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Apple's Strict Security Measures for Pre-Release Hardware
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NDA's expire, obviously. Sounds like it happened from the first part cutout from the Macrumors story - "Now that it's been over year, I can talk about it."
And even if it had not - which it seems it has - who doesn't bend an NDA now and then? 😛
I think the poster was referring to the backend side of enterprise, servers, IT etc... And what he/she said is very true.
Apple doesn't even use it's own server products. They use Solaris, IBM, etc..
What you're referring to is employees of google using macs and linux boxes.
Shrink
macrumors G3
Folks who take their commitments and promises seriously.
(I know that sounds huffy and self righteous - but you get my point 😛)
BC2009
macrumors 68020
elgrecomac
macrumors 65816
Well..
It is not a national security item but it is a device that created a new market resulting in billions of dollars of revenue. Apple shareholder ARE happy they are hyper paranoid, believe me.
It is not a national security item but it is a device that created a new market resulting in billions of dollars of revenue. Apple shareholder ARE happy they are hyper paranoid, believe me.
Shrink
macrumors G3
Funny all that effort to hide the fact that the physical design was basically a black screen on a black base. What did those guys think that frame was hiding -- a filigree of carven unicorns and dolphins sporting in the sea surf?
Bubba Satori
Suspended
I have managed projects on about a dozen pre-release gaming systems. I can assure you that Apple's requirements are in line with those of other companies. Sure they sound draconian, but actually they are not too hard to follow. We've even had a situation where we had to create a walled off area at one of our developers and add a keycard lock. It's just what you do to be first to market on a new platform - a competitive advantage in terms of early adoption and gaining expertise ahead of our competitors in the same space.
Let me give you one other angle on this: I like the security measures. They force us to limit access to those team members who really need the information and visibility. And they heighten the importance of keeping our parters' intellectual property secret. In no way do I want to get a call from our legal department worried we were the cause of a leak.
We've even had to put in security measures for pre-release music. On Guitar Hero, we released a Metallica album as downloadable content day-and-date with the physical CD. So, we needed the tracks about 2 months ahead of time to program and test them with the game. Our quality assurance department was required to install metal detectors and confiscate any cell phones from the testers so that no one could copy the music and leak it.
Let me give you one other angle on this: I like the security measures. They force us to limit access to those team members who really need the information and visibility. And they heighten the importance of keeping our parters' intellectual property secret. In no way do I want to get a call from our legal department worried we were the cause of a leak.
We've even had to put in security measures for pre-release music. On Guitar Hero, we released a Metallica album as downloadable content day-and-date with the physical CD. So, we needed the tracks about 2 months ahead of time to program and test them with the game. Our quality assurance department was required to install metal detectors and confiscate any cell phones from the testers so that no one could copy the music and leak it.
Imagine Samsung taking those pictures and launching the Samsung Galaxy Tab one day before iPad's launch. And you say ridiculous?
Yet in that pic that leaked there is no woodgrain to be found. Apple security fail! Apple iPad win!
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8J2 Safari/6533.18.5)
It's not a toy, it's a billion dollar industry that Apple seems to be winning. You're distracted by what an ipad does. The business model is the important bit.
It's not a toy, it's a billion dollar industry that Apple seems to be winning. You're distracted by what an ipad does. The business model is the important bit.
brdeveloper
macrumors 68030
Just for adding more flame to the topic: If someone thinks a device should be upgraded every year, then it's a toy. "Serious" devices have a lot of personal data and applications and migrating them is a pita. So, if you consistently buy a next-generation device every year, then for sure it's a toy.
I can't imagine upgrading my white Macbook without a good reason (hardware failure or very obsolete specs). However, I could upgrade my Macmini every year as I use it mainly as an HTPC.
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Shrink
macrumors G3
I'll add that to my "Don't Do That Again, Jerk" list. 😀
There was probably a better way to say it that was less obnoxious. 😛 😱