Volume Number: 14 (1998)
Issue Number: 8
Column Tag: Newsbits

Aug 98 Newsbits

by Jessica Courtney, managing_ed@mactech.com

Attendees invigorated by Steve Jobs' In-person Keynote, iMac showcase and Apple's Announcement of Third Consecutive Quarterly Profits

Over 34,000 consumers, educators, creative professionals, and sales and support staff jammed New York's Jacob K. Javits Center for IDG's Macworld Expo '98 last week. Attendees to this year's East Coast show tested an array of innovative, new Mac-based products, heard from the best-known names in educational technology and digital artistry, and participated in the first-ever gaming contest.

Throughout the three-day show, held July 8-10 at the Jacob K. Javits Center, a number of welcomed announcements were made. Attendees clearly rallied around Apple Computer, Inc. when interim CEO Steve Jobs announced during the keynote -- in person rather than via satellite -- that the computer maker expected to post net profits for the third straight quarter. This week, Apple announced that the last quarter was its best in three years, with reported net income of $101 million. For the last two quarters, revenues have stabilizing at about $1.4 billion. Keynote Highlights Jobs joined by Phil Schiller, Apple's Vice President of worldwide product marketing also announced that Apple's new $1,299 iMac personal computer would hit the stores August 15 installed with 56K modems rather than 36.6K ones, as originally planned. Jobs also told the enthralled Macworld Expo audience that 177 new Macintosh programs had been announced in the 63 days leading up to the conference a clear indication of market support. He bolstered the good news from Apple with a live demonstration of the iMac computer, Apple's latest entrant into the competitive personal computer realm.

Significant announcements from Microsoft and Disney OnLine executives further reinforced Job's positive predictions for Apple's future.

Consumer Appeal

Apple Computer featured its new iMac and its complete line of PowerBook G3 and Power Macintosh G3 computers, as well as QuickTime 3 and WebObjects software products.

Gaming developers, major entertainment companies, broadcasters, personal finance and productivity application developers and hardware manufacturers provided consumers hands-on experience with their latest products in a new "Content @ Home" pavilion.

Additionally, the competitive types participated in the first-ever National Macintosh Gaming Championship, which highlighted the latest games for the Macintosh platform.

Education Appeal

The Education District Building on its education community support, Apple Computer sponsored the Education District pavilion, which featured software and Internet tools, curriculum building solutions and multimedia for schools, training and home learning.

Professional Appeal

The Macworld/Pro Conference Professionals attending this year's Macworld Expo -- the Creative World, participated in the highly regarded Macworld/Pro conference, Macworld Users conference and day-long pre-conference workshops.

Attendance Demographics

According to an on-site survey of Macworld Expo attendees: more than 96 percent came to Macworld Expo to see the new products; 87 percent to keep up-to-date on industry trends; and, 68 percent to compare products with current vendors. Nearly 50 percent of all attendees were their organization's final product-purchasing decision makers. Seventy-four percent said they believed the event is important in determining their upcoming computer and peripherals, and software purchases. Seventy-eight percent said the show was "well worth their time and money" and 82 percent would recommend Macworld Expo to a colleague.

Exhibitor and Attendee Figures

More than 230 exhibitors set up shop at Macworld Expo. The number of attendees at this year's Macworld Expo -- New York was 34,200. Thirty percent of the attendees worked in the creative industry, 25 percent were from the education community, and 20 percent were from the reseller, value added service and support community representing a significant industry interest in supporting the latest Mac products. In addition to the business audience almost 20 percent of the attendees were general consumers drawn to see Apple's new iMac computer and the new range of iMac-related products.

http://www.macworldexpo.com
http://www.comnetexpo.com
http://www.idgexpos.com