Apple announces final MacWorld, Steve Jobs won't deliver keynote

Eatchipz · 17 Dec 2008 at 01:00

Watch this space folks -- it's the end of an era. Apple has just issued a press release stating that this coming MacWorld in January will be its last, and Steve Jobs won't be on hand to say goodbye. Instead, Phil Schiller will be heading up the proceedings, thus marking a quiet end to a conference that's been the launching point of some of the most important pieces of consumer tech in recent memory. In Apple's words:

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.

Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.

Source

jon86 · 17 Dec 2008 at 09:22

I think it's possibly also because Apple is not seeing much return on the investment made to be part of the shows anymore.

gord · 17 Dec 2008 at 10:04

Fruit Crunch!

OspreyO · 18 Dec 2008 at 02:56

Steve Jobs might not be up to it either.

iSam · 20 Dec 2008 at 02:26

Bit of a shame really. Enjoyed the keynotes when new stuff was released.

unknowndomain · 20 Dec 2008 at 21:38

iSam said:
Bit of a shame really. Enjoyed the keynotes when new stuff was released.

I agree but I can see why they are not doing them any more as its really pointless to try and please people at set times, this way they can release as and when the product is ready rather than trying to hold it in until mac world and getting loads of leaks or trying to rush it out and end up making people wait for ages (iPhone / Leopard).

Slogan · 20 Dec 2008 at 21:45

They'll probably still do their own keynotes, just when they want to.

malef!c · 20 Dec 2008 at 22:29

Steve Jobs has looked like a frail old man to me lately - probably hasn't got the strength to get through another keynote!!

I think it won't only be Apple cutting back on the expos this year, think quite a few will not bother this year due to everyone tightening the belts and not splashing out so much.

Be interesting to see if they start going to more once people have more spare cash again and start buying the luxury things.

J1234 · 20 Dec 2008 at 22:32

malef!c said:
Steve Jobs has looked like a frail old man to me lately - probably hasn't got the strength to get through another keynote!!

There were rumours kicking about saying that Steve has been ill recently, it wouldn't surprise me if it was true.

iSam · 23 Dec 2008 at 00:22

Justin said:
There were rumours kicking about saying that Steve has been ill recently, it wouldn't surprise me if it was true.

Doesn't suprise me either.

Hatter The Mad · 5 Jan 2009 at 14:38

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I'm getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I've decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause — a hormone imbalance that has been "robbing" me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I've already begun treatment. But, just like I didn't lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple's CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple's CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for
Apple first.

So now I've said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve