That's the norm...
Note: I no longer work for Apple, I'm now at a startup on the fringe of Apple-dom. My choice.
When I was hired at Apple, it was for the unannounced iPhone project. We were forbidden from telling people what we were hired for, or discussing anything around our project in the campus cafeteria (which can have non-Apple personnel in it if escorted). In fact, although we were creating the Applecare support group for the iPhone launch, we didn't see a real iPhone until less than 48 hours before launch, and information was tightly controlled.
I will say, though, that Apple rewards loyalty and honesty. I worked through positions where I saw things that made it impossible for me to legally buy stock, and saw things that may or may not have been real (i.e. things designed to be tempting to leak). To this day I've not spoken of specifics, partially out of respectful fear that Apple is in fact "watching" for these leaks (they are!), and primarily out of respect - I was trusted to be able to see information I needed, and I keep my agreement to not say anything.
And no, I'm not hawking for people to offer me things for information. Not happening (if it were going to happen, it would have been well before now, and I've been gone from Apple for years now). Just saying that not only is secrecy tested, keeping secrets does in fact prove trustworthiness and is rewarded with greater responsibility. It's a good business model in that when employees do get access to early information, it's because they've proven they can be trusted.
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I wish "new employees" rather than "new hires" was used.
Apple doesn't treat new hires like employees. It treats them as contributors... as general "partners" in its success. There's no domineering "we tell you what to do and you do it" attitude - it's more a "here's what needs to be done, contribute" mentality.
