The ipod community has replaced the Mac community in Apple's eyes. They can sell more Macs and make more money from them than they can Mac users.
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Apple to Attend CES?
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The ipod community has replaced the Mac community in Apple's eyes. They can sell more Macs and make more money from them than they can Mac users.
With the crisis, many companies have given up with the CES. In my company we go there, but I have been told that there is 10% less attendees than the previous year...
So yeah, maybe not the best time for Apple to step in CES...
So yeah, maybe not the best time for Apple to step in CES...
I guess it Apple had something come Jan 6th in 2010, why not, right?
But they might not want to be FORCED to have whole keynote of products
Or there is more to the story of Apple leaving MWSF or this report is just off
But they might not want to be FORCED to have whole keynote of products
Or there is more to the story of Apple leaving MWSF or this report is just off
I think it makes perfect sense as Apple has been trying to become more of an electronic company (Phone/Music/TV).
True they could continue to focus on their Cult of Mac community with keynotes and Apple Store highfives...but there's a point where you gotta wonder if they will reach their saturation point without seriously attacking the other electronics companies on their home turf.
I'm torn. I like the separate attention they get from keynotes at Macworld and such as trying to follow all these TV announcements at CES this year is friggin tough.
True they could continue to focus on their Cult of Mac community with keynotes and Apple Store highfives...but there's a point where you gotta wonder if they will reach their saturation point without seriously attacking the other electronics companies on their home turf.
I'm torn. I like the separate attention they get from keynotes at Macworld and such as trying to follow all these TV announcements at CES this year is friggin tough.
I didn't mind Phil Schiller's keynote. In fact I prefer him over Jobs, because he's a little more unassuming and less arrogant. Besides, he used almost the same catch phrases as jobs does - "I'm really proud", "I'm really excited" "cool, huh?" etc.
The CES thing - I agree with most people, it would be pointless. They get industry and press at their own events, so exposure won't be a problem (when has it ever been a problem for Apple, anyways?). CES is not open to the public, so they can't show their customers (makes it slightly pointless, in my opinion). And trade shows are expensive and can have the effect of forcing a timetable. All these are cons, and Apple can't see too many pros. I don't blame them for pulling out of Macworld and any other trade shows, and I don't see them going to any other trade shows like CES.
When Apple first said they were no longer going to attend MacWorld, this was my first thought. Apple seems to want to get away from just being thought of as a computer company (changing the company name to just Apple, Inc.) Going from MacWorld to CES would just further prove this point.
MW and CES always competed with each other in one way or another and the victor, in terms of attendies, has been CES. Apple's "explanation" may have been a polite way of saying the MW is the loser. You can't expand your business buy selling to your existing customers. You have to reach those who don't normally look to your products. This is why the Wii has sold so well. Nintendo reached outside it's normal customer base and struck gold. Apple may be trying to do the same thing, like they did with the iPod/iPhone. Despite its faults, Vista is still more popular, in terms of market share, than Mac OS. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_desktop_operating_systems)
Apple needs to reach the ~90% of people who don't use their OS.
Apple needs to reach the ~90% of people who don't use their OS.
My hunch is the MacWorld pullout and 'Other Show' opt-ins have this strategy at the core:
- Why should IDG dictate the venue - a soley Apple oriented one at that?
- Releasing new Apple products in more diverse venues syncs with Apple's general trend as the newly crowned King of the Innovative consumer electronics hill (Sony lost that when iPod first came out and iPhone just kept the ball rolling)
- Apple needs to mingle more with the general consumer electronics crowd ditching Macworld for CES, NAB etc. is a great start
- Apple stores are much better venues for new product releases than Macworld that only happens one week a year and an expensive plane ride away.
I mean, would you prefer to drive 25 miles to try Starbucks newest concoction or just walk into the nearest Starbucks?
- Why should IDG dictate the venue - a soley Apple oriented one at that?
- Releasing new Apple products in more diverse venues syncs with Apple's general trend as the newly crowned King of the Innovative consumer electronics hill (Sony lost that when iPod first came out and iPhone just kept the ball rolling)
- Apple needs to mingle more with the general consumer electronics crowd ditching Macworld for CES, NAB etc. is a great start
- Apple stores are much better venues for new product releases than Macworld that only happens one week a year and an expensive plane ride away.
I mean, would you prefer to drive 25 miles to try Starbucks newest concoction or just walk into the nearest Starbucks?
It is their show, not apples.
I think macworld will continue to live, its the ONE major mac related show out there. Just because apples not their doesnt mean the slew of 3rd party products, what the show is supposed to be about, wont be there
Am I the only one who has had enough of apples suprises, Im not a child I dont care for their suprises,most of the time they are let downs anyway.
The should use turn macworld into a small event at their HQ and present the following years plans.
why he cant say.
"We are going to update the mini & imacs before easter"
"The pro will get a significant update by wdc"
"The Iphone....
and "and we plan to update ipods & release a new device in the fall"
i dont know
Im not a child im a loyal apple customer.
The should use turn macworld into a small event at their HQ and present the following years plans.
why he cant say.
"We are going to update the mini & imacs before easter"
"The pro will get a significant update by wdc"
"The Iphone....
and "and we plan to update ipods & release a new device in the fall"
i dont know
Im not a child im a loyal apple customer.
I think that Apple is totally out of trade shows now - as they constantly push in their keynotes, they have hundreds of store all around the world, that attract millions of visitors every week... If I remember correctly, Phil was also going on about how NO other company in the world creates that same level of customer interaction and hype. The purpose of trade shows is for companies to go and interact with the consumer directly, something Apple is doing every day anyway... It makes no sense for them to join another show, it goes against everything they've said about release schedules etc.
What I think is more likely is an iPod centered event (September, slowly moving to late October) and a Mac centered event in February or March. Also don't forget that they have their WWDC keynote in June... Maybe this will become their iPhone event (it always seems to be all about phones anyway...)
My bet is that they will want to keep the three lines separate, and will have three events throughout the year, at 4 month intervals...
What I think is more likely is an iPod centered event (September, slowly moving to late October) and a Mac centered event in February or March. Also don't forget that they have their WWDC keynote in June... Maybe this will become their iPhone event (it always seems to be all about phones anyway...)
My bet is that they will want to keep the three lines separate, and will have three events throughout the year, at 4 month intervals...
There are two huge problems with them doing this:
1) It would kill existing sales of their products. To take your example, why would I ever buy a mini now, if I knew could buy a better/cheaper one in a couple of months? See the Apple Lisa for one prime example of this happening. (In short, when Steve introduced the Lisa, he also said that they'd have something better and cheaper--they were already working on the Macintosh--in about a year. Not surprisingly, the Lisa flopped.)
2) It would tell their competitors exactly what they were planning, giving away a strong competitive advantage.
Especially since Apple is mostly against the marking down of aging inventory. You rarely see price cuts that are normal for other electronics companies when new products are on the horizon. They instead dwindle their inventories, launch a new line, let the warehouses blow out old models. Look at the Mac Mini. Same price as always even though there is a new one most likely on horizon.
This is completely different than other manufacturers who seem to allow massive markdowns months ahead of new products (Best Buy/Circuit City all seem to have similar mark downs just before...I can't imagine it doesn't come down from the manufacturers to prevent returns)
I think the way Apple does it now has proven to work somewhat. Other than the 1G iPhone which was priced incorrectly to start with (and they rectified that issue better than any other company so that people would continue to have faith in early adoption).
The way Apple does it works because Mac users don't have any other choice. What are they going to do, switch to windows? When your existing computer is obsolete or you have a budget window you can only hold on so long and eventually you'll have to cave in whether you want to or not.
I been thinking about this a little bit more...
Talked to one person who isnt an apple person...
they thought Macworld was run by Apple (i think alot of people think this).
There is a big difference between that perception...and having a booth/display at CES.
However....
1) Apple wont be a huge player at CES because they wouldnt want to release a product in January (or would they?)
2) I think Apple is probably keeping all options on the table. They probably are seeing how much attention PALM is getting at CES with a new product...and wondering...if they skip January every year...maybe that will give competitors more press and air-time, vs. if Apple goes to CES and steals the show with the latest gadget...yet again they win the PR battle....
Its a tricky decision...
Also..keynote for CES been MSFT for the past 10 years or so....
Talked to one person who isnt an apple person...
they thought Macworld was run by Apple (i think alot of people think this).
There is a big difference between that perception...and having a booth/display at CES.
However....
1) Apple wont be a huge player at CES because they wouldnt want to release a product in January (or would they?)
2) I think Apple is probably keeping all options on the table. They probably are seeing how much attention PALM is getting at CES with a new product...and wondering...if they skip January every year...maybe that will give competitors more press and air-time, vs. if Apple goes to CES and steals the show with the latest gadget...yet again they win the PR battle....
Its a tricky decision...
Also..keynote for CES been MSFT for the past 10 years or so....
MacWorld forced a timetable on Apple because of expectations.
Ever notice how the stock price drops after a keynote? Its because of the hype, rumors, and expectations of the media and masses. Every January, all eyes turn towards Apple, and no matter what they release, it bites them in the butt. I'd leave too.
As a shareholder, I would want Apple to stop doing anything that consistently hurt their stock price.
As for CES, why not? I don't think being a non-star at an industry trade show will have any negative impact for Apple.
Ever notice how the stock price drops after a keynote? Its because of the hype, rumors, and expectations of the media and masses. Every January, all eyes turn towards Apple, and no matter what they release, it bites them in the butt. I'd leave too.
As a shareholder, I would want Apple to stop doing anything that consistently hurt their stock price.
As for CES, why not? I don't think being a non-star at an industry trade show will have any negative impact for Apple.
alot of apples competitors have a good idea what they are planning.
basically your saying apple makes a business out of duping people, thats nice
No chance in hell this is true.
However, if Steve did the keynote, it would be interesting because of how much it would remove the spotlight from others. But Macworld already does that, so what's the point?
Again, no chance in hell.
I can see apple at CES...
First off, they could get much more media coverage than the others.
If they bring out new products, they could once again put the focus on them, not on the competition.
The Jobs keynote is a mac staple and once again brings hype to them.
Also, it could project the idea that macs are for everyone.
Having that kind of attention at CES is probably a good idea as they could get much more press than at macworld. Mind you, not as exclusive... More attention on CES as a whole not just on Apple.
First off, they could get much more media coverage than the others.
If they bring out new products, they could once again put the focus on them, not on the competition.
The Jobs keynote is a mac staple and once again brings hype to them.
Also, it could project the idea that macs are for everyone.
Having that kind of attention at CES is probably a good idea as they could get much more press than at macworld. Mind you, not as exclusive... More attention on CES as a whole not just on Apple.
This makes sense...
Apple hasn't ever had "huge ground breaking announcements" at CES. For them to have a booth and show their products makes sense. Apple has created this situation themselves to where they are so "hush hush" about their products leaving people in the dark about what to expect, and then having huge announcements.
After me being a mac junkie now for about 6 years, this effort is starting to "wear thin" on me.
I love their products, no doubt. But it pisses me off when Balmer makes an announcement promising the world everything will be better with future products and saying all the things it "will do" and the PC crowd just laps it up and says, "See! PC's will rule for ever!" ...
Where with Apple, the proof is in the product. They talk about what is real, show what's real, and deliver what they're talking about.
Many expensive products are emotional purchases. Cars, boats, cell phones, computers, etc. If the microsoft loyal are afraid to purchase windows because of Vista, then they are promising that things will be better in the future "for free" so go ahead and buy vista. We'll "carry you through this experience."
If Apple would learn a "little" from that. People would buy AppleTV's and buy other things if they could talk about a Netflix portal or other future looking things for such product. People are fine with the suffering through growing pains as long as they have hope for a brighter future.
Apple hasn't ever had "huge ground breaking announcements" at CES. For them to have a booth and show their products makes sense. Apple has created this situation themselves to where they are so "hush hush" about their products leaving people in the dark about what to expect, and then having huge announcements.
After me being a mac junkie now for about 6 years, this effort is starting to "wear thin" on me.
I love their products, no doubt. But it pisses me off when Balmer makes an announcement promising the world everything will be better with future products and saying all the things it "will do" and the PC crowd just laps it up and says, "See! PC's will rule for ever!" ...
Where with Apple, the proof is in the product. They talk about what is real, show what's real, and deliver what they're talking about.
Many expensive products are emotional purchases. Cars, boats, cell phones, computers, etc. If the microsoft loyal are afraid to purchase windows because of Vista, then they are promising that things will be better in the future "for free" so go ahead and buy vista. We'll "carry you through this experience."
If Apple would learn a "little" from that. People would buy AppleTV's and buy other things if they could talk about a Netflix portal or other future looking things for such product. People are fine with the suffering through growing pains as long as they have hope for a brighter future.