Since 1985, the MacWorld conference has been one of the most important events for fans of Apple products and technology in general. Apple has used MacWorld to announce some of its most important products, like the iMac, iTunes, the Safari web browser, and the iPhone — often in a keynote by CEO Steve Jobs, who has appeared at every conference since 1997. The next MacWorld will take place in January, but Apple has just announced that this will be the last one that it attends. Perhaps just as shockingly, Jobs will not be delivering the keynote.

It therefore looks like next month's event will be a quiet affair, so if you were hoping for a huge announcement like an Apple netbook, an iPhone Nano, or a new Mac mini, you might be disappointed. It doesn't seem likely that anything big will happen sans Jobs, but you never know for sure; Apple is famous for its surprises. It's just that Jobs has usually been the one to share them! There will be a keynote, but it will be delivered by senior marketing vice president Philip Schiller. The web is a-buzz with speculation about why Jobs won't be attending — for example, some believe it's because his health is deteriorating — and you can check out those conversations below if guessing is your thing.

It's not unreasonable to read this as a sign of change for the company and eventually its products, though. Over the past few years Apple has graduated once again from underdog status and become one of the most important companies in the world, with products you likely see on the street about as often as you see wristwatches. So what's next? Maybe you'll find out at Apple's final MacWorld.

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