Might Apple Be Ditching Macworld For CES?

Headlining CES and stealing Microsoft's thunder are fun ideas, but also highly unlikely. Apple likes to create closed systems where they can control every detail and where all eyes are focused on them. Moving to CES would mean moving from an event completely focused on Apple and the Apple ecosystem to an event where they are exhibiting along with the rest of the industry with no special attention, influence or control. Doesn't sound like a very Apple move to me, but I've been wrong before, (I think it was sometime back in 2006).

Nope.

What a dumb article. Microsoft may have been the headline IF YOU PHYSICALLY ATTENDED THE SHOW, but Apple has headlined the actual NEWS.

You know, newspaper, tv, the web. Apple headlines all of these, even when Microsoft preannounces some new uber-technology that they don't actually ever ship.

This is because for the past 5 years or more, Microsoft has been a Follower, while Apple has been a Leader.

I think that if Apple were to continue attending a trae show it would be MacWorld for the sense of community

You're nuts.

I don't know why everyone is missing the obvious future path. Trade shows are irrelevant. Apple can have more pop by ignoring the expensive CES. Apple doesn't care about the lame trade show floor of MacWorld. What they may still care about is the educational tracks provided at the show (Remember, WWDC isn't going away). And, oh, Apple has been developing Apple University. Boom. MacWorld is dead, and Apple U training programs emerge around the country. Users and devs can interact with Apple and learn from them directly, and Apple can still do special events on campus and at retail stores.

"Maybe I’m nuts, (and if you think so say so in the comments)"

You're nuts. Apple's statement didn't say they were reallocating limited show dollars to more important shows. They said, "trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers."

That's a blunt statement that would contradicted entirely by participation in CES. I know it's a stretch, but sometimes a press release means exactly what it says. This incessant and illogical speculation is annoying.

You're nuts.

>What company’s product has over the last seven years so up-ended the consumer electronics industry? The iPod, and now the iPhone.

Are you are writer? The question, "What company's...?" is corectly answered with the company. Maybe spend a few bucks for an editor next time.

>For the last few years, Apple’s announcements in San Francisco have utterly overshadowed anything announced at CES in Las Vegas, to the point that it was starting to get a little embarrassing.

And this is supposed to support the idea that Apple, having ditch the higher profile MacWorld, would bother with the ghetto of CES?

On second thought, don't get an editor. Get a job.

No they might not.

Actually the Apple Events are probably a better venue for Apple. The hype generated by these events reverberates through the masses, including the main stream media.

Steve Jobs often appears on the major business networks and the events are streamed from the Apple site. Articles about the event are posted online and written for publications . The effect trumps CES at a substantially lower cost.

You are definitely nuts. No other explanation.

Yes, your nuts :)

Not a chance.

Short answer? There's no way Apple is going to do CES. One reason to leave Macworld was to not be on someone else's schedule for new product announcements.

I think you are probably right and it would be another brilliant move by Apple. Apple is virtually synonymous with consumer electronics these days.

It would definitely steal some of Microsoft's thunder AND, considering the virtual media frenzy associated with Macworld, I'm sure CES would love to have a major Apple presence and/or Steve Jobs as the keynote speaker.

As for Apple Partners, they would also benefit. CES is a much larger venue than Macworld, so they would receive even more product exposure. Definitely a win-win for CES and the entire apple ecosystem.

I think the decision is to take the pressure off of a forced product launch based on the calendar year. The preference would be to release a product when it is ready, not when the trade shot hits.

Guess I"m in the minority, but it sounded like a good idea to me. But doubt Apple will do it.

I love to see Micro$oft skewered and shown to be the duds they are, at every opportunity.

Not going to happen. Apple's dropping MacWorld because tradeshows aren't worth doing anymore. That's just as true for CES as it is for MacWorld.

-jcr

Remember, MacWorld used to be a quarterly event. But about 10 years ago, it became obvious that with the internet, the whole concept of a giant trade show was made irrelevant. Once upon a time, you went to a trade show to get demo versions of software, etc., which can now be downloaded. Or you would go to see product demonstrations, which you now watch on YouTube.

For Apple especially, due to their retail stores, online sales, and iTunes Music Store, they have no reason to physically go to a trade show. Steve Jobs can do a product announcement online, whenever he wants.

@Everyone: Well, it was just a thought.

@Scott F
"...having ditch the higher profile MacWorld..."

Don't you hate correcting somebody elses english only to fuck it up yourself!

You're nuts.