Cloud hangs over Macworld opening

By Maggie Shiels Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley

More than 50,000 people are expected to attened the annual event

Macworld, the annual tech gathering for the Apple faithful, opens Monday with a cloud hanging over it.

In a surprise move, the company shocked fans by recently announcing this year's event is its last.

Apple also revealed that CEO Steve Jobs would not present the keynote address, reigniting speculation his health has deteriorated following pancreatic cancer in 2004.

Some analysts however see Mr Jobs' decision as part of a succession plan.

"Steve is clearly beginning to share the spotlight with some other executives and sooner or later someone has to step up to the CEO role," said Van Baker, vice president of research for IT consulting firm Gartner.

"I don't think this is about Steve's health. I think he is trying to back off from being a 'one man band' and he is trying to make way for a possible succession and spread the wealth among the executive team that Apple has," explained Mr Baker to BBC News.

Apple has said the reason for pulling out of future shows is because it feels the forum does not provide value for money.

In an earlier statement, the company said that "every week 3.5m people visit our retail stores. And like many companies, trade shows are a minor part of how Apple reaches its customers."

Rumour mill

With Apple refusing to answer questions about Mr Jobs' health, concern and rumour continues to take on a life of its own. Much of it was sparked off in the middle of last year when he appeared at Apple's World Wide Developer Conference looking very thin and gaunt.

Just last week Gizmodo.com, a popular tech and gadget web site, posted a report from an anonymous source who said Mr Jobs' health was "rapidly declining".

A thin looking Mr Jobs at last year's WWDC reignited health concerns

Within minutes, Apple stock dipped from $87.92 (