Apple is ditching the annual
Macworld event in San
Francisco, and Steve Jobs will not be giving a keynote at the
forthcoming show in January, adding to
speculation about his health.
Apple CEO Jobs fought pancreatic cancer four years ago, and has
appeared increasingly gaunt at Apple events this year.
Apple has not commented on the decision by Jobs not to present a
keynote at January's Macworld Expo, which is his traditional
opportunity to present the company's latest products.
Phillip Schiller, Apple's senior vice-president of worldwide
product marketing, will take Jobs' place at the event.
Apple
told
the BBC that shows like Macworld "were no longer relevant" for
the company, and that it was reaching its current and potential
customers through its expanding store network and through
webcasts.
That won't read very well for the loyal Macworld show
exhibitors.
IT publisher IDG runs the Macworld Expo event, which has been
going for 25 years. Apple fans will have to wait to see whether
future Macworld events take place without the participation of
Apple. If they do, that might somewhat defeat the object of
them.