Apple rumour website Think Secret is closing down as part of a legal settlement with the computer company.

Apple launched a lawsuit against the site in January 2005 after it published details of the Mac Mini two weeks before its official announcement.

Nick Ciarelli, the publisher of Think Secret, had refused to divulge his sources, prompting Apple to take legal action.

A court in California ruled in March 2005 that bloggers from Powerpage, Apple Insider and Think Secret had to reveal their sources, but Ciarelli refused.

Ciarelli insisted that the agreement was a "positive solution for both sides ".

"As part of the confidential settlement, no sources were revealed and Think Secret will no longer be published," an official statement said.

Ciarelli added that he would now concentrate on other journalistic opportunities. "I am pleased to have reached this amicable settlement, and will now be able to move forward with my college studies and broader journalistic pursuits," he said.