San Francisco: The world’s biggest Apple convention opens this week.IDG’s renamed Macworld convention — officially it’s now called Macworld|iWorld 2012 — is expected to draw 24,000 hearty souls, up from 22,000 last year, one organizer told aNewDomain.
The show opens Thursday, but downtown hotels, restaurants and streets were already bustling on Monday, belying what is typically a quiet day in San Francisco, the beginning of the 15-day Lunar New Year celebration.
Don’t expect a formal tribute to the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the show, reps said, adding that they wouldn’t prevent tributes. Rather, this year’s show will focus on the apps — on what Apple customers are able to do with their computers, smartphones and tablets. The floor for iOS apps is greatly expanded this year, reps said.
Interestingly, the show is decidedly un-corporate this year. According to the calendar, it will close on Saturday with a community drum circle. IDG is positing this year’s gathering as more of a “world fair” than a convention, organizers said. It will include, among the demos and announcements, a film festival, concerts and a silent disco, where goers can dance to their own tunes with headphones.
Appmakers from all over the world are converging on the city, which lies just 35 miles north of Cupertino, where Jobs and co-founder Steve Wozniak founded the company in 1976.
Uwe Mauer, CEO of ArtRage, told us he just flew in from Germany for the event. He checked into his five star penthouse media suite, preparing to showcase his firm’s eponymous painting app, now available in iPhone and iPad versions. Apps are big business.
Located in San Francisco’s Moscone Center West Hall, tickets to the show start at $25 if purchased in advance. They’ll cost nearly double that when the show opens Thursday.
This year, the show will also offer a so-called $100 advance iFan pass, which will buy access to some 75 Apple-centric tech seminars, music and art shows. There will be a lot to see, from the looks of it. Our edit team is planning heavy coverage — and a launch of our Apple podcast this week, hosted by Josh Windisch, David W. Martin and special guests.
Our Macworld|iWorld team is led by aNewDomain’s senior editor on the Apple beat, David W. Martin. The ground team includes reporters, photographers, videographers, columnists and editors Gina Smith, John C. Dvorak, Josh Windisch, Rebekah Austin, Mike Rothman, Mac McCarthy and Julie Blaustein.
We’ll be hitting the show hard. Follow us at @anewdomain and watch for our pre show and event coverage all week long. Beginning now. For more details on the show, head to the MacWorld|iWorld site. Or scroll below for pricing info and what you get for the various ticket types. Or maybe you just want to know when the iPhone Film Festival is or when Modest Mouse will play.
This from the MacWorld | iWorld site, excerpted below.
CURRENT PRICE ON-SITE PRICE
$35 N/A (pre-sale only)
$100 $125
$800 $850
$25 $45
$325 $375
$750 $795
Thursday, January 26 – Saturday, January 28, 2012
Includes unlimited access to:
Over 65 Tech Talks (Formerly known as the Users Conference)
Music Experiences: (All currently announced Daily and Nightly Performances) PLEASE NOTE: iFanPass holders will also have first option to purchase tickets to the Macworld | iWorld Opening Night BLAST Featuring Modest Mouse. You can add a ticket to your already purchased iFAN pass by clicking here. You will need to reference the confirmation code on your original confirmation.
Film Events
Art Showings
Macworld | iWorld Midway
Exhibit HallWednesday, January 25, 2012
Doors open 7:00pm
The WarfieldThursday, January 26 – Saturday, January 28, 2012
Includes unlimited access to:
Exhibit Floor
Macworld iWorld MidwayThursday, January 26 – Saturday, January 28, 2012
Includes unlimited access to:
All sessions and keynotes in the MacIT Conference
Macworld|iWorld Tech Talks (Formerly known as the Users Conference)
Music Experiences: (All currently announced Daily and Nightly Performances) PLEASE NOTE: All Access Pass holders will also have first option to purchase tickets to a yet unannounced headline concert)
Film Events
Art Showings
Macworld | iWorld Midway
Exhibit Hall and Mac IT Sponsor ShowcaseWednesday, January 25
Includes:
Your choice of one (1) workshop
Exhibit Hall access (Floor opens 1/26)
Macworld | iWorld Midway (Midway opens 1/26)Thursday, January 26 – Saturday, January 28, 2012
Includes:
All sessions and keynotes in the MacIT Conference
Macworld | iWorld Midway
Macworld | iWorld Exhibit Hall and MacIT Sponsor Showcase**Please note that capacity at all Macworld | iWorld events is limited. Admission at all events will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
**Please note some evening activities are for attendees 21 years and older. Proper identification will be required for entry.
ED Disclosure: Gina Smith, editorial director of aNewDomain, coauthored Steve Wozniak’s memoir, iWoz: How I Invented the Personal Computer and Had Fun Along the Way.
oh NOW i see that Mac world is on THURSDAY. (duh)
:)
-RAP, II