• Apple Requests iPhone 4G Back from Gizmodo

    Apple Requests iPhone 4G Back from Gizmodo

    Techtree News Staff, Apr 20, 2010 1311 hrs IST

    Formally asks Gizmodo to return the 'device' which was claimed to be stolen

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Note: When we refer to iPhone as the iPhone 4G, then the 4G stands for the fourth generation iPhone and NOT the 4G fourth generation wireless standard.

After 'real' iPhone 4G images hit technology news sites Engadget and Gizmodo, the web space went wild. While everyone had their doubts if this was the 'real' device or not, news that Apple has sent a letter to Brian Lam, editorial director at Gizmodo, requesting to return the device (read: iPhone), has more or less confirmed it. Gizmodo possessed the device for a few months but wasn't sure if it was the real iPhone 4G. When Gizmodo revealed the exclusive images and video clip showing the iPhone 4G prototype, Apple got to know that the secret device is not a secret anymore. Always tight-lipped, Apple still didn't acknowledge the device as iPhone and referred it as 'device' in the formal letter to Gizmodo. Also, Gizmodo is being accused of paying $5,000 to an unknown party to possess the prototype iPhone device.




Jesus Diaz, senior contributing editor at Gizmodo, wrote about how Gray Powell, Apple Software Engineer, lost this iPhone 4G device at a bar in Redwood City but it was skinned as iPhone 3GS. Obviously, Gizmodo gave a detailed report on lost device and the new features as well as industrial design of the device.




New physical features of the iPhone 4G model:

  • Front-facing video chat camera
  • Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
  • Camera flash
  • Micro-SIM (Like one used in iPad and not standard SIM)
  • Improved display that is slightly smaller than the one in iPhone 3GS but may support higher resolution
  • Secondary Mic for noise cancellation at the top, next to the headphone jack
  • Separate buttons for volume up and down
  • Metallic buttons for power, mute, and volume functions


At the end of the day, Gizmodo stole Apple's show by prematurely showing of the next generation iPhone device. That device could've been one of the industrial prototypes but we still aren't sure if it was the real iPhone 4G. We won't be surprised if Apple cans the entire iPhone 4G and starts working on new device from the scratch. In this tussle between Gizmodo and Apple, in case the iPhone 4G doesn't get to see the day light, it's YOU who got to choose whom to blame.

(Images courtesy: Gizmodo)

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Discussion Board
(9) Comments
Anonymous
,san diego, on Apr 22, 2010 12:21 AM
it is, indeed a ploy. steve jobs can't 'perform' in front of the crowd this year due to health problems...
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Rob
,Visalia, on Apr 21, 2010 02:01 PM
This was NOT a mistake by Apple. Companies like this don't make mistakes like this. I believe this is a genius marketing ploy by Apple... and it is working.
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gwenael
,seattle, on Apr 21, 2010 05:18 AM
Be serious , apple starting a new iPhone project just because gizmodo showed it before them ? Sure and while apple do that millions of customers will go buy android smartphones
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World Traveller
,Boston, on Apr 21, 2010 12:07 AM
If this is indeed the real iphone 4G prototype, then in that case, in order to get an exclusive and satisfy your curiosity, you have wasted the time of hundreds of intelligent engineers, useful resources of Apple Inc, hence indirectly wasted and robbed its shareholders of their ROI and not to mention denying ardent Apple fans a new product from one of the most innovative technology companies. Gizmodo should have instead requested Apple for an exclusive, which would have probably made them more popular.
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Matt
,Denton, on Apr 20, 2010 11:29 PM
It is real. But will a mobile version of ichat be used for the frontal camera or will 3rd party apps be used. Or is it just for self-portraits.
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Calvin
,NY, on Apr 20, 2010 08:43 PM
Lost in a bar ??!!! Huh!!! Fake idea !! Who would Carry a top secret device to a bar !! Come on !! All fake can not wait till the real one shows up ;)
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thehumble1
,Philly, on Apr 20, 2010 08:03 PM
still illegal. I phones are returned from bars often, maybe not the bars you go to and definitely all the iphones lost in bars, but they do get returned. regardless, it's still criminal activity and makes Gizmodo liable for paying for it and possessing it. It's called Receiving Stolen Property. It's stolen because any normal person would be expected to understand that the phone was lost and it should be kept at the bar for a reasonable time and then turned in to municipal authorities. Anything else is criminal, even if socially acceptable. The fact that Gizmodo then posted about it means they are opening themselves up for a RSP case.
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Josh
,Austin, on Apr 20, 2010 05:24 PM
Who is to blame well Powell is to blame for all of this in the beginning but gizmodo as well technically they bought stolen property then took it apart. This can be considered destruction of property. If you were a good person you would have returned the devise to apple without posting it on the internet. Shame on you didn't your mothers teach you to be honest.
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Dave
,Michigan, on Apr 20, 2010 07:21 PM
Are you kidding me? I think its great that they got a first look at the "device". while it may not be the new iphone, and apple certainly doesnt name it to be the new iphone4g, its just a device. So what did Gizmodo do wrong? Nothing. The person that lost his Iphone in a bar is no different they any other guy losing his phone in a bar. And out of all the iphones that have been lost in a bar. NONE of them have been returned. So why should this one be treated any different? Because Apple sent out an Email. LMAO!! Apple sends an email? They should have sent a certified letter. Lets be more realistic about this folks.
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