Two weeks ago, Apple announced that next week’s MacWorld Expo would be the last at which they make an appearance. Also, their iconic CEO, Steve Jobs, will not deliver the keynote address.
The world of Mac geeks (of which I am a confirmed, card-carrying member) has been all aflutter over the impact and possible strategy or behind-the-scenes machinations could be at play; there have also been many blog posts written about the pluses and minuses of Apple’s decision.
For what it’s worth, I fall into the minus column – though I’ve never attended a MacWorld Expo in person, as an avid Mac fan I’ve watched every keynote Jobs has given; some watched live via satellite, thanks to DoIT at the UW-Madison where I was employed; others tracked via bloggers’ live accounts, and then followed up by watching the QuickTime video when it was finally posted to Apple’s website (usually at the end of the same day). Setting aside the specifics of which platform is your preference, I think it’s irrefutable that Jobs is a masterful presenter.
The Industry Standard published a great piece a day or two ago looking back at some of the most memorable moments from Steve Jobs’ keynotes at MacWorld Expo 1998-2008 (they have video snippets linked to larger pieces on YouTube). If you’ve never watched any of these, check out one of the clips in the series (they have twelve linked in the article).
The fact that Jobs will not be presenting is a major disappointment, as is the fact that Apple will not be appearing at the Expo at all after this year. Yes, Apple will continue to launch new products and software with dynamic press events (maybe even ones helmed by Jobs?) in the future, but there’s something special about the mystique, the anticipation, the sense of community (which I have felt all these years, despite having never been there in person) that come with Expo keynotes. I will, of course, be tuning in to various blogs on Monday to see how Mr. Schiller does flying solo. Poor fellow.
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