CES 2010: We don’t need no stinking Macworld

Macworld has long been the event for Apple users to gather and interact with the companies that produce their favorite pieces of hardware and software, in addition to Apple. We all remember last year, when Apple decided they didn’t need to attend Macworld anymore, and I think their current stock price reflects just how much they need Macworld. Many in the industry have said that Apple’s withdrawal symbolized the death of Macworld. And with the iLounge at CES, you might begin to think that CES is a suitable replacement for Macworld. Plus, CES seems to be fairing much better without Apple than Macworld.

When I stroll the aisles of CES 2010, I don’t feel like some Mac snob who thinks he’s better than everyone else. Why is that? Because everywhere you look there are new accessories, software and hardware, and a large portion of it works with Apple products. There’s even an iLounge where everything works with an iPod or a Mac. And then there are the people. We might not all be Apple-centric reporters, but many of the journalists here use MacBooks. Essentially, we’re all Mac snobs. Okay, perhaps not, but all of this makes me feel right at home. Honestly, it’s not that different from Macworld, save one large detail. CES is not as easy to get into as Macworld is.

Macworld is open to the public, so users can interact with companies and producers in ways that are normally not possible. They can test out products and software not normally sold in retail stores, and they can even ask questions directly to the makers. I can do that here too, but it’s a shame everyone doesn’t have that kind of access. But let me tell you, CES isn’t open to everyone for good reason. There are so many people here already that if it were to be opened to the public, I doubt that any of use would be able to move. So, I can see the necessity and appeal of Macworld, I’m just not sure about its longterm viability.

I talked with some of the folks at VestaLife, an audio company making iPod speaker docks and the like, about their thoughts on Macworld. This year they chose to only attend CES, and this is the first year they’ve had a booth at CES as well. The reasons are numerous, but included things like the cost of attending both events, and the exposure gained by either. In the end, VestaLife decided that, for the size of their company, it only made sense to attend one event. And they determined, like I imagine most companies would, that CES would be more worthwhile, and would increase their exposure more than another year of Macworld.

I also talked with other companies around the show floor and responses were mixed concerning Macworld attendance. Some were attending Macworld in addition to CES, but most found it to be pointless considering the sharp drop in attendance estimates for exhibitors and attendees.

So you can believe in Macworld if you like, but I’m preparing an obituary very shortly, as I’m expecting to wake up one of these days and hear that Macworld is dead.

Long live CES.