Apple to Attend CES?

[MacRumors]

The possibility of Apple attending CES has been the subject of speculation ever since Apple announced they would no longer be attending future Macworld events. And sure enough, Cult of Mac has a source that claims to have "friends who work at Apple" who insist that Apple will exhibit at CES next year.

While an interesting possibility, this would go against Apple's explanation about why they were pulling out of Macworld in the first place. According to press release, Apple believes that trade shows are a minor part of how the company reaches customers. There had also been reports that Apple was unhappy with forced release time-table of a January show. Moving to CES -- also a January show -- would also not alleviate this issue.

Cult of Mac cites a single source and gives no indication as to their credibility.

Article Link: Apple to Attend CES?

[cherry su]

Interesting, but CES is mostly dominated by PC manufacturers yes?

[Eidorian]

We can only hope. Apple just needs some iMac/Mac mini events to get things started this year otherwise.

[Viddrumr32]

I agree. It just doesn't make sense, citing the reasons Apple said they were leaving MacWorld in the first place.

[iBookG4user]

This wouldn't make sense because of the reason they pulled out of MacWorld. I really don't see this happening.

[kwood]

I can see them attending and setting up a display but not delivering a keynote or announcing new products.

[PlaceofDis]

Originally Posted by Eidorian

We can only hope. Apple just needs some iMac/Mac mini events to get things started this year otherwise.

this year's wouldnt be an options since its underway.

as for next years and in the future... doubtful but perhaps.

[The Samurai]

A lot of vendors and consumers may be disappointed in this decision, if this news does indeed turn out to be true.

[SFStateStudent]

Also, as stated in other forums; CES is not tailored to "the average Joe/Joan" whether it's Mac or PC, but industry insiders and vendors or the media...

[gkarris]

Originally Posted by kwood

I can see them attending and setting up a display but not delivering a keynote or announcing new products.

Yep, that would be about it....

These shows are extremely costly.

I'm convinced that Apple will have their own events (linked to all their stores) as far as new products and keynotes.

[fendol]

And remember that this is from supposedly a source that works at apple. I don't think it makes much sense the reasons they officially gave to not participate on macworld

[BenRoethig]

Originally Posted by cherry su

Interesting, but CES is mostly dominated by PC manufacturers yes?

Well, Apple seems to becoming more and more like them each passing day. Seriously, CES is an all aspect electronics show. PCs and accessories, phones, cameras, camcorders, televisions, DVD/Blu-Ray and home audio products. It seems PC dominated because Macworld and Apple had been putting on their own show in Frisco the past 24 years. A lot of companies had a presence at both shows with the Mac products and announcements coming at Macworld. You also don't see a whole lot of pro audio and music stuff, they have their own convention called NAMM.

The advantages I could see to coming to CES could be keep up its presence and have a place for the community to have access to Apple without the pressure to put on an earth shattering keynote with amazing new products..

[iOrlando]

this rumor is not true. let's move on.

i can list the reasons why its not true...but most people already probably know them by now...

[crees!]

Originally Posted by Viddrumr32

I agree. It just doesn't make sense, citing the reasons Apple said they were leaving MacWorld in the first place.

To make even further inroads in to the Windows realm.

[SiriusExcelsior]

Originally Posted by kwood

I can see them attending and setting up a display but not delivering a keynote or announcing new products.

I think this is plausible. Apple doesn't want to have a trade show focussed on them (Macworld), but that doesn't mean they don't want to have a trade show at all. At CES the focus is on consumer electronics, not Macs, so the pressure on Apple to deliver something new is greatly reduced. They said trade shows were a minor part of their customer interaction, they didn't say it played no part~

[esquire360]

I think it would be good for them to be there....

[alexbates]

Apple must be having trouble getting products ready to release if they are saying that they are forced to release products. This must explain why not much was released at MacWorld.

If MacWorld is not a good place for Apple to reach out to customers, then what is?

[Santa Rosa]

I can't see it happening. I just dont see it as Apple's scene to be crowded in among all the random electronics at CES.

Apple want full control over the events they hold and where and how they are seen, with first impression being very important to them.

[Dmac77]

I don't see this happening. Apple pulled out of MacWorld because of the release timetable, and because trade shows are a dying breed. I think Apple will have their own release events from now on. It would be complete and total hypocrisy for Apple to attend CES.

Don

[BornAgainMac]

They should do it only if they can do the keynote. They can reach people that normally would never go to an Apple store. Justification completed.

[leishan]

It would be great for them to be there but I don't really see it happening.

[MasterNile]

Originally Posted by alexbates

Apple must be having trouble getting products ready to release if they are saying that they are forced to release products. This must explain why not much was released at MacWorld.

If MacWorld is not a good place for Apple to reach out to customers, then what is?

Their own events, like what they did with the notebook release. Then they have no external time table telling them "these products must be done by this time," they can release them when they are ready to.

[puckhead193]

the thought of apple going to CES grudges me.... i can understand no more keynotes/announcements but not displaying at macworld and going to CES instead is a slap to the mac community IMO.

[kkat69]

Originally Posted by MasterNile

Their own events, like what they did with the notebook release. Then they have no external time table telling them "these products must be done by this time," they can release them when they are ready to.

Exactly. MacWorld would pressure Apple to release something. People like the ones in this forums put expectations on Apple releasing something. It's about time Apple took care of Apple and released when THEY were ready to release.

Though I don't think it's a good idea to leave MW completely. Maybe the people at MW would re-evaluate whats important and not put added pressure on releases but maybe just focus on Keynote for what a Keynote is... A KEYNOTE SPEECH. Not a "Here's what we have for you to buy today!" but rather a "here's the state of the company and we'll have something new for you when we're God damn good and ready to release it!"

[bick]

If true, would be a brilliant move in my opinion. But only if Steve Jobs does the keynote. Apple's next move is the enterprise, and the inroads that could be made by going to CES would be significant. Imagine Steve wowing the crowd at the 2010 CES keynote.