sleepy

What's Happening at Apple: Steve Jobs

Who are these "adoring fans"? It seems to me that SJ is simply very professional at packaging and presenting the important facts about new Apple products, and that's what brings the audience for his keynotes. Yes, he's widely respected, but I haven't seen any behaviour from Mac users that indicates a fan style cult of personality. Where's the fan club web site? There isn't one. The whole concept is simply an unnecessary media fabrication to provide a spurious explanation for Apple's excellent execution and the market's response to it. It's a wicked stereotype of Apple's customers no different than the stereotypes that deny proper understanding of Jews, Moslems, or other large minorities. Just drop it.

It may have been that Apple is obliged to commit to next year's MacWorld before the current event; the bulk of exhibitor commitments at trade shows are generally obtained by offering discounts at the same event the prior year. This can only work for Macworld if the organisers can say to exhibitors: "Apple is already signed". So it may well be that, in order not to kill this year's Macworld, Apple were forced to make a last minute pre-show announcement that this is the last one.

Finally, remember that this is the Mac's 25th anniversary year, and Apple is clearly transitioning to product announcements unsynchronized with MacWorlds. Apple has prepared a giant hole in its OSX product line between iPod touch and Macbook, and with the netbook challenge, this gap will be filled at some point.