The security around developing these things pre launch was a bit hilarious, even compared to later mobile devices/tablets. A few of the members of one team I worked on were instructed to bring their passports to work in the months running up to any expected announcement, and when notified they would be dispatched to a basement in Cupertino with laptops with self contained build environments (a major headache) to produce the game, which would then appear on stage.
We've largely forgotten what a strangely big deal iPod launches used to be. I remember being mildly amused/amazed by the fact you could see them announced online and in use on the London Underground within hours.
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