gizmodo

Buzz Out Loud 1229: Too stupid even for Paramount (podcast)

Did Paramount actually issue a DMCA takedown to some people who filmed "Transformers 3" while it was being filmed outside their window!? Well, yeah. But Molly thinks that particular brand of stupidity almost had to be an accident. I mean, come on. Also, Google accidentally (!) collected data from open WiFi hotspots while taking pictures of their houses, which kind of feels like a double whammy. Oh, and it's Rafe's first show in the Tom Chair! We call it: Episode 1.

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Lost iPhone prototype spurs legal action (roundup)

First, it was all about the details of a purported "iPhone 4G." Then the saga of how Gizmodo got that device exploded into a criminal investigation and questions about journalists' rights and responsibilities.

Court examines Gizmodo devices for iPhone info Judge appoints special master to examine Jason Chen's electronic gear and discover information relevant to an iPhone prototype. (Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval) June 3, 2010 6:28 AM PDT

Court docs: iPhone finder had no pity for Powell Friends told police Brian Hogan allegedly knew early who owned the lost iPhone prototype, … Read more

Gizmodo e-mail to Jobs: 'We have nothing to lose'

In what seems to be the clearest evidence yet that Gawker Media editors didn't talk to an attorney before buying a lost or stolen prototype iPhone, new court documents reveal the gadget blog balking after Apple CEO Steve Jobs personally requested its return.

The affidavit, prepared by detective Matthew Broad in the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, says Jobs contacted Gizmodo editor Brian Lam on April 19, the same day the gadget blog published a story about the 4G iPhone.

Jobs requested via phone that the blog's editors return the device--but Lam refused to do so, unless … Read more

Judge nixes media request for iPhone warrant

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--A San Mateo County judge on Thursday refused to consider a request by media organizations to learn the justification police used to search a Gizmodo editor's home for information about the sale of a possible iPhone prototype.

Judge Stephen Hall rejected the group's request for a hearing on Thursday, instead assigning it to the judge who granted the search warrant last month and who is expected to hear arguments next week.

The District Attorney's Office opposed the request filed by CNET, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, the Los Angeles Times, and other news organizations in … Read more

Court fight brews over unsealing iPhone records

An attorney for the 21-year-old Silicon Valley resident who found what appears to be Apple's prototype iPhone in a bar is expected to oppose a request by CNET and other media organizations to unseal court records relating to the investigation.

A coalition also including the Associated Press, Bloomberg News, the Los Angeles Times, and Wired.com has prepared a 7-page legal brief that will ask a court to unseal the detective's affidavit used to obtain a search warrant nearly two weeks ago. A hearing has been tentatively scheduled in the San Mateo County courthouse for 2 p.m. … Read more

Ellen: Mock iPhone ad prompts Apple scolding

Everywhere one turns nowadays it seems that Apple is being accused of being too touchy.

First, Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" ridicules Apple after police stormed the home of a Gizmodo editor who had acquired a lost iPhone prototype. Then Apple allegedly fires one of its engineers for showing an iPad before the device's official debut to the very threatening Steve Wozniak--one of Apple's three founders. Later, Wozniak chided Apple for not being nice enough.

Now, comedian Ellen DeGeneres says she received a scolding from Apple for her send-up of the company's iPhone … Read more

Media want Gizmodo court records in iPhone probe

The justifications police gave for searching the home of a Gizmodo editor in the criminal investigation of an iPhone prototype should be public, CNET is preparing to tell a judge this week.

A group that also includes the California-based First Amendment Coalition and prominent news organizations is drafting a legal brief that will ask a court to unseal the detective's affidavit used to obtain a search warrant nearly two weeks ago. San Mateo County prosecutors have persuaded a judge to seal all the records of the case.

Making those documents public could reveal whether prosecutors and Superior Court Judge … Read more

The 404 573: Where seriously, whose iPhone 4G prototype is this? (podcast)

We're all wondering what's going on with the story of the Apple iPhone 4G prototype found in a Redwood City, Calif., bar and its subsequent sale to Gizmodo. CNET News Senior Writer Greg Sandoval drops by the studio to fill us in on all the latest developments, including who exactly found the phone, how it eventually got into the hands of Gizmodo editor Jason Chen, and why it's never a good idea to purchase anything you know for a fact is stolen! Unfortunately, "finders keepers, losers weepers" only holds water on the playground.

Wired published an article last week outing Brian J. Hogan as the person who found and sold the iPhone prototype to Gizmodo, but CNET also learned that he had help finding a buyer for the device from Sage Wallower, a UC Berkeley student who attended Santa Barbara City College with Hogan.

The investigation is still ongoing (San Mateo County police still have Chen's computers), but Greg tells us felony criminal charges are still a very serious possibility since a California law specifically states that "any person who knowingly receives property that has been obtained illegally can be imprisoned for up to one year."

We also have a collection of silly stories to even out the show in the second half, including a very discomforting story about an unlikely pairing between a 59-year-old Chinese man and a 20-inch long eel. We can't go into much detail, but there's a very important lesson to take away from it all, and that is to never, ever pass out in front of your friends.

Finally, Roger Ebert has written an open letter to the public decrying the concept of 3D movies as a way of life. His points are direct and address many of the issues we've already discussed with David Katzmaier, senior editor of TVs and home theater for CNET.

Ebert claims that the 3D element, even in popular movies like "Avatar," add nothing essential to the moviegoing experience. It also doesn't help that these movies often cause nausea and headaches for people who just want to be entertained for two hours, not to mention the inflated surcharges that theaters tack onto already expensive tickets. Listen in to hear our take on the future of 3D movies and home theater.

Big thanks to Greg for taking time out of his schedule to join us on today's show. If you have a question for us or simply want to comment on the show, give us a call at 1-866-404-CNET or e-mail the404(at)cnet(dot)com. Thanks for listening!

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Week in review: Breaking Gizmodo-gate

How did the iPhone prototype end up in Gizmodo hands? That's what the police would like to know.

The saga of how Gizmodo got that device exploded this week into a criminal investigation with many questions arising about journalists' rights and responsibilities.

In an investigation that appears to stem from the gadget blog's purchase of a lost Apple iPhone prototype, deputies from the sheriff's office in San Mateo County, Calif., last Friday obtained a warrant and searched Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's Fremont, Calif., home, seizing his computers and servers. The warrant said a felony crime was … Read more