MacWorld Boston 2004

[MacRumors]

Without much fanfare or anticipation, MacWorldExpo is kicking off tomorrow (July 12th, 2004) in Boston, MA.

This year's summer MacWorld Expo marks a move back to the Boston venue (from New York) which was surrounded in controversy ultimately leading to Apple's decision to not participate in the expo.

As a result, attention around the summer expo has been remarkably minimal.

[ThomasJefferson]

Go Boston.

[Adurbe]

I remember not long ago when we all useed to look forward to this event...

I wonder if apple are regretting not going, it may have been just enough more time from the WWDC to release the new iMac before the edu buying begins

Apple not being there has removed all relevance it once had, i can set up a mac Expo and not have apple come

[uzombie]

Originally Posted by Adurbe

I remember not long ago when we all useed to look forward to this event...

I wonder if apple are regretting not going, it may have been just enough more time from the WWDC to release the new iMac before the edu buying begins

Apple not being there has removed all relevance it once had, i can set up a mac Expo and not have apple come

Yeah, I went once and it was very anticpated (last one I believe). Then it was Jacob Javitts (Union-goughers). I really think there should just be a consolidated East Coast Computer xpo and West Coast Computer xpo. Time them 6 months apart. Combine CES, all makes of computers, videogames and guns show under one roof!

Ok, skip the latter one.

[MacsRgr8]

Low expectations....

- 10.4 already demoed
- Updated G5 already shown
- new displays already there
- iMacs not coming 'till September
- 10.3.5 dev seeds only just posted...
- Apple not being there... etc.

What is there to expect?

It will just be a "normal" Apple Expo like the London one.

[musicpyrite]

Yea, I got an invitation to go to Mac World in the mail, I decided not to go because of the reasons listed below...

pitty...

Originally Posted by MacsRgr8

Low expectations....

- 10.4 already demoed
- Updated G5 already shown
- new displays already there
- iMacs not coming 'till September
- 10.3.5 dev seeds only just posted...
- Apple not being there... etc.

What is there to expect?

It will just be a "normal" Apple Expo like the London one.

[iChan]

shouldn't it be mandatory for apple to be there? at least have a stand for chrissakes!

The organisers should have even paid for apple to be there...

they would have made it up with increased participation from 3rd parties.

[Freg3000]

It is so sad. So very sad. They should have left the name as "Creative Pro" just so that such a pitiful expo will not be associated with the MacWorld moniker.

No offense to anyone attending the show, I hope you have a wonderful time regardless of the lackluster expectations.

[~Shard~]

I completely forgot about this event, and I guess that's with good reason. Due to the circumstances, I might as well just set up a Mac expo in my basement and demo some stuff and it would be about the same. I always like kepeing up on Apple-related events and hearing the latest and greatest news, but I just can't get excited about this expo anymore...

[GFLPraxis]

Originally Posted by MacsRgr8

Low expectations....

- 10.4 already demoed
- Updated G5 already shown
- new displays already there
- iMacs not coming 'till September
- 10.3.5 dev seeds only just posted...
- Apple not being there... etc.

What is there to expect?

It will just be a "normal" Apple Expo like the London one.

Perhaps, 4th generation wireless-enabled video iPods?
What, it could happen...

[amichalo]

If you saw the guys photos from the link in the original story, there is an advertising truck with a huge sight "Say no to Macworld" and to voice your complains, call 617-954-2000 which is the number to the convention center. The ad also says "Save our Jobs" and "Say no to a company that supports outsourcing U.S. jobs".

What are they talking about?

[SuperChuck]

Originally Posted by amichalo

If you saw the guys photos from the link in the original story, there is an advertising truck with a huge sight "Say no to Macworld" and to voice your complains, call 617-954-2000 which is the number to the convention center. The ad also says "Save our Jobs" and "Say no to a company that supports outsourcing U.S. jobs".

What are they talking about?

Well, I'm not sure if they are referring to IDG (the company that owns Macworld) or Apple itself. I know for a fact that Apple is outsourcing at an increasing rate, and I would wager that IDG is doing the same.

I really think Apple is messing up by jumping on the outsourcing bandwagon. The other guys do it so they can sell their junky peecees for 500 bucks, but Apple doesn't play that game. I think a much better strategy would be to keep the jobs in the US and use it as a selling point: "You pay a little more for our products because we pay American workers to assemble and service them."

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

[Ibjr]

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

No.

Predictions of American Fascism is nothing to base Apple’s strategy on.

[TWinbrook46636]

It's sad when the best place for an American to find a job is no longer in America.

[Gabriel]

I live in Hartford so it wouldn't be too difficult for me to get to Boston. I've always wanted to go to a big show in NY but I've never been able to go to one before. I'm not sure I want to take a day off work and get a train from New Haven. I've heard that it will be such a small show, is it going to be worth the effort?

[gorkonapple]

To the off topic things......

Sorry. There ARE jobs in America. You can MOVE somewhere besides your current location you know. Also, don't believe Joh Kerry. Read mor eand you will find out while IT lost alot of jobs, they also gained some too. The most vocal opponents seem to be the ones who all quit college due to .com pipe dreams. That said, I have no clue what that sign in those picture about. Can it be about Apple? Maybe but I doubt it since they aren't there. IDG? Possibly as they do print alot of magazines.


That said, I would go to MacWorld if I had the bucks to go. Even without Apple going, it still sounds like a great show.

As far as why is Apple not going.....to me this sounds like Steve Jobs all the way. It is also my most frustrating thing about him. The man is a genius in a lot of things, but his temper is well known. Sometimes this makes Apple sound like a small child whining and complaining. I ain't saying they should not try for the best locations, but they should at least be at MacWorld Boston. Apple needs to grow up a little bit and stop acting like a child and the same thing goes for some of the Apple Zealots. I love my Mac and will continue to buy them, but I am sick and tired of seeing the whining about no G5 Powerbooks, no 3.Ghz G5 and bla this and bladeblah that. Apple still is doing a awesome job.

[eric_n_dfw]

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

Well, I'm not sure if they are referring to IDG (the company that owns Macworld) or Apple itself. I know for a fact that Apple is outsourcing at an increasing rate, and I would wager that IDG is doing the same.

I really think Apple is messing up by jumping on the outsourcing bandwagon. The other guys do it so they can sell their junky peecees for 500 bucks, but Apple doesn't play that game. I think a much better strategy would be to keep the jobs in the US and use it as a selling point: "You pay a little more for our products because we pay American workers to assemble and service them."

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

Global economy - if all of your competitors are doing it, you can only survive so long while you shareholders whine about your higher costs.

[jemeinc]

Originally Posted by eric_n_dfw

Global economy - if all of your competitors are doing it, you can only survive so long while you shareholders whine about your higher costs.

BINGO !!! Well stated... We've witnessed an economic change in our lifetime, & that's not always an easy thing to deal with- but no change is ever easy... There's jobs out there- they're just different than what we're used to... But the money is still there- just have to go find a way to get it... I'm not a fan of outsourcing, but as a small business owner I guess I understand it- even though I don't practice it... I respect peoples rights to protest about it, I just don't quite understand why anyone would waste valuable time doing it... Times are changing & that time could be spent preparing yourself, your family, & your business (if applicable) for the future... I guess people are trying to bring attention to the outsourcing shift that's been occuring for the past several years- but is there really anyone out there who isn't aware of it ?...

[appleguru1]

Well, I'll certainly be going, if for nothing more than to check out the brand new convention center and to check out the new release of sketch up (Great app BTW...)

In any case, I'm going because I've gone for... well, as long as I can remember (And I'm only 16). The last few years in New York were fun; they served as an excuse to get my family down to the big apple. We even brought our boat and got a slip on the hudson across from the javits center-- But the years in boston before that were even better.

Does anyone remember power computing's "We're fighting back for the Mac!" ad campaign when they were the first to release 200MHz+ computers? Anyone who was at MacWorld that year certainly would: Power Computing had a bungee jumping tower over Boston harbor that anyone who had the guts could take a leap from. Those were the glory days of MacWorld.


MacWorld's following used to be HUUUGE; now it is a mere blip on the radar screen. Ever since apple announced it wouldn't be attending any longer come MW 2004 in Boston, the feeling that once came with MacWorld came no longer. Even attendance numbers, by both exhibitors as well as people, were down at last years MW NY. Walking around the floor just didn't feel like it used to.

Apple's decision to try and sway product releases away from conventions/expos, is, in my opinion, another big mistake. Expos, especially one's like macworld, served as a great marketing tool, a marketplace to introduce new computing revolutions to the masses. By moving more and more releases to arbitrary dates and/or specialty conferences like WWDC, Apple has only served to loose some of the market share and publicity it could have gained.

While I love Apple, and I love Jobs, I can't say that I agree with everything they do. I see no reason why they couldn't at least attend MacWorld, I mean sheesh, they conference is NAMED after them and you'd think they'd at least want to make an appearance...

Well, enough ranting for me... ....Who know's, maybe Apple will have a suprise for me after all this year...

[AMPrkm]

At a time when NYC needs it the most, IDG made a boneheaded choice by deciding to move Macworld back to Boston. Sort of reminds me of how little the federal government is doing to help make NYC more secure, even as the Republicans use a local tragedy as the backdrop for their convention.

[rdowns]

Originally Posted by appleguru1

Apple's decision to try and sway product releases away from conventions/expos, is, in my opinion, another big mistake. Expos, especially one's like macworld, served as a great marketing tool, a marketplace to introduce new computing revolutions to the masses. By moving more and more releases to arbitrary dates and/or specialty conferences like WWDC, Apple has only served to loose some of the market share and publicity it could have gained.

I disagree. The increased publicity was more than offset by people waiting for expos and delaying purchases which hurt sales. Moreso than others, Apple fans would delay purchsing to wait and see what was coming up at the next expo. All Apple needs to do to garner publicity is schedule a press conference when they want to announce a new product with. The media knows a Jobs press conference will pay off and they attend.

[sosumi99]

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

I really think Apple is messing up by jumping on the outsourcing bandwagon. The other guys do it so they can sell their junky peecees for 500 bucks, but Apple doesn't play that game. I think a much better strategy would be to keep the jobs in the US and use it as a selling point: "You pay a little more for our products because we pay American workers to assemble and service them."

Why must people turn a perfectly good discussion about Apple into a political discussion? What's the point?

Apple sells to the rest of the world, you know? There are more of us than Americans. The US isn't the only country in the world. I had no desire to turn this into a political discussion, but since you are going down that route, I'll throw my bit in. For some of us, the fact that Apple is an INTERNATIONAL company is a selling point. If Apple became some protectionist tool of a benighted trade policy and went "We are all-American," then some of us will no longer be interested in Apple's products.

[Yvan256]

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

Yes, it already does. See Wal-Mart, etc.

Oh, you meant to say that people will buy USA products because they're made in the USA?

Nope. They're doing like everyone else on the planet: they buy the cheapest stuff.

[OneDeadPixel]

NYC is the capitol of publishing, entertainment and media on the east coast. There are way more professionals using Macs here than probably anywhere else in the world. I really don't understand moving Macworld to Boston. It's a nice town but NYC is where the action is.

[ethernet76]

Originally Posted by SuperChuck

Well, I'm not sure if they are referring to IDG (the company that owns Macworld) or Apple itself. I know for a fact that Apple is outsourcing at an increasing rate, and I would wager that IDG is doing the same.

I really think Apple is messing up by jumping on the outsourcing bandwagon. The other guys do it so they can sell their junky peecees for 500 bucks, but Apple doesn't play that game. I think a much better strategy would be to keep the jobs in the US and use it as a selling point: "You pay a little more for our products because we pay American workers to assemble and service them."

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

Anyone remember back in the early 90's when made in the US was a major selling point?

People expect their goods to be produced in a foreign country now. If people were economically minded, fair trade coffee, American made clothes, and products would be actively sought by consumers. However, they aren't.

Fair trade coffee can only be found at the most indie of places, American made clothes are extremely rare and takes a good knowledge of shops to find them. People still buy from Dell even though they're one of the leaders in shipping jobs to India.

Apple keeping all of it's jobs in the United States is stupid. Currently the U.S. labor market is overpriced. Record number of computer educated college stuldents are graduating, but the salary rates aren't dropping as fast as they should.

I wouldn't care if Apple shipped some jobs over seas as long as they weren't slave labour jobs.