Apple monitors these forums closely at times

[macduke]

Just thought I would post an interesting tidbit. This happened to me right before the iPhone launch. I had posted some sensitive information that was leaked to me by an Apple Store employee, who was a longtime friend. He / she had given me some numbers on how many iPhones would be at their store, about how many each AT&T store would be getting, what time they would arrive and the method of their arrival, all of which turned out to be accurate.

Within hours of posting to these forums in late June, he / she called me up all freaked out. Apparently they were interrogating employees, trying to figure out who told me. He / she instructed me to delete all relevant posts--and I did--or Apple would hunt me down and figure it out. He / she were really scared. I could tell by the tone of their voice...it was not normal for them to act like this. The person in question wasn't an active member of these forums and didn't know I was either, so there was no way they could know that I posted it, or that it was even me other than the specifics I gave.

Since I think enough time has passed, I thought I would post this for anyone who thinks its interesting how closely Apple was monitoring these forums during the iPhone launch, and perhaps still are now. I wonder how many Apple IP hits Arn gets on his stats every day?

So poster beware! Apple could hunt you down...lol. Or at least find out your sources! Be careful about specifics that could track back to them!

 

[gkarris]

Dear Apple:

Please give us a $499 updated Mini with SR chipset, and discreet graphics option.

Unlocked iPhones are always welcomed...

Thanks,

 

[PlaceofDis]

of course apple checks these forums every now and then. especially during the run ups to big launches. they're secretive for a reason.

 

[OllyW]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

 

[liketom]

if Apple read these forums:

1 - replace my macbook
2 - release a updated Mac Mini
3 - give us UK shoppers more content on the video section of iTunes
4 - drop the price of Apple care
5 - introduce a 1 year Apple care pack
6 - get rid off iMovie 08 - replace with updated iMovie 06
7 - Give us UK shoppers the updates you release in the USA on release day
8 - improve Dot Mac ( by alot )
9 - drop the prices of the refurb store in the UK

see i did well, not one iPhone complaint

 

[Sky Blue]

The release date for the new MacBook Pros is:

[REMOVED BY REQUEST OF APPLE]

 

[tefleming]

Or they just have some saved searches on Google that combine terms that are relevant to upcoming launches, last week's might have included [iphone + 16GB]

If you search google, you might be surprised how high/often this forums shows up.

Also, I'm sure whoever they have doing this (may well be an external vendor, not Apple) knows how to setup a Proxy

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Then Apple would realize that they're slowly ***** up and need to stop. Seriously, if Windows 7 can fix what Vista messed up, I'd be surprised to see Apple keep up their rate of growth.

 

[Osarkon]

The release date for the new MacBook Pros is:

[REMOVED BY REQUEST OF APPLE]

Ahahaha.


Apple - Drop the 8gb touch and switch the prices accordingly.

 

[puckhead193]

can i have a 3g iphone please and blue ray in a redesign MBP with a 250 gig HD

 

[QuantumLo0p]

Very close. Take a look at the thread topics. There are so many "feelers" out there I feel like I am tangling with an octopus every time I log in!

It's okay, though. Apple justs want to get a feel for the market. Actually, I feel somewhat flattered by their interest.

There are a lot of fresh ideas and a solid knowledge base here at MR.

 

[JNB]

Funny you should mention this, as just this morning I was told by ************ (and we all know that he's unimpeachable) that the ********* would receive a major redesign/update on *********. The improvements include *********, ******, ********, and best of all, **********!!!! The price is locked in at ***** (I may have to get two at that price!), and will be in stores/online *******. This is huge--I think I'll double up on my Apple stock while I'm at it!

Oh, and it is fully integrated with both ****** AND ***********, and is fully customer-***********!

And who says that ***** doesn't listen!

 

[John Purple]

I hope noticed the a few of the 500 threads on this site complaining on MBP (for Apple: MacBook Pro) not being updated to:
Penryn
higher resolution for the 15" MBP
faster GPU (supporting BluRay videos) with at least 512 MB VRAM
etc. (read the threads!)

Not to forget the CUSTOMERS (yes, people complaining on this site are customers who pay your salaries!) asking for the overdue updates of Leopard & Aperture (and new ACDs, MacMinis, ...)

 

[clevin]

oh really


ok Apple.

tell your retard rep call me back and apologize to me about that idiotic claim that 1.5 hour battery after 18 months is reasonable.

I also want a new MB to compensate my suffering with your rev A product.

 

[BlakTornado]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

I agree. lol.

But seriously, this news does not surprise me. Look at how Apple legal removed the leaked iPod Nano G3 UI footage.

Plus, I was [told] by [some guy] that [Steve Jobs] [looked] at [Macrumors] on [his] [iPhone] and [laughed] at [some of] the [rumors].

Seriously, Apple reads this site... kind of makes me wonder why they don't give Arn a media spot at Macworld and make him mingle with the everyday Joes

 

[cantthinkofone]

They must have a full office full of people to weed thru all the complaining about iphone price drops and upgrades. And should i buy now threads.

I want a 24" aluminum imac WITH OUT a glossy screen, and a sweet Nvidia card.

 

[surferfromuk]

gps on iPhone before garmin steal your mindshare

 

[BoyBach]

Dear Apple,

£1 (GB Pound) is currently worth $1.9777 (US Dollars).

Thanks,

Amen.

The new 32GB iPod Touch in the US is less expensive than the 16GB model in the UK. Now, that cannot be right...

 

[godslabrat]

For Apple to NOT monitor sites such as this, IMO, would be unthinkable. The question is, how much importance do they put on our opinions?

Well, just in case:

Dear Santa Steve,

This year I have been a very good boy, and would like Apple to finally make a PDA. Just something I can edit docs and surf the web via wifi. The Touch is a nice start, but it needs a real word processor, spreadsheet, and some form of keyboard or stylus.

I can leave some cookies by the fireplace, 'cuz dude, you look like you need some.

 

[Consultant]

The release date for the new MacBook Pros is:

[REMOVED BY REQUEST OF APPLE]

February what? Someone I know has been waiting for the new MBP 17" forever now...

By the way, some of you need to write to apple.com/feedback

 

[macduke]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A93 Safari/419.3)

Hah! Funny how this turned into a wishlist thread. While we're at it...

Please new MBP! Gimmie! Holy crap! For my birthday?

Anyway...my main point was that a single forum post spread like wildfire within HOURS and caused the launch of an internal investigation THAT FAST! I had posted it from my girlfriend's Macbook, then got the frantic voicemail later that evening when we were watching a movie. Pretty crazy stuff.

 

[MovieCutter]

Funny you should mention this, as just this morning I was told by ************ (and we all know that he's unimpeachable) that the ********* would receive a major redesign/update on *********. The improvements include *********, ******, ********, and best of all, **********!!!! The price is locked in at ***** (I may have to get two at that price!), and will be in stores/online *******. This is huge--I think I'll double up on my Apple stock while I'm at it!

Oh, and it is fully integrated with both ****** AND ***********, and is fully customer-***********!

And who says that ***** doesn't listen!

Mad Libs! Brilliant!

 

[Eraserhead]

The new 32GB iPod Touch in the US is less expensive than the 16GB model in the UK.

 

[LizKat]

Then Apple would realize that they're slowly ***** up and need to stop. Seriously, if Windows 7 can fix what Vista messed up, I'd be surprised to see Apple keep up their rate of growth.

Is this thread still about how Apple monitors these forums closely? Let's make sure M$ monitors it closely too, so they'll get the part about fixing Vista problems via Windows 7.

As far as surprises go: Everyone was surprised to notice Apple was still on the planet when they happened to roll out a music player that triggered a slot machine sort of response. Apple has been counted out so many times that the loop for the march to the graveyard is full of splices. No matter, the thing is in a drawer in the back of a closet by now.

Anyway good luck to M$ with Windows 7. that sounds like a big "if" but my wish is sincere. There is room for multiple operating systems on the planet.

Some people were probably surprised to see that Apple is smart enough not to drop the 8Gb iPod touch as it brings out the iPod touch 32Gb. I am amused to notice that the instantly adjusted carping line is now about how they have too much stuff out there and why not simplify, simplify.

Please sort yourselves into proper lines: complaints about Apple not having enough stuff, complaints about Apple having too much stuff, complaints about Apple not reading my mind, complaints about Apple not having retained the 2nd gen nano and adding an orange one. Thank you and enjoy your stay at an apple-monitored, M$-monitored discussion forum

ps @ Eraserhead that photo is priceless

 

[MacsAttack]

Amen.

The new 32GB iPod Touch in the US is less expensive than the 16GB model in the UK. Now, that cannot be right...

You did factor in the important point that the US prices are before tax, and the UK ones are after 17.5% VAT is lumped on top?

$499 @ $1.9777 = £1 is £252.31 plus 17.5% VAT = £296.47

Now... the 16GB model is £269 - which makes you what is technically known as dead wrong. The 32GB model costs £329 - so there is a difference. But various factors do make it a bit more expensive for Apple to do business in the UK (minimum wage, stronger consumer protection laws, different import/export duties).

Apple however are not ripping people in the UK off. Microsoft on the other hand reckon we don't mind paying nearly double what they charge their US customers, and Adobe are more than happy of stiff us for an extra 70% on the CS3 software.