Confirmed next-gen Apple iPhone seen in person, disassembled - Page 4

Then why was it only recently 'remotely disabled'?

Nobody lost it.
If it is real (I say it's not) then it wasn't even supposed to be off of the campus. Whatever this is. (if it was really actually found on a bar floor) it was planted there.
Anybody speak to any rep from the bar yet? What is the name of the bar? Who "found" it?

People are really playing up the possibility of a leak - keep in mind:

1. If you so much as send a txt msg to a friend about an unreleased product while working at Apple - you're fired.
2. If you leave your work station without covering up the secret hardware you're working on, with the secret black blanket - you're fired (some projects are to be worked on, only while under the blanket, never to be exposed to the eyes of another employee).
3. If you go through a secured door without swiping your card (ride along on someone else's swipe) - you're fired.
4. If you refused to relinquish all your digital belongings, including private cell phone, laptop, email credentials, etc - when suspected of sending a txt about an unreleased product - you're fired!

Not to mention, functional prototypes of unreleased devices are kept in the level 4 security, R&D section of the Apple campus. You cannot take anything inside the level 4 doors - no usb drives, no cell phones, no laptops - nothing. If you require information or data, you send it electronically through approved channels so that it can monitored. You cannot exit level 4 with anything other than the clothes you brought in, having to pass through metal detectors and empty ones pockets.

Top-level executives are given restricted access to only the sectors required to effectively do their job - if your job doesn't entail top-level R&D, you'll never see the secured R&D sector - period.

Do you honestly believe that a prototype device got out from under the secret blanket, out of the secured doors, through the metal detectors and security tag detectors (yes, Apple is known to add security tags to prototype hardware), through 3 more levels of security, off the campus and then in a simple bit of drunken stupidity, was left unattended for even a split second?!?

Not just improbable - so improbable that it borders on impossible. When was the last time a completed, operational Apple product was leaked (all hardware and software together)? If I recall correctly, it was never.

Indeed, if it's actually an Apple device, it was planted. If it's not, it sure did get everyone talking - what can be said for sure is, it's certainly not the top-secret device that will be making waves this June.

A prototype 4th gen iPhone went missing leading to the suicide of a worker after interrogation and I don't believe it was recovered. Of course, the iPad was photographed a couple of days before it was launched and this iPhone is shown in that picture so it could have been the person who snapped the iPad took one of the new iPhones too.

I don't think it's important that the design is leaked. We knew what the 1st iPhone was going to be like 6 months before it was available for sale.

I like the features noted and some parts of the design. It does look a lot like other phones now though. The iPhone had a uniqueness that this design lacks somewhat.

I prefer flat sides for holding though and the edges shouldn't be as sharp when you hold it up to your ear. The flat surface on the back with the glass reference reminds me of the patent to use the back of the device as a trackpad but I still don't see how it would be practical.

A better camera is good and it appears it might go up to 80GB storage. At this stage, there's little they need to do to the device itself, it's the software they need to focus on. That's really the purpose of the iPhone design - to make the device irrelevant.

It should be a worthwhile upgrade.

Gizmodo is no Steve Job.

And the radio/WiFi/BT and other wireless chip(s).

.

I tend to think that this was an intentional plant to throw everyone off. I cannot see this being an accident.

Also whenever something real pops up, Apple's legal team goes into high gear. I don't think that Gizmodo has been served a cease and desist order yet. What's that tell you?

To quote Elain Bennis: "fake, fake, fake, fake".

B

The one fact that would argue against this is that Giz has not claimed to have received a request from Apple. As soon as they do, you know that would trumpet that as the final proof of authenticity.

If they original finder was told by Apple to return it, then either they didn't tell Giz this (otherwise Giz would benefit by saying so) and Giz is not responsible, or the told Giz and Giz ignored this so they could get their hands on it for examination. Even then, I would expect Giz would have included this in their analysis as to why they feel it is real.

Apple isn't dumb. They know that as soon as they discuss this, it becomes real. As long as they do not formally request its return, then there is still doubt, at least as far as it being a final design.

+1

This is the one thing that I'm holding back on. They dissasembled it - wherefore the CPU pics? This would be a no-brainer.

or even Steve Jobs... for that matter

Could be a plant, but that doesn't mean it is fake. Apple could sent a cease and desist, but that would confirm authenticity.

Word! Show us the Infineon X-Gold chip used. Are they moving to 14.4Mbps with HSUPA? How about a 4th 3GSM radio band for T-Mobile USA's wonky 1700MHz spectrum? Seems odd that these things easily found on any iFixit tesrdown aren't even mentioned.

Will this be known as PiltdownPhone?

Picts of an Apple branded CPU or it is a fake.
Those pictures do not exist.

Yeah, I don't get those saying that this can't be real because it doesn't follow Apple's design aesthetic or because it doesn't have Ive's "signature."

• It's a patented unibody design (despite the seams), that looks just like Apple's most recent products
• It has the (also patented), annular metal ring to hold the glass on.
• It's made from brushed aluminium and glass.
• It's thinner than last years model.

The thing looks pretty much exactly like what you'd get if you applied all of Apple's recent patented design elements to a phone. The only reason the glass isn't flush is that it would pop off when you dropped the phone. The only reason it has a glass back is because of the radio signal issue. Otherwise it would look almost exactly like a tiny iMac or an iPad.

Personally, I didn't like it so much on first sight, so I can understand a little revulsion and shock, but to suggest that it doesn't look like an Apple design or that it was made by Jonathan Ive is to be deliberately blind IMO.

Sorry. Never own a single Apple product so I'm no expert on names.

I studied Ive's works though.

I'm not prepared to accept Gizmodo's integrity or infallibility as axioms.

C'mon folks, wise up. This is a viral campaign by Apple Marketing to promote the new iPhone HD. It leads me to suspect the phone will be released in June, as rumored, not July as customary.

I like the looks but the design is very retro. Perhaps Apple ironed out its "glass" panel issues now that the 27" iMac is in production but the exposed glass edge look vulnerable.

I have an i7 iMac getting delivered tomorrow and will pick up a new iPhone.

PS: My 16GB iPhone 3G will be for sale in June... PM me if you're interested.

One would certainly hope not, but if something untoward were to suddenly occur, it definitely won't be second page news given that it happened here in America, and the legal ramifications/consequences would likely be severe for Apple regarding the manner in which they treat/the pressure under which they place their employees etc.

Again: Let's Hope Nothing Happens

That doesn't soun like an unreasonable request.

Good to see a higher res screen and camera. The flash, if implemented well, would be a boon too.

However, using micro-SIMs is utter, utter fail. Like many large companies, the company I work for sources its business phones and SIM card separately. If the new iPhone uses a different standard, it won't be stocked. SIM cards are standardised for a reason!

EDIT: Why does it say XXGB on the back? Surely it's got more than 20GB of memory.

Besides the fact that no chinese knock-off would come even remotely close to the internal build quality and external finish of this iPhone, there's this:

Oh... So you're taking the Na Na, Na Na, Boo, Boo position... Nice

Agree.
Any lawyers here? I would presume 'paying' for the hardware is illegal. Paying for pictures... probably ok, hardware no. Then to take it apart... holy crap.
Which is another thing, why no pictures of the inerds... ?

Seems like an arranged leak. Whether the real phone is a whole nother matter. Dont care for the industrial (read 'cold') design. But is Apples latest motiff.

Design-wise, this thing is miles away from an iPad.

You're asking the wrong questions. We really don't know if it was "recently" remotely disabled. In fact Gizmodo didn't see it working (just connect to iTunes message). This iPhone was spotted online in February this year in Twitter and even then they didn't show a single screenshot. As far as we know, this device never worked.

Damn right. This is such an obvious thing to photograph. Maybe Gizmodo are saving them for the next round of traffic and advertising revenue.

If Apple cease and desist this, then they basically prove the leak is valid.

If they don't, then they run the risk of more and more of the device getting hacked apart.

The 80GB of storage makes me suspect that 16GB of flash is integrated into one of the chips on the new device, with the extra 64GB storage being additional storage. Compare with the A4 design having 256MB integrated.

The low end 16GB iPhone 4 would thus not even require the additional flash chip.

After having looked at all the large pics over at Gizmodo, you gotta admit that the thing looks solid in design and structure. The speaker, mic, and headphone jack in particular look beefy. And the new metal bezel isn't exactly flush with the top and bottom, so that will add some much needed grip to the phone. Whether it's a leak or was planted, one thing is for sure- Apple seems to have lost something, as Gizmodo confirmed through their sources. Be sure to view the photos while you can, because Apple could drop a C&D order on Gizmodo at any moment (which would then positively confirm it is Apple's).

You might want to read a more than just one forum/article regarding this 'leak', because there is/was earlier information to the contrary.

How does tht make sense? Between MBPs, iPhone OS v4.0 and the iPad Apple has plenty of products in play.

Since when does Apple need to leak a full product in this why? Why not just a photo? What is the point in all that secrecy just to take all the thunder out of Jobs iPhone event months ahead of time?

How does it benefit them to give their competion 2 extra months to play follow the leader. It doesn't make sense.

Nice.
+1

Here is what Gizmodo wrote:


Can you supply a link that contrary to what they wrote?

They took it apart and there isn't a single shot of the circuits? Their "proof" is one single picture of a wire that has "APPLE" written on it. Even the Weiphone pics are more convincing. I don't think it's a fake, but come on, post some more pictures if you've taken it apart. Especially since you've had it for a WHOLE WEEK. I'm very very disappointed in Gizmodo for this. They need better coverage. How about a picture of the ram? Count how many ram chips, look up the model of each one? Then you'll know how many GB is in this phone....

Guess Apple didn't like that "Princess" commercial of the original Droid commercial!

Now if we can only have a leak as to if AT&T will be the only exclusive carrier in the US or will the iPhone be opened up? Guess we'll have to wait on that one and to see iChat on the iPhone...

I might have to bite the bullet and buy my first iPhone... possibly... still poo poo AT&T's rates coming from a T-Mobile point of view.

Geez. OK let me step through this for you. Over at Gruber's blog he reports that


So I guess we can call up Cupertino's PD and ask if Apple has filed a theft report. In which case then Gizmodo has been a receiver of stolen goods (and is out whatever money they paid to get their hands on it). If they do not then turn over the name of the person who sold it to them they can be charged with obstruction of justice in a criminal investigation as well. Since they knowingly paid the source to get the device, they have no legal leg to stand on and are considered by law to be complicit in the theft of the device. To your rather lame point above, Gizmodo doesn't have to call anyone, the person (for example) who finds something missing files a theft report with the police, at which point the device is now considered stolen goods, and anyone handling stolen goods is by law regarded as being complicit if they cannot demonstrate that they didn't know it was stolen. Gizmodo was contacted and informed of the situation by their source, so they knew ahead of time that this device was not released by Apple, but "found" and not returned or turned over to the bar owner to hold for the device owner. Since it was removed from the bar, it is by law theft, period. Check your local law library for precedent if you want. So the source is chargeable with theft, Gizmodo for receiving and compensating the source for stolen goods, and just to top it all off, cracking the case, taking pictures and thus providing able evidence of both their stupidity and their offense.

That is if -IF- this is not just a viral hit by Apple to keep the next gen iPhone in the mindshare circus. So the series of proofs will be this: IF Apple hasn't/doesn't file a theft report, if they simply take back the device from Gizmodo and nothing else is said about the situation, we know it is a PR gig. If a theft report is filed and charges brought we know otherwise. Got it? Thanks for playing.

True, it could be real. It could be an old prototype, it could be a fake. It could me one major, gigantic, humungous, colossal F***-Up

Maybe, just maybe, it's a plant by Dell and it's a new phone from them soon to be released. I can hear it now... "Our DELL phone is so well built, we even fooled the Apple faithful! "We're as good as Apple, we're as good as Apple!" nana-nana-boo-boo!

Nah, I'm going with "It's a plant" for 400, Bob.

To imagine this is plant by Apple is utterly retarded. Its clearly real - whether its the final form or not we shall see... but really, what on earth would be the point of Apple dropping it? Because Apple has a real problem getting publicity? Because they won't sell every single unit they can make come launch? Ridiculous and juvenile.

No it's not. It's not some Apple propritary SIM card. The contact area is identical to the current miniSIM which means any of those SIMs will also work with a quick trim.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-SIM

Yes! YES YES YES!

Apple- you might be pissed right now, although I suspect you deliberately made the leak to destroy any and all other competitors' announcements, but if you are pissed- you knocked it out of the park!!!!!

I'll be there in line on day 1!

Yeah, the whole intentional leak plot on this one is way too complicated. If it was an intentional leak and the details of the devious game get exposed it will make Apple look like a bunch of paranoid incompetent weirdos. Too many risk factors for Apple to do something like that.

And you're using the "put words into other peoples' mouths tactic. Brilliant!