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[BrianT]

I am curious to see what people think about the Gizmodo/Apple "scandal" going on right now. Do you think this will make Apple look bad to the public going after a new site for posting what they posted about the new iPhone? Or do you think it will make people feel for Apple having their stuff put out there without their permission?

To me it seems like it will cast a negative light on Apple for going after a company just for posting pictures and a write up of the new phone. I still love Apple and will continue buying their products but it does make me think they are kind of cold and that they are making themselves look a little harsh.

*I know this might not be "appropriate" for this site so if it is removed I appologize now*

[sting7k]

Apple isn't "going after" gizmodo, the police are merely investigating the facts to see if a crime was committed in the state of CA.

The public probably doesn't care either way. And outside of tech blogs they have probably forgotten about the details and exactly what went down.

The only real issue that remains is that an Apple prototype has been seen by their competitors. Apple releases one iPhone per year which in cell phone years is extremely slow. Pretty much all other companies release several magnitudes more than one in a single year, often dozens. This has given them a clear picture of the new iPhone months before it's release and could put Apple at a disadvantage instead of an advantage by keeping their cards hidden. People complain all the time about the lack of the front camera, but really how many other phones have one when you walk into AT&T/Verizon/Tmobile/Sprint store? As far as I know right now it's zero. Now they all know it's likely the next iPhone is going to have it; "finally" the way some people make it out. And you can be sure maybe even before the new iPhone comes out that there are now going to be phones with that. This could also now effectively kill 3GS sales, someone who isn't "in the know" might have walked into a store tomorrow and bought one. But they could have seen this story picked up by CNN or a major media outlet and now they know a new one is coming soon so they just wait. Apple could have millions of 3GS models just sitting around because now everyone knows a new one is for sure coming and they have seen it.

The public knows what the iPhone is and who Apple is, they probably don't care about some tech blog. They are going to buy a cell phone anyway.

[BrianT]

Yeah I can see it the way you are talking about. I was just curious because I live in Northern California (near San Fran) and it has been on the news a lot here lately. I do agree that people will still buy their products as I myself would have purchased the new iPhone regardless or if it was shown early or not. I also agree that it does give unfair advantage to competitors but I guess thats the nature of the beast. I am not blaming Apple nor did I intend to imply they are the ones targeting Gizmodo I was just curious if people will see Apple as a bad guy for the way this situation has unraveled.

[mth785]

Buying stolen merchandise is a crime. It seems that according to CA law the phone was stolen. If I got caught buying the phone I would face possible criminal prossecution, why souldn't Gizmodo?

[solius]

I think that once the guy tried to return it to apple and they brushed him off that it no longer became stolen property the law only says that an item is stolen if you don't attempt to give it back then it is stolen, its not their fault that the apple guys brushed him off.

[mth785]

The guy said he called Apple customer suport, why would they know anything about a missing prototype? If he was serious about returning it he could have driven to the Apple campus or looked in the CA phonebook for the main phone number to Apple HQ.
Anyone who thinks the thief exercised due diligance is smoking something.

[ifonline]

Originally Posted by solius

I think that once the guy tried to return it to apple and they brushed him off that it no longer became stolen property the law only says that an item is stolen if you don't attempt to give it back then it is stolen, its not their fault that the apple guys brushed him off.

Please stop. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[Alli]

The guy who "found" it, had the FB page of the guy who lost it. Gizmodo knew the name of the guy who lost it. Neither of them bothered to try calling him at home or at work? Even I smell the fish.

[Ipheuria]

I have said from day one that Gizmodo's story was garbage it just didn't seem right. Although I don't think harshly of what happend because I was glad to see the pictures and if anything Apple might have gained some customers who were possibly thinking of getting another phone until they saw the pictures. However the law is the law and even if Apple didn't want to press charges it may not be in Apple's hands. It's just like a vigilante who kills a murderer you may not feel he should be punished but murder is murder and he will have to face trial.

Adding this just because fakesteve is hilarious and it sort of pertains to the thread

The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs : Obama: All of Gawker must go to prison

[Behshad]

Originally Posted by mth785

The guy said he called Apple customer suport, why would they know anything about a missing prototype? If he was serious about returning it he could have driven to the Apple campus or looked in the CA phonebook for the main phone number to Apple HQ.
Anyone who thinks the thief exercised due diligance is smoking something.

I think you must be smoking something, if you think we live in a world full of good smaritans where greed is gone and everyone is 100% honest and tries to do the right thing.