Apple & The iPhone Prototype

Whoever's fault it is, I'm pretty sure Steve Jobs also has someone to point at.

Although it seems like ancient history, the story of the lost iPhone prototype has been one of the biggest buzzes this year.

To make a long story short (because this blog is opinionated after the facts), an Apple engineer lost his phone at a bar on March 18. For reasons beyond me, the person who found it did not turn it in (no surprise since its rare that someone would do that) and took it home.

The finder noticed something odd about this iPhone and took it out of its case. Turns out this iPhone isn't your ordinary iPhone 3G/S. Its more boxier, sleeker and has a camera built-into the face of it.

Here's where I think the crime lays, the finder sells this lost item to Tech-blogging site, Gizmodo and as a result, a journalist's home was raided and the source of all this. Apple.

Who's fault is this? Although the law is the law and they're holding the blogger responsible at first, this case runs deeper than just simple logic. I did leave out the fact that the finder did try to reach Apple and the engineer in order to return it (I'm confused as to why he would sell it off in the end) and Jason Chen (the victim) had agreed to return the iPhone back to Apple.

In the interest of fairness, I want to list out the rights and wrong's on EVERYONE who was involved. (a lot of what may be right or wrong is heavily opinionated by me)

Right:
- Seller tried to contact Apple
- Gizmodo editor, Jason Chen, wants to hand over the iPhone prototype back to Apple.
- (According to Apple) The engineer who had lost the prototype was not fired but his whereabouts, unknown to us.
- Legally, Apple has to issue a notice of return for the missing item and had it issued to Chen.
- Chen complies and agrees to hand it over.
- This iPhone prototype has a face camera. (That's pretty cool)

Wrong:
- The Seller did not turn in the missing item
- Apple representatives over the phone deny the seller any response when first contacted.
- Seller sells the iPhone to Gizmodo for money. (I think that constitutes as a crime)
- Gizmodo agrees to buy (according to law) "stolen property".

- Gizmodo reveals the identity of the engineer by exposing his Facebook page and name. (that is messed up)
- A SWAT team which was sourced by county police through Apple's security team raids the house of Jason Chen and confiscates his work possessions. (In my opinion, I believe that should've been illegal. Despite the fact that Chen was a mere blogger and the law protects journalists from being prosecuted and having their possessions taken in, Chen works under Gizmodo and is paid to blog. Not even freelance, I believe that should allow him to be considered a "journalist")

So I guess the big question is, who's to blame for the start of this?

Is it the seller who should have just "done the right thing?" by turning in the authorities?
Is it Apple for leaving such a top secret project to someone who wasn't at work?
Is it the engineer's fault for losing it?
Is it Gizmodo's fault for purchasing "stolen" property and exposing it to everyone?

It's clear who is to blame for everything that followed up (the raid, the ridicule, the exposure, the extensive legal works).

There is never a clear answer to this because the law barely solves moral issues. Think of Apple as the aggressor for pursuing all the people who were involved but think of the engineer whose young adult life is tarnished by Gizmodo's exposure. Then you have Jason Chen who gets his house raided from all this but he was just doing his job as a reporter, whether it was the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do, that's up to your opinion. The results that come out of this will take some time.

Personally, if this prototype will be the next iPhone, it will still generate enough buzz and even though it was leaked. I really want one.

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

OOOO, Double post for the night!

Ok, I'm bored and I can't sleep.

Last Saturday, the guys and I went to watch the heavily-hyped Iron Man 2.

I remember how epic the first Iron Man movie was, really deep storyline to describe how Tony Stark went from an egotistical rich-boy engineer genius to an egotistical rich-boy engineer genius superhero in a badass suit of iron.

Now Iron Man 2 has a storyline, just not a deep one. Basic action movie with a revenge plot and tons of explosions. You meet the same awesome cast (minus Terrence Howard because he felt he was too expensive for the role) along with some new faces (Mickey Rourke and mmm....Scarlett Johanson).

We watched the regular movie instead of IMAX 2D because with a hype-monster movie like this, tickets get sold out just like Avatar.

Anyways, the movie shows Tony Stark's life as Iron Man after unveiling his identity and how one mad Russian who has a history with Stark's father wants revenge and retribution.

I really enjoyed how Tony Stark just rubs everything in everyone's faces. The movie itself didn't carry a serious tone like the first one but I guess they needed an awesome movie to kick off the summer right?

Let's go to my criteria:

Acting: 8, Large supporting cast with matching characters but Don Cheadle is no Terrence Howard. That's for sure.

Storyline: 6, Nothing original about it. Just a lot of action. No twists in the story, very straightforward. Throw in some laughs here and there.

Presentation: 9, It's not the story that is going to keep you in your seat but the awesome visuals. Very beautifully rendered stuff with some amazing scenery and sets. The visual production did not go cheap on it that's for sure.

Hype-Fulfillment: Yes. It's the sequel to one of the best superhero movies produced in the early 2000 era. A good amount of advertisement to suck you into buying a ticket.

Audio: 8, Loud explosions, clanks and clinks to transformation crisp and clear. The soundtrack was pretty good too. Throw in some AC/DC and out of nowhere you have an epic iron man fight with Robot Rock. Then throw in some 2Pac's California Love...that was a fun one.

Overall: 33(+1)/40: B. If superhero movies are tolerable to you and you're in for some good time action with a few laughs here and there to end your finals week or start off summer, go for it. It doesn't disappoint. If you want a more serious story, re-watch Iron Man 1 and you'll appreciate Iron Man 2.

Weird Dream: Pregnant Woman Gameshow

Ok, less serious stuff this time.

So I was having a dream one night and it was bizarre.

I think this happened because I spent an hour thinking of ways to make money and it got implemented into my dream.

So I created and began hosting a game show.

The rules are simple:

6 pregnant ladies start off at the beginning of an obstacle course.

They must battle their way through various challenges and stuff.

First woman to reach the finish line and gives birth wins $60,000.

I know, that was the most sick and ridiculous dream or idea ever. I thought it was pretty funny at the start.

I remember telling Nelson all about it, and he gave me a lecture on abuse and laws that restrict pregnant woman from doing such things in order to protect them but, honestly...if I ever had the money and resources, would I ever do that? No.

But really, it was pretty funny to dream up.