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With the suspected launch date of the iPhone 5 fast approaching the tech press is awash with rumours. My morning perusal of the RSS tech feeds is virtually wall to wall rumour, leaked reports, suspected parts, screenshots, inventory listings, code dissection and secret staff training days. Invariably many of these stories are then refuted hours later and prove to have been nothing to do with Apple's next iPhone. The question I am always forced to ask myself whenever an exciting new piece of kit comes along is why are we so intrigued by these rumours? Why are we always looking for the next thing instead of waiting a few weeks when we will KNOW the specs, the release dates and the cost?

It's not that hard to figure out really. Since we are probably all tech geeks reading this it makes some sort of sense that we are constantly looking to the future. We want to know what shiny piece of kit will soon be trying to entice us to part with our hard earned cash or make the Apple naysayers turn their nose up in disgust (let's end the hate people). The fact that we seem to willingly swallow up these rumours and never hold the reporters to account when their stories turn out to be insubstantial is a bit more troublesome.

I am sure, just like me, you have your favourite tech blogs that report they have people 'in the know' who leak these juicy pieces of information and then manage to somehow fill an entire blog entry discussing the many possibilities that such a rumour could entail. This blog is usually accompanied by a juicy headline that is invariably nothing but link bait that I'm sure just helps boost the sites advertising revenue. Really, is this the kind of tech press we want? Surly the cold hard facts are what we should be seeking and demanding?

I know this sounds like a lofty goal and rest assured dear reader that I am just as guilty as you may be in seeking out these titbits of so called news and it shames me to say I suffer from amnesia and forget all of the reported rumours once the real product hits the market. I never once recall who blurted out which rumour and then mark them down as a source that no longer requires or deserves my attention.

Of course there are certain news organisations where it is believed are virtually an Apple mouthpiece when it comes to rumour and hype. However, these sources have also been wide of the mark on certain occasions. Whether that is due to misunderstanding or deliberate false information is anyones guess but the fact we are willing to listen and lap up any small detail is a worrying sign.

The problem is further compounded with the almost incestuous nature of the tech press of late in that as soon as one site reports on the latest rumour the rest seem to blog and comment, further compounding the issue and expanding the rumours reach.

I understand that everyone wants to be the first person to blog about a tasty piece of new information but very few seem willing to stop and consider what it is they are actually reporting on.

It has often been said that 'we get the press we deserve' so if we are all willing to chase the rumour be it from Apple or any other tech company, then we shouldn't be surprised by the amount of web-space dedicated to these rather pointless iRumours.

Please feel free to follow me on Twitter: @claw0101

Author

Ewen Rankin

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