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Fri, Nov 20, 2009 - 06:07 PM EST  —  AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%)  |  NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

CNBC: It’s Macworld Expo, not Steve Jobs, that’s on its last legs
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 - 07:08 PM EST

"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.

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Dec 16, 08 - 07:21 pm Comment from: Realista

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 07:23 pm Comment from: R

Special events when products are actually ready to go is fine by me. No more artificial deadlines then the wait for products to ship.

Dec 16, 08 - 07:25 pm Comment from: KenC

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 07:31 pm Comment from: Bitjockey

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 07:40 pm Comment from: January 24, 1984

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."

Dec 16, 08 - 07:50 pm Comment from: toby

Trade shows are so 1998.

Dec 16, 08 - 07:53 pm Comment from: occams razor

this was my Christmas, bwaaaah

Dec 16, 08 - 07:55 pm Comment from: Randian

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 08:03 pm Comment from: gow

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 09:11 pm Comment from: Viktor

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 09:20 pm Comment from: History

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!

Dec 16, 08 - 09:31 pm Comment from: R2

It sure was a surprise to me.

I think I'm going to cry.

Dec 16, 08 - 09:34 pm Comment from: rickw

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.

Dec 16, 08 - 09:46 pm Comment from: MacRaven

I bet Ballmer can't stop doing his monkey dance right now.

Dec 16, 08 - 09:46 pm Comment from: 1984

Boycott WWDC - throw a hammer through the corporate screen!

Dec 16, 08 - 10:49 pm Comment from: jocknerd

Please Apple. License OS X.

Dec 16, 08 - 11:06 pm Comment from: bobchr

@RickW
And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Dec 16, 08 - 11:09 pm Comment from: Al

@ rickw

Go peddle your FUD elsewhere, we're all full up here.

Dec 16, 08 - 11:29 pm Comment from: confused

"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.

Dec 16, 08 - 11:54 pm Comment from: iDon't

I don't know what to think.

Dec 17, 08 - 12:00 am Comment from: Jubei

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.

Dec 17, 08 - 12:02 am Comment from: Michael Cheung

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.

Dec 17, 08 - 12:22 am Comment from: DH

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 ?

Dec 17, 08 - 12:42 am Comment from: rickw to @al

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?

Dec 17, 08 - 12:54 am Comment from: steve516

Perspective folks, lets look at the big picture... the entire forest for a change.... please???

Dec 17, 08 - 12:55 am Comment from: @Randian

"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."

Everything makes sense except "employee wear and tear".

Dec 17, 08 - 03:29 am Comment from: The Muffin Man

@Randian,

I think 'employee wear and tear' makes perfect sense'.

What was your point?

Dec 17, 08 - 05:18 am Comment from: Wingsy

It doesn't make sense to me. If this is the last expo EVER, then Jobs should be giving the keynote.... if he could. I also think that now is a very poor time to announce that the expo is history. That news should be given by Jobs during the last 10 minutes of the Keynote, with a thorough explanation as to why.

I suspect that Jobs is so weak that he doesn't think he can make it through the keynote.

Dec 17, 08 - 08:26 am Comment from: Apple Propaganda Department

"I suspect that Jobs is so weak that he doesn't think he can make it through the keynote."

Comrade Jobs is fine. He is recovering well from the surgery he did not have.

Dec 17, 08 - 08:31 am Comment from: Wadda

If folks took all the time they spent whining about how Apple should license OS X and spent it on a part time job, they would have enough money to get a fully-loaded Mac Pro.

Dec 17, 08 - 09:42 am Comment from: Ted the Turnip Puller

a) Jobs is sicker than being let on.
b) Apple has no new "killer" products to announce.
c) Apple stock is going to get whacked.
d) Trade shows are dying off.

Dec 17, 08 - 10:44 am Comment from: jtc

Am I allowed to sue Steve Jobs? Last Mac World... ok no big deal... Steve NOT being in it... WTF? TIME magazine stretching his image to look thinner..... wtf?? Is it really that hard for him to say... hey, im fine.. no worries here just dont feel like being in the last one. But no, he is most likely dying as people say HENCE say good bye to your apple stock

Dec 17, 08 - 01:54 pm Comment from: Al

rickw,

You picked the wrong guy for a pissing contest.

Besides, your posts are textbook Microsoft paid blogger crap.

You lose.

Dec 17, 08 - 02:46 pm Comment from: BC Kelly

January 24, 1984 writes above:

He might actually become Phil's "One more thing."



Was thinking the same thing, but shhhhh, is a secret

wink



BC

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