Sunday is not a big news day normally but if there was to be something exciting to happen, @evleaks was often behind it. He dropped another bombshell today but not the kind that we’re used to. After more than two years of leaks that covered nearly all device manufacturers, Evan Blass as he is known in real life today announced his retirement over Twitter.
All good things must come to an end. Thank you for an amazing two years. [RETIREMENT]
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 3, 2014
Over a period stretching more than two years, @evleaks revealed an astonishing number of devices. He may not always have been right but his track record was nonetheless impressive. If the leak came from him, chances were that it was legitimate. Last year, he left behind anonymity, prefering to out himself than have someone else do it for him but the leaks continued.
Speaking to The Next Web today, Blass explained that much of his decision comes down to looking out for his future, financial and otherwise, as he continues to fight multiple sclerosis:
These matters are always somewhat complicated, but like many things, it mostly comes down to money. Trying to monetize a stream of Twitter leaks is not easy. First I tried monthly sponsorships. Then weekly. Then single sponsored tweets. I took donations — felt like online panhandling.
I also started a website, and it’s actually done somewhat respectably, but with all the leaks going out on Twitter anyway, people have little incentive to visit, and most of my tech-savvy-heavy audience seem to be pretty heavy ad-block users, as well. It all adds up to an unsustainable living, and with a progressively worsening disease, I need to make sure I can prepare myself better for the future, financially.
It appears that @evleaks‘ decision is final. Asked about a future return, his answer left little doubt that there would be little chance of that:
Almost certainly not. This is not a pack-your-bags-and-move-down-to-Florida retirement. I plan to start another career now.
His last leak was new images of the Moto 360 just yesterday.
Thank you for all the leaks, Evan! Best of luck with your future endeavours.
Sources : @evleaks // The Next Web
Nice write up; thank you very much.