Yesterday Apple threw the world a curveball by announcing this would be its last year at Macworld, and Señor Jobs would not be making his standard keynote speech. Speculation immediately ensued, obviously, as the announcement offered nothing in the way of an explanation. Jobs’ health, longevity with the company and motives were all called into question and Apple refrained from issuing any further elaboration. The most likely of all the speculation however, can be found in a report from Jim Goldman of CNBC where he postulates that Apple’s move is in fact politically motivated. First addressing the rumors of health-related motivation, Goldman asserts:
I can tell you that sources inside the company tell me that Jobs’ decision was more about politics than his pancreas. Sources tell me that if Jobs for some reason was unable to perform any of his responsibilities as CEO because of health reasons, which would include the Macworld keynote, I should “rest assured that the board would let me know.”
He goes on to state, in essence, that Apple would simply rather do its own thing. Apple’s special events undoubtedly garner just as much attention from media as Macworld, so why wouldn’t the company keep 100% of the of the focus on itself? As for IDG, organizer of the annual Macworld event, this remains a massive body blow. Apple’s annual announcements account for a huge portion of the fanfare Macworld sees and Apple’s decision will likely affect the event tremendously. Regardless, Apple don’t need no stinking expos is Apple’s attitude and the fact of the matter is – it’s true.
