HISTORY OF IPHONE 4

 
 
The earlier than expected release of the iPhone 4 (anticipated to be called iPhone HD) was precipitated by the loss of an iPhone 4 prototype. What was most likely a prototype of the new iPhone 4 was lost by an Apple engineer in March. Gizmodo ended up with the phone and believes it is a real iPhone 4 prototype whose build quality suggests a soon to be released smartphone.1 While many thought that Gizmodo pulled off a publicity stunt, the subsequent equipment seizure of a Gizmodo's editor and criminal investigation suggests it was a real Apple prototype. The latest news on the lost iPhone prototype is found on this page.

Gary Powell, an Apple Software Engineer, had some beers at the Gourmet Haus Staudt and forgot his phone on the night of March 18.2 Attempts were made to contact the owner of the phone. The next morning the phone was dead (remotely). Attempts were made to contact Apple but the calls were ignored according to the unnamed person who found the phone. Gizmodo ended up with the disabled phone and has dis-assembled it enabling a comparison with the iPhone 3GS.1 Go to the iPhone 4 vs iPhone 3GS comparision page to see what Gizmodo discovered.

The premature release of the new iPhone specifications caused Apple to move up its expected June 28th announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for Performing Arts where they traditionally announce the iPhone to the Apple Worldwide Developers (WWDC 2010) conference on June 7th.

Gizmodo acquired (means under criminal investigation) the next generation iPhone (now known as iPhone 4) in March 2010 with the following features not found in the iPhone 3GS:

    micro-SIM card (only use to date has been in iPad)
    miniaturized components labeled Apple (can't be an iPhone 3GS)
    iPhone OS 4.0 features were seen
    highly finished manufacturing prototype for 2011 available a year in advance makes no sense

The prototype iPhone weighs 140 (135) grams with slightly smaller profile of 4.50 X 2.31 X 0.37 (4.50 X 2.4 X 0.48) inches. The back is flat (rounded) and a more squarish (rounded) look.

The operating system is the iPhone 4.0 (3.x). The cellular and wireless features are enabled by a micro-SIM (standard SIM). Expect the usual connectivity (UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR). Internal components are shrunken (less miniaturization) allowing a larger (smaller) battery.

 
The display is a slightly smaller (3.5 inches) multi-touch widescreen with apparently higher resolution - perhaps the rumored 960X640 (480 X 320). If so, the 720p video setting in the latest SDK may be possible.5

There is an additional front-facing video chat camera, enlarged back-camera and flash (3 megapixel rear only).

Volume controls are split (combined) and buttons are metallic (plastic).

Here is the path that the Apple iPhone prototype has taken to date:

18Mar Apple Software Engineer forgets his phone in a local bar.2

17Apr Engadget posts photos of the phone taken earlier.6

17Apr Gizmodo release pictures, videos, and analysis of the phone.1.

18Apr Gizmodo reveals they paid $5000 a week earlier to take possession of the phone.7

19Apr Apple writes to Gizmodo asking for the phone back.8

20Apr While no Apple representative has gone on the record to confirm that the phone is theirs the blogsphere is shifting the discussion to the legal implications of Gizmodo's possession of the phone.9 10 11 12

20Apr Apple holds 2nd Quarter financial results conference call - no mention of the lost phone.13

20Apr Gizmodo returns phone to Apple on Monday night.8

21Apr The home of the phone's finder was visited by Apple representatives and turned away (reported on 28Apr)14

21Apr One camp of analysts/bloggers say Gizmodo stole the phone. A smaller camp says Apple lost its trade secret protection when the phone was taken to a bar. A third camp says Apple just wants the attention to go away.8

21Apr Could it be an Apple decoy or take attention away from the HTC Android Incredible?15

23Apr Recaps - Techtree has a thorough review of the technical aspects of the leaked/lost phone.16

23Apr Santa Clara County Police are investigating at request of Apple.17

23Apr (posted 26 Apr) Police executed a search warrant of Gizmodo editor Jason Chan and seized computer equipment. Details of warrant and response of Gizmodo posted.18

26Apr Electronic Frontier Foundation believes search was illegal.19

27Apr Legal implications of seizure being debated? Is a blogger a journalist and thus protected by shield laws?20 The story is no longer one of a tech blog scoop so even the New York Times has had its say.21

28Apr Prosecutors defend their position to seek a search warrant citing possible loss of evidence.22

28Apr More big media outlets covering the story - ABC News is the latest reporting that the person who found the phone has been interviewed by the police.23

29Apr Wired Magazine identified Brian Hogan as the one who ended up with the phone at the bar. His attorney says he "regrets his mistake".24

30Apr A cryptologic technician helped Brian Hogan shop the phone around according to CNET.25 They argue that search warrants are judicial and should not be subject to sealing.

04May A group of media organizations are preparing a legal brief to unseal the court documents related to the seizure of equipment belonging to Gizmodo's editor who broke the iPhone prototype story.26

Investigators apparently have not examined the seized equipment until the legal status of the disputed search is resolved.27

06May Judge refuses to unseal search warrant affidavit - refers case to the issuing judge. District attorney's office say two other persons of interest are reason it is sealed.28

08May Apple WWDC sold out in 8 days due in part to the speculation about iPhone 4 brought out by the Gizmodo story on the lost/stolen iPhone prototype.29

10May Prosecutors now say they are protecting the name of an informant in justifying why the records need to be sealed.30

12May A second iPhone prototype reportedly surfaced in Vietnam.31

14May Judge orders the search warrant unsealed - reveals that Apple claiming harm from consumers waiting for the new model rather than purchasing the older one.32

24May Walmart lowers price of the iPhone 3GS with the usual AT&T contract to $97.33

01Jun Steve Jobs during an interview at D8 said “It’s a great story…it’s got theft, buying stolen property, extortion. Probably sex in there somewhere…someone should make a movie out of this.”34 He also said: “One of our employees was carrying [it]. There’s a debate about whether he left it in a bar, or it was stolen out of his bag.”35

03Jun A special master was appointed by the court to oversee the search of the seized computers and forward only relevant materials to the judge - Gizmodo lawyers can then object before materials sent to district attorney.36

07June New iPhone announced at Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference? Stay tuned ...37

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