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Apple employee fired for showing Woz the iPad

Comments

  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    We don't know the full story, only what Woz says, and he doesn't know squat. The guy in question had obviously signed an non-disclosure agreement. He broke that agreement when he showed Woz the iPad. So Apple were perfectly within their rights to fire him. The same thing would happen in Europe, or with any other company.

    It does seem a bit a harsh though. But I guess they were just going by the book. They have rules about secrecy. You break them, you're out.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    We don't know the full story, only what Woz says, and he doesn't know squat. The guy in question had obviously signed an non-disclosure agreement. He broke that agreement when he showed Woz the iPad. So Apple were perfectly within their rights to fire him. The same thing would happen in Europe, or with any other company.

    It does seem a bit a harsh though. But I guess they were just going by the book. They have rules about secrecy. You break them, you're out.

    I had to sign an NDA when I worked in Apple Cork to the tune of $50,000 and they never got really secret stuff there, but we all knew the penalty for breaking the NDA.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,055 ✭✭✭probe


    We don't know the full story, only what Woz says, and he doesn't know squat. The guy in question had obviously signed an non-disclosure agreement. He broke that agreement when he showed Woz the iPad. So Apple were perfectly within their rights to fire him. The same thing would happen in Europe, or with any other company.

    It does seem a bit a harsh though. But I guess they were just going by the book. They have rules about secrecy. You break them, you're out.

    Apple wouldn't exist without Woz. He is still a shareholder and employee of the company.

    If Jobs had any finesse (or even business sense) he would have sent Woz an iPad weeks / months before launch - if nothing more than to get his feedback.

    Showing Woz the iPad just before the launch is not a breach of an NDA. Woz couldn't have created a competing product within a few hours if he was so minded. Woz didn't disclose details of this until after the launch.

    Totally petty. Totally sick Apple.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,055 ✭✭✭probe


    whiterebel wrote: »
    I had to sign an NDA when I worked in Apple Cork to the tune of $50,000 and they never got really secret stuff there, but we all knew the penalty for breaking the NDA.

    Obsessively secretive - for no reason - more evidence.

    Thank you!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,806 ✭✭✭✭KeithM89_old


    Personally, i love Apples secretive nature. Its probably the only time i ever get excited about watching a powerpoint presentation. Also its great seeing peoples predictions on blogs and forums.

    As for the guy who got fired - he broke a contract, he got what he deserved


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  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    probe wrote: »
    Obsessively secretive - for no reason - more evidence.

    Thank you!

    For Apple there are billions of reasons why it makes sense. There really isn't a much clearer example of breaking an NDA - showing a secret product to someone outside the company.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,480 ✭✭✭projectmayhem


    probe wrote: »
    Apple wouldn't exist without Woz. He is still a shareholder and employee of the company.

    Absolutely true, but...
    probe wrote: »
    Showing Woz the iPad just before the launch is not a breach of an NDA. Woz couldn't have created a competing product within a few hours if he was so minded. Woz didn't disclose details of this until after the launch.

    ..this is a breach of NDA. The NDA would explicitly say not to show products to anyone, regardless of who they are. Sure, Woz is unlikely to share the info to anyone, but if you're likely to show it to Woz, you're likely to show it to others...
    probe wrote: »
    Totally petty. Totally sick Apple.

    Petty, sick? Or just secretive, as usual? If you sign an NDA then just stick to it. If Woz wanted to see the iPad I'm sure he could have given Steve a call...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭aidan_walsh


    Right, because no other companies use NDAs at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,077 ✭✭✭3DataModem


    I've worked for the two biggest companies in arguably (currently) the worlds most competitive industry and naturally am subject to deadly serious confidentiality requirements. These are taken very seriously, and are definitely defensible in court.

    Whether people think it is FAIR or not it is definitely idiotic for the employee of apple to breach an NDA...a huge amount is invested by them in secrecy of products so they don't hit the Internet early. Dude is lucky not to be sued as well as fired. Fact that Woz is shareholder/founder means nothing.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    probe wrote: »
    If Jobs had any finesse (or even business sense) he would have sent Woz an iPad weeks / months before launch - if nothing more than to get his feedback.
    If Woz could be trusted he wouldn't be queuing to get the iPhone on release day. I love Woz and all, but he's a bit of a loose cannon.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 724 ✭✭✭dynamick


    whiterebel wrote: »
    There really isn't a much clearer example of breaking an NDA - showing a secret product to someone outside the company.
    Except that Woz is still a salaried employee of the company.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    dynamick wrote: »
    Except that Woz is still a salaried employee of the company.

    Okay, outside the circle of people that know about, and have access to it. I don't think he ever goes near Cupertino any more. He draws a salary, but doesn't have access to new products.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,639 ✭✭✭PeakOutput


    probe wrote: »
    more evidence.

    more evidence of what?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Apple's done nothing wrong here, the employee was an idiot and broke his NDA, if he can't be trusted then he can't be employed by them its open and shut and he proved he can't be trusted
    whiterebel wrote: »
    Okay, outside the circle of people that know about, and have access to it. I don't think he ever goes near Cupertino any more. He draws a salary, but doesn't have access to new products.

    This is true, Woz q's like anyone else when he wants to buy an apple product


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,246 ✭✭✭conor.hogan.2


    It was the 3g version - was it not?

    But ye Woz is still an Apple employee but that employee should have not not to show it - did he just wake up as an Apple employee without knowing what they are like... seriously though ffs common sense is needed.


    Also was is amazing - but I doubt he could create the ipad in ''hours if he was so minded''

    also

    yes there would be no Apple without Woz - that is why he is still an employee technically.


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