iPhone 4G leak... Steve Jobs master magician.....!!!

[thelatinist]

Apple spent a few thousand dollars on building a decoy that would totally throw us off.

Apple spends tens of millions of dollars getting designs to this polished point. Creating a fake iPhone which would fool the tech-savvy people at Gizmodo in a teardown would be nearly as expensive as designing the real thing. It's just not worth the expense to pull such a hoax.

 

[PhxBlue]

Wasn't there a report that a prototype was stolen. That reads better than all these lofty conspiracy theories. If in fact it is stolen then it would behoove Gizmodo to give it back asap.

 

[Applejuiced]

Apple spends tens of millions of dollars getting designs to this polished point. Creating a fake iPhone which would fool the tech-savvy people at Gizmodo in a teardown would be nearly as expensive as designing the real thing. It's just not worth the expense to pull such a hoax.

Exactly.
They wouldnt go into such depth and detail to perfectly custom make and fit all components like that just to throw people off.
Way too much R&D for something like that so it doesnt make sense.

 

[Geckotek]

Wasn't there a report that a prototype was stolen. That reads better than all these lofty conspiracy theories. If in fact it is stolen then it would behoove Gizmodo to give it back asap.

BINGO!!!


This is completely counter to the Apple culture. No way Apple intentionally leaked this.

The story is plausible as well. Some Apple tester goes to a bar, gets a little tipsy and "looses" his/her phone. I say "looses" becuase it could have been easily snaked by someone thinking they were stealing a regular 3G iPhone...then figured out the buttons were different, took off the case and found a pleasant surprise. JACKPOT!

 

[MattZani]

Exactly - this is not THE iPhone 4G. I can't imagine apple having exposed screws on the bottom of the phone like this.

Own an iPhone 3G(S)? Pick it up, look at the bottom.

OH SNAP.

Its alright to feel like an idiot.

Personally also think the screws make it look more industrial and awesome.

 

[FunkyJunk]

BINGO!!!


This is completely counter to the Apple culture. No way Apple intentionally leaked this.

The story is plausible as well. Some Apple tester goes to a bar, gets a little tipsy and "looses" his/her phone. I say "looses" becuase it could have been easily snaked by someone thinking they were stealing a regular 3G iPhone...then figured out the buttons were different, took off the case and found a pleasant surprise. JACKPOT!

Apple leaked this intentionally. If they didn't, Gawker/Gizmodo would never have run the story for fear of corporate espionage lawsuits and possible jail time. The very fact that they ran it (and continue to run it) indicates they know full well they're not going to get sued or arrested.

(The spelling is "loses" by the way.)

 

[Applejuiced]

BINGO!!!


This is completely counter to the Apple culture. No way Apple intentionally leaked this.

The story is plausible as well. Some Apple tester goes to a bar, gets a little tipsy and "looses" his/her phone. I say "looses" becuase it could have been easily snaked by someone thinking they were stealing a regular 3G iPhone...then figured out the buttons were different, took off the case and found a pleasant surprise. JACKPOT!

I would hate to be the person who worked for Apple and lost the prototype
But again if Apple requests it back its like verifying that yes it is the next iphone. They will probably leave it alone since they already took it apart and posted tons of pics etc...

 

[Applejuiced]

Apple leaked this intentionally. If they didn't, Gawker/Gizmodo would never have run the story for fear of corporate espionage lawsuits and possible jail time. The very fact that they ran it (and continue to run it) indicates they know full well they're not going to get sued or arrested.

(The spelling is "loses" by the way.)

Why would they Sue Gizmodo.
Someone found an iphone and they took videos and pictures and posted it online? Whats illegal about that? Giz doesnt have any contracts or confidentiality agreements with Apple Corp right?

 

[-aggie-]

My theory is that there had to be more than one person who dropped this iPhone in the bar. The evidence just doesn't support one person dropping it. I think some executive had the iPhone in the bar and got a little tipsy and started using it to email Mr. Jobs that he sucked and that the iPad was just a big iPod Touch. Another more sober executive tried to wrestle the iPhone from the inebriated executive, whereupon it fell to the bar floor. In the tussle that ensued by other bar patrons trying to grab the iPhone (supporting the iPhone was stolen according to Apple) a person snatched the iPhone and ran out of the bar screaming "Gizmodod, I got it." (Gizmodo's everywhere). It was only a matter of time for Gizmodo to find the thief, and here we are with this thread.

Also, the Cubans or Mafia had some involvement. Gizmodo was on the grassy knoll outside the bar.

 

[FunkyJunk]

Why would they Sue Gizmodo.
Someone found an iphone and they took videos and pictures and posted it online? Whats illegal about that? Giz doesnt have any contracts or confidentiality agreements with Apple Corp right?

If they knowingly spread secret corporate information/technology, they committed corporate espionage. At the very least, they were accessories after the fact. They knew full well what they had their hands on - there's no deniability there.

edit: Here's some info on Wikipedia for you guys.

The second section, 18 U.S.C. § 1832, criminalizes the misappropriation of trade secrets related to or included in a product that is produced for or placed in interstate (including international) commerce, with the knowledge or intent that the misappropriation will injure the owner of the trade secret. Penalties for violation of section 1832 are imprisonment for up to 10 years for individuals (no fines) and fines of up to US$5 million for organizations.

 

[Scooterman1]

Apple spends tens of millions of dollars getting designs to this polished point. Creating a fake iPhone which would fool the tech-savvy people at Gizmodo in a teardown would be nearly as expensive as designing the real thing. It's just not worth the expense to pull such a hoax.

That's basically what I was saying, in a sarcastic way...

It's suspicious that just the right person "found" this iPhone. Most people would find this and think "Gee, a free iPhone!" Then, once Apple remotely wiped it and they couldn't get it working again they'd put it in a drawer and forget about it--never recognizing that it was prototype. However, that did not happen not only did an apparently tech savvy person find it, they realized it wasn't a cheap Chinese knockoff.

I'm not saying its not real, just that the OP is right to question how this find came to light.

If you found a phone in a bar very near Apple Headquarters, and you took it home (I know, you would give it to the bartender), the next day it was turned off by Apple, and Gizmodo or Engadget (I trust that you DO know who they are) was offering quite a bit of money to buy it from you..... well.... you fill in the rest of the story.
I.E.- Who said just the right person found it. If it was the right person, they probably would have called Apple, right???

 

[Applejuiced]

If they knowingly spread secret corporate information/technology, they committed corporate espionage. At the very least, they were accessories after the fact. They knew full well what they had their hands on - there's no deniability there.

edit: Here's some info on Wikipedia for you guys.

Im no lawyer or anything but what could they do besides send them a letter to take it down and request the device back?

 

[thelatinist]

Why would they Sue Gizmodo.
Someone found an iphone and they took videos and pictures and posted it online? Whats illegal about that? Giz doesnt have any contracts or confidentiality agreements with Apple Corp right?

I imagine they would claim it was stolen property. If the phone was stolen (whether by an Apple employee or a stranger in a bar) then Apple could sue for its return. You do not gain ownership of stolen property by buying it from the thief.

That's basically what I was saying, in a sarcastic way...

Ah. Next time you should try using your sarcastic voice.

 

[Scooterman1]

If they knowingly spread secret corporate information/technology, they committed corporate espionage. At the very least, they were accessories after the fact. They knew full well what they had their hands on - there's no deniability there.

edit: Here's some info on Wikipedia for you guys.

You mean that this didn't come under 'Freedom Of Speech'? LOL

 

[Geckotek]

Apple leaked this intentionally. If they didn't, Gawker/Gizmodo would never have run the story for fear of corporate espionage lawsuits and possible jail time. The very fact that they ran it (and continue to run it) indicates they know full well they're not going to get sued or arrested.

(The spelling is "loses" by the way.)

Only if Apple can prove it was stolen and not lost.

Thanks for the spelling/typing lesson. I'm sure you've never made a typo in your life. Glad to have such an expert around to correct me.

 

[FunkyJunk]

Im no lawyer or anything but what could they do besides send them a letter to take it down and request the device back?

See the quote from Wikipedia I added in my post above. Up to 10 years imprisonment for individuals or $5 million in fines for organizations.

Thanks for the spelling/typing lesson. I'm sure you've never made a typo in your life. Glad to have such an expert around to correct me.

That wasn't a typo, and there's no reason to get snippy. Also, it doesn't matter if it was stolen or found - Gizmodo knew what it was and broadcast it as such and that's the main thing the lawyers will be looking at.

 

[androiphone]

the reason it was leaked (that's if it was)

if it was a leak and I'm not saying it was then it could be because today was the day that droid Incredible (iphone killer (hate that term)) got its first hands on and reviews, yet this gets leaked and no-one is talking about the incredible anymore and the attention is diverted away from verizon/android/HTC right back to apple

 

[Geckotek]

If they knowingly spread secret corporate information/technology, they committed corporate espionage. At the very least, they were accessories after the fact. They knew full well what they had their hands on - there's no deniability there.

edit: Here's some info on Wikipedia for you guys.

In this case, Apple will have to prove injury. Good luck.

 

[Geckotek]

See the quote from Wikipedia I added in my post above. Up to 10 years imprisonment for individuals or $5 million in fines for organizations.

That wasn't a typo, and there's no reason to get snippy.

Actually, it was. I know the difference between lose and loose. But sometimes I type so fast that my brain doesn't translate it to my fingers correctly.

And yes, there is reason to get snippy. This is a public forum, not a job application. No need to pick on grammar, spelling, or typing. Only a very petty person does that. Discuss the facts, no need to point out my typing errors.

Edit: edited some of my typos/spelling errors... ;-)

 

[Applejuiced]

I wonder how much Gizmodo paid for the iphone to the bar dude that "found" it.
And if Apple would try to make a big fuss about it or deny or not comment on it.
That guy that lost it if he actually really lost it will probably be publicly hanged at 1 infinite loop
lol

 

[gibbz]

I would think if Apple were to "leak" the upcoming iPhone hardware, it sure the heck wouldn't be to Gizmodo.

 

[FunkyJunk]

In this case, Apple will have to prove injury. Good luck.

I don't think it would be that difficult. If Apple really didn't leak this thing, all they have to point to is the lost amount of hype for their next iPhone press event when everyone knows what it's going to look like and what features the hardware's going to have. That's aside from the argument that Giz gave their competitors extra time to knock off their designs.

All this is moot though, really, if Apple just leaked the thing as I suspect.

 

[Applejuiced]

I would think if Apple were to "leak" the upcoming iPhone hardware, it sure the heck wouldn't be to Gizmodo.

I agree.
And maybe leak a blurry picture at a factory in china or something small.
Not the whole phone with every single detail and hardware taken apart. That would be like not leaving anything for the official release.
Very not Apple like.
We didnt get anything like that with the iphone 3G or 3GS besides leaked sizes of future iphone cases from manufacturers.

 

[Geckotek]

I don't think it would be that difficult. If Apple really didn't leak this thing, all they have to point to is the lost amount of hype for their next iPhone press event when everyone knows what it's going to look like and what features the hardware's going to have. That's aside from the argument that Giz gave their competitors extra time to knock off their designs.

All this is moot though, really, if Apple just leaked the thing as I suspect.

The lost hype during the event doesn't amount to a monetary loss. Besides that, it will be offset by even more hype they are getting here.

The ONLY potential loss would be if this allows a competitor to get the jump on launching a competing device....and I seriously doubt that will be the case.

 

[anim8or]

Great responses.... some great points and rebuttals...

Just to point out though... the Original iPhone DIDN'T have exposed screws on the bottom.

In fact if i remember correctly, when the 3G was close to release a 'prototype' was found/leaked or something and the very fact that it had exposed screws was a huge factor in many people doubting its authenticity....

...Much like the seams on this 'prototype'....!

There is always a rational reason for something that some may think is a design error or pre-release.... once that factor is revealed everyone will smack their heads and yell 'D'oh, that was soooo obvious!'

Also to those who seem to think that just because Apple haven't used this type of marketing before that they will not/have not used this time shouldn't count their chickens before they hatch....

Now i am not saying that this IS the new iPhone, only that we have to look at all of the options.

Time will tell.