Who is Gray Powell: Apple Worker Loses New iPhone 4.0 in Bar

by Jon Azpiri | April 19, 2010 at 07:23 pm

18545 views | 15 Recommendations | 23 comments

You Know How That New iPhone Prototype Made It's Way Onto Gizmodo? Well, You Can Thank Gray Powell For That. He's the Apple Employee Who Lost the iPhone 4.0 in a Bar. So Did Gray Powell Get Fired?

You may have had a bad day at work, but at least you're not Gray Powell. Powell is the Apple employee who managed to leave his new yet-to-be released iPhone in a Redwood City bar. The new iPhone 4.0 ended up being featured on the tech site Gizmodo for all the world to see.

New iPhone Leak

Apple, a company that love nothing more than to keep a secret, is likely not amused with Gary Powell.

How Did Gray Powell Lose the iPhone 4.0 Prototype?

Powell was drinking with some buddies at a German beer garden in Redwood City. After a few too many pints, Powell left the bar without his new iPhone. Someone picked it up and tried to return it. After failing to contact anyone, the person who found it realized what he had and it made its way to Gizmodo.

Who is Gray Powell?

Gray Powell is a 27-year-old Apple software engineer. He attended North Carolina State University and is an aspiring photographer.

Did Gray Powell Get Fired?

Apparently not. Gray Powell is still an Apple employee for now. He may be disciplined or fired considering how big the story has become.

Of course, the fact that the found iPhone story has gotten so big might save his job. Thus far, many Twitter users are supporting Gray Powell, who they refer to as "iPhone Guy." Many are sympathetic, chalking it up to an honest mistake. Firing Gray Powell may make for some bad publicity.

Even Gizmodo, which uncovered Gray Powell's mistake, thinks Apple should take it easy on him.

The only mistake would be to fire Gray in the name of Apple's legendary impenetrable security, breached by the power of German beer and one single human error.

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Mark Rejhon (not verified)

at 19:49 on April 19th, 2010

The usual surprise element of the upcoming iPhone HD/4G launch is gone. A substitute surprise element needs to be done. Steve Jobs should exploit Gray Powell -- some funny advertisement about a lost iphone, as a way of introducing the iPhone HD or 4G or whatever it is. Or even use him in a skit at the iPhone HD/4G launch, to spoof a lost iPhone.

Jody Mayfield (not verified)

at 21:24 on April 20th, 2010

C'mon guys, lets be real. I don't believe for a second that was an accident. This was planned all along. Apple wanted to get millions of dollars of free publicity. There is no way that Apple is this laxed on security. They wanted all this to happen. A prototype iphone, lost in a bar, and the guy still works there? All publicity stunt that is working quite well.

Blesario Xuxaier (not verified)

at 20:28 on April 19th, 2010

brilliant idea! i'm a screenwriter and have the perfect plot. gray comes from the underworld where he's been working on the device. steve opens the manhole under his stage and out pops gray..handing him the HD/4G phone.

Steve Jobs (not verified)

at 20:29 on April 19th, 2010

I'm not amused. This engineer is toast.

Hoang Nguyen (not verified)

at 20:51 on April 19th, 2010

Now ppl at Apple should talk more about summer vacation.

Jesse C (not verified)

at 21:09 on April 19th, 2010

Fire this fool. You don't act drunk and irresponsible with your companies most prized of possessions... especially when your company is Apple.

Your Conscience (not verified)

at 06:18 on April 20th, 2010

You sir, are an insensitive jerk, everyone makes mistakes, and the "prized posession" was ultimately returned to them anyway - get over yourself.

Sakeeb (not verified)

at 20:08 on April 23rd, 2010

All I can say is Jesse is an ass!!!

Travis C (not verified)

at 16:57 on May 12th, 2010

Jesse is so J-lo. I mean, jealous. Ha!

john wong (not verified)

at 22:03 on April 19th, 2010

you can't kill the guy, you just can't... this is not china.

Jordan Yerman

at 06:29 on April 20th, 2010

If Apple is smart, they won't fire him. Gray Powell mixed up an ad campaign that, let's face it, has grown stale over the years.

KARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR (not verified)

at 15:16 on April 20th, 2010

If the iphone was (((really important and secret))) "Gary Powell" aka (iphone guy) aka (nothing special Apple employee).Would not of even had one in his possession.

:D (not verified)

at 16:42 on April 20th, 2010

Steve Jobs: "We wants its. We needs it. My precious....*hacks*.GOLLUM! GOLLUM!"

ssvillamor (philippines) (not verified)

at 17:41 on April 20th, 2010

It doesnt matter anyway if its a secret and leaked or will be available this june...Apple has a right if there's a breach in the employees contract.All the people cares is ... WE NEED IT....Forget Powell....HE will only be disciplined...Microsoft and HTC couldnt imitate it by 1 1/2 months ...WHATS THE USE OF THAT PATENT THING ANYWAY...Lets move on by the rules...If it should be mend... it should be reviewed carefully...What people does not know is that, it is not in the hardware or operating systemthat makes this thing GREAT...It's the Developer's and Advertisers Support that BOOMS everything...NOKIA Did it before....But now all the things transferred to iphone... thats why this thing is a hell necessity for you guys out there....If I were Powell, if you get fired ... make best iphone apps since youve been a part of this iphone thing... And for APPLE.. be easy and make your developer's deals happily with you...Dont hinder those hackers bricking your gadget...You should be proud making this thing that is so versatile that even hackers could use it as sophisticated as it is.That makes you as Top as for today...All we should worry if Steve does retires... I dont think the one who should follow him is as visionaire as he is..

James The Wise One (not verified)

at 18:27 on April 20th, 2010

You are an idiot please stop posting svillamore. It's more than 1/5 months - please dont cry that Apple no longer has the best phone and won't ever again. Apple fanboys are so dumb and brainwashed its amusing.

As for Powell. Start thinking clearly people. Put yourself in his shoes in ANY job. What he did may not get him fired but he is not going to climb the food chain and might as well find a new job because his is officially dead end.

ssvillamor (not verified)

at 18:37 on April 22nd, 2010

I think your the idiot James the fool, if you arent a fan of an apple.. then why bother clicking to this page and posting if youre not interested in apple

Simon Luttrell (not verified)

at 22:43 on April 20th, 2010

At least he only lost it in a German beergarden and not at Hunky Hanks gay twinks bar

Elizabeth J Jones (not verified)

at 23:19 on April 21st, 2010

hello? who has not heard of Apple or the iPhone?? come on, this 'free publicity' theory is nonsense morons.

Apple Sucks (not verified)

at 02:16 on April 30th, 2010

Yes, everyone has heard of the iphone, but no one has head about the "new" iphone. Apple might as well be an advertising firm. ipod, iphone, macbook are not new ideas or better products... People thinks so because Apple tells them. Apple survives on hype. They could sell i-ice to Eskimos.

Apple Sucks (not verified)

at 02:13 on April 30th, 2010

Am I the only person that thinks that Apple told Gray Powell to loose the phone?

dk (not verified)

at 09:44 on April 30th, 2010

i hope this one not is the next iphone,because it look not kinda nice !!! and little thicker than the 3gs,however hope this is the one!!!!

virender (not verified)

at 11:28 on April 30th, 2010

Come on Guys whats wrong with firing him. They are not killing him. If they fire him or not that all depends on the company policy. Ofcourse the mistake was a grave one that is going to affect the company for so long. And who knows they might loose a lion share of sales to some faker. From Grey's stand point he has nothing to loose, he is already in a position that will find him another cool job. He apparently is highly skilled. The problem is you guys who feel so sad for him. For me it is just like losing my friends precious pen and nothing more than that. After all its not mine. I think you should feel sorry and sad for Apple and Steve Jobs as well as the engineers who developed the phone. Now this guy probably ruined all their hard work. Grow up people/