Now that Apple has officially announced that Macworld 09 is their last Macworld, with Phil Schiller taking the keynote, what?s next for the company?* Sure, I have no problem with Phil Schiller as a person, but the Macworld Keynote was something always given by CEO Steve Jobs.

This decision could mean a number of things.* Firstly, (but unlikely), is it could be financial.* Apple stated that they feel no need to host such conferences and media events to attract customers.

Secondly, they simply don?t see themselves releasing groundbreaking products in the near future.* It?s more likely that everytime Apple needs to issue a new product, a special media event may be used (similar to the Macbook one).

Finally, the one everyone is thinking, Steve Jobs? health.* Both Apple and Jobs have issued statements indicating that his health is ok, but with him you never know.* His appearences over the past year have him looking so skinny you can see his bones under his shirt.* And, as it?s the end of a huge Apple event, you would think that the CEO, Steve Jobs, the man who saved the company from bankrupcy, would at least take one more keynote.* And he isn?t.

I am a bit concerned about this coming Macworld.* May we see Phil Schiller announce himself as CEO and see Jobs invited to the stage for only a short time?

Here is the official press release from Apple:

CUPERTINO, California?December 16, 2008?Apple® today announced that this year is the last year the company will exhibit at Macworld Expo. Philip Schiller, Apple?s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing,*will deliver the opening keynote for this year?s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it*will be Apple?s last keynote at the show. The keynote address will be held at Moscone West on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Macworld will be held at San Francisco?s Moscone Center January 5-9, 2009.

Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers.*The increasing popularity of Apple?s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week,*and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways.

Apple has*been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

All we can do is wait?

[Taken from my blog at http://www.appledailytimes.com/]

[Apple PR at http://www.apple.com/]