An animated response to hi-tech leak

Furrowed brows and concerned voices all round this week, as the world of technology came to terms with the shock news that details of a new iPhone had been leaked to the millions of people who are apparently interested. “More surprises were spoiled by this leak than any leak in Apple history,” one concerned “Apple Blogger” is reported as saying, as if someone had leaked the non-existence of Father Christmas.

“Apple Blogger” is one of those job titles that would have meant nothing 25 years ago and still baffles a good section of the population today, who might understandably think it’s something agricultural. But good luck to him. Among the spoiled surprises is the introduction of “animoji”, which, according to a BBC report, is “animated emoji characters that mirror a user’s captured facial expressions”.

It’s what the world has been crying out for –no wonder Apple wanted to keep it under wraps so they could tell everyone themselves.

So you will soon be able to capture your own expression of joy/ annoyance/confusion and, presumably, superimpose it on an amusing pile of animated excrement to share with your friends. What a time to be alive. Meanwhile, recriminations from the leak are starting to sound serious.

As is so often the case, the finger of blame is being pointed at “a disgruntled employee” – the happy but mischievous ones getting away with it once again.

As one tech commentator observes: “I don’t envy the person who did it because there will be no forgiveness for it.”

Blimey. Exactly how this lack of forgiveness manifests itself remains to be seen, although it doesn’t sound pleasant. The miscreant can certainly expect to have their face incorporated into an animated “poop” emoji, for starters. After that, best not to ask.