Apple has just announced that it will not longer be returning to Macworld. In addition to that, Steve Jobs will not be giving his annual keynote at Macworld 2009, instead it will be Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
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.
UPDATE 1: According to CNBC, Jobs is not doing the Macworld 2009 keynote because of politics, not his health. Regarding Apple not returning, they will be focusing on their own “special events” rather than being part of a larger conference.
UPDATE 2: Oh man, Apple is also canceling Christmas [via Violet Blue].
Apple today announced that this is the last year for Christmas. Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, spoke at a joint press conference held with Santa Claus at the North Pole this morning. He announced: “Apple has been honored to work with the North Pole the last several years to make Christmas possible, however, we have decided together that this is the last year for Christmas.”
photo by Scott Beale
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
So how long before the web starts in with the Steve Jobs health rumors??
@chad – The first article written by Forbes magazine was half bout the Apple presence and then jumped immediately into his health concerns. So it took no time at all for that to be brought up.
I wrote a blog post about this but I’ll just paste here my personal commentary instead of a link:
This is unfortunate news from our favorite technology company. I have a feeling that IDG World Expo and the Macworld Conference will prevail amidst this news but many people are looking at Macworld Boston 2004 as historical evidence that without Apple, Macworld just isn’t the same. I’d say there’s a draw to Macworld with the fact that Steve Jobs usually takes that stage to deliver a keynote and afterwards, The Apple booth is available to show hands on demos of the newest products. I’m not going to let Macworld Boston 2004 prove that there is no Macworld without Apple because 2004? Expo in Boston was the first year in the city after a long hiatus and I feel that the community was unsure if the conference was going to be worth it. Macworld has always been chock full of fantastic conference sessions, a growing exhibitor list and well worth the money I’ve spent since 2004 to attend.
Have faith and I guarantee Macworld 2010 will be an awesome conference that will be memorable without Apple’s involvement. It’s just a shame that we won’t be able to get up at 3AM to see Steve. Another unfortunate aspect of this year’s Macworld Expo is the absence of Steve himself. Phil Schiller will be delivering the keynote and I know dozens of first time Macworld Attendees are going to email me very soon with their sadness regarding this news. I’ll have no response that will make them happy other than the keynote line may be a little shorter this year.
Admittedly, I’m not very pro-Apple. But this is so bad that Apple doesn’t support their own community. I really don’t understand their reasoning! It’s practically a slap in the face.
I hope, given the context, you’ll allow me to say this, but:
Jobs. What an asshole.
Eric: You’re right. And if you were a long-time Apple user, you’d be used to this by now.