Online Public Relations Thoughts

A Google mobile phone, still a prototype, showed up on eBay for sale.  There are months yet before the formal introduction of the product.  Google managers must be enraged that a still-developing product has been outed in the marketplace. On the other hand, leaking can build interest and speculation, priming consumers for a big reveal.  So, which is it?  Only Google's managers know.  The manner of this potential sale lends credence to the idea that the leak was intended.  Certainly, Google knows who is in possession of its prototypes and can trace back to the culprit who was offering it for sale.  If not, the company has serious security work to do.  The media thrive on leaks and this was no exception.  So, whether intended or not, it worked.