The iPhone 4/HD scandal keeps getting more…well…scandalous! Yesterday I told you that the California Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team raided Gizmodo editor Jason Chen’s home and seized his computers. Today Wired has reported that folks that claimed to be representing Apple showed up at the iPhone finder’s home:
People identifying themselves as representing Apple last week visited and sought permission to search the Silicon Valley address of the college-age man who came into possession of a next-generation iPhone prototype, according to a person involved with the find.
“Someone came to [the finder’s] house and knocked on his door,” the source told Wired.com, speaking on condition of anonymity because the case is under investigation by the police. A roommate answered, but wouldn’t let them in.
I’m surprised that Steve Jobs didn’t have the kid vaporized with a laser from one of his personal satellites. Seriously though, I’m sure the mystery “finder” is going to go down hard. I’m fairly certain that Gawker will have to spend a lot of money in a lengthy legal battle with Apple that will eventually get settled out of court. As for Gray Powell (the guy that lost the phone)…I feel bad for him. Reports are that he hasn’t been fired yet, but I can’t imagine him lasting long at Apple. After that, he could become a Silicon Valley pariah…or the newest cast member of Jersey Shore.
Gizmodo has a lot of explaining to do I think, they can play the whole 'oh we didn't know it was real (even though we paid 5k for it). But I've found that ignorance is rarely a solid defense in court. at the very least Gizmodo is going to be blacklisted by apple. no more review products or special interviews I imagine.
As far as the guy who found it, he's in hot water. I know gizmodo said he "casually" tried to call apple and report it but he obviously didn't try too hard. I mean, he knew the name of the person he took it from, he couldn't have found his name in the contacts and sent him an email or called an alternate line?
I've lost my regular iphone several times and it seems those people have had no problem getting it back to me. This guy clearly was more interested in money but 5k is going to be laughable compared to jail time/court fees/lawyer fees.