Macworld shines without superstar Apple

From star-gazing iPad applications to crystal-encrusted iPhone cases, a universe of products spun off of Apple gadgets flourished at Macworld Expo despite the absence of the sun around which they revolve. Attendance was on track to hit 25,000 by the time the annual gathering of Apple faithful.
The crowd was down from the 40,000 to 50,000 people seen in years when Apple took part and chief executive Steve Jobs starred in presentations that included unveiling hot new gadgets like the iPhone.
Apple pulled out of the show in 2010, but engineers from Cupertino, California-based company still make pilgrimages to Macworld to see what fans and entrepreneurs are making of their products. "The energy is still really high," said Anna-Maria Pardini, who works for Hewlett-Packard tending to its relationship with Apple. "The nature of the show has definitely changed," she continued, noting she has attended Macworld Expos for more than a decade. "Eleven years ago there was no iTunes, no iPhone, and until recently there was no iPad.
"You've seen Apple expanding and changing markets, and changing the way we do things," she continued. "It is like never stepping into the same river twice." Computer titan Hewlett-Packard (HP) makes hundreds of monitors, printers, hubs and other products compatible with Macintosh computers.
Interest was high in HP technology that let people wirelessly connect with printers from Apple gadgets. Offerings on the crowded expo floor ranged from data storage devices and computer security services to applications for playing or working on Apple devices.
SouthernStars.com showed off Sky Safari software that essentially turns iPads into windows into the night sky. A freshly-launched Sky Wire cable lets people use iPhones to command telescopes to automatically find celestial objects.
The array of iPhone cases included Luxmo designs coated with Swarovski crystals glued by hand in tiger, parrot, skull, frog and other patterns. Prices ranged from $300 to $350. Rhinestone covered Luxmo iPhone cases priced at $75 dollars were available for fashionable but frugal technophiles. "Apple people enjoy making a statement," said David Fung of Luxmo.