MacWorld Expo New York Revamp?

this doesn't surprise me at all, nor does it matter.

i think that Steve will limit his presentations to one per year, possibly at MacWorld SF, but more likely of Apple's own timeline, ala the iBook, iPod or XServe releases.

i think the 17" delay is the last of the two-three month wait for an Apple product.

A keynote demands a spectacular product introduction; and lately, regardless of what is introduced, there is disappointment (a result of overblown expectations, not deficiency on the part of Apple).

Why tie product development cycles to a semi-annual expo? Why can't Apple announce and ship product like every other company (i.e., when it's ready?) One only has to look at the PB-17 problems- undoubtedly pre-announced due to pressure to have something big at MWSF- to see what sort of negative feelings can arise from that pressure.

It's likely that the "straw" that's breaking this particular camel's back is the 970. Sure, Apple might have some prototypes ready for the keynote, but will they be able to confidently ship anything they announce? I bet they're getting cold feet about it- and don't want to be pressured into announcing product that isn't ready, or holding off an announcement and suffering the hue and cry of an outraged fan base whipped into frenzy by the endless talk on the rumor boards.

Sucks that I just moved to NYC and I'm gonna miss a Stevenote, though. :(

What's a MacWorld Expo without a keynote address?:(

They never said "no keynote." They just said that Steve Jobs wouldn't be giving the keynote speech.

Phil Schiller will probably be the one giving the keynote speech, with demos from Apple developers thrown in, similar to what he did at QuickTime Live and WWDC.

enoch

F THAT we want Steve.

Apple must lose thousands of sales during the 6 weeks or so before a MW expo due to anticipation about product announcements. Better to stop the bleeding and abandon Keynotes altogether.

Steve can't give the keynotes forever. It is a good idea to start moving away from that and finding a new way to do business. Although Steve is so good at the keynotes it will be hard for anyone to take his place at that. You can really sense it at the keynotes. Whenever Steve turns over the show to another speaker the energy usually drops and then picks up again when Steve returns. He is really a great presenter.

I think that MacWorld needs to change. Years ago the only way you could find out about products was to go to a venue like MW and interact with the vendors. Now with the internet there are many other ways to get information - FAQs, email support, message boards, email lists, etc.

Perhaps MW could find a way to blend a physical show with a virtual show. Some could attend in person. Others could attend via the net. Maybe there would roving cameras going up and down the aisles streaming video. If you see an interesting booth you could switch to a stream from that booth and interact with the people there or people from their factory.

Similarly, you could attend some of the workshops and presentations via the internet with provisions for interacting and asking questions, not just passively watching a stream.

In some ways that would be a poorer experience because you don't get as rich an experience over the net. In other ways it could be better if presenters could send you movies, slides, demo software and such to illustrate their points.

For example, imagine an Applescript session. In one window you watch the presenter and their slides. In another you get downloads of demo scripts that illustrate the discussion. You could also upload your own scripts and questions. It would change the presentations. Personally, I would like it.

This all smells stinky to me...I think we are going to see 970 systems at MWNY. The MacWhispers rumor about the motherboards the rumor today from MacBoudille...the 970's right around the corner. This is a smoke screen.

Rustus

I do think that the keynote is the event that sets the pace for a successful MW... The last keynote was great (despite other mac users' opinion) and not having one would make this event just a simple event.

I think that Apple's CEO owes a keynote to the millions of Macusers in the world who have NEVER doubted. I think the keynote is Apple's management committment to all the community.

The rumors are part of the show... and part of the marketing. This is what makes Apple so appealing to us... I like to think that Mac Users are not regular PC users. I like to think that there will be one.


Michel

Originally posted by mk_in_mke
I do think that the keynote is the event that sets the pace for a successful MW... The last keynote was great (despite other mac users' opinion) and not having one would make this event just a simple event.

I think that Apple's CEO owes a keynote to the millions of Macusers in the world who have NEVER doubted. I think the keynote is Apple's management committment to all the community.

The rumors are part of the show... and part of the marketing. This is what makes Apple so appealing to us... I like to think that Mac Users are not regular PC users. I like to think that there will be one.


Michel

You betcha. How about a keynote whenever apple wants. Just do a live stream from Cupertino of a press conference, announce it 24 hours prior to allow us fans to whip ourselves up in a frenzy. That way, there is no need to follw a 6 month cycle, and apple can show off its nice tech to the world. Could even broadcast it to Apple stores, so that the Faithful have somewhere to group and get that needed morale boost.
Get enough of these going and it could even become one of those "synergy" events, like TV news discussing the Swimsuit edition of SI

Sucks fro me, though, since MW Boston is not far away...
John