Battle of the Leaks

Sneak Peaks at iPhone6 (top)
and Galaxy 5 (bottom)

So much for secrecy.

This morning, a leak by a reliable South Korea’s brokerage firm provided us with stunningly specific details about the new iPhone6, due out later in 2014.  Not to be outdone (almost a few hours later), the same firm released details surrounding the Galaxy5, also due for release in a few months.  The pictures are fantastically intriguing (as most artist composites are), and I am excited to hear that Apple seemingly (and finally) is introducing a tablet-size phone, or "phablet", with a 5.5 inch screen and stunning HD quality.  The rest of the comparisons go into technical jargon that I don't care much for ... or understand.  I am genuinely intrigued, however, at how these "leaks" continue to improve in detail and reliability and, hence, erode Apple's legacy of secrecy.  They seem to have become a regular part of the new product launch cycle and complimentary public relations war.  Steve Jobs is undoubtedly rolling over in his grave.

In similar news, speculation last week about Apple's iOS8, the operating system for Apple phones and tablets, seem to hint about a new feature in our phones that will monitor our activity and allow us, presumably through a new iPhone app (Healthbook), to better monitor our health and habits ..."redefining mobile health and fitness tracking".  There already exists a glut of "wearables" or "engadgets" that allow us to monitor our physical activity.  Even Nike+ has been permanently imbedded in the Apple iOS for a number of years.

The underlying story seems to be the continuing generation of personal data that will be available to anyone with the sense to hack into and make sense of it all.  It continues to call into question just how much of our data can and should be collected, and who should have access to it.  I suppose iOS and Android already know exactly where we are and where we are going ... always ... so what's the harm in adding a step counter and heart monitor?

But, if we expect the developers to protect our data, they will first need to gain our trust by demonstrating their ability to protect their own secrecy.

That ain't happening right now.

Interesting story about secrecy at Apple @techcrunch: