Today's portable telephone orgasm is only hours away from beginning, which makes this the perfect time to read this—an interview with someone who knows all about how Apple controls journalists.

Recode's John Paczkowski reports Apple is looking for a new PR chief, and this time they should be a little nicer: "[Tim Cook's] paying particular attention to those he believes could put a friendlier, more approachable face on Apple's public relations efforts."

After 18 years of spin, Katie Cotton, Apple's magnetically ruthless vice president of worldwide corporate communications, has left her job, and tributes from the tech press are pouring in. What no one will admit is that we were all afraid of her.