Macworld opens for second year without Apple

(AP) -- An annual trade show for Apple aficionados is now open to the public.

Macworld Expo, which is held at San Francisco's Moscone Center, is a showcase for companies that make software, protective cases and other accessories for Apple Inc.'s Mac computers, iPods, the iPhone and the iPad.

In past years, Apple CEO Steve Jobs used the Macworld stage to unveil some of the company's most important products, including the first iPhone in 2007. But Apple stopped attending the show starting last year, preferring to host its own media events instead.

Apple hasn't announced a second-generation iPad yet. But some vendors are Macworld are already producing cases for iPads with cameras and a bigger speaker, one of the anticipated features for the next model.

Macworld runs Thursday to Saturday.

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