New iPhone Discovered in a Bar: Clever Marketing Ploy by Apple or Big Mistake?

'World News' wants to know what you think.

ByABC News
April 20, 2010, 9:09 AM

April 20, 2010— -- When the news hit tech blog Gizmodo, jaws across the tech world dropped. An Apple engineer apparently left a prototype of the next iPhone in a California bar, and now photos and tech details of the device were plastered on the blog for all to see.

GMA tech contributor Becky Worley got a chance to play with the phone, which is equipped with new software, a larger battery, and a front-facing camera for video chat. Gizomodo received a letter from Apple saying that the phone was company property and requesting its return.

This apparent slip by one of the world's most secretive tech companies has shocked its fans, but not everyone is convinced it was actually a mistake. Did the meticulously-managed tech company stage the loss? How could one of Steve Jobs' employees casually misplace such an important company secret?

So, our question to you today: Do you think the iPhone prototype was the real deal or a clever marketing ploy by Apple?