Macworld 2010 Sans Apple: What Can You Expect ?
9:20 am, February 8th, 2010, Ed Sutherland
What will Macworld 2010 look like without Steve Jobs? For starters, the annual gathering of Mac fans will see less than half as many exhibitors Feb. 9-13: 220 this year versus 500 in 2009, the last year Apple said it would officially support the San Francisco event.
Without as many exhibitors (particularly Apple) what will Macworld focus on? It’s all about “community,” organizers say. The goal is to replace Steve and the home ship with enthusiasm ginned-up by the faithful. To help with the revival atmosphere, Macworld 2010 will feature New York Times tech columnist David Pogue, writer-director Kevin Smith, media maven Leo Laporte, Daring Fireball blogger John Gruber and probably the most-talked-about Apple product since the iPhone: the iPad.
In 2008, Apple announced it wouldn’t appear at Macworld after 2009, citing the growth of its retail stores as a way to spread the Mac message to the faithful. At the same time, Apple said it would begin appearing at CES, a move seen necessary as the Cupertino, Calif. company seeks to brand itself a consumer electronics firm alongside the likes of Microsoft.
Will fans attend without a strong Apple presence? Will exhibitors stay with Macworld without the spotlight Jobs provided? Can “community” work without Cupertino? Stay tuned.
[Via Fortune and Ars Technica]
Posted by Ed Sutherland in News | Comment on this article
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When will Apple begin to appear at CES?
Jonah, on February 8th, 2010 at 9:25 am
lol
I was gonna say what Jonah just said.
I didn’t know most exhibitors left MacWorld ….
So it’s officially dead — no MacWorld11.
That’s too bad — people hate Macintosh [and tradeshows] as it is & no all-Macintosh tradeshow’s a bummer.
CaryMG, on February 8th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I haven’t missed a Macworld expo in about a decade. Without Apple, whats the point. I don’t want to go. Beside I can tell you whats going to be there (from experience): A zillion ipod/iphone/ipad cases and sleeves, half a zillion macbook cases and sleeves, about 10 strong and very large productivity app companies (i.e. Corel), some idiot selling orthopedic chairs, another idiot selling overpriced desks, a complete idiot selling the latest made for TV fad product (i.e tiny digital camcorder a few years back), a bunch of small time software developers with a make shift kiosk larger than their corporate office, a nice little japanese section with actual good ideas, a free bag, a free mag, and all the spam you can eat if you sign up on any lists.
O E B, on February 8th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I see not a point of this. MacWorld without an Apple is like the France without the French Fries.
- hello! from tokyo!
japanguy, on February 8th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Maybe Macworld could look at moving around the actual world?
John, on February 9th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
> When will Apple begin to appear at CES?
When pigs fly.
Allan, on February 11th, 2010 at 2:05 am