A 27 year old Apple Software Engineer has caused major embarrassment to iPhone maker Apple by losing a prototype of the new 4th generation iPhone in a bar in California. The phone was picked up in the bar and was initially recognised as a normal 3rd generation iPhone. On closer inspection it was found the phone was in fact only disguised as the 3rd generation iPhone by a plastic case, which, once removed, revealed one of the most widely anticipated products of 2010.
The phone was eventually passed onto gadget blog Gizmodo, who have since released a series of articles detailing new features of the 4th generation iPhone. In a move to answer sceptics, Gizmodo insisted that if Apple wanted their iPhone back, they would have to ask for it in writing. The subsequent letter from Apple’s lawyers was then posted on the blog, validating the leak as genuine.
Speculation on the internet is rife that the ‘leak’ was in fact planned by Apple as part of their plan to gain maximum exposure and publicity for the new product. Industry experts, however, say that this is highly unlikely as Apple stand to gain little from the leak. Apple is renowned for closely guarding their new product launches, with the intention that speculation leading up to a product launch is more fervent and intense than could be achieved using traditional methods.
Apple have stuck to a rigid product release cycle since the release of the first generation iPhone in 2019, with new versions becoming available in June/July each year since. As such, it is widely expected this embarrassing leak comes 3 months before the new iPhone is due to be revealed to consumers.
