Macworld Mobile App Showcase

iPhone and iPod touch users will be pleased to know that Macworld 2010 will include the Mobile Application Showcase, a special area of the show floor dedicated to the innovations being brought to market by iPhone and iPod touch developers. iProng Magazine caught up with Paul Kent, General Manager of Macworld Expo, earlier today to talk about what this means for iPhone and iPod touch users and for Macworld 2010 attendees in general.

iProng: First things first – what led you to move Macworld 2010 to February instead of its traditional January date?

Paul Kent: A few things led to this – but the essence of it is customer feedback. And by customers, I mean exhibitors. We’ve heard for many years how difficult it was for developers to get ready for a major tradeshow through the holidays. Getting development done on new products, logistical issues with getting marketing materials and a booth to a show. It’s been an issue we’ve been aware of, but really Macworld had held this spot for so long (25 years) there was a always a feeling of “first week of January is Macworld time.” This year, we are on a quest to reinvent the show to create the most relevant event to the community. Listening to customers is Job 1. Date change was the top of the list of suggestions – we listened, made the change and the response has been fantastic.

iProng: What makes apps so important to the iPhone and iPod touch platform that they deserve their own pavilion at Macworld this year?

Paul Kent: Clearly, much of the excitement and innovation in the area of software development that we’ve seen over the past year has been in the area of mobile apps – apps designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Ever since Apple opened the iPhone and iPod touch up for software development and put the SKD in developers hands – the app market has been roaring. Apple announced there are over 50,000 apps in the store now, and over 1 billion downloads! All this in essentially an 18 month period – it’s amazing. We’ll be capturing that excitement at Macworld by giving users a fun way to discover apps and meet the rockstars who develop them.

iProng: What can attendees expect from the pavilion once they enter it?

Paul Kent: The Mobile App Showcase will be “App Store Live” experience! Attendees will be able to try out hundreds of apps, meet the developers, and talk to other app uses. The App Store, while a good channel of distribution, doesn’t really have great mechanisms for trying before you buy, or for comparing features. The Mobile App Showcase at Macworld 2010 will let attendees get their hands on the latest and most popular apps, and give them an opportunity to discover new ones!

iProng: Macworld 2010 is still eight months away, but can you give us any hints about what kinds of additional new features are on tap for February?

Paul Kent: In addition to the Mobile App Showcase, we’ve also got a Indie Developer Pavilion highlighting all the innovative tools and solutions being created for Mac OS X by the independent developer. There will also be the Macworld Music Studio where we’ll have training and performance on music-related topics done by amazing instructors from the Berklee College of Music, professional musicians, and Mac industry luminaries. Also, plenty of hands on training opportunities – we’re working with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to host a bunch of free hands on classes where attendees can learn to put Mac OS X creative tools to work. Also – show specials! Macworld has always been a place where people can discover and purchase great products – this year we will be doing more to bring users and products closer together. These are just a few of the things we’ve got planned -many more announcements will be coming over the months leading up to the show. Attendees should check with website (www.macworldexpo.com), follow us on Facebook and Twitter and keep informed. We’ve been saying – “It’s the Start of a New Era at Macworld” – and all these new and enhanced programs will really make Macworld 2010 a great place for iPhone, iPod and Mac users to come together to get even more enjoyment out of their favorite technology.