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iPhone 4 models on sale at an Apple store Richard Drew/AP/Press Association Images

Apple loses top-secret iPhone prototype in bar... again

An employee left the unreleased iPhone 5 in a Mexican bar in San Francisco, according to tech site CNET.

APPLE WERE LEFT scrambling to recover a secret prototype of the next-generation iPhone after it was accidentally left in a California bar, according to reports.

The incident is a bizarre re-run of a similar incident last year, in which a test version of the then-unreleased iPhone 4 was revealed by Gizmodo after being left in a different California watering hole.

This year’s apparent security blunder was uncovered by tech news website CNET, who report that the prototype iPhone 5 was lost in a Mexican bar in San Francisco’s Mission district. However, the site was unable to reveal any details of the hotly-anticipated device – or even what it looks like – as it appears to have been lost for good after going up for sale on Craigslist.

According to CNET reporters Greg Sandoval and Declan McCullagh, Apple managed to electronically trace the phone to a family home, which was searched – with the owner’s permission – to no avail. The bar’s owner said he had not been contacted by the firm, but added: “I guess I’ll have to make my drinks a little less strong.”

There have been reports that the iPhone 5 will be released in October. Among the apparent upgrades are improvements to the phone’s camera – which will increase in resolution from five to eight megapixels – and a faster processor chip which will also be used in the upcoming iPad 3.

The Guardian has previously reported on the level of security employed by Apple to guard the device’s secrecy – with the phone’s carrier companies forced to use test models inside sealed cases so employees cannot tell what they look like.

For more information read the story on CNET>

Read more: iPhone 5 now set for October launch date: report>

Read more: Can’t wait for the iPhone 5? Here are some early details>

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15 Comments
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    Mute Aisling
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    Sep 1st 2011, 10:54 AM

    Either they’re abosulte eejits, or it’s one big publicity stunt to get people talking about it more closer to the potential release date. Keeping the buzz going…

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    Mute Conor Foley
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    Sep 1st 2011, 1:16 PM

    yep, once could have been an accident, twice is the marketing departments idea, though as usual with all things apple and the media its worked……

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    Mute Kathleen O Toole Tighe
    Favourite Kathleen O Toole Tighe
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    Sep 1st 2011, 11:18 AM

    Publicity stunt ……..again

    101
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    Mute Cormac Laffan
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    Sep 1st 2011, 3:49 PM

    PR stunt gone wrong. Ta Da, the phone is now in this house!! Oh Feck, it’s not…

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    Mute Neil Curran
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    Sep 1st 2011, 11:58 AM

    "Apple managed to electronically trace the phone to a family home"

    Possibly the most alarming comment in the whole article!

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    Mute Christopher Duffin
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    Sep 1st 2011, 12:48 PM

    Yeah, how dare they use their own public service, that is provided to locate stolen or lost devices!!

    http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8

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    Mute Nigel Kenny
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    Sep 1st 2011, 1:07 PM

    This could be done easily with any smartphone, not just an Apple one.

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    Mute Mayo
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    Sep 1st 2011, 11:18 AM

    Publicity … Worked wonders last time round and any intelligent Apple worker would know his fate were it an accident

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    Mute Nigel Kenny
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    Sep 1st 2011, 1:06 PM

    Actually i think it did more harm than good to Apple’s reputation with the lawsuit etc.

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    Mute Inda Kinny
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    Sep 1st 2011, 1:34 PM

    Jesus Christ. Who gives a shit.

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    Mute Alan Quinn
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    Sep 1st 2011, 1:36 PM

    Apple have really started to get on my nerves as of late. Android all they way.

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    Mute Des Lee
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    Sep 1st 2011, 5:55 PM

    I’m sure they’ll be the butt of many a joke now

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    Mute sure2bsure
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    Sep 2nd 2011, 6:52 AM

    I can’t understand this bias for or against Apple. It’s a phone … Get a life.

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    Mute Alco Holic
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    Sep 4th 2011, 8:26 PM

    Apple make lovely cider,pear is pure shit. Hic!…

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    Mute Mickey Kenny
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    Sep 21st 2011, 12:28 PM

    get life and waste time

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