Hands-On Report: Apple Expo 2003 Part 1

Hands-On Report:

Apple Expo, Paris
September 19, 2003

Overview
By Thierry Lorthioir

Copyright 2003 All Rights reserved

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While Tuesday was devoted to Steve Jobs keynote which introduced the new 15" aluminum Powerbook G4 and updated 12" and 17" models, the rest of the week's main attraction is the Expo itself.

The show is in a main hall past the entrance of "Palais des Expositions" (exhibition palace). It has a one-floor layout. On arrival the first impression is density: about 250 vendors. The next feeling is sheer excitement as you realize how much is taking place. Five Solution Center groupings and the larger Apple booth are placed in strategic areas: Games and Music, Creative, Developer, Education and Small business/Health Solutions. A conservative approach by the show's promoters to estimate atttendance anticipated a crowd of about 60 000, about half its past peak. However, the excellent response so far may lead to an upward revision.

Here are some initial observations with photos:

		I-Move, the first European production car with built-in iPod integration, stands by the entrance. The "SMART" division of Daimler-Chrysler integrates an iPod dock wired directly to the stereo system in its Smart City-Coupe edition. 100 examples are to be built. The car has a user-friendly ease of use, which is familiar to Apple's design fans. It is priced at 12,650 Euros (about $14,300), delivery and taxes included.
		Sponsored by the Vivendi Universal Interactive division "Adibou", CyberKids is a section dedicated to kids and it managed to attract many adults. This program dedicated to children awareness and schooling support focuses on learning and creativity.
	At the Apple Booth the display of new PowerBooks was next to an iSight display, which seems to have attracted many curious attendees.
AppleCare had a surprising presence. Laid out like an open office, the Apple service booth proved to be very popular. Next to it, the Apple store was doing brisk business. Popular mail order companies had show specials and they were rewarded with long lines of buyers at their booths. Enthusiastic vendors pointed out that, at 7:00 PM, after nine hours straight through day of brisk business, none of them were rushing home as more people were still waiting for service.
At the game arcade, G5's with 23" Cinema Displays greeted a responsive audience.

Leaving the show, one could see many motorcycles with Apple boxes tied-up in the back. Stay tuned for our next report.

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