On Apple Secrecy

Apple is notorious for its secrecy and perhaps paranoia; however consider the industry's history, Apple's behavior may not be so far fetched.

1. Apple product line is so streamline that every single product has make-or-break status.  The role of each product has a ripple effect on the Apple ecosystem of accessory makers, app developers, and content generators.

2. Apple has indicated that leaks regarding products in development cut into revenue from current product models as consumers hold off on purchases in anticipation of next generation products.

3. Online blogs and journalists secure leaks from informants.  Who makes more reliable informants than employees and suppliers?  Accordingly Apple's hatches are batten down on its very own employees.  They are often kept in the dark on future developments or their roles can be so compartmentalized that they remain blind to the elephant in the room.  Apple also has a practice of popup skunkworks inside the company as sections are cordoned off for certain eyes-only development.

4. Early previews and partnerships with other tech companies have a history of transforming into rival products.  Apple has (and Steve Jobs had) regarded such actions as back stabs from partners.
  a. Microsoft's Bill Gates was given an early preview of the Macintosh, Mac OS and mouse leading to the rival GUI in the form of Windows OS.  (Yes, Steve Jobs in turn had a previewed the mouse and GUI technology from Xerox PARC, though Apple was already developing a GUI according to L.A. Times.)
  b. Google's former CEO and current chairman, Eric Schmidt, sat on Apple's board or directors while Google was developing their own mobile operating system and phone/tablet ecosystem in the form of Android/Android phones/Chrome.
  c. More recently, Samsung as a major supplier of parts (chips and screens) for Apple's smartphones and tablets did not deny copying Apple's designs but argued that Apple's designs were so intuitive that designing products and OS similar to the iPhone/iPad/iOS were essentially unavoidable.  Samsung's chief designer for mobile products has previously noted on video his admiration of Apple products and his hopes of matching the iconic level of design.