Macworld 2009 – Apple’s Subliminal Message
Macworld this year — a major marketing bonanza for Apple — was clearly not the hype event Apple typically puts on for the tongue wagging Mac enthusiast.
With no Steve Jobs at the Macworld helm and too many long-winded presentations (almost 25 minutes were spent selling the new face recognition feature in iPhoto) well, one had to wonder: Has Apple sent us a message on the current status of their company.
Yes, the world economy is tanking. And yes, consumer drive to buy Apple’s sexy products have hit the brakes as well. Silicon Alley Insider writes:
“a year ago, Apple reported 44% year-over-year Mac unit sales growth.”
The article goes on to say Apple’s growth in the last quarter of 08 dropped to 13%. Pretty serious — and — heavy pull back.
Albeit, chances are this dip in Mac sales is tied closely to the progressing recession. But, could this drawback in buying expensive Apple products open the consumer eye and encourage wiser spending habits in the future?
Or, are Apple products just that niche must-have item that will again sell like hotcakes when the economy picks itself back up again.
Right now though it sounds like folks aren’t ready to pay the premium price for this Lexus of the computer world, but with a lot of real good technology in Apple’s product pipeline — and their $25 billion dollar debt-free capital reserve — I’d wager heavy that Apple is staging a strong comeback in 2009.
Where’s my iPhone?
