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While I can see the value in keeping certain projects secret, spreading misinformation to spot leaks has trouble written all over it.

I think it'd be "cool" to work on something secret and watch the eventual public feedback on it. However, I'd have reservations working for a company that did not trust it's employees...

On the other hand, a court has in the past told Apple that they don't do enough to uncover leaks.
 
Work spaces are typically monitored by security cameras, this employee said. Some Apple workers in the most critical product-testing rooms must cover up devices with black cloaks when they are working on them, and turn on a red warning light when devices are unmasked so that everyone knows to be extra-careful, he said.

i think it's just a preview from the Incredibles II :D:D

Anyways, it is one of the reasons of its mistique and of its ability to make front pages with anything they do realease, and frequently with just rumors as well.
I don't think there is any other company that gets so much free (positive) press. i would be willing to bet quite a bit many other companies would be happy to switch places.

besides, they must be doing something right. How many other companies out there completely revolutionized three major industries?
 
Whether or not you think is is good or bad, in this day and age when we see video and tweets of happenings in Iran as they happen despite the government's attempts to lock down information, it is amazing to me that Apple still successfully keeps product details so well protected until release.

That's because the people in Iran disagree with what their government is doing, while Apple's employees don't.
 
I think secrecy is a great tool that Apple uses.

It helps with two main things:

1) It generates enough hype about new products/services that Apple doesn't have to do as much PR and advertising as the typical company initially.

2) It also makes their products appear fresh in the minds of consumers. If Apple released details on their products months in advance it would lose its luster after a while, not to mention competitors have time to announce their similar vaporware in attempt to take some steam away from Apple.
 
The extent of Apple's security...
 

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The last sentence provides the whole motivation for the article. The media just can't stand it when someone, or some company, does not bow down and spill all when approached by a journalist.

Nevertheless, it does give them ample room for speculation, and for writing and ranting about how secretive they are.

As a result, the hype and buzz generated creates a wave of inadvertent advertising which money could not buy.
 
Most of the a__holes demanding Apple be forthcoming on this issue and others too, aren't in the slightest interested in understanding the issues, nor are they capable (it seems) of understanding that Apple's real investors and loyal users, are quite happy accepting the secrecy and trusting Apple and it's board.

Manipulators and predators wish they could change Apple's mode of operation ... only to fit things in their own little agenda.

Apple's big advantage is that it "thinks different" and therefore leads - It has learned from history that "loose lips, sink ships" and will never show it's hand to people who can't do anything but second guess, copy, steal and manipulate.

Anyone who doesn't like that can go look for another investment or day trading stock, or for that matter buy competitor's products.

Anyone else who does appreciate quality products, software or the company's way of thinking - Support and stay the course, you won't be let down.

The fanatacism that Apple engenders is incredible. It's as though Apple can do no wrong and that the rest of the world is out to get them. And about them "leading" and "thinking different" -- just remember it was Steve Jobs who said, "we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas."

You are not your favorite computer company.
 
What if Apple had spilled the details about the iPhone, for example? There would've been tons more copycats and maybe even released sub-par clones before the iPhone was released. It would have totally undercut the success of the iPhone. It would have also been harder for them to patent their stuff.

I personally like to see and hear details about products when they are ready for the public. It's cool to get some hints of what to expect, but the exiting part is actually finding out if those hints and rumors are true or not.
 
I think secrecy is a great tool that Apple uses.

It helps with two main things:

1) It generates enough hype about new products/services that Apple doesn't have to do as much PR and advertising as the typical company initially.

2) It also makes their products appear fresh in the minds of consumers. If Apple released details on their products months in advance it would lose its luster after a while, not to mention competitors have time to announce their similar vaporware in attempt to take some steam away from Apple.

Apple's secrecy is a hugely important card for them to play.

Take that out, and you're asking for a slow, downward spiral into overexposure and product dilution.
 
I don't know about what requirements there may/may not be for disclosure on the health of company officers, so I won't comment on that.

What I don't get is, since when is a commercial, for-profit entity expected to keep everyone appraised of their every move? Any company that makes a point of presenting an "open" image (whether by maintaining some blog, or twitter, or whatever) is still controlling what information they publish. If they are not, they are idiots! So why is Apple seen as being more secretive than any other company? Because they choose to not put up some phony "Hey, look at us! We are open and want you to know what we are up to!" front? PLEASE!

As to the security employees have to deal with when they are engaged in critical functions, they signed whatever non-disclosure papers where restrictions are documented. Anyone complaining about that is probably just afraid to get caught breaking the agreement they signed. If you sign the agreement and agree to do the sensitive work, and are a man or woman of your word, you have nothing to complain about unless you choose to break your commitment to secrecy.
 
I love it and hate it

It's love hate. Got to love the mystique around the speculation of new products, but hate it when they let you down during announcements.
 
So far

It's worked great so far and. I don't see the investors complaining when apples stock keeps going up n up even after their stock along with everyones went down. I say keep at it.
 
Top-secret security mazes...security doors...

Totally badass. I'd love to work there... :eek:

I guess they wouldn't be too keen on me posting on MR, would they? :D
 
Analysts and Reporters: Sore Losers

The last sentence provides the whole motivation for the article. The media just can't stand it when someone, or some company, does not bow down and spill all when approached by a journalist.

+1

The media should accept the fact that they are becoming irrelevant by the day. They are still in denial, which explains why they become so desperate when they can't get the scoop. So they turn the tables around, and point a finger at Apple, claiming that their lack of transparency is detrimental to the company's well being. What a crock. So to all the analysts and reporters out there who are complaining about Apple's discretion, please know this: Apple's approach works, and you guys know it. What you also know is that you are becoming irrelevant. The sooner you accept the fact that you are being relegated to the fringes, the better it is for your health. Have a nice day.
 
All for it as well.

At times like these, a little secrecy is like a breath of fresh air.


Do your thing, Apple.
 
Apple does what it needs to do to protect it's products under development. Corporate espionage is real. It's very difficult and expensive to protect trade secrets offshore so Apple resorts to extreme measures to protect it's massive investment in products and long range product cycles that could be devastated by reverse engineering.

We should be as concerned about protecting the trade secrets of American business as we are of collapsing under the pressure from Goldman Sachs, hedge funds, day traders and the Wall Street Journal.
 
Ummm they are super secret to protect themselves. Because everyone steals their ideas. I can't believe Windows still calls the "Control Panel" by the same name. Back before there was Windows the Apple IIGS had a Control Panel. Apple products getting out before they have all the patients could destroy Apple. Trust no one.
 
Well, ever since Bill Gates / Microsoft stole their work, Apple has been secretive.

I assume this the main reason after Steve returned that Apple turned secretive. He didn't want a repeat. In a way its not going to happen ever if this secrecy keeps up. Also, I have no problem with it, each company has its own policies and people should learn to deal with that or go elsewhere.

The extent of Apple's security...

Lol....
 
Gosh, I hope their restroom facility doesn't require that much security. :D

"Pissed yourself again, huh Bob?"

"Yeah, I forgot the code to the urinal."

I'm not against the secrecy concerning their products or their specs, but they could at least be more open to share release dates and/or provide some form of time frames. Like someone already stated, it's "safe" to assume that iPods and iPhone refreshes are once a year, but we shouldn't have to assume.

Sony may be super secretive about the developement of the PS4 lets say, but they certainly aren't going to hold a press conference in April of 2011 and announce that the PS4 will be available in 10 days!

I know ATT and Apple were cool about extending the exchange period for 3Gs for those wanting 3GSs, but I just think it sucks that others over that extension were locked out from getting the newer model.* Sure, they could have come online, but this is just a rumor site, until 6/8/09 there was nothing written in stone.

All I'm saying is, would it have made any kind of difference if Apple put up posters a few weeks/months in advance that simply said:

3G S
6-19-09


"Summer '09" would have sufficed.

Even Iron Man 2 has a new poster out and it just started filming. Whatever, I'm not really complaining per se, I just think it's kinda rotten that you could have rolled into an Apple store on 6-7-09 and a sales rep would have handed you your "new" iPhone with a smile.

*Yes, they could have paid full retail and gotten a 3G S, I know. Just making a point.
 
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