14 DAY TRIAL // Known for its secretive approach relating to all things in development, Apple is reportedly sending in the police to stop all iPhone 6 leaks in China in the days/weeks/months leading up to the phone’s official debut.
Apple has had just about enough with the leaked schematics and case molds making the rounds in the Apple blogosphere today.
In 2013 Tim Cook promised to double down on leaks and, as the company prepares the iPhone 6 for unveiling, Chinese authorities have been asked to “catch all those who are trying to leak i6,” according to Sonny Dickson, a well known figure in the actual leaking business.
Dickson made a name for himself by leaking various iPhone cases on a blog he maintains. He even got profile reports from major news outlets that painted him as a visible speck on Apple’s radar. While he’s laid off the leaks in recent months, Dickson appears to be well-connected with Apple’s supply chain still.
In a subsequent tweet, the Aussie wrote, “There are about 200 security officers trying to catch those who dare to sell i6 accessories.” This could mean Apple is trying to have leakers arrested. Trading insider secrets is an offense punishable by law in most countries.
There are about 200 security officers trying to catch those who dare to sell i6 accessories.
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) May 30, 2014
So why is this happening now? Well, obviously it has to do with the upcoming launch of the iPhone 6. Some believe the announcement could come as early as Monday, June 2, at the Worldwide Developers Conference. Other rumors have suggested that Apple will unveil the phone in August, at another special event. However, most bets are on a September unveiling.
In any case, Apple is aggressively trying to catch any upcoming leaks, preventing competitors from getting a head start in designing the next rivaling devices.
Because of the leaks that have occurred thus far, the media has already been tipped off regarding the dimensions and some specifications pertaining to the handset. For instance, pretty much everyone knows that the iPhone 6 will have a bigger screen, measuring 4.7 inches on the diagonal. The design is known to be slimmer, and some buttons have been redesigned / relocated. The camera module will also undergo some changes, as revealed in photos showing the phone’s aluminum enclosure.
According to some rumors, there’s even a 5.5-inch variant in the works. So far only the 4.7 inch model has been somewhat confirmed, but little is known about the larger version. Perhaps that’s what Apple is struggling to protect.