An article in USA Today (March 6, 2012) describes a race by accessory makers to be ready with products for the new iPad 3, debuting on March 7.  The market for iPad and iPhone accessories is estimated to be $ 2.3 billion, with a market penetration to 90 % of device owners. But the secrecy surrounding the new product and its dimensions, and the large benefit to being first, means that suppliers have to risk creating product inventories in advance of product specifications.  Should Apple maintain such secrecy to create a competitive market for accessories ? Does this approach provide an advantage to Apple created accessories ? What is the correct timing of product information sharing that would be best for the overall supply chain ?