Apple at CES? Unlikely
A Stevenote at CES? Don't hold your breath.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET News)A report that Apple is planning a visit to CES next year had eyes rolling Friday morning from Las Vegas to Cupertino.
Cult of Mac reports, citing a source with "friends at Apple," says that Apple is planning to "go large" at CES 2010, now that Macworld is out of the way. The source called it a "done deal," noting that since Apple is really more of a consumer electronics company these days, the Consumer Electronics Show makes more sense.
Too bad nothing else in this report makes sense. Apple has never liked to participate in big industry conferences, steadily backing out of things like NAB and now Macworld in favor of holding its own events. Apple executives and managers rarely even show up at the kind of low-key industry roundtable discussions and panels that almost every other company in this industry adores.
Apple explained its decision to leave Macworld by saying that it doesn't need trade shows anymore to get its message across, given its network of retail stores. And Apple's Phil Schiller hinted that the company wasn't crazy about the idea of having to tailor news and product introductions around an early-January event, such as Macworld or CES.
The report says "if Apple were to be a presence at CES -- with Steve Jobs possibly giving a keynote speech -- it would no longer have to compete with CES for press attention." But that's not true at all; CES is so huge, that companies compete desperately with each other for attention at the show, adorning taxicabs with their logos, throwing lavish parties, and giving out all manner of silly free prizes.
Jobs would certainly make a splash at CES, but Las Vegas doesn't seem like his kind of town.
Updated 4:55pm - AppleInsider is also reporting that Apple plans to attend CES next year, so perhaps there is more to this story than I initially thought, stay tuned. Others think that the CEA, which puts on CES, is merely planning to have a booth or pavilion next year that focuses on the Mac and Apple in hopes of drawing Macworld exhibitors to Las Vegas.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
Now I know how you all "Apple hippies" who follow it as a cult loved to go on this 'pilgrim' each year - but sometimes you forget Apple is a business first and foremost. This Apple cult would not exist if the business side is not looked after first.
Now CES - CES would not be a wast of money for Apple as that same- if not less - amount of money Apple spends on MacWorld would go further as it would open up to a much bigger and a different crowed, a crowed that would never of gone to an Apple only trade show let alone an Apple Store. It would be like Apple saying to them, "Come have a look at what we have to offer too - it wont cost you anything nor do you have to go out your way. See what all the fuss is about"
However this will only work well if Apple is given it own section. As that would also give the Mac Faithful a new pilgrimage to go to as well as fanatically benefit Apple as a business. A meeting in the middle.
Getting the blog world posting rumors of the next cool Apple product in January, and then actually launching it in October, sounds like another Steve Jobs genius stroke.
Tradeshows are dinosaurs.
A phone that single handedly earns more money (expect 2 other and even this is fading away to 0) then any other mobile phone company - which by the way has a multitude of modes to cover all mobile market segments.
Has a computer devision that earns more money then any other (maybe except 1 other) computer manufacture in the world.
Has over $25 Billion in cash reserve for further investment and development at a time when most companies are begging for money just to stay alive.
But no this company isn't a "SERIOUS" consumer electronics manufacture - how could it be next to the likes of all those 10 men start up companies there.
This clearly shows what a troll websterphreaky is or at best how stupid he/she is.
In Denial ********?? Here's just ONE recent bit of proof, right from this Apple AssKisser Site:
"Apple offers advice on 10.5.6 upgrade problems
CNet by Tom Krazit, December 18, 2008
If the Mac OS X 10.5.6 update caused you problems earlier this week, try, try again.
Apple has acknowledged an issue encountered by some Leopard users trying to install the company's latest update released Monday."
Insofar as releasing products after holiday buying system - very good idea and Apple has been doing it for years. Timing wise, if Apple can clear out inventory of old products before xmas buying season, they make out like bandits. Clearing out old inventory / old products is the high profit margin time. Selling new products have less margin as production is not up, and components are generally at their highest price point.
Apple at CES - bring it on!
Well Apple doesn't need to have a booth at CES in order for Steve Jobs to give the keynote. He could use iWork 09 Keynote for the keynote.
Nah, I think it's just a rumor like any other.
As Steve Jobs always says, "Lose lips, sink ships"
I always thought having Macworld at the exact same time as CES was a stupid idea anyways.
That's Apple - The Great iNOvator and Apple FanBoys, The Great ********.
- by January 12, 2009 6:08 PM PST
- I bet that this rumor was seeded by the folks at CES. They are trying to lure vendors away from Macworld. The vendors from how attended Macworld this year are being asked to sign up for next year now. If the folks at CES can get a critical mass to jump ship, they can be the "Kingpins" of the Mac trade show business. Believe me, the trade show business is absolutely ruthless.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(27 Comments)