So you’re a big-time consumer electronics company and you hope the new product you’re working on is loved by millions — no, tens of millions. Is it good or bad when information about the gadget leaks out?

Mediafile asked Palm CEO Ed Colligan about leaks ahead of the launch of Palm’s newest phone, Centro, which was all but undressed by the time it was officially unveiled (See here, here and here.)

Colligan says leaks are good, sorta, unless they are wrong, and then, well, they suck.

Mediafile: You’ve always had problems with leaks, right?

Colligan: Ultimately, in this business, because there is such a high level of testing that goes into devices, and you have to get into the carriers, the chance that things don’t leak is pretty slim. The good side of it is there is a ton of interest. I’d rather have that
than the opposite.

Mediafile: But what about negative buzz?

Colligan: What I don’t like is that they don’t know, they don’t have all the information so now they are speculating on things that aren’t true. But if they are accurate… hey it happens.

Colligan declined to talk about what new products Palm is working on. Looks like we’ll have to consult the leakmeisters: PalmInfocenter or PalmAddicts or some other blog for the skinny.

(Photo: Reuters)