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That is the question asked by Charlie from Nokia.

We think it’s great that folks are dying to see our devices. Can you imagine if there was a leak and no one cared? Ugh.

Obviously, we’d like to ask folks to do less peddling in our trade secrets. It puts folks at risk and screws things up for the Nokia and for other companies, too. I think really that there are only a small number of folks who really go too far in trying to procure leaked material. But if we cut down on our enthusiasm for leaked materials, then the thrill of being the one to post about it will be reduced.

Matt Miller chimes in on the subject as a result. Matt is a stand up guy that I have had the pleasure to be friends with for many years now and I admire his outlooks on the online world.

Should I be posting links to device rumors here on this blog? That is something I’ll definitely be giving more thought to the next time I hear of a device rumor. It is tough not to report the news when it is out all over the place, then again I will never post on a device someone may happen to send me if it is not allowed by the manufacturer/carrier (there goes any chance of someone sneaking me something, huh?). While your page views may skyrocket if you post images on an unannounced product, the long term impact may not be worth it. I think posting thorough detailed reviews of products when they are announced is a better strategy and my page views for my product reviews back this up so I’ll stick with providing you with more detailed information rather than speculation.

Running Aximsite and iPaqHQ in their last years of those devices lives, I had the chance to blow some big stories. (mainly on Aximsite) I chose to keep to myself on everything shared with me unofficially. I was under NDA for some aspects, but some things I was free. Most of what I learned, eventually came to light. Some of the leads were dead though. So, here is my take on the subject…

As I mentioned, I have had opportunity to leak some things back in the iPaqHQ and Aximsite days, but chose not to. Why? Mainly because I don’t really want to trade short term traffic bumps for a black eye from the companies we cover. One recent example was a PDF emailed to me with some info about products coming to one the US Cell carriers. I really thought about it, I just couldn’t share it. Some see this a hiding info from the community, but I see it as protecting ourselves from a) possible legal issues b) keeping in good standing with companies we call to get answers to help our readers and that we get demo units to show our community from. and c)  I just feels wrong. Well, that particular PDF showed up on one site 4-5 hours later, then all over the blogosphere. We could have broken that, but I chose not to.

Another instance was an employee of another carrier, working in the mobile space, wanted to come onboard to blog. He had hopes of being able to help the community with insider info. I just couldn’t let it happen. I don’t claim that Mobilitysite is “the Saint”, but some things just kind of aren’t worth it.

On the same subject though, whether its looked at as good or bad, I don’t feel bad reposting info that others have broken. I know this seems like coming into the store after it was robbed and grabbing the last candy bar, but I don’t feel it is nearly as bad as breaking the story.

I can understand the companies though. If they are selling phone A and leaked photos of phone b come out, then Phone A’s sales will slow in anticipation of leaked Phone B.

On this subject, do you like the way we do things here?  I have no intentions of changing this stance, but it would be good to know what the readers think. 

Chris Leckness (3547 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Chris Leckness is the Owner/Administrator of Mobilitysite. He is a Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices and a member of the exclusive focus group, Mobius. Chris runs a Mobilitysite, GotZune, and a few other smaller sites and blogs. His personal blog is chris.leckness.com.