Yesterday, Apple released the surprising news that, for the first time since 1997, CEO Steve Jobs will not deliver the keynote at the upcoming Macworld expo, and that this year will be their last in attendance. Apple’s press release, which suggests they no longer need the conference that bears their name, reads:
Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers. The increasing popularity of Apple’s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways.
The reasoning makes sense - after big recent iPhone and laptop upgrades, they probably don’t have a lot to say, and even if they did, they could say it better, to more people, somewhere else. Still, that hasn’t quieted rumors that Jobs is in poor health (too sick to stand up and speak). And just as much, it hasn’t quieted rumors that the expo itself is in steep decline. Unfortunately, Macworld was unavailable for comment, reportedly holed up at its place, eating ice cream and watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air reruns.
