Macworld 2009 to be Apple's last, no Jobs keynote

Well, no wonder there wasn't much buzz around Macworld this year. Turns out Jobs won't even be at the keynote next month, and after that, Apple plans on skipping the event (if it's still around, that is) altogether.

The news came in a surprise press release late this afternoon. Instead of Jobs (who's delivered the Macworld keynote since 1997) we'll hear from Apple marketing exec Philip Schiller, the statement said, which goes on to note:

Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers … Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.

Of course, it's tempting to jump to conclusions about Steve Jobs' health (is he too ill to appear in public?) in the wake of Apple's announcement. But the L.A. Times tech blog quotes analyst Tim Bajarin says the move "is not a surprise," noting that Apple has been "talking about [pulling out of Macworld] for two years."

Indeed, Macworld itself—which was, in 2007, the venue for what was arguably Apple's biggest announcement of all, the original iPhone—might be the one on life support now, not Jobs, Bajarin told the L.A. Times. "It's going to make it much more difficult for Macworld to thrive without Apple as the anchor exhibitor," Bajarin said.

As I blogged earlier this week, the buzz around this year's Macworld was already pretty weak—indeed, besides some light chatter about an iPhone Nano (uh, I doubt it), a revamped Mac Mini (yawn...), and even a Mac netbook (highly unlikely, at least in the near term), there's been practically no buzz at all.

And consider this: In the past six months, we've seen a new iPhone, new iPods (including the redesigned Nano), and new MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The iMac line is due for a refresh—but given that they got a top-to-bottom makeover last year, I'd expect little more than a spec bump.

In other words: Apple may not have much to show at Macworld next month, so why pump up expectations with a Jobs keynote when there's nothing cool in the pipeline? Besides, whenever Apple does have something to announce, it simply hosts its own event, and journalists come running. Given that, who needs a trade show?

All that said, it's sad news for those of us with nostalgic feelings for Macworld. I haven't attended any of the recent events since I'm based on the East Coast, but I saw one in 1999—yes, pre-iPod—and believe you me, the reality distortion field is ... well, the real deal.

So, why do you think Apple is bailing on Macworld? Is the show doomed, or can it survive without Apple in attendance? Sound off below.

Related:
Steve Jobs drops out of Macworld, Apple to drop after January [L.A. Times tech blog]