Student got filthy rich by annoying Apple

Twenty-year-old student Mark Gurman has a reputation. He manages to reveal almost every Apple-secret before the people at Apple are done organizing the presentation. This is painful for the company, especially because Apple is known for their love for discretion. Gurman now is known as the best Apple-journalist in the world. His knowledge and gut feeling have reportedly  made him a millionaire, but at Apple, he is not welcome.

On Tuesday 9 September, Apple will have one of her shifty press presentations. Whoever read the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson, knows that this media circus is very significant. A room full of enthusiastic computer geeks and the presentation of a product that will change our lives again. Unfortunately, Apple now has a party pooper on their hands.

Crystal ball
Gurman is student Information Technology and also work in journalism.  He writes for 9to5Mac.com, a website for convinced Apple lovers. He always predicts Apple’s next move, way before others. Gurmans gift comes from a downright obsession from his youth. Aged 11, he got his first iPod and after that, he completely engaged in the world of Apple. He watched the video from the introduction of the first iPhone, by Steve Jobs, hundreds of times. He developed an intuition that gave him scoop after scoop. Siri, the iPad and Apple’s descision to get rid of Google maps; Gurman saw it coming.

Of course, Gurman is discrete about his methods. He definitely has a good antenna for what happens on social media. He finds the tiniest news sources and is in the ‘Top 20 under 20’ on Twitter. His boss says: “in another world, he would be a genius swindler.” Apple sure seems to think so. At the product launches, Gurman is not welcome anymore. The Palo Alto based company is ignoring him. Gurman is disappointed in this attitude and calls it convulsive. “But it does not stop me. Of course not.”