If you found the new iphone in a bar, why would you just put it on the internet for all to see? Why not take it to Apple in return for a big reward / hush money? I'd bet that it might be worth $50K for Apple to get their phone back. Would this be illegal? Could they force you to give the phone back? It just seems that this guy had a golden opportunity to get some money from Apple to remain quiet. Maybe you'd end up in the East River?
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Found iPhone = Big Bucks?
- Thread starter Antitorque
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It's technically apples property so under no circumstance do they have to give you a cash reward, they'd just lawyer you into giving it back if you didn't co-operate. That or the east river option.
Exactly.
They could prosecute you and put you to jail if you try to blackmail them that you will release it to the media.
And I dont think you'll get anywhere near $50K.
Honestly, if I had found the prototype, I would ask for something.
I would ask for a free version of the phone on launch day. Not as blackmail, but more like, "I'll give you the phone either way, but could I get a free one on launch day?"
That's not really a scumbag thing to do, and I'm sure Apple would be more than happy to give away a free phone to get a prototype/test device back still unknown to the public.
I would ask for a free version of the phone on launch day. Not as blackmail, but more like, "I'll give you the phone either way, but could I get a free one on launch day?"
That's not really a scumbag thing to do, and I'm sure Apple would be more than happy to give away a free phone to get a prototype/test device back still unknown to the public.
Might be irrelevant, but remember the iPhone prototypes of even before the first iPhone was released? ah, good times.
Would have rolled up to Apple headquarters, request to speak with Steve Jobs personally, hand the phone over, then sign lengthily NDA. Hopefully get a free key chain or apple sticker. 
Would have rolled up to Apple headquarters, request to speak with Steve Jobs personally, hand the phone over, then sign lengthily NDA. Hopefully get a free key chain or apple sticker.
Steve would probably give you a swift kick in the ass.
Seriously? I can't believe that any of you don't realize that this is highly likely to NOT be a mistake. Either the guy that lost the phone will be canned, or Apple is trying to juice up their hype machine. The latter is the most likely.
If Apple did set this up, then they must have control over the story in which the phone was to somehow leak to the public.
So let me ask you then, what's the incentive for Apple to fabricate a story of an employee losing the phone in a bar and indirectly leak it to the public?
Wouldn't it make more sense to simply have a press conference?
Why is Gizmodo being given a pass on this? I find Gizmodo's behaviour very lacking to say the least.
How is it that you "find" someone else's property and then proceed to tear it apart and post pictures on the internet of said property? How about you try to return it to it's rightful owner?
How is it that you "find" someone else's property and then proceed to tear it apart and post pictures on the internet of said property? How about you try to return it to it's rightful owner?
Because they consulted with their lawyers and covered their asses on each and every step of this.
Rubbish. Apple told them what there allowed to post and they did. It wasn't found in a bar. It was given to them to increase the hype.
According to Gizmodo's article, they tried contacting Apple but didn't get a reply, which is why I believe it took them a week to post the pictures.
If the story is true, as I have read it at multiple places:
A) Gizmodo didn't find anything. Someone else did and then got it to Gizmodo.
B) They tried to reach Apple and were ignored for over a week.
Given B above, honestly, Apple needs to also look in the mirror when looking to assign blame if this story is true as told.
Maybe next time someone calls and says they found an iPhone prototype, the moron on the Apple end will actually listen instead of hitting the transfer button?
Just sayin....
(Of course, I am in the "this was an Apple Ploy From the Get" camp, so what do I know?)
Why is it "likely" that Apple is sabotaging their amazing marketing tactics (that make other companies drool) and shooting themsevles in the foot?
I consider the "Apple has gone insane" theory to be pretty un-likely myself.
I have to disagree.
Exactly. I find it hard to believe that some random underling lost his prototype at a bar, then the finder 'tried real hard' to get it back then decided to sell it to Gizmodo for $10k and they paid it. No legal counsel would tell the Giz staff "yeah don't worry about lawsuits from buying known lost/stolen goods go ahead!"
This is the best viral marketing stunt in ages.
A viral marketing stunt designed to decreasemedia coverage on launch day.
I'm still waiting to hear why Apple would want that. No one has explained that part to me yet.
If Apple really wanted to capitalize on this, they would have released this iPhone intentionally that is actually nothing like the real new iPhone. Everyone would expect to see this phone on Keynote day and then !!bam!!, a completly different phone. Everyone is blown away and creates even more excitement and buzz about the new iPhone.
Yes, maybe it would cost a lot to develop a fake new iPhone and maybe its not "Apple's Style" (not that a "prototype" accidental leak is) but I'm just saying that would be a real hype builder.
All of this is hypothetical, but I like it.
Yes, maybe it would cost a lot to develop a fake new iPhone and maybe its not "Apple's Style" (not that a "prototype" accidental leak is) but I'm just saying that would be a real hype builder.
All of this is hypothetical, but I like it.
Easy! Now everyone will tune in to see 'if it really looks like the prototype!". Say you have an iphone, you may not care about the upcoming launch but now there is enormous coverage about this mysterious new iPhone leading up until the actual reveal. It peaks the attention of all the superfans but also people who might not have cared about a new iphone.
Sure it may be far fetched but who cares we all spew opinions over facts here so I'm just joining in. It's fun.
I'd contact Apple first
If I was lucky enough to find something like a prototype
product I'd contact first. I would imagine I could talk them into some sort of deal for the product like a new mac book air, iPad and new iPhone when it comes out, of course each with all of the accessories.
If no deal for swag, I'd simply feel better having given the prototype back to and call it a day as a good deed.
If I was lucky enough to find something like a prototype
product I'd contact first. I would imagine I could talk them into some sort of deal for the product like a new mac book air, iPad and new iPhone when it comes out, of course each with all of the accessories. If no deal for
swag, I'd simply feel better having given the prototype back to and call it a day as a good deed.You don't request a reward for giving them back the phone. That's just asking for jail time. You request a reward in exchange for signing an NDA to burn all the photos and videos you took of it on your way to the Apple campus and to not sell your story.
That doesn't matter. It does not change the law.
If you know the owner of the property, you have to return it. If you don't know the owner, you have to turn it in to the police station. If after 3 months they can't find the owner, they give it back to whoever found it.
That's the law. Period.