Apple Asked for Probe into Stolen iPhone

[Yoder54]

Only in the title is the word "stolen" mentioned. Apple has not stated that the phone was stolen, yet the majority of posts here are erroneously assuming such. My guess is that Apple is investigating the sell of it to Gizmodo. Giz had no idea how the phone was acquired and so they may have willing allowed the purchase of what may have been 'stolen' property. Also, as far as Apple knows Giz may have sent someone out to get such a phone...unlikely, but a possibility. There is nothing wrong with conducting a 'probe'...that is how you separate fact from fiction.

 

[r3t4rd]

[citation][nom]Yoder54[/nom]There is nothing wrong with conducting a 'probe'...that is how you separate fact from fiction.[/citation]

I agree with you on your whole post but, to use "my" tax dollars in such manner? Really? Am I going out on a limb by saying "if Jobs say jump...Cali Gov says how high?"

 

[Kami3k]

[citation][nom]Yoder54[/nom]Only in the title is the word "stolen" mentioned. Apple has not stated that the phone was stolen, yet the majority of posts here are erroneously assuming such. My guess is that Apple is investigating the sell of it to Gizmodo. Giz had no idea how the phone was acquired and so they may have willing allowed the purchase of what may have been 'stolen' property. Also, as far as Apple knows Giz may have sent someone out to get such a phone...unlikely, but a possibility. There is nothing wrong with conducting a 'probe'...that is how you separate fact from fiction.[/citation]

Everything you said is made pointless as by law the phone became the finders when Apple refused it back.

There is NOTHING wrong with selling shit I own. Go fuck yourself for supporting a corporate police force.

 

[jecastej]

There are responsibilities everywhere, on every side. But any single mistake cannot justify that someone played hard with someone else property and rights. You just don't get tire or bore to be honest.

Of course the engineer from Apple who lost it is responsible but it doesn't make good all what happened after he lost the phone.

This guy who found the iPhone tried to contact Apple. Good but why then he did not returned the iPhone to the bar where he found it. He is still guilty. The phone still belongs to someone else and he knew this for a fact.

Then, some Apple employee denies this phone belongs to Apple. But it may take longer because it is a prototype, something a regular Apple employee doesn't know. If you are really honest you keep it to yourself until this situation really clears up, don't try to sell for a high price what is not yours anyway. And is well known today it didn't took forever for Apple to claim the prototype. Only a few days.

Where things start to be very suspicious is when this guy agrees to sells the iPhone for a high price.
You just don't get involved in a $5000 transaction if you don't believe or recognize it is a rare original Apple property. They both knew it was an Apple prototype or would had agree for a lower amount of money. And may I remember you that if this curious phone did not belongs to Apple still it is not yours to sell and still it is from someone else. Guilty again.

So they both recognized it was an Apple property for $5000. Ahhh!, but in the mean time, the confusion, before everything clears up and the owner appears he took photos, videos and published on the internet with innocent genuine comments. Lets party.

Yes, I read the Gizmodo article and it was "funny". How he could end up knowing it was Apple everywhere and not have a "clue" to return the object? I mean before he pressed enter in his keyboard. Jason did something wrong but I still feel he is not a bad person. He was exited and confused, not thinking right but he was not really, really honest. He played a hard ball on Apple and he is now in a great trouble. I hope all the "confusion" help him. A judge may have more experience than all of us together. Lets hope the best for Jason. But you people don't play with and sell what is not yours. Be smart!!! Stay out of trouble.

 

[r3t4rd]

Daily Tech just posted a news bit saying the Police has made contact with the person who sold the phone to Gizmodo. Apparently he's in alot of heat as well. Apparently he also contacted another news competitor of Gizmodo and asked for $5000 for this phone that he himself thinks is the new iPHONE 4G. The news site turned him down then contacted Gizmodo.

Read it here: http://www.dailytech.com/Police+Find+iPhone+Thief+Wired+Reveals+it+Turned+Down+Scoop/article18250.htm

It sounds to me that the finder of the iPHONE still tried to contact the owner and then Apple. With no luck, he turned to make $$$ from what he found. I would have done the same thing. Come on, man, you wouldn't for $5000? After Apple Tells you its a Chinese knock-off? I still see this whole debacle as Apple's fault and just like Apple's high strung ego, Steve Jobs probably got mad and made a big fuss about nothing to Cali law enforcement agencies which in turn, ladies and tech heads, is our tax dollars spent on frivolous corporate blunders.

 

[pharge]

[citation][nom]nottheking[/nom] HOW did the story go? If memory serves, the first thing the 'finder' did was attempt to contact Apple about it. Bingo, right there, FIRST THING, what would be every reasonable and just effort: they contacted the original owner directly..[/citation]

I agree with you if that is actually teh case. Now the missing puzzle is that person A.

Did that person A "actually" contact Apple? Did he just make a quite call or actually show the stuffs to people working in the Apple. Is any of this on the record?

If the person A did really make the effor to return it... yes.. I fully agree with you. But if the person A just "saying" he did try to return it, then I really don't know should I believe the person A or not, if that person A actually knew it is a pototype iphone from Apple (which I assume he/she did... since the person A actually knew to sell it to Chen for $5k).

So in short, the key piece of the puzzle here is the proof that wheither the person A did actually contact Apple custumer service for returning the phone.

Since the person A is still hinding in somewhere. I really do not have enough information to say are they responsible for the crime or not.

Regarding to Apple... by law.. they should have the right to ask for an investigation... by mind/ethic/ and anything else... they went too far and defintely make very bad PR out of themselves (very bad damage control).

 

[igot1forya]

Apple is used to probing people... both legally and anally.

 

[Guest]

jecastej

so tell me how am i standard jon doe go about finding the apple lost prototype hotline? oh wait maybe if i asked nicely they might patch me directly to Mr Job himself. Chances are the only guys in the know about such a highly classified device aren't going be giving you the time of day

and apple only jumped down their throat because gizmodo published pix of the thing (including tear down), had gizmodo not published any pix of the thing i think apple would have happily pretended nothing happened, the phone was after all bricked, in fact had it not been for gizmodo publishing the pix apple probably would have no idea where this thing could be and chances are they not about to take out a classified in the lost and found asking for their shinny new prototype to be returned

truth is apple is steaming cause gizmodo stole their thunder, apple likes to control the hype around their product launches, for someone else to be in control of that just doesn't sit well with them

 

[megamanx00]

Stolen? The moron left it at a bar and the guy "found" it 😀. It's not like he was mugged or pick pocketed. Bad Apple, bad

 

[bliq]

[citation][nom]HotRoderX[/nom]maybe i am being dense on this but..... isnt it true if you LOSE a item (which a apple tech did do) and someone else finds said item I would think it would become your item. If i lose my cell phone I could call police but chances are there not gonna care. But if I am a major corporation and I lose a item I can call the police and they will go and arrest someone. I guess i am lost to what this dude did wrong HE FOUND A PRODUCT that does not mean he stole it he then sold this product to someone that dint make it wrong doing he didn't work for a competitor and there is no corporate espionage to me this is just a case of apple screwed up and is pissed about it so lets randomly attack people kinda thing[/citation]

I don't know about being dense, but there are laws regarding lost property. So before you spout off about laws, know what they are first. In California, the possessor of an item found is obligated to give the property to the owner of the establishment where it was found. If found in public, it's to be turned in to police. I'm not clear if the owner of the establishment is obligated to turn it over to police and what the timeline for that is. But in any case, the actual owner of the property has 3 years to claim the property. I believe if it is cash, then that statute drops to 30 days but I'm not sure on that. But in any case, once the person who found the iphone walked out of the bar with it, without handing it over to the owner of the establishment, I believe it technically becomes stolen property at that point.

 

[r3t4rd]

[citation][nom]Igot1forya[/nom]Apple is used to probing people... both legally and anally.[/citation]
LAMO....wow...this is just soo true....!!! +50!!!!

 

[bliq]

[citation][nom]pharge[/nom]I agree with you if that is actually teh case. Now the missing puzzle is that person A. Did that person A "actually" contact Apple? Did he just make a quite call or actually show the stuffs to people working in the Apple. Is any of this on the record?If the person A did really make the effor to return it... yes.. I fully agree with you. But if the person A just "saying" he did try to return it, then I really don't know should I believe the person A or not, if that person A actually knew it is a pototype iphone from Apple (which I assume he/she did... since the person A actually knew to sell it to Chen for $5k).So in short, the key piece of the puzzle here is the proof that wheither the person A did actually contact Apple custumer service for returning the phone. Since the person A is still hinding in somewhere. I really do not have enough information to say are they responsible for the crime or not.Regarding to Apple... by law.. they should have the right to ask for an investigation... by mind/ethic/ and anything else... they went too far and defintely make very bad PR out of themselves (very bad damage control).[/citation]

It's not confirmed, but the rumor is that person A called AppleCare. WTF? Uh if you really wanted to return a stolen iphone, call Apple. Or drive there- Redwood City is like 30 min from One Infinite Loop...

Apple does have the right to ask for an investigation. However, the DA and judge should have forseen that this storm would happen (and apparently they did) so we still don't know what's going to end up happening here. I don't actually hold apple liable here unless they exerted influence over the DA and the judge to issue a warrant without good reason.

 

[HalJordan]

Out of legal curiosity: In case like this what constitutes a "diligent effort?"

1) Leave it with the bartender?
2) Attempt to contact owner through social media, or dialing contacts saved in the phone? (Not sure if the "finder" attempted this.)
3) Contact AT&T to identify owner?
4) Hand the phone over to the police, and wait for it to be claimed by the proper owner? (I think it is 30 days in most places, then its yours.)
5) Call Apple, ask them if they want it back? (Which he did.)
6) Just box the darn thing up and mail it to: Apple, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014. If it comes back to you, terrific.

I say, pick three. If none pans out the phone is yours to do with as you please. However, I don't see much effort on the "finders" part, which I feel is a major issue not being addressed.

 

[Guest]

I suppose many of you have not been robbed and have items stolen from your possession. I can't say that Jason at Gizmodo have done anything wrong by reporting such curious item.

However, isn't there a legal procedure that we are observing? this is a land of law after all. Lets duke it out in court. If there is anyone out there likes to throw rocks to anything over anything. Bless your heart.

Peace out!

 

[jecastej]

jobcontrol

Don't confuse Apple as a corporation with the law nor Apple with an Apple employee or Steve Jobs. Your duty always is to be honest, which is not easy and there is no a tech manual nor a hotline available for every question you may have. The law ask you explicitly to recognize that you may find something and that it doesn't make it yours. So how could you end up selling it for a high price. The iPhone had an owner Apple or not Apple. So the guy who sold the phone is responsible from braking this law. Even if this phone was not stolen. If you don't want to get into trouble give the phone to the police or give it back to the bar owner.

Gizmodo is responsible for buying something from an unknown origin so go figure if they published their "acquisition". The law has nothing to do with Apple. Or do you think Gizmodo used their lawyers to make a "$5000 100% legal contract" and to publish the article? I haven't heard anything about it. The lawyer appeared later to protect Jason from the police procedure.

Gizmodo is responsible, the thing is if Jason gets to be protected as a possible journalist.

It may ends with every part involved being responsible on some degree, I don't know. I am not saying Apple is right and innocent. I am saying the mistakes on Apple side doesn't make the others free of any responsibility. Don't get confused with this.

And anyone here really thinks $5000 is enough to get involved in all this trouble?
Do you think a judge is going to allow this dubious selling/buying behavior to go on and on?

It is going to be very interesting to follow the resolution on this case.

 

[pharge]

[citation][nom]Arthur Leung[/nom] However, isn't there a legal procedure that we are observing? this is a land of law after all. Lets duke it out in court. If there is anyone out there likes to throw rocks to anything over anything. Bless your heart. Peace out![/citation]

True... the only problem here is... we also know here is not only teh land of laws, but also the land of lawyers.

So will this case be justified?... I am not sure. Guess I will have to wait and see.

Well it is getting look like a movie or even a never ending soap opera/drama.. Let's sit and watch show(with an ice cold beer in hand..😀 ). hmm... what will be the best title of this show?..😉

By the way, have you guys seen the photoshop contest "63 ways Steve Jobs Could Strike Back"? This contest defintelly goes well with the show! Enjoy (http://gizmodo.com/5525728/63-ways-steve-jobs-could-strike-back)

So what's your favorate one?..😉

😀

 

[r3t4rd]

[citation][nom]HalJordan[/nom]Out of legal curiosity: In case like this what constitutes a "diligent effort?"1) Leave it with the bartender?2) Attempt to contact owner through social media, or dialing contacts saved in the phone? (Not sure if the "finder" attempted this.)3) Contact AT&T to identify owner?4) Hand the phone over to the police, and wait for it to be claimed by the proper owner? (I think it is 30 days in most places, then its yours.)5) Call Apple, ask them if they want it back? (Which he did.)6) Just box the darn thing up and mail it to: Apple, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014. If it comes back to you, terrific. I say, pick three. If none pans out the phone is yours to do with as you please. However, I don't see much effort on the "finders" part, which I feel is a major issue not being addressed.[/citation]
Honestly, if it was me, I would have tried to contact the person and then Apple (Which he did). And then why would I even spend more time trying to find the owner? Seriously, someone would spend hours upon hours? 10 minutes of my time that is all. Ofcourse, then i'd spend more time trying to make money from iPhone in which the seller probably did. He's just your average person...like you and me.

Plus, why would the police want the iPhone or such tech stuff? If the police did, they'd run out of space to store all that stuff!!!! Plus its a liability for them as well.

Its all about Apple, and Steve Jobs throwing hissy fit.

 

[maestintaolius]

I'm still convinced this isn't really the 4G iPhone but the upcoming iPad Mini with phone capability.

 

[reddragon72]

First and employee in China kills himself(supposable) and now Apple is raiding a reporters house(yes bloggers reporting news are considered journalists).... Everything to do with Apple is evil and VERY VERY shady at best! You all have been warned by me before about Apples intentions, and you had better bet they are going to get worse!

 

[HalJordan]

[citation][nom]r3t4rd[/nom]Honestly, if it was me, I would have tried to contact the person and then Apple (Which he did). And then why would I even spend more time trying to find the owner? Seriously, someone would spend hours upon hours? 10 minutes of my time that is all. Ofcourse, then i'd spend more time trying to make money from iPhone in which the seller probably did. He's just your average person...like you and me. Plus, why would the police want the iPhone or such tech stuff? If the police did, they'd run out of space to store all that stuff!!!! Plus its a liability for them as well. Its all about Apple, and Steve Jobs throwing hissy fit.[/citation]

Hissy fit? Yes, I agree. To be frank, I'm calling the "finder" a douche bag. You find a phone at a bar, you hand it over to the bartender so it can be added to the lost and found. How much time should a person spend finding the owner? Well if you pick it up, aren't you assuming some responsibility for finding the owner? Otherwise, leave it alone...just walk away, just walk away...