Apple vs. the Media

If you haven’t seen it, it is everywhere. The iPhone 4G. But why is everyone calling it 4G? Will it support the 4G network? If it is the new design, why not call it 3GSM? M standing for “More Powerful?” But now, everyone insists on 4G.

And that is the story! How did Apple “mishandle” something so important and valuable and have it “fall” into the hands of a tech journalist who is now facing some serious allegations? [By the way, this story will have a lot of cross-references so keep up!]

Let’s start back with Engadget. I first came across their story about proof that the iPhone 4G does exist. Time stamped at April 18th 2010 4:03pm. The following day, Gizmodo has their full release. This time stamp is April 19th 2010 10am, about 18 hours after Engadget’s story, only with video, more details and analysis of the said device.

Doesn’t this seem fishy to you? Two major tech sites publishing about a fabled device that could smash the other competitor to the ground. And who came out on top?

Sure Gizmodo got the page hits and ads, even though they deny it. And then there is the buyout for the prototype device. But of course, there is the cover-up and the person “responsible” for the device and why it was “not a leak.“

Eventually, Apple asked for the phone back after they disabled it. But apparently, that wasn’t enough for Apple with the resulting search and recovery of said Gizmodo journalist’s home.

As for Engadget, they didn’t get fined but they probably saw an increase in website hits… so good for them!

So is this still a controlled leak? Or did “it” really hit the fan? If Apple pursues this lawsuit and takes Gawker and Gizmodo to court, and slaps them with a heafty fine, then it is the real deal and there was no leak. If Gawker/Gizmodo gets away with a small fine (< $50k), then you’ll know it was a leak.  But where will this end?  Media outlets will continue to find scoops and will the lawsuits continue to rain upon our parade?

And here is Dilbert!