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[numble]

The initial blurry photos were initially posted on Engadget on Saturday. I think there was a bidding war between Gizmodo and Engadget to get the device from the finder.

Unless Apple gave Engadget blurry photos, with Engadget saying "We're working hard on getting a hands on with the device! Stay tuned!" and then Apple changes its minds and gives it to Gizmodo instead.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

I'm assuming the seam is present because of the removable back?

 

[Nazgul_Hunter]

Apple doesn't focus test anything.

This is the opposite of focus testing though... :lol :lol :lol

(But I agree, this is not intentional at all.)

 

[borghe]

Am I the only one who isn't seeing what is so incredibly amazing about this update? The Nexus One already had all of these things and still looks to have better hardware. I guess anything Apple is just instantly amazing...

eh.... you are kind of missing the point nowadays with this statement. I'm no longer looking for a "phone". I essentially have a mini-computer with me right now. It's not like "oh yay! I can get another phone that has cool features". Another phone means rebuying new applications for that phone for all of my work, rebuying games, rebuying social/hobby applications, etc. Phones used to be like going from a Sony DVD player to a Toshiba DVD player. Toshiba might do 1080i upconversion, or play files from your computer, or the Sony might have a better deinterlacer.. but they did the same thing mostly with different bells and whistles.

today moving phones is almost exactly like going from a PC to Mac or Linux... only not doing so while having both PCs sitting right next to each other. No, it's like your ONLY PC in the house will no longer be a PC but will now be a Mac. So you are rebuying everything critical you need day one and then have to fill in the gaps as you come across shit you need.

The Nexus one could have a dick sucking attachment on it and deposit $1 per day into my checking account for all I care... but if I can't get or have to rebuy may 200 something apps to get it up to speed with my iphone, that's a massive fucking inconvenience. The fact that most android owners still don't understand this concept is a very telling indication at the current level of the android app store IMHO.

 

[thefil]

I love the new look. My 3GS is already jealous. I won't be upgrading though, can't really justify the cost considering I've only had my iPhone 6 months.

 

[Interfectum]

The Nexus one could have a dick sucking attachment on it and deposit $1 per day into my checking account for all I care... but if I can't get or have to rebuy may 200 something apps to get it up to speed with my iphone, that's a massive fucking inconvenience. The fact that most android owners still don't understand this concept is a very telling indication at the current level of the android app store IMHO.

Incoming: "Why do you care about porting your fart apps over to a new phone?"

Anyway, looks awesome. I'm heading for a huge upgrade since I never bought a 3GS

 

[jagowar]

It still doesn't look like an apple product to me..... looks like something the zune hd team would produce. But that is a good thing because I hated the curved look of the 3g/s. Still seems like an odd choice for apple.

 

[Zombie James]

I love, love, love the new design. Fuck curves. I hope the design moves over to the iPod, too.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

if they release this 4g iphone this summer wouldn't it be verizon?

 

[LCfiner]

This is not intentional. Apple wouldn't sell something as big as this to a gadget site. They would gain more by having the design be a total shocker when revealed in the summer.

And, fwiw, gruber at daring fireball has heard that apple considers this phone stolen and not lost. There seems to be something a little shady going on with the people who took it and were selling it off to the gadget sites.

 

[BlackGoku03]

So how many of you hating on this are just pissed because it means your 3Gs are now ancient, washed up has-beens :lol

Not hating. Just not sure if it's worth the upgrade from the 3GS. Seeing as there's still a lot we don't know about it.

Definately worth the upgrade from a 3G.

 

[captmcblack]

I wonder if the iPod Touch will take its next refresh from this body style for the iPhone 4G? I am looking to buy an iPod Touch, but I don't want to get fucked and not have a version that doesn't look this awesome. :lol

 

[Guevara]

Call me a fool, but I do not think this is intentional. Has this ever been Apple's style?

 

[saltinekracka]

I've forgone the three previous phones. I think this is the one I've been waiting for.

 

[Guevara]

I wonder if the iPod Touch will take its next refresh from this body style for the iPhone 4G? I am looking to buy an iPod Touch, but I don't want to get fucked and not have a version that doesn't look this awesome. :lol

Same here. Sad but now I have to wait.

 

[Stinkles]

If it doesn't say Walt Mossberg or Steven Levy anywhere, it's not deliberate.

 

[mj1108]

As soon as Apple issues a takedown notice, then it's a confirmation. That's why they stopped issuing them over the past couple of years. Remember when the new Nanos were leaked and no takedown was issued? When the 3GS was revealed a few days early?

True...but in this case, an actual prototype got out there instead of just images.

 

[infiniteloop]

Gruber says:

Note that I did not use the word “lost”. It is my understanding that Apple considers this unit stolen, not lost. And as for the “someone(s)” who “found” it, I believe it is disingenuous for Gizmodo to play coy, as though they don’t know who the someones are.

http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/04/19/gizmodo-rumors

 

[Doytch]

Really like the design. Was never a fan of the original design; bulges and curved backs are not my cup of tea. Also, matte > shiny any day of the week.

 

[Kowak]

i do prefer the look of this and will hopefully get it day one, my 3G needs to be put down soon.

 

[hiryu]

Really excited. My 3G contract ends in July so I'll be ready to update then.

 

[Technosteve]

So how many of you hating on this are just pissed because it means your 3Gs are now ancient, washed up has-beens :lol

Hey you shut up let me rage a bit at apple and the new design, I might just get this and give my 3Gs to my mom :lol :lol :lol .. or wait till gen 5 phone comes out =(

 

[Struct09]

I approve, and can't wait to ditch my 3G and upgrade to one of these

 

[Amory]

I find it hard to believe that someone carrying around a prototype of one of the most highly anticipated tech products would just up and leave it in a bar. You'd think they'd have it in a briefcase handcuffed to a large bodyguard.

Very suspicious.

 

[Seth C]

if they release this 4g iphone this summer wouldn't it be verizon?

Well if we were talking about 4g cellular wireless, then Sprint would be the best bet. Both Verizon and AT&T have 4G in some cities, but it is not widespread by any means. But, no. This phone will almost certainly not access a 4G data network at all. So beyond that, my only response to your question is, "Huh?"

 

[Gouken]

what's a micro sim? i hope they get rid of that stupid sim card slot on the iPhone, it's such a paint to take the sim card in an out.

 

[Gary Whitta]

I'm hoping the casing is a prototype, it does nothing for me at all. Now it just looks like every other HTC/iClone out there. I can't believe Apple would release this as-is. Unibody or bust!

 

[Acheteedo]

FINALLY a flash! I'm due an upgrade in August, hope this model's out then.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

I think if iPhone jumps carriers from AT&T it will go to all carriers. Verizon getting it would be a huge win for Verizon (and me since I am on Verizon), but it would be in Apple's best interest to open up the iPhone market to all carriers, much like Android is. They are probably looking at how huge Android's install base is and rapidly growing, and want to stop it. Sure, Apple still has the public mindshare of being THE phone to get, but Android is growing very rapidly. A move to all carriers would be to their benefit (but harder to maintain control of the product).

 

[Xater]

what's a micro sim? i hope they get rid of that stupid sim card slot on the iPhone, it's such a paint to take the sim card in an out.

How often do you change your SIM card? I put mine in once and never touched the slot again.

 

[jts]

what's a micro sim? i hope they get rid of that stupid sim card slot on the iPhone, it's such a paint to take the sim card in an out.

Micro SIM is a SIM cut down to the chip, without the extra plastic of the mini SIM (like the one the iPhone has now).

The system for the SIM tray is the same. It works.

 

[Technosteve]

why haven't they looked if they put a new cpu in there

 

[Tobor]

I'm hoping the casing is a prototype, it does nothing for me at all. Now it just looks like every other HTC/iClone out there. I can't believe Apple would release this as-is. Unibody or bust!

I like the new back. Remove the seams and it's a winner. The rumor is that the volume buttons will double as camera buttons, which makes sense.

 

[Meier]

So it gets lost at a bar and quickly gets picked up by Gizmodo who disassembles it despite Apple reporting it missing?

Right.

Gizmodo obviously bought it off whoever found it. I am sure there was a HUGE bidding war for this thing.

I love the look of this personally. Not a fan of the rounded back to my iPhone and I'm kind of excited about the thought of it weighing slightly more as it currently feels too flimsy. I'd probably be willing to go case-less with this one.

 

[Kowak]

Well if we were talking about 4g cellular wireless, then Sprint would be the best bet. Both Verizon and AT&T have 4G in some cities, but it is not widespread by any means. But, no. This phone will almost certainly not access a 4G data network at all. So beyond that, my only response to your question is, "Huh?"

i hope it wil be able to use 4g. i go to korea next month and want to use super fast networks.

 

[Gary Whitta]

I hope the full story of how this unit got "lost" comes out soon because it is definitely all very shady. No way did some guy just leave this behind in a bar.

 

[Gary Whitta]

I like the new back. Remove the seams and it's a winner. The rumor is that the volume buttons will double as camera buttons, which makes sense.

Ah, that's actually a good idea. Taking photos with the touchscreen button has always been a bit fiddly.

 

[Twilight Princess]

you guys are such consumer whores

 

[ShOcKwAvE]

I find it hard to believe that someone carrying around a prototype of one of the most highly anticipated tech products would just up and leave it in a bar. You'd think they'd have it in a briefcase handcuffed to a large bodyguard.

Very suspicious.

I'm a little surprised how many people can't believe this is possible. We live in a world filled with human error...Apple can't have perfect security 100% of the time. They have to test the device in many locations, not just the Apple-owned facilities. Two months prior to launch, it'd be shocking not to be at this testing phase.

Does Apple have a history of losing their prototypes? Why would they start doing these intentionally?

 

[Mr.Squirrel]

What we don't know is that Apple has actual ninjas employed.

Oh I know they have them. I was recently attacked by them.....they're real man, THEY'RE REAL!

 

[Tobor]

Ah, that's actually a good idea. Taking photos with the touchscreen button has always been a bit fiddly.

The only problem with that theory is that the buttons and camera are in the same position, which makes it difficult. /shrugs

 

[Captain_Spanky]

Why didn't they hand it in to lost property?

 

[lunarworks]

I find it hard to believe that someone carrying around a prototype of one of the most highly anticipated tech products would just up and leave it in a bar. You'd think they'd have it in a briefcase handcuffed to a large bodyguard.

Very suspicious.

Well, it's hard to do real-world testing on a device locked in a briefcase. (Do you think they're going to do all their testing on-campus, or the day before release?) Plus the thing was disguised in a custom plastic case to make it look like a 3GS. Whoever picked it up probably thought they found a 3GS, and was quite surprised when they removed the protector.

Anyway, the carrier of the phone probably had a couple of drinks too many and it fell out of his pocket. Things like that normally happen every day. Sloppy on his behalf, though, carrying a super-secret pre-release device to a bar. He probably had the intention of showing it to drunk college girls (who don't write tech blogs so no one will find out), telling them he's "not supposed to show it to anyone" but they're "so special that he will anyway", and getting laid.

Think about it. You've got the secret, new iPhone. Girls LOVE iPhones. It's an instant, almost perfect pick-up opportunity. Dude got weak and used what he had to try to get some, and now he's in deep, dark, Jobsian trouble.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS



FLASH!!!! YESSS


No more roundness. \o/


DAY ONE!!111

 

[pxleyes]

I hope the full story of how this unit got "lost" comes out soon because it is definitely all very shady. No way did some guy just leave this behind in a bar.

uh, why not? It's a bar. People drink, leave shit all the time.

 

[Axion22]

I find it hard to believe that someone carrying around a prototype of one of the most highly anticipated tech products would just up and leave it in a bar. You'd think they'd have it in a briefcase handcuffed to a large bodyguard.

Very suspicious.

What better way to test a prototype smartphone's usability in the wild, by chaining it to your wrist, like everyone else does?

 

[Killthee]

if they release this 4g iphone this summer wouldn't it be verizon?

Its not call the 4G iPhone because of the cell standard it uses, its called the 4G because its the 4th Generation iPhone. Its a holdover from the iPod line.

 

[gcubed]

The Nexus one could have a dick sucking attachment on it and deposit $1 per day into my checking account for all I care... but if I can't get or have to rebuy may 200 something apps to get it up to speed with my iphone, that's a massive fucking inconvenience. The fact that most android owners still don't understand this concept is a very telling indication at the current level of the android app store IMHO.

or it could be that many android owners didnt have something before, or it could be that there are a lot of *gasp*free*gasp* alternatives on the android store. The store is no doubt behind the iphone store, and i agree 100% with your premise, but your last sentence is pure garbage.

anyway, it has nothing to do with if there is a "better" alternative, it has all do with what it has vs the previous iphone... there really is no reason to discuss android here

 

[cory]

I wasn't a big fan of the roundedness of the iPhone, so this is an improvement in my eyes.

 

[Gary Whitta]

Come on, STILL no reaction from Hitler's bunker?