Apple To CES in 2010? Yes. Maybe.

Posted by: Arik Hesseldahl on January 12

It was just an afterthought to the whole Macworld drama. I suggested, just off the cuff, that Apple might consider attending the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next year. My reasons were pretty straightforward: Macworld and CES have often overlapped on the calendar, and Macworld’s news has often overshadowed most of the high-profile CES announcements. Plus a Stevenote at CES would totally steal all the thunder from the Gatesnote turned-Ballmernote that has for years been the major kick-off event for CES.

Many rolled their eyes and said it was bad idea, many in the comments, some elsewhere. The best response came from John Gruber who simply said: No.

Well, AppleInsider says Yes. Citing “sources familiar with the matter,” it says a deal is already done for Apple to hit Vegas in 2010:

All things considered, it would appear that Apple’s participation at CES would be no better than Macworld for Apple, and additionally involve greater traveling expenses and expose the company to greater competition for media attention. However, that challenge is apparently just what Apple is looking for as it branches out from its past as a computer hardware company into a full consumer electronics firm with significant software products, leadership in digital media sales, and even a toe in the water of mobile gaming with the iPod touch and iPhone.

I think it makes perfect sense. Remember my point awhile back about the iPhone and iPod touch becoming an important force in mobile gaming. That follows its leadership position in digital music, its competitive tho not yet market-leading efforts in bridging the gap between Internet video and the TV, and its hugely popular personal computing platform. Apple can seriously hold its own against the likes of Sony and Nintendo, and would certainly benefit from standing in opposition to the Microsoft-centric view of the world that tends to predominate CES.

Microsoft has for years scored big headlines at CES unveiling products and concepts that over time turned out to be ridiculous duds. SPOT watches are the classic example as are tablet PCs, which are still around, but in a greatly diminished way based on the expectations that Microsoft set at the time. Apple doesn’t do duds, and doesn’t release half-baked products, though it does do “hobbies” as in the case of Apple TV.

But it’s not like Apple’s going to reach more people or more media by moving from San Francisco to Las Vegas, but from a marketing standpoint, it will take what some would argue is its rightful place as the defacto leader ad agenda-setter of the consumer electronics pack, which by many measures it has been for some time. It would also easily eclipse Microsoft in terms of coverage by the media.

So, sorry Gruber, but, Yes. Maybe.

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