When Pismo?

The new PowerBook, code-named "Pismo" by several Mac web sites, was not announced at Macworld Expo despite all expectations including ours. When it wasn't anounced, I speculated that it would be at Seybold Boston or Macworld Expo Tokyo as both are in February. Despite the many echos, it appears that it won't be Seybold because no Apple executive is listed as a keynote speaker and Apple is not listed as a sponsor. [Dana Baggett] While I am sure that Steve Jobs could wangle some time if need be, I suspect its announcement will be later. Could it be Macworld Expo Tokyo? Apple has not, at least in recent history, announced new major products at events outside of the US. However, Japan is an exploding market for Apple and that may warrant a new product announcement to give greater push to the rapid growth in market share there. Traditionally, large PowerBooks (i.e. except the 2400c) have not sold particularly well in Japan even though the Japanese are fanatics about portable computers and third-party custom accessories for PowerBooks abound. Maybe "Pismo" will have features that are more attractive to that market than previous G3s. I can hope can't I? After the iBook and PowerMac G4 availability fiascos, I will also be very pleased if the the time between announcement and availability shrinks substantially.