Apple Supposedly Loses iPhone Prototype

Drama has been unfolding over at Gizmodo about a supposed lost iPhone prototype.  Is this the real deal, or is it a clever way of making headline before the iPhone 4.0 even comes out?

The story starts on March 18, where an Apple software engineer name Gray Powell went out to a bar to celebrate his birthday.  It seems he got a little too toasty that night and abandoned the iPhone prototype he was carrying/using on the barstool.  After much discussion amongst some other drunks at the bar, the phone was handed to someone who tried to find out who owned the phone.  The phone was dead the next morning, and that’s when the guy finally realized that this iPhone was different.  He decided that he should try and call Apple to see if he could find a way to return the phone, but nobody would take him seriously at the  Apple phone numbers he tried, refusing to do anything but give him a ticket number.  He expected to get a call from Apple, but he never did.

Eventually, the phone was sold to Gizmodo for $5,000.  Gizmodo eventually was able to get in contact with Gray, and Apple sent a letter officially asking for the precious iPhone prototype back.  But, not before Gizmodo took the phone apart and learned everything they could about the new technology of course.

So I pose the question:  true story here or a really good con to drum up some publicity for Apple and Gizmodo?  I mean Apple is known for their Fort Knox security, so why did they suddenly decide it was a good idea to let a 27-year-old KID, yes I said KID, run around with a prototype?  Most guys I know at that age can’t keep track of their wallets, glasses, or anything else important.  Solidus, my boyfriend, lost his debit card 3 times in 3 months, constantly loses his sunglasses, eyeglasses, and knives so I wouldn’t really trust him walking around with an iPhone prototype, drunk or not.

Just seems a little fishy to me.  Thoughts?

UPDATE: It seems that Apple wants to make a big deal out of this all of a sudden.  Apple decided to get the cops involved, and they promptly got a warrant to seize tons of computer equipment from Gizmodo’s Jason Chen.  The computers were seized as part of an investigation into the “stolen” iPhone prototype. 

Although I wouldn’t see myself pissing off a giant such as Apple by purchasing a prototype, I think Apple is punishing the wrong people here.  Afterall, Apple was the one that thought it was a good idea to give the phone to a noobling who was going out to get drunk.  Sorry, but that was just completely idiotic on their part.  If you don’t want your shit leaked, maybe you should make some wiser choices.

I usually don’t like Jon Stewart, but I totally agree with his take on the whole situation:

“I know that it’s slightly agitating that a blog dedicated to technology published all that stuff about your new phone. And you didn’t order the police to bust down the doors, right?” Mr. Stewart said on his show. “I’d be pissed too, but you didn’t have to go all Minority Report on his ass. I mean, if you want to break down someone’s door, why don’t you start with AT&T, for god’s sake? They make your amazing phone unusable as a phone.”

Apple is acting like a spoiled brat here.  I already have to deal with my bosses’ son and his bratty ways, so I don’t think I’ll be buying any Apple products anytime soon!