Apple monitors these forums closely at times

[macduke]

Just thought I would post an interesting tidbit. This happened to me right before the iPhone launch. I had posted some sensitive information that was leaked to me by an Apple Store employee, who was a longtime friend. He / she had given me some numbers on how many iPhones would be at their store, about how many each AT&T store would be getting, what time they would arrive and the method of their arrival, all of which turned out to be accurate.

Within hours of posting to these forums in late June, he / she called me up all freaked out. Apparently they were interrogating employees, trying to figure out who told me. He / she instructed me to delete all relevant posts--and I did--or Apple would hunt me down and figure it out. He / she were really scared. I could tell by the tone of their voice...it was not normal for them to act like this. The person in question wasn't an active member of these forums and didn't know I was either, so there was no way they could know that I posted it, or that it was even me other than the specifics I gave.

Since I think enough time has passed, I thought I would post this for anyone who thinks its interesting how closely Apple was monitoring these forums during the iPhone launch, and perhaps still are now. I wonder how many Apple IP hits Arn gets on his stats every day?

So poster beware! Apple could hunt you down...lol. Or at least find out your sources! Be careful about specifics that could track back to them!

[gkarris]

Dear Apple:

Please give us a $499 updated Mini with SR chipset, and discreet graphics option.

Unlocked iPhones are always welcomed...

Thanks,

:D

[PlaceofDis]

of course apple checks these forums every now and then. especially during the run ups to big launches. they're secretive for a reason.

[OllyW]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

:mad:

[liketom]

if Apple read these forums:

1 - replace my macbook
2 - release a updated Mac Mini
3 - give us UK shoppers more content on the video section of iTunes
4 - drop the price of Apple care
5 - introduce a 1 year Apple care pack
6 - get rid off iMovie 08 - replace with updated iMovie 06
7 - Give us UK shoppers the updates you release in the USA on release day
8 - improve Dot Mac ( by alot )
9 - drop the prices of the refurb store in the UK

see i did well, not one iPhone complaint :D
:rolleyes:

[Sky Blue]

The release date for the new MacBook Pros is:

[REMOVED BY REQUEST OF APPLE]

[tefleming]

Or they just have some saved searches on Google that combine terms that are relevant to upcoming launches, last week's might have included [iphone + 16GB]

If you search google, you might be surprised how high/often this forums shows up.

Also, I'm sure whoever they have doing this (may well be an external vendor, not Apple) knows how to setup a Proxy :-)

[thejadedmonkey]

Then Apple would realize that they're slowly ***** up and need to stop. Seriously, if Windows 7 can fix what Vista messed up, I'd be surprised to see Apple keep up their rate of growth.

[Osarkon]

The release date for the new MacBook Pros is:

[REMOVED BY REQUEST OF APPLE]

Ahahaha.


Apple - Drop the 8gb touch and switch the prices accordingly. ;)

[puckhead193]

can i have a 3g iphone please and blue ray in a redesign MBP with a 250 gig HD

[QuantumLo0p]

Very close. Take a look at the thread topics. There are so many "feelers" out there I feel like I am tangling with an octopus every time I log in!

It's okay, though. Apple justs want to get a feel for the market. Actually, I feel somewhat flattered by their interest.

There are a lot of fresh ideas and a solid knowledge base here at MR.

:)

[JNB]

Funny you should mention this, as just this morning I was told by ************ (and we all know that he's unimpeachable) that the ********* would receive a major redesign/update on *********. The improvements include *********, ******, ********, and best of all, **********!!!! The price is locked in at ***** (I may have to get two at that price!), and will be in stores/online *******. This is huge--I think I'll double up on my Apple stock while I'm at it!

Oh, and it is fully integrated with both ****** AND ***********, and is fully customer-***********!

And who says that ***** doesn't listen!

[John Purple]

I hope :apple: noticed the a few of the 500 ;) threads on this site complaining on MBP (for Apple: MacBook Pro) not being updated to:
Penryn
higher resolution for the 15" MBP
faster GPU (supporting BluRay videos) with at least 512 MB VRAM
etc. (read the threads!)

Not to forget the :apple: CUSTOMERS (yes, people complaining on this site are customers who pay your salaries!) asking for the overdue updates of Leopard & Aperture (and new ACDs, MacMinis, ...)

[clevin]

oh really


ok Apple.

tell your retard rep call me back and apologize to me about that idiotic claim that 1.5 hour battery after 18 months is reasonable.

I also want a new MB to compensate my suffering with your rev A product.

[BlakTornado]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

:mad:

I agree. lol.

But seriously, this news does not surprise me. Look at how Apple legal removed the leaked iPod Nano G3 UI footage.

Plus, I was [told] by [some guy] that [Steve Jobs] [looked] at [Macrumors] on [his] [iPhone] and [laughed] at [some of] the [rumors].

Seriously, Apple reads this site... kind of makes me wonder why they don't give Arn a media spot at Macworld and make him mingle with the everyday Joes ;)

[cantthinkofone]

They must have a full office full of people to weed thru all the complaining about iphone price drops and upgrades. And should i buy now threads.

I want a 24" aluminum imac WITH OUT a glossy screen, and a sweet Nvidia card.

[surferfromuk]

gps on iPhone before garmin steal your mindshare

[BoyBach]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

:mad:


Amen.

The new 32GB iPod Touch in the US is less expensive than the 16GB model in the UK. Now, that cannot be right...

:mad:

[godslabrat]

For Apple to NOT monitor sites such as this, IMO, would be unthinkable. The question is, how much importance do they put on our opinions?

Well, just in case:

Dear Santa Steve,

This year I have been a very good boy, and would like Apple to finally make a PDA. Just something I can edit docs and surf the web via wifi. The Touch is a nice start, but it needs a real word processor, spreadsheet, and some form of keyboard or stylus.

I can leave some cookies by the fireplace, 'cuz dude, you look like you need some.

[Consultant]

The release date for the new MacBook Pros is:

[REMOVED BY REQUEST OF APPLE]

February what? Someone I know has been waiting for the new MBP 17" forever now...

By the way, some of you need to write to apple.com/feedback

[macduke]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)

Hah! Funny how this turned into a wishlist thread. While we're at it...

Please new MBP! Gimmie! Holy crap! For my birthday?

Anyway...my main point was that a single forum post spread like wildfire within HOURS and caused the launch of an internal investigation THAT FAST! I had posted it from my girlfriend's Macbook, then got the frantic voicemail later that evening when we were watching a movie. Pretty crazy stuff.

[MovieCutter]

Funny you should mention this, as just this morning I was told by ************ (and we all know that he's unimpeachable) that the ********* would receive a major redesign/update on *********. The improvements include *********, ******, ********, and best of all, **********!!!! The price is locked in at ***** (I may have to get two at that price!), and will be in stores/online *******. This is huge--I think I'll double up on my Apple stock while I'm at it!

Oh, and it is fully integrated with both ****** AND ***********, and is fully customer-***********!

And who says that ***** doesn't listen!

Mad Libs! Brilliant!

[Eraserhead]

The new 32GB iPod Touch in the US is less expensive than the 16GB model in the UK.


101213

[LizKat]

Then Apple would realize that they're slowly ***** up and need to stop. Seriously, if Windows 7 can fix what Vista messed up, I'd be surprised to see Apple keep up their rate of growth.

Is this thread still about how Apple monitors these forums closely? :) Let's make sure M$ monitors it closely too, so they'll get the part about fixing Vista problems via Windows 7.

As far as surprises go: Everyone was surprised to notice Apple was still on the planet when they happened to roll out a music player that triggered a slot machine sort of response. Apple has been counted out so many times that the loop for the march to the graveyard is full of splices. No matter, the thing is in a drawer in the back of a closet by now.

Anyway good luck to M$ with Windows 7. that sounds like a big "if" but my wish is sincere. There is room for multiple operating systems on the planet.

Some people were probably surprised to see that Apple is smart enough not to drop the 8Gb iPod touch as it brings out the iPod touch 32Gb. I am amused to notice that the instantly adjusted carping line is now about how they have too much stuff out there and why not simplify, simplify.

Please sort yourselves into proper lines: complaints about Apple not having enough stuff, complaints about Apple having too much stuff, complaints about Apple not reading my mind, complaints about Apple not having retained the 2nd gen nano and adding an orange one. Thank you and enjoy your stay at an apple-monitored, M$-monitored discussion forum :)

ps @ Eraserhead that photo is priceless

[MacsAttack]

Amen.

The new 32GB iPod Touch in the US is less expensive than the 16GB model in the UK. Now, that cannot be right...

:mad:

You did factor in the important point that the US prices are before tax, and the UK ones are after 17.5% VAT is lumped on top?

$499 @ $1.9777 = £1 is £252.31 plus 17.5% VAT = £296.47

Now... the 16GB model is £269 - which makes you what is technically known as dead wrong. The 32GB model costs £329 - so there is a difference. But various factors do make it a bit more expensive for Apple to do business in the UK (minimum wage, stronger consumer protection laws, different import/export duties).

Apple however are not ripping people in the UK off. Microsoft on the other hand reckon we don't mind paying nearly double what they charge their US customers, and Adobe are more than happy of stiff us for an extra 70% on the CS3 software.

[blairwillis]

Within hours of posting to these forums in late June, he / she called me up all freaked out. Apparently they were interrogating employees, trying to figure out who told me. He / she instructed me to delete all relevant posts--and I did--or Apple would hunt me down and figure it out. He / she were really scared. I could tell by the tone of their voice...it was not normal for them to act like this.


Put your hands up and step away from the bong.

We are watching you.
:apple:

[clayj]

Not to discourage the free flow of information, especially since this is a rumors site, but those of you who have friends or insider connections at Apple and who may find yourself coming into possession of "secrets" might want to make yourselves familiar with the concept of a canary trap.

Canary traps are a common method of determining the source of a leak. The way they work is that specific words or phrases within a document may be tweaked prior to distribution (usually by computer, using a thesaurus or some other prepared list of similar words), with a unique document going to each recipient. If some part of the document gets leaked and they find out, they can look at the text of the leaked document and compare that to what was initially distributed... and based on that, they have a good chance of determining who the leaker is.

One way you can avoid a canary trap is to always reparaphrase or rewrite leaked text that you receive. Don't ever copy-and-paste even a single sentence of text; if you get a lot of text from someone, rewrite it and change the words. This will help prevent situations like the one described above.

[jsw]

Not to discourage the free flow of information, especially since this is a rumors site, but those of you who have friends or insider connections at Apple and who may find yourself coming into possession of "secrets" might want to make yourselves familiar with the concept of a canary trap.Which is why you should always get to the meeting first and switch your document with that of someone you despise.

Then you can feel free to quote in delicious full sentences.

[weckart]

You did factor in the important point that the US prices are before tax, and the UK ones are after 17.5% VAT is lumped on top?

$499 @ $1.9777 = £1 is £252.31 plus 17.5% VAT = £296.47

Now... the 16GB model is £269 - which makes you what is technically known as dead wrong. The 32GB model costs £329 - so there is a difference. But various factors do make it a bit more expensive for Apple to do business in the UK (minimum wage, stronger consumer protection laws, different import/export duties).

Apple however are not ripping people in the UK off. Microsoft on the other hand reckon we don't mind paying nearly double what they charge their US customers, and Adobe are more than happy of stiff us for an extra 70% on the CS3 software.


Unless Apple is paying its staff in both the US and the UK at minimum wage, and consequently more than it would otherwise, I fail to see the relevance of that to price setting.
Similarly, the consumer protection laws should only make a marginal difference to the cost base unless Apple is in the habit of sending out substantial proportions of its stock base unfit for purpose/of substandard quality. I will say nothing with regard to that.
Computers attract no import duties into the UK whatsoever - cannot say for mp3 players or phones, but again, this cannot account for cost discrepancies overall between the US and the UK.

Vista and CS3 are more glaring examples of rip-off pricing, but Apple is not exonerated from this, either. Behold the pricing of the AppleTV.

They're all at it!

[JNB]

Not to discourage the free flow of information, especially since this is a rumors site, but those of you who have friends or insider connections at Apple and who may find yourself coming into possession of "secrets" might want to make yourselves familiar with the concept of a canary trap.

And you have no idea how many of you I've caught with that.

Oops...

Did I say that out loud?

[bmcgrath]

Dear Apple:

- Aperture 2 please.
- Release the iPhone in Ireland
- Oh please open an Apple store in Dublin!!

[MacsRgr8]

Just wanted to say "hi Steve, we love ya!!"
:)

[Cooknn]

This thread is taking on a life of its own. Very entertaining to see what everyone would write if they knew Apple were actually reading :D

Apple: Please develop a tablet with multi-touch / Wacom functionality so that serious photographers, designers and artists can get their work done more intuitively.

[Unspeaked]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

:mad:

Actually, it's $1.9457 and dropping...

[netdog]

Dear Apple,

Please give us new MacBook Air rev. 2 with Dual Quad Core Penryns, Dual-link DVI out, Gigabit Ethernet, Wimax...shipping today for $199.

[Dustman]

Dear Apple,

Please give us new MacBook Air rev. 2 with Dual Quad Core Penryns, Dual-link DVI out, Gigabit Ethernet, Wimax...shipping today for $199.

Best idea I've heard yet! They'd sell like hot cakes!

[Naimfan]

Which is why you should always get to the meeting first and switch your document with that of someone you despise.

Then you can feel free to quote in delicious full sentences.

:D:D:D:D

Great one!

[CalBoy]

He / she instructed me to delete all relevant posts--and I did--

Really?

So you bothered the mods to delete every single post you made about the iPhone's launch?

And they agreed with you that the information wasn't valuable?

And Apple knew it was this "friend?"

And Apple was going to be able to prove that you knew this "friend?"

Just saying.;)

[Hankster]

They read these boards?

"Hey! Get more online games for Mac! Without the crashes and graphics issues!"

[zblaxberg]

oh really


ok Apple.

tell your retard rep call me back and apologize to me about that idiotic claim that 1.5 hour battery after 18 months is reasonable.

I also want a new MB to compensate my suffering with your rev A product.

Just email steve jobs...i did it and they were more then happy to help

[JNB]

Really?

So you bothered the mods to delete every single post you made about the iPhone's launch?

And they agreed with you that the information wasn't valuable?

And Apple knew it was this "friend?"

And Apple was going to be able to prove that you knew this "friend?"

Just saying.;)


Don't forget clearing the Google cache...

[colinmack]

OK Apple, seeing as you're reading:

- where's the iPhone in Canada already?
- where's the updated MBP?
- where's the updated Mini? not even Santa Rosa?

Hmmph.

[CalBoy]

Don't forget clearing the Google cache...

:D

How could I have forgotten that one!:p

[Eric Lewis]

Just wanted to say "hi Steve, we love ya!!"
:)

yes steve ur the best

you rock my boat

[corywoolf]

Just thought I would post an interesting tidbit. This happened to me right before the iPhone launch. I had posted some sensitive information that was leaked to me by an Apple Store employee, who was a longtime friend. He / she had given me some numbers on how many iPhones would be at their store, about how many each AT&T store would be getting, what time they would arrive and the method of their arrival, all of which turned out to be accurate.

Within hours of posting to these forums in late June, he / she called me up all freaked out. Apparently they were interrogating employees, trying to figure out who told me. He / she instructed me to delete all relevant posts--and I did--or Apple would hunt me down and figure it out. He / she were really scared. I could tell by the tone of their voice...it was not normal for them to act like this. The person in question wasn't an active member of these forums and didn't know I was either, so there was no way they could know that I posted it, or that it was even me other than the specifics I gave.

Since I think enough time has passed, I thought I would post this for anyone who thinks its interesting how closely Apple was monitoring these forums during the iPhone launch, and perhaps still are now. I wonder how many Apple IP hits Arn gets on his stats every day?

So poster beware! Apple could hunt you down...lol. Or at least find out your sources! Be careful about specifics that could track back to them!
Similar thing happened to me, I was tipped off that Apple was not going to remodel a certain CompUSA Apple Shop that had been planned and openly stated at the monthly employee meeting. Just hours after I posted, I got a voicemail from an Apple employee asking me to take out the tidbits about Apple pulling out of CompUSA. This was a clear indication that something was up and Apple didn't want word to get out. This was about a year ago. Pretty crazy how fast news travels. There was obviously some truth to it, since Apple obviously (wont admit it though) knew that CompUSA was on the fritz and decided to not invest money in the scheduled remodeling. It was supposedly about a 3 million dollar remodel plan, just for a small section of the CompUSA. It's amazing how much money it can cost to remodel a small section of a store. True fact, AOL spent two million dollars on remodeling the 20' x 10' section in the Fifth Ave. CompUSA back in late '06. They had about four huge plasmas and some nice furniture and cool looking raised platforms.

Really?

So you bothered the mods to delete every single post you made about the iPhone's launch?

And they agreed with you that the information wasn't valuable?

And Apple knew it was this "friend?"

And Apple was going to be able to prove that you knew this "friend?"

Just saying.;)

It sounds ridiculous, but only since a similar thing happened to me, I believe it. Except it was a double whammy for me. Both CompUSA (my employer at the time) and Apple were asking me to take out a few details I posted, which were really nothing that interesting.