing the show every year. But those aren’t the things I’ll miss the most.

Instead, what I’ll really miss is the once-a-year chance to meet with people who I would otherwise never get to meet in the flesh. Macworld.com's Jason Snell (http://www.macworld.com/article/137605/2008/12/appleexpo.html) believes the expo could continue and be better off without Apple: Macworld Expo is the premier showcase for third-party companies who develop products for Apple’s markets. And yet every year, those same companies schlep out to San Francisco to announce their next big products—and find their announcements completely washed away by whatever Steve Jobs announced on Tuesday morning. Completely washed away. Every company I’ve met in advance of Expo, I’ve implored to announce their product before Jobs gets on stage, because after that announcement everything else gets lost.
Analyst response has been mixed (http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/12/17/apple-oppenheimer-downgrades-one-scare-too-many/) with some who believe that this means there will be no major announcements at Macworld, while others feel it is just a natural transition.

Article Link: Reaction to Apple's Withdrawal from Macworld, Apple Expo Paris Cancelled (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/17/reaction-to-apples-withdrawal-from-macworld-apple-expo-paris-cancelled/)

[PlaceofDis]

expos are so costly to companies its almost holding onto tradition for tradition's sake. while they are nice place to announce products it also puts pressure on them to top last year and everyone else. i dont see how that is a good thing personally.

i see things like WWDC as a better sort of conference, with lessons and more workshops that are helpful to the community. but who knows what will happen with WWDC in the future as well.

[bbotte]

Maybe it's to keep stuff under wraps better. If there are no regular scheduled shows to make announcements, the rumors and stuff will not be so accurate. Now we will just get hints that an event is coming.

[MadDog31]

I see this as Apple wanting more control over their message in their own events. Not only that, but it tends to get in the news more, and they can do these events in multiple cities if needed.

Besides, it costs a lot of time and money to prepare for trade shows such as MWSF. Scaling back and pulling things more in-house probably isn't that much of a surprise as a lot of companies are doing that these days.

It seems like at Macworld there was always a push from Apple to release products (or at least have them ready to announce) by early January. Perhaps now people can focus on when products are truly ready.

And also, it's hard to top the iPhone MWSF from a couple years ago. That one literally changed my life because I'm a huge iPhone supporter/user.

It sucks we won't have that awesome post-Christmas gift of watching a Stevenote, but there will be more to come, rest-assured. Hasn't Apple surprised us before?

[CyberBob859]

Companies may find it expensive, but to consumers, having a place to go every year to meet and network with other Mac fans will be a big blow.

[mdntcallr]

horrible to cancel all of the conventions. it left people something to look forward to. having been to a few, i find that apple would cancel such an occasion, even if expensive at such a place as Moscone in San Francisco, something that sends the wrong message.

well, what can i say except that Apple gets more and more profitable, and as it does so, it acts more like a company that doesn't care about its customers or companies it does business with.

[iParis]

Maybe it's to keep stuff under wraps better. If there are no regular scheduled shows to make announcements, the rumors and stuff will not be so accurate. Now we will just get hints that an event is coming.

Maybe.
Although an unconventional even doesn't seem to help.
We new about the September and October events way before the invites were sent out.
And people have been saying Apple's not putting much work into keeping leaks out.

[koobcamuk]

Well, it's all a big waste of money anyway. Just do it all online - much cheaper.

[madrag]

online is a good idea, but the "real" thing in presence is something no online event can beat :(

[madrag]

I agree...
It's odd, but they probably have something up their sleeve.

BTW: their timing to announce this "bombs" is well thought. Xmas and everybody is (should be) in a good mood, so the news won't come down so heavily.

[deannnnn]

I find this whole situation very strange... I think there is something that Apple isn't tell us.

Jason Snell, however, makes a very good point.

[Lesser Evets]

STEVE JOBS IS DEAD!

....just kidding.
I do find it odd they are withdrawing from so many expos and cons that helped fuel the whole Mac-fever scene that has boosted the Apple line of products for the past 11 years.

[crees!]

I'd expect an event at Apple HQ a couple months or so after Macworld unveiling a new product.

@Lesser Evets
Look out for the SEC knocking on your door soon!

[Cameront9]

I think Macworld COULD Thrive if it reinvents itself. Imagine something like the hugely successful Penny Arcade Expo, but for Mac geeks. With Apple gone it gives third parties a chance to strut their stuff.

[dwwd]

As a newby I would like to ask one thing....

How were the keynotes Before Jobs (BJ)? Do you guys think Macworld will be worst in 2010 than in 1997 or 1996?

Daniel

[capnbishop]

As disappointing as this is, we'd be wise to remember that the end of one era only means the beginning of another. For better or for worse, we do have new things to look forward to out of this.

[mmcxiiad]

expos are so costly to companies its almost holding onto tradition for tradition's sake. while they are nice place to announce products it also puts pressure on them to top last year and everyone else. i dont see how that is a good thing personally.

i see things like WWDC as a better sort of conference, with lessons and more workshops that are helpful to the community. but who knows what will happen with WWDC in the future as well.

WWDC is different because it is both profitable for apple and essential to the apple developer community.

[BRLawyer]

As disappointing as this is, we'd be wise to remember that the end of one era only means the beginning of another. For better or for worse, we do have new things to look forward to out of this.

There is only one possible conclusion to all this:

APPLE IS DEAD.

[iPOD there4 Iam]

These type of websites are a buzz kill.
How would you like to be an ego maniac (Steve Jobs) and have the honors of going up on stage and saying here is what you already know about?
Seems like a waste of time to me.

[errol]

I just don't understand why Apple is doing this. I'm so angry I could scream. I don't care if Macworld ceases to exist. I don't care if Anderson Cooper gives the macworld keynote, all I care is that the stock is down nearly 7% today. That is a lot of market value for something so silly. Why do companies make such announcements, knowing that their value in stock will fall off a cliff? Make it less harsh. A giant WTF to apple.

[Rot'nApple]

Apple Paris canceled - good, because Apple France has been a thorn to the "core", pardon my pun, to Apple's doing business within that country!

[Wie Gehts]

Some of us will fondly remember the days when Apple was a computer company.

[rick3000]

Some of us will fondly remember the days when Apple was a computer company.

Like when it was Apple Computer Inc. not Apple Inc.

[Daremo]

There is only one possible conclusion to all this:

APPLE IS DEAD.

Such drama.

You people read into things way too much. It's all about control.

[Cameront9]

I just don't understand why Apple is doing this. I'm so angry I could scream. I don't care if Macworld ceases to exist. I don't care if Anderson Cooper gives the macworld keynote, all I care is that the stock is down nearly 7% today. That is a lot of market value for something so silly. Why do companies make such announcements, knowing that their value in stock will fall off a cliff? Make it less harsh. A giant WTF to apple.

Maybe because Stock is an ephemeral thing?

Sheesh, give it time and it will go up again. This is just people panicking, JUST LIKE after Macworld!

[mlmorg]

i tend to agree with the idea that now apple will have more control over when they want to come out with new products and not be tied to a specific date every year.

But, at the same time, I don't agree that this means apple will come out with products after they've been thoroughly tested...I mean look at the new macbooks and macbook pros for example. Many have argued that those weren't tested enough - plus the 17 incher wasn't even ready (and still isn't) - yet they decided to have a presentation anyway...

I love my new mbp but there definitely are some annoyances (the battery cover) though most of them are software related (trackpad, et al) - plus these are things that you thought would have been noticed before they decided to ship them, no?

But maybe they decided to have the presentation at that point because of the impending Macworld and didn't want to be releasing a whole slew of things then...but that's a whole other story...

[Cameront9]

Such drama.

You people read into things way too much. It's all about control.

I think he was being sarcastic.

People have been saying Apple is going out of business for over 30 years.

[BRLawyer]

I just don't understand why Apple is doing this. I'm so angry I could scream. I don't care if Macworld ceases to exist. I don't care if Anderson Cooper gives the macworld keynote, all I care is that the stock is down nearly 7% today. That is a lot of market value for something so silly. Why do companies make such announcements, knowing that their value in stock will fall off a cliff? Make it less harsh. A giant WTF to apple.

The stock will come back up again, worry not...as for announcing it, this is just an absolutely normal fiduciary duty of any publicly-listed company, also known as transparency.

[iOrlando]

does apple have to have a hit product every single year? i mean seriously..expectatins are always so high for this company.

cant the company just focus on research and development and come back in 2010.

[Gasu E.]

From the standpoint of an overall Marketing budget, trade shows are ineffective, and I can understand where Apple is coming from. On the other hand, Apple was sustained for years by a core group of fan-evangelists, without which the company would have gone out of business, and the recent Mac mini-renaissance would have been impossible. Now, undoubtedly puffed by the iPod and iPhone, Apple seems to be ignoring the traditional fan-evangelists and going straight for the larger market. The end of MacWorld and the minimization of FireWire both reflect that; both moves are of little significance to the larger market, but are major losses, respectively, to obsessive users and creative types, two legs of the fan-evangelist base.

[kwajo.com]

There is only one possible conclusion to all this:

PAUL IS DEAD.


fixed.

[BRLawyer]

I think he was being sarcastic.

People have been saying Apple is going out of business for over 30 years.

He probably hasn't read yet my other messages...so let me continue with my sarcasm:

APPLE IS DEAD. I LOVE DELL. :rolleyes:

[SFStateStudent]

The thing I like about MWSF is the opportunity to do "the hands-on" thing with everything Mac and the other vendor's wares. I enjoy picking up new software, a new portable hard drive, a new laptrap or a new case for my iPhone. Oh well, I'll enjoy Apple's last MWSF '09...:(

[LethalWolfe]

Because it's not a very good ROI, it locks them into an 'artificial' development cycle centered around MWSF, and their stock price usually takes a hit because the of the impossible amount of hype generated by the Mac rumor community prior to the event.

I'll miss the annual hoopla too, but if it means Apple will adopt a more fluid update cycle, instead of having to hold off on products because they need something big to announce at Macworlds, I'll gladly take the trade-off. I prefer Apple's products to Apple's cult.


Lethal

[Dejavu]

I’ll really miss is the once-a-year chance to meet with people who I would otherwise never get to meet in the flesh.
I think meeting people (especially forumers) in the flesh is highly overrated, and a bit of a letdown, actually.

[iOrlando]

i think steve is:

a) eating lunch laughing at the silly pundits on wall street and the blogs
b) on vacation playing around with apple's 2010/2011 new hit product

[antaran]

I can only imagine how unhappy are those who paid $1900 to sit at the feet of the Steve and must now sit at the feet of the Phil-in.

[macaco74]

I agree...
It's odd, but they probably have something up their sleeve.

BTW: their timing to announce this "bombs" is well thought. Xmas and everybody is (should be) in a good mood, so the news won't come down so heavily.

I can not imagine all that many people being in a good mood this holiday season - and this only adds to the dissappointment.

[Unspeaked]

i think steve is:

a) eating lunch laughing at the silly pundits on wall street and the blogs
b) on vacation playing around with apple's 2010/2011 new hit product

You forgot:

c) $31,947,557.76 poorer (on paper, anyway)

[motulist]

I think this is a good thing. Now Apple can release new products when they're ready rather than just at 2 or 3 major events that they don't have control of the date on. Apple can still have Jobs do product introduction events, but it will be when the product is ready, not when some random expo date is ready. And now trade events can be dedicated to people who are more in the trade. And all of this will be extensively covered in real time on the net. It's a new way for a new era. And that's a good thing.

[Unspeaked]

I think this is a good thing. Now Apple can release new products when they're ready rather than just at 2 or 3 major events that they don't have control of the date on. Apple can still have Jobs do product introduction events, but it will be when the product is ready, not when some random expo date is ready. And now trade events can be dedicated to people who are more in the trade. It's a new way for a new era. And that's a good thing.

Anyone who thinks MacWorld Expo will exist in any form beyond 2010 is delusional...

[MacRumors0108]

MWSF has become all about the keynote and all about Steve Jobs giving it. So yes, this may be about control and it may about changing the cult of personality at AAPL in the name of long term succession planning and brand strategy. But something still doesn't feel right about this. All indications were that Steve would deliver the keynote until a few days ago. Why the abrupt change? Why was there no mention of Steve's health even though AAPL knew darn well that it would be the first response and would hammer the stock price?

I pray he is healthy - for his sake, far more than ours.

Cheers

[NeonKingKong]

Such drama.

You people read into things way too much. It's all about control.

if u dont stand for something you'll fall for anything. :P

[motulist]

Anyone who thinks MacWorld Expo will exist in any form beyond 2010 is delusional...

I completely disagree. I think they'll still exist, but they'll be radically different. They'll be MUCH MUCH smaller, and much much less expensive, and much more focused, like WWDC, but even smaller.

[Maxington]

It's a business decision to cut costs and a realization that the costs of doing the event may be nearing the benefits received.

[leekohler]

I think meeting people (especially forumers) in the flesh is highly overrated, and a bit of a letdown, actually.

Have you ever met any of the members here? I've not been let down once. I even dated one for two years. This site has some great people.

That said, I'm sad that Apple is walking away form Macworld.

[schneb]

expos are so costly to companies its almost holding onto tradition for tradition's sake. while they are nice place to announce products it also puts pressure on them to top last year and everyone else. i dont see how that is a good thing personally.

i see things like WWDC as a better sort of conference, with lessons and more workshops that are helpful to the community. but who knows what will happen with WWDC in the future as well.

I agree with everything you said. I think Apple should just build a state-of-the-art theater at their headquarters and do a live broadcast of new product announcements. The audience could be a combination of employees and guests.

[PinkyMacGodess]

The Beatles Abby Road album and the constant rumours of Paul's death spring to mind now...

It could be the death knell for the conference/exposition industry as a whole.

They are expensive, costly in planning, draw a lot of attention and sometimes not where you want it. They are a security headache too. Logistics and the waste of the environment is incalculable for these things.

Memories of Comdex in Las Vegas. It was too damn big...

[cyberakuma]

I just don't understand why Apple is doing this. I'm so angry I could scream. I don't care if Macworld ceases to exist. I don't care if Anderson Cooper gives the macworld keynote, all I care is that the stock is down nearly 7% today. That is a lot of market value for something so silly. Why do companies make such announcements, knowing that their value in stock will fall off a cliff? Make it less harsh. A giant WTF to apple.

As someone who just picked up some Apple stock, I feel I can forgive press announcements causing a temporary dip in price.

[PinkyMacGodess]

And perhaps this is Apple surrendering to the masses. Keeping things under wraps is proving to be way too difficult and the bad press when they do try to keep things quiet doesn't help them any.

[jade]

Well I think this marks the end of the big tradeshow. Companies have trouble justifying the expense, from show fees to the return on investment(ROI). If Apple doesn't think they can make their money back at Macworld, regular companies have no hope on tradeshow ROI.

[Unspeaked]

I completely disagree. I think they'll still exist, but they'll be radically different. They'll be MUCH MUCH smaller, and much much less expensive, and much more focused, like WWDC, but even smaller.

This was already tried with the East Coast show and it went nowhere. That show was cancelled.

And we've already seen the Paris Expo cancelled, as well.

I think an attempt will be made, but it will be very difficult to get a draw without Apple (let alone without Adobe and a host of others that aren't attending this year and have no real incentive to go next year).

[macnz]

Perhaps users (and I would love to be one, but I live in New Zealand) should work towards a new form of convention – a Mac Unconvention, ha ha – where they can meet up annually and keep the sense of community alive? It sounds like IDG wants to keep it going, but we'll see what the recession deals them, I guess.
I looked forward to Macworld every year and always dreamt of attending, but I've never managed to come up with the airfare. Still, I really hate to kiss the dream good bye.

[Shiner]

The event is over after this year. There is no way to support such an event without apple coming. Sucks for the mac community, in general, but that is the way of the world.

[bobr1952]

No doubt a cool event and one that I might have been able to attend if I still lived in California. But times are tough and I certainly can believe it is hard to justify such an extravaganza in today's economy. Everything I know about Apple I know from what I see online and by my own personal experience with their products, so I don't see this as a big problem for Apple--but I'm sure it will be missed by many.

[DMann]

Actually, this is a great opportunity for Phil to shine, and to introduce products which might have been contradictory otherwise, such as: netbooks, and blu-ray. (bag 'o hurt) We'll certainly see some great stuff being offered, as well as demos, and "bake-offs" with Snow Leopard. This enormous drama will indeed turn out to be a great spin for all to focus on MW 2009, like never before.

[ChrisA]

.....all I care is that the stock is down nearly 7% today. That is a lot of market value for something so silly. Why do companies make such announcements, knowing that their value in stock will fall off a cliff?......

I thought about it exactly the opposite way: I thought "Cool the stock is down 7%" You have to remember that for every seller there is a buyer. I'm a buyer.

I'm kind of thinking this housing down turn a good thing too. I've got money I want to put into real estate.

[actionbastard]

Apple doesn't run Macworld. IDG runs the show. Macworld is for fanboise and not for professionals. WWDC is for Mac professionals. Additionally, not being tied to a six month product showcase cycle allows the company to move new products to market faster with less 'what's it going to look like' speculation. They should have done this years ago. Get over it.

[BornAgainMac]

The Macworld withdrawal and Mac Expo Paris cancelled doesn't bother me. That part makes sense. People just like those for the keynotes and the new product announcements and demos. Those can be done by those media only events and downloadable as a podcast.

[Compile 'em all]

does apple have to have a hit product every single year?

if they want to stay in business and ahead of the competition, yeah!

[Beau10]

"Our holiday line-up is set,” Apple spokesman Bill Evans told Macworld.

I agree with many that this is an issue of control.

MacWorld

1) generates too much hype
2) causes Apple to withhold releases in order to somehow live up to #1, which is difficult to do

Perhaps in the past the hype was a good thing. It brought attention. But anytime Apple releases even a small update the blogosphere goes wild. They don't need it anymore. They can do things completely on their own terms, bring back the element of surprise, have a more stratified product release schedule, and not worry about time to market issues so much.

[talkingfuture]

It doesn't really bother me. I am several thousand miles from San Francisco so was never likely to visit. I'll take my product launches on the internet.

[me_94501]

Incidentally, Macworld has been one of the few tech trade shows that grew over the past few years, both in terms of participants and attendees.

I think there will still be a place for a gathering of Mac users in the flesh. It may be smaller scale, and it may have a different focus, but such an event would still be important to the Mac community.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Maybe it's to keep stuff under wraps better. If there are no regular scheduled shows to make announcements, the rumors and stuff will not be so accurate. Now we will just get hints that an event is coming.

I think this is very possible. The rumor mills have been quite accurate with predictions as of late and this could be a way to at least keep the release date under wraps if not the product.

[sishaw]

From the standpoint of an overall Marketing budget, trade shows are ineffective, and I can understand where Apple is coming from. On the other hand, Apple was sustained for years by a core group of fan-evangelists, without which the company would have gone out of business, and the recent Mac mini-renaissance would have been impossible. Now, undoubtedly puffed by the iPod and iPhone, Apple seems to be ignoring the traditional fan-evangelists and going straight for the larger market. The end of MacWorld and the minimization of FireWire both reflect that; both moves are of little significance to the larger market, but are major losses, respectively, to obsessive users and creative types, two legs of the fan-evangelist base.

A couple of thoughts on fan evangelism:

1. As Apple becomes a mainstream company, fan evangelism is simply less important. If 10 million people have an iPhone, does Apple really need poorly-groomed nerds ranting about how much Microsoft s*cks (hey, I was one, I'm allowed to say that). Like me, Apple is growing up.

2. The fan evangelists stopped buying Apple products a couple of months before each event, in anticipation of the next great thing. I suspect Apple wants to have more normal product cycles.

[Dmac77]

It's obvious. Apple pulled out of MWSF, because it's called Mac World, not iPhone World.

Don

[jellomizer]

We are in an area where we expect more then what apple can deliver. And the Rummer mills have been beating them to the punch. Making harder to get the wow effect... Also a lot of people holding off purchases waiting to see what will be new come out. Why buy an iMac 2.8Ghz when you can get the new iMac 2.9Ghz with new case. Next month. Getting out of MacWorld it no longer giving an expected release of a product allowing apple to release stuff when they are ready. And not expected a big new idea every year.

[DMann]

The fan evangelists stopped buying Apple products a couple of months before each event, in anticipation of the next great thing. I suspect Apple wants to have more normal product cycles.

The fan evangelists and informed consumers alike, mostly waited until week 2 of January before buying. Apple could have held out introducing the new Macbooks until January 5th, but this would have hurt holiday sales. The writing has been on the wall for Macworld, and they seem to have majorly pissed off Steve for him to bail at the last minute.

[Dmac77]

The fan evangelists and informed consumers alike, mostly waited until week 2 of January before buying. Apple could have held out introducing the new Macbooks until January 5th, but this would have hurt holiday sales. The writing has been on the wall for Macworld, and they seem to have majorly pissed off Steve for him to bail at the last minute.

But what did IDG do to piss Steve and Apple off so much?

Don

[IJ Reilly]

This was already tried with the East Coast show and it went nowhere. That show was cancelled.

And we've already seen the Paris Expo cancelled, as well.

I think an attempt will be made, but it will be very difficult to get a draw without Apple (let alone without Adobe and a host of others that aren't attending this year and have no real incentive to go next year).

Exactly. Come on be honest, who's planning on going to MacWorld 2010 with no keynote from Apple and no Apple presence at all? Show of hands.

Just as I thought. IDG can put a brave face on it, but this expo is doornail dead.

[spazattack674]

Jason Snell, however, makes a very good point.

Really? I didn't think so. If Apple wasn't at Macworld, or wasn't as hyped as much as it is, then I don't think people would care about the announcements in the first place.

[jz1492]

Apple has grown immensly during the last decade, coming from their own Dark Ages basically as a niche player, staunchly defended by a legion of crusader fanbois, amongst whom I count myself. But that reallity is no more.

Apple is moving fast to the mainstream, and the last thing it needs at this point is to be seen as a cult, supported by wild-eyed vitriol-spewing funny-looking fanbois in their own private gatherings, even if that's not the case.

[DMann]

But what did IDG do to piss Steve and Apple off so much?

Don

They same thing they pulled in 2002-04. Although publicly, the reason is because of the move from New York City, it is very likely a lot deeper than that.

[azentropy]

But what did IDG do to piss Steve and Apple off so much?

Don

Move the Macworld Expo on the East Coast from NY back to Boston...

[Dmac77]

Move the Macworld Expo on the East Coast from NY back to Boston...

That happened years ago though. Right?

Don

[DMann]

That happened years ago though. Right?

Don

Yes, and IDG likely (again) slighted Steve on concessions which were once granted to him, such as discounted leases for booths, etc.

[Dmac77]

Yes, and IDG likely (again) slighted Steve on concessions which were once granted to him, such as discounted leases for booths, etc.

Ok that makes sense now. Thanks!

Don

[andrewag]

Apple doesn't run Macworld. IDG runs the show. Macworld is for fanboise and not for professionals. WWDC is for Mac professionals. Additionally, not being tied to a six month product showcase cycle allows the company to move new products to market faster with less 'what's it going to look like' speculation. They should have done this years ago. Get over it.

Macworld conference caters for professionals such as mac administrators, multimedia authors etc. WWDC caters for developers - both professionals. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you associate Macworld with fanboism.

That said, this is my first (and last) Macworld :(

[k2spitfire88]

i have mixed feelings on this. on one hand, it may help bring the intrigue back to the updates, as opposed to us knowing everything before the product even comes out. on the other hand, it seems like the event was something to look forward to, (this is my first one that i will know of, so i am excited to see what comes from it). time will tell how this all plays outl

[sanPietro98]

It seems like at Macworld there was always a push from Apple to release products (or at least have them ready to announce) by early January. Perhaps now people can focus on when products are truly ready.

I absolutely agree. I think Apple took a long, hard look at the debacle that was the MobileMe rollout. I'm betting that without a big event like MacWorld they can ensure that products are really ready for release before they setup dates and expectations. I hate to put it this way, but its a risk mitigation strategy.

[DMann]

I absolutely agree. I think Apple took a long, hard look at the debacle that was the MobileMe rollout. I'm betting that without a big event like MacWorld they can ensure that products are really ready for release before they setup dates and expectations. I hate to put it this way, but its a risk mitigation strategy.

The pressures, the rehearsals, the deadlines, the hype - now that the pressure is off for January after '09, things can evolve in a timely fashion. Looking forward to Nehalem, Snow Leopard, and new Touchscreen innovations.

[alphaod]

Now they just need to make the expo cheaper, so more people will want to go.

[IJ Reilly]

Now they just need to make the expo cheaper, so more people will want to go.

Cheaper than free? They're going to have to pay me to attend, if Apple isn't going to be there.

[morespce54]

...Macworld.com's Jason Snell believes the expo could continue and be better off without Apple...

Is it just me or does Macworld expo without Apple (or any Mac product) sounds... weird? :confused:

I mean, what about a MS expo without Microsoft?

Better re brand it: 3rd Party Macworld expo (3PMW for short ;))

[DMann]

Cheaper than free? They're going to have to pay me to attend, if Apple isn't going to be there.

Just in:

"MUNI #15, #30, and #45 Bus Lines are offering free bus rides to the convention, including a free sandwich and a $10 spending coupon."

[morespce54]

...well, what can i say except that Apple gets more and more profitable, and as it does so, it acts more like a company that doesn't care about its customers or companies it does business with.

Welcome to the new Apple Inc era! ;)

[morespce54]

These type of websites are a buzz kill.
How would you like to be an ego maniac (Steve Jobs) and have the honors of going up on stage and saying here is what you already know about?
Seems like a waste of time to me.

Okay but how would you like to be an ego maniac (Steve Jobs) and have the honors of going up on stage and saying "here is what you don't already know about" in front of... nobody? ;)

These type of websites brings some hype to the brand and future products!

[ITVNW]

Ok think about it.....If you do the math 3.5mil x 350 days (roughly) = 1.225 Billion visitors in an Apple Stores every year. Not to mention Best Buy, Wal Mart, and Auth. Resellers. Also think about "Green" initiatives. Steve can host from Cupertino and stream it all over the web for a fraction of the cost. I am going to MacWorld and this year I was going to finally be "in the room" during a Steve Keynote speech, but even if he is not going to be there doesn't take away anything from the convention and on the whole it actually shows their commitment to streamlining the company focus and spending dollars where they are needed, like R&D (See "Bean Counter"). I am in favor of this move because the technology is there and it is time for companies to start think of new and innovative ways to reach the public. Go Steve, Go Apple, Go Team!!!!!!!

ITVNW

P.S. At least they are not like the "Big Three" and asking for our money to bail them out, flying in charted jets to do it. Wow what a commitment to saving money when you can't even fly coach.

[IJ Reilly]

Just in:

"MUNI #15, #30, and #45 Bus Lines are offering free bus rides to the convention, including a free sandwich and a $10 spending coupon."

Damn. Let me think about that for a minute.

Will they throw in an airline ticket and hotel room?

[DMann]

Damn. Let me think about that for a minute.

Will they throw in an airline ticket and hotel room?

Hotel Nikko and Palomar offer a 15% discount to MW '09 registrees. American Express has not announced any incentive fares as of yet.

[rockosmodurnlif]

I always wonder what Apple would do for the Expo, special events and presentations when Jobs was gone. Now I see Jobs has taken care of that contingency as well. Simply not going to do them anymore.

Perhaps the future will be the Apple Store simply going down and then returning with the new products in a "featured" or "new" box or something. Imagine the reaction when the website suddenly puts up a "be back soon" or something of that ilk.

[twoodcc]

i really am sad and disappointed that apple is not going to go to macworld anymore. i looked forward to it every year, and now it won't be the same

[9suffix]

Maybe Psystar will take this opportunity to announce their new psyPhone psyPod lineups!? :rolleyes:

JP

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple should hold events four times a year to announce new products:

1) April for new iMacs and Mac Pro desktops
2) June (during WWDC) for iPhone
3) September for iPods and iPod Touch
4) October for MacBook laptops

[DMann]

I think Apple should hold events four times a year to announce new products:

1) April for new iMacs and Mac Pro desktops
2) June (during WWDC) for iPhone
3) September for iPods and iPod Touch
4) October for MacBook laptops

It seems to have already moved into this direction, with June (WWDC) also dealing with OS X.

[Eric S.]

I think Macworld COULD Thrive if it reinvents itself. Imagine something like the hugely successful Penny Arcade Expo, but for Mac geeks. With Apple gone it gives third parties a chance to strut their stuff.

Like what, exactly?

Additionally, not being tied to a six month product showcase cycle allows the company to move new products to market faster with less 'what's it going to look like' speculation. They should have done this years ago. Get over it.

I didn't see Apple waiting for MWSF to announce MobileMe, the new iPod line, or the new Macbooks this year. And correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't recent MWSF's featured "previews" of products not ready for release? In other words, it seemed to be more of a "state of the Apple" report than necessarily the occasion for new product introduction (obvious examples like the iPhone notwithstanding).

Exactly. Come on be honest, who's planning on going to MacWorld 2010 with no keynote from Apple and no Apple presence at all? Show of hands.

I haven't been to MWSF since the early '90s. But I would certainly follow it now via live blog and get a buzz from it. True, that doesn't contribute to the conference's bottom line, but it does tend to create a stronger bond between company and consumer.

Just as I thought. IDG can put a brave face on it, but this expo is doornail dead.

I agree, but I still think it's unfortunate.

[IJ Reilly]

I haven't been to MWSF since the early '90s. But I would certainly follow it now via live blog and get a buzz from it. True, that doesn't contribute to the conference's bottom line, but it does tend to create a stronger bond between company and consumer.

For those who go, sure. For the vast majority of Apple customers who never go, it's of abstract interest only.

I agree, but I still think it's unfortunate.

I've attended most of the expos for the last ten years. I could easily write a thousand words about why I will miss it. But I do understand that it was becoming something of an anachronism, of more value to Apple when they were hungry for media attention than today, when all of their moves are reliably covered by the media, and their interaction with customers happens in the Apple Stores.

[y3k]

Church is closed. Everyone believes in God anyway...:apple:(C)

[PCMacUser]

It's a clear sign of imminent bankruptcy or Jobs' poor health. Have these been covered already? ;)

[Doctor Q]

Macworld Expo is the premier showcase for third-party companies who develop products for Apple’s markets. And yet every year, those same companies schlep out to San Francisco to announce their next big products—and find their announcements completely washed away by whatever Steve Jobs announced on Tuesday morning. Completely washed away. Every company I’ve met in advance of Expo, I’ve implored to announce their product before Jobs gets on stage, because after that announcement everything else gets lost.
The key to a continued life for Macworld may be to have the show change cities from now on. A new city each year. Northeast, southeast, midwest, south, or back on the west coast, it could draw in people who wouldn't previously have attended because it wasn't anywhere near their part of the country.

[rick3000]

It's a clear sign of imminent bankruptcy or Jobs' poor health. Have these been covered already? ;)

Could you elaborate on how a company with $25 billion in the bank goes bankrupt?
(I didn't catch the sarcasm, lol)

[k2spitfire88]

The key to a continued life for Macworld may be to have the show change cities from now on. A new city each year. Northeast, southeast, midwest, south, or back on the west coast, it could draw in people who wouldn't previously have attended because it wasn't anywhere near their part of the country.
That's a really good idea!
Could you elaborate on how a company with $25 billion in the bank goes bankrupt?

Didn't you notice the sarcasm emoticon? He was just stating the reasons that people use everytime something odd happens (i.e. when Apple moves in a surprising direction that they do not expect or support). All for the sake of ridiculousness.

[PCMacUser]

Didn't you notice the sarcasm emoticon? He was just stating the reasons that people use everytime something odd happens (i.e. when Apple moves in a surprising direction that they do not expect or support). All for the sake of ridiculousness.

Thanks for explaining it. I'm not sure I had the energy to do it myself! :)

[hiimamac]

It's obvious. Apple pulled out of MWSF, because it's called Mac World, not iPhone World.

Don

Yup.
No more MAC specialist.
No more Apple Computers.
Safari for Windows, when is iLife coming?
No more MACworld.
No more Logic, Final Cut, Shake, theater training (been that way for a while), it's all about Mac Mail, shudder, I mean, MAIL, and how to add an attachment overshadowed only by two 80 year old married couples trying to figure out how to use iPhoto by a One to One trainer. Heck, about 90% of those Apple retail people only know iLife and that's it, PERIOD.

Apple caters to the CONsumer, again.

At least if they are going to do this and release a MACBOOK and MACBOOK PRO with the difference being very small now (same chassis), with a firewire, express slot and 2 more inches should NO longer be $700 more. That will be next.

[PowerFullMac]

I really am gonna miss the keynotes :(

[lftrghtparadigm]

Great decisions by Apple all around. This is what you call RESPONSIBILITY

This is what companies are supposed to do, before they've wasted all their money on archaic traditions and crap. No one needs an expo. They are "fun" for dorks, expensive for businesses. No money to be made. Its a waste of time.

Congrats to Apple for making a great decision and setting an example at a time when other businesses need an example set for how NOT to fail.
:apple::apple::apple: