Apple had pretty much zero presence at NECC this year. No booth in the vender area. No sessions by Apple focused on Apple products. I know that Apple has pulled out of Macworld and probably other trade shows as well, but I just don’t get it.
In seeking answers I have asked other Apple fans for info.
Some suggestions.
Apple puts money into its stores and sees these outlets as the means by which they display products, offer training and education, etc.
Fine for big city folks, but what about those of us in North Dakota (or many other places). Isn’t it kind of elitist or perhaps ignorant to assume everyone lives within a convenient distance from one of your stores.
Apple knows that only Apple fans spend time in the Apple booth or Apple classrooms
Hmm – this one took me a while to process. My first reaction was that this assumes there is no hope of winning converts. What is up with the I’m a PC and I’m a Mac campaign then? Perhaps just for the entertainment value?
Apple sells great hardware and other vendors will offer examples of software suited to the Apple hardware.
I think this position represents a poor understanding of the direction things are moving. I think we are moving toward less powerful/capable hardware and online apps (mostly for free). What Apple should be doing to counter this trend is to sell the value available in the hardware (I’m a PC, but I truly can’t do much) AND the software that often comes bundled with the MAC. The iLife suite is what Apple should be pushing at education conferences. More and more this is what I think Apple has to offer the education community.
Apple – offer a netbook for the rest of us or show up next year!
