This really shows that Apple is changing as a company. Rather than waiting for an event to announce things, they just announce them when they're ready. Their product cycle gets dictated more by the technology available than what might give them a boost at an event.
I'm sad to see it go, I was think of going for the first time this year but I just don't see the point. Macworld just doesn't matter anymore, the conference that matters for Apple is WWDC.
Honestly is there a reason, besides nostalgia, that technology companies need to do trade shows any longer? It wasn't the internet that killed the trade show, it was Digg/Reddit/Slashdot/HN/Youtube/rumor sites...in other words, viral marketing FTW!
Well, from a personal perspective, trade shows are a great place to meet people. If you go to niche trade shows year after year, you get to know the other people who go. I've made some good friends in the trade press who have really helped me out in the past.
Will they still do the keynotes somewhere else? I'd miss those. But any IRL audience isn't technically required to make them.
Is this more evidence of Apple shunning anything they didn't invent and don't own? That hasn't worked for other companies. What do you think? Will it work for Apple?