The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has become the trade show for new computing products to the latest in remote control vacuum cleaners. To summarize, CES is an absolute circus, but it's a must-attend show for any business serious about the the markets in which they play — unless that business is Apple, Inc.
Since Apple exited MacWorld Expo in 2009 it has shunned industry trade shows and opted to conduct their own media events. Why share the stage when a spotlight can be had? Last year Apple waited for CES to blow by — with all the half-baked tablet announcements. Then on January 18, Apple issued invitations to their special event: "Come see our latest creation". This special event took place on January 27, where Apple amazed all with the iPad. This year proves to be no different. Apple will not be holding a special event prior to CES.
We've taken into account Apple's historical launch records, read our tea leaves (or drank them, we don't recall) and burned through so much material we're beginning to wonder how many Bothan's died to bring us this information... The result? Nothing's changed. Apple will execute nearly the same plan as last year, save for a small, predicable alteration.
This January Apple will suck all the oxygen out of CES, and it won't be due to Verizon's CEO, Ivan Seidenberg, announcing the iPhone on their network. While Verizon's a nice carrier add for Apple, and Phil Schiller may be seen on stage shaking some hands, that's not what the chatter on the show floor is going to be about. Before CES, plan on our favorite Wall Street Journal columnist Yukari Iwatani Kane delivering a report of Apple holding a special event later in the month, centering around new iPads. Additional rumors will crop up as a result, and CES chatter will move from talk of competitive iPad tablets to "These are nice, but what's Apple got up their sleeve's later in the month?"
What about that small, predicable alteration to Apple's rollout? Last year, Apple announced iPad in January and it shipped in April. Once new iPads are announced this coming January, they will make it to market no later than mid-February. Apple can't afford a large shipping delay as it would damage existing iPad sales for nearly a quarter, while giving competition the opportunity for market momentum.
iPad 2 Specifications
We are not certain (and seriously, who is right?), so we've compiled a few links for your holiday contemplation:
T-GAAP thanks you for your support this year and wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
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Knute ~ December 24, 2010 08:06
Jbelkin ~ December 24, 2010 09:12
Viswakarma ~ December 24, 2010 11:31
lrd ~ December 25, 2010 01:58