Rumor: Apple to Exhibit at CES in 2010?

"On the heels of announcing its plans to bail on Macworld Expo next year, Apple will be instead attending the more generic Consumer Electronics Show in 2010, according to sources familiar with the matter. The blogosphere has been passionately arguing both for and against an Apple appearance at CES, which is held in Las Vegas rather than Macworld Expo's San Francisco. Sources close to the company have indicated to AppleInsider that the move is a done deal, a remarkable turn of events given that CES has long been dominated by Microsoft's product announcements issued in keynotes delivered by Bill Gates and now by CEO Steve Ballmer."

If this is true, then Apple has pretty much embraced their new identity as a consumer electronics brand.  It won't take long to know if this one is true, but I sure as hell hope it isn't because CES is a pain in the you-know-what for average people to attend.  I've only done it once, and it was utter and complete chaos, not to mention mostly boring garbage.  I'm sure Apple would have one of those gigantic setups like Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony have had for years, but it just wouldn't be the same for attendees.  The flip side, of course, is that it would be much easier for me to go to (I can always make an excuse for a trip to Vegas!).