“The news that Steve Jobs would not deliver the keynote at this year’s Macworld Expo in San Francisco next month was hardly a surprise to those of us covering this company,” Jim Goldman reports for CNBC.
“Rumors had been swirling for weeks that Jobs wouldn’t attend and when Macworld officials wouldn’t confirm his attendance, so close to the event itself, rumors only grew louder,” Goldman reports. “Also not a surprise: swirling rumors that Jobs was pulling out of the conference, the last Macworld, because of health concerns.”
Goldman reports, “I can tell you that sources inside the company tell me that Jobs’ decision was more about politics than his pancreas. Sources tell me that if Jobs for some reason was unable to perform any of his responsibilities as CEO because of health reasons, which would include the Macworld keynote, I should ‘rest assured that the board would let me know.'”
Goldman reports, “Apple has been trying to separate itself from Macworld for some time, preferring instead to host its own ‘special events’ a few times a year… The fact is, Apple hosting its own events gives the company complete and total control over its own message. More and more companies are leaving traditional trade shows in favor of enjoying the total spotlight at their own events.”
Goldman reports, “Steve Jobs is fine. It’s Macworld the expo that’s on its last legs.”
Full article here.
About time, too. I stopped going to MacWorld after 2006 (it was such a royal waste of time, a total dud) and haven’t missed attending at all ever since. I’m certain Apple won’t miss it either.
Special events when products are actually ready to go is fine by me. No more artificial deadlines then the wait for products to ship.
Yep, setting your own schedule prevents having to release products early, or having to wait, just so you have something to show off at MWSF.
I always enjoy the MacWorld show in SF. It’s a great opportunity to see and touch all the peripheral gadgets in one place, try the newest software, and ask the engineers ‘What were you thinking when you designed this….” The vendor specific small booth (free) training sessions have been invaluable too. It won’t be the same without Apple, they may not need the show, but all the other vendors do.
We’ve all known Steve needs to disconnect himself from the personification of Apple. With the stock temporarily in the shitter, it’s a good time to “handle all the family’s business.”
He might actually become Phil’s “One more thing.”
Trade shows are so 1998.
this was my Christmas, bwaaaah
I stopped committing my company to trade shows right after 9/11 when traveling became so onerous that it just wasn’t worth it. We immediately increased our marketing efforts via video conference channels, internet site advertising, and direct phone sales/support . . . the upshot of which has been nothing but remarkable. And all without plane travel, hotel booking, car rental, restaurant meals, employee wear and tear, and more headaches too numerous to mention or remember.
Here’s to the death of the trade show. It was (sometimes) fun while it lasted.
I understand Apple’s logic in all of this, what I will miss is MacWorld was one of the very few opportunities for us “commoners” to see the great one in person as we’re not invited to the “special” press events that Apple gives. Oh well.
It was a surprise for me, but a very understandable one. CNBC is right, all this time it wasn’t “Apple expo”, it was a magazine expo. And all the “special events” like the one where apple presented the iPod hifi and the iPhone SDK let apple to present new products or news when ever they want. I welcome this move.
Goodbye, all things Mac – you’re out of touch with corporate Apple.
“And the Heaven will be a big Hell and I will walk through the front door.”
Let the search for a new underdog to support begin!
It sure was a surprise to me.
I think I’m going to cry.
You know, no amount of spin is going to make this announcement seem inconsequential. Macworld is probably the biggest Apple event around. People from all over make a pilgrimage there to learn and see what Apple has to offer. I think CNBC is wrong!
Something is definitely wrong here! I don’t know what it is, but it could be Steve’s health. The way I see it, he was giving too many interviews, showcases, cross world flights and innovating. Something probably had to slow down or stop, with his health being of major concern. And Macworld is probably it. Just think about it, the amount of time spent preparing the keynote address, the constant need to innovate, year after year. Perhaps things needed to slow down and more attention payed to perfecting the innovation, instead of trying to come up with one thing after another. …Traction!
So, let’s not brush this announcement under the carpet. There is probably a reason for it, but we have to find it and figure out if it’s good or bad for Apple. A simple Good/Bad is useless, even for a site such as this one.
rick.
I bet Ballmer can’t stop doing his monkey dance right now.
Boycott WWDC – throw a hammer through the corporate screen!
Please Apple. License OS X.
@RickW
And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
@ rickw
Go peddle your FUD elsewhere, we’re all full up here.
“I can tell you that sources inside the company tell me that Jobs’ decision was more about politics than his pancreas.
San Fransisco isn’t liberal enough???
Sources tell me that if Jobs for some reason was unable to perform any of his responsibilities as CEO because of health reasons, which would include the Macworld keynote, I should ‘rest assured that the board would let me know.'”
“Rest Assured” is today’s “Trust Me”.
Keynote or not, Jobs needs to make some kind of appearance soon, otherwise people WILL start to wonder. This is Apple, not North Korea.
I don’t know what to think.
First of all people need to stop saying that Apple should license OS X. That’s just insane talk.
Back to the program. I don’t believe the spin CNBC is doing. Something is wrong deep inside Apple. Perhaps the BD wants SJ out.
thats such a shame… I haven’t been able to attend a Macworld yet as it always seems to generate such a buzz. But lately they have seemed to be a little lower on the buzz scale.
Perhaps its true that they might want to hold off one announcements until its perfected, like not being rushed with MobileMe, iPhone v2.0, etc. Having Special Events on their own campus must also be saving a heck of alot of money too from renting out floor space at the venue.
Customers got too attached to MacWorld and new product intros. Apple wants to create their own buzz by introducing products when it sees fit. Belkin and Adobe both backed out this year. Perhaps they are thinking the same thing. Trade shows are expensive to run and to attend. The Internet has changed it all. With live streaming of video 24/7, who needs a trade show ?
Being a recalcitrant sycophant will get you nowhere. I probably own more Apple products than you even dream about, not to mention stock in the company. So your calling my concern “FUD” is nothing more than wishful thinking. I care enough about this company to worry about it! And yeah, I’ve got money where my mouth is….How about you?
Perspective folks, lets look at the big picture… the entire forest for a change…. please???