Apple sends select iPad devs tablet ‘tester’ under strict security

It’s not Apple’s standard M.O to give out pre-release test devices to just anyone. But, if you happen to be considered one of Apple’s partner developers, you get some preferential treatment. The iPad, for example, has been reportedly sent out to a select group of iPad devs ahead of the tablet’s launch next month. The idea is to give the developers a head-start on testing their apps. There’s a catch, though. The tablet testers need to be tethered to a fixed object and kept in blacked-out rooms – classic Apple.

In the wake of tremendous pre-order volumes, it’s clear that Apple doesn’t want any of its pre-release iPad units getting into the wild or even being photographed. Reports from some unnamed devs say that the company is requiring participating iPad dev partners to sign a 10-page agreement to not disclose any info about the upcoming device. They’re also required to thwart potential theft by keep the tablet attached to an immovable object. And, just to make sure some looky-loos don’t try to put eyes on the iPads before they hit market, Apple is mandating that the tablets be kept in rooms with windows completely sealed off from the outside world.

Apple has traditionally been highly secretive about its devices, and this latest report proves that Apple is going all “skunk works” on their latest wunder-gadget. In fact, the iPhone maker won’t even send out iPad test units to devs until they see photographic evidence that the mandated security measures are in place.

So, what’s going on here. Hasn’t the iPad and all its features been publicly outed by Apple themselves? Is Apple hoping to keep any last minute bugs from becoming public? Maybe Apple is just making sure they preserve as much of their competitive edge against other tablet manufacturers for as long as possible? Or, does Apple have a few iPad tricks still hidden up their sleeve? We’re hoping it’s the latter, and that we’ll be seeing the final iPad supporting true multi-tasking when it launches on April 3. What, we can hope, can’t we?

[Via: BusinessWeek]