Apple planning to switch tradeshow focus to CES?

View this article at: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/01/09/apple.coming.to.ces/

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 2:55pm

Apple planning to switch tradeshow focus to CES?

Apple may be looking to exhibit at next year's Consumer Electronics Show, a report claims. Citing second-hand sources within Apple, the story suggests that while the company has decided to pull out of future Macworlds, it is already laying plans for CES, which is hosted in Las Vegas every January and populated by over 2,700 hardware and software companies, including a number of PC builders and key rivals, such as Microsoft. CES 2009 is currently ongoing.

Such a move might present several advantages for Apple, including a larger number of visitors. It could also generate more media attention, due to the number of reporters at event, and simultaneously divert attention away from competitors. Companies that make Apple-related products might also be able to save on attending multiple shows.

Apple has never presented at a CES however, and the company has stated an intention to de-emphasize tradeshows in favor of its own events and the use of online and retail resources. Analysts have suggested that Apple may also want to free itself from having to announce new products at regular intervals, a commitment which CES would only reinforce.