It isn't yet certain whether Apple itself will be there or not

Jan 13, 2009 10:34 GMT  ·  By

Looking towards next year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has announced that CES 2010 will feature a special area for Apple-related products, AFP reports. The announcement comes short after Apple's confirmation that trade shows weren't its thing anymore.

The Macworld Expo held between January 5-9 in San Francisco this year ended on the same day CES did – an event that was left Apple-less this year. The economic downturn was undoubtedly the main reason for low attendance at the show. However, we can't help but wonder how many people passed on CES this year because the company didn't make an appearance. Moreover, with Apple not confirming (or denying) its presence at next year's edition of CES, could we expect even less attendees?

Interestingly enough, the Consumer Electronics Association has confirmed that “Apple-related” products will be showcased at CES 2010, AFP reports. Whether or not this is a desperate attempt to keep Apple fans interested remains to be seen. At the moment, Apple isn't believed to consider an appearance at next year's CES. In fact, if Apple chooses to exhibit at the 2010 CES, that would go against its official statement that the company has no need for trade shows anymore.

Although not mentioning CES in particular as one of the events it was shaking off, the Mac maker's December 16 statement said, “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. The increasing popularity of Apple’s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways. Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo, and Apple Expo in Paris.” (emphasis ours).

Do you think Apple is doing away with CES, as it has done with the Macworld Expo?