(Image Source: CNET)
BY ADAM FALK
ANCHOR KYLIE MCGIVERN
You're watching multisource tech news analysis from Newsy.
A guy walks into a bar. He’s carrying an iPhone. Guy leaves the bar and leaves the phone behind. Heard this one before? That’s what you think.
CNET broke the news of an errant iPhone 5 on Wednesday. But unlike last year’s iFind, this story gets a bit more complicated. (Image source: PC Mag)
Apple traces the missing phone to Sergio Calderón’s home and six people, who he claims were San Francisco police, show up at his door. Here’s SF Weekly.
“Calderón told us that six badge-wearing visitors came to his home in July to inquire about the phone. Calderón said none of them acknowledged being employed by Apple, and one of them offered him $300, and a promise that the owner of the phone would not press charges, if he would return the device.”
According to CNET, following their report SFPD said they couldn’t find any records of Apple’s reporting a missing phone. But they quickly changed their story-- saying 4 officers assisted Apple employees. The SF Weekly article goes on...
“It remains unclear whether these actions might constitute impersonation of a police officer, which in California is a misdemeanor that can bring up to a year of jail time.”
Jail time? This is starting to sound serious. But not everyone is buying this phone fumble. A writer for Appboy says...
“OK, am I the only one laughing here? I mean, once, I get it, it happens. But losing two mobile devices that are under the highest level of security and for which the absolutely craziest measures of precaution have been taken, in a bar, twice? Speechless!”
And All Things Digital adds...
“Apple should really begin requiring signed sobriety pledges from anyone given a prototype.”
As for rumors the tech giant planned the missing prototype story for extra buzz, an IB Times writer says, Apple isn’t stupid.
“It knows that stringing the police along in a fake iPhone 5 prototype chase is blatantly illegal and carries serious criminal consequences. Moreover, it would look extremely bad to the public and consumers if Apple knowingly and purposely searched the home of an innocent individual.
The risks are simply too great and the rewards are limited. Plus, Apple isn't in desperate need of more hype for the iPhone 5.”
The caper doesn’t end here. PC Mag has a bit of info everyone doesn’t. A tipster emailed saying Calderon sold the prototype to a man in Texas.
“We did track down a Fort Worth man with the name identified in the email from our tipster—or prankster, as the case may be. A brief correspondence with the alleged prototype buyer didn't yield much, though he never denied having the phone, and on one email he signed off with ‘Sent from my iPhone 5.’”
Apple has declined to comment on any media inquires at this point. For future iPhone 6 reference, start checking out the bars in San Fransisco.
And speaking of iPhones-- Keep up to date with Newsy by ensuring you're using the latest version of our mobile apps. Check the app store for updates now!
Transcript by Newsy.
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