"Late last year, Apple stunned us all when they announced that after 2009, they would no longer be exhibiting at Macworld."

Is that just rhetoric, Paul? I wasn't surprised. Taken slightly aback, but Apple has been pulling out of trade shows for years. I wondered if IDG didn't instantly agree to a new set of Apple demands for 2010, and Apple used that as an excuse, or if it was just unilaterial, buh bye.

But I agree with you on Macworld 2010 being a different beast with a lot in common. I'm still trying to figure out, as a freelance writer, whether I can afford the cost (much cheaper in February!) of going to the show, but I hope to be there.