Loads of fake Apple shots hit the web: 3G iPhone pre-WWDC edition

It's a few days before a big Apple event, and you know what that means: a ridiculous amount of really bad fake Apple product shots. Actually, you have to hand it to this first guy, pictured above. It's mildly convincing and sites are starting to pick it up -- the story goes some dude grabbed these pics from a Photoshop template his friend was working on and then posted it to Flickr, a scenario reminiscent of those iPod nano phatty shots that turned out to be real. Except there are a few issues with this one:

• Our source who played with the 3G iPhone told us explicitly there is no front-facing videoconferencing camera.
• Even still, when we were ferreting around the new 3G iPhone firmware today, we were keeping an eye out for altered or additional camera drivers, something to indicate a front-facing camera. Nothing.
• The text explanation for Exchange and iChat are so bad as to make the whole thing unbelievable. (Apple's doing video chat for Windows? Huh?) But that's not all!
• Say, wouldn't that exchange logo be in the Apple banner that's up at the Moscone right now? All the other iPhone icons are.
  
• No Apple design would be laid out the way this guy's got his page laid out here.
• Did we mention that the red design on the right is missing the power button? (Thanks everybody!)
• Bottom line: looks pretty, but so very fake.

Click on to see the other one going around right now, a supposed opened box from a confidential 3G iPhone shipment. Uh huh.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

Lay your gaze upon this sorry bastard, which we were sent a bunch of times before it started stirring the cauldron of speculation on the MacRumors forums.

• Weird, unfamiliar green icon? Strike one...
• Ever since the iTunes store launched, iPhone box art has shown the store icon in the fourth row / fourth column position. This box art only has three rows from the top.
• Really? Apple sent out a single boxed 3G iPhone totally unguarded with only a confidentiality letter to keep it safe? Please.
• Wait, no, the iPhone didn't even come with the letter -- the stamp has been blacked out. So Apple mailed this letter separate from the supposed super-NDA device? Really.
• And then this person got this 3G iPhone, dared to open it, and then proceeded to take only one obscured photo?

It's like this second one was whipped up just to insult all our collective intelligence or something.

[psxp @ Jun 7th 2008 1:25AM]

lol.. foolz

[Jake @ Jun 7th 2008 8:41AM]

I don't know, a lot of phones on the Rogers Vision network (3G) already support video calling... I'm thinking it's a pretty good bet. One of those "and one more thing" items.

[Justin Kohler @ Jun 7th 2008 8:56AM]

True, some 3G networks do support video chat from your phone. I wouldn't count this one out yet.

[Flashpoint @ Jun 7th 2008 9:50AM]

Video calling was out when I was out back in 1986. I remember AT&T had a $1000 landline phone.

I don't think Video conferencing will catch on anytime soon. People seem to be so self conscious that they don't want anyone looking at them while they speak.

Its funny cause even with cameras built into the frames of computers, no one seems to use them for video chat unless they really haven't seen someone in a very long time. Thing is, most people multitask when they're talking or texting so video chat really wouldn't be convienient.

If the 3G ipohne actually does have a video conferencing camera, the entire public who doesn't pay atention to gadget news, will think apple has invented something revolutionary. Despite the fact that the Motorola Razr v3x had it years ago - and so did many others.

[David @ Jun 7th 2008 12:45PM]

Video calling has been available on some non-US Nokia and HTC phones for years, (tytn, tytnII) . This leads me to believe that people outside the US actually make video calls.
That being said, a Nokia exec recently said video calling hasn't taken off because people are vain. Who you gonna believe me(random engadget commenter) or a Nokia exec?

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/06/02/nokia-vp-video-calling-not-successful-because-it-turns-you-ugly/

I must say though, it would take a the knid of hype the iPhone would generate to kickstart video calls in the US


Still XPERIA FTW

[Andrew @ Jun 8th 2008 7:15AM]

Yeah, other countries have had video calling for years but nobody uses it. I got a phone two years ago with video calling and I remember I could start using it straight away with other friends who already had it, and I think Japan's had it much longer. I never use it though I can imagine some people would like it with something like a girlfriend who they haven't seen in a few days. Personally though I don't even think about it, even if I would want to use it the chances are so rare that I would that it just doesn't occur to me.

I guess that when it comes to communication it's the simpler the better, like how people had been using telephones for decades but then as soon as instant messaging and email came along the landline companies are struggling. Voice calls are still handy for those instant gratification kinds of conversations but video calling is just barely necessary. I'm not an Apple fanboy but I certainly won't be knocking them if they don't have video conferencing. I do however think the Apple fanboys should be saving their breath for all the excuses they're gonna be making when the iPhone is missing all these features they were hoping for whilst maybe having one or two unique features to distract from it's shortcomings.

[Leandro Almeida @ Jun 7th 2008 1:28AM]

Apple is really good at keeping secret, If you read all the rumors like me waiting for the iTablet, They all contradict each other, so, I gave up on investigating, just check it from far and wait. wait.

[JakePT @ Jun 7th 2008 3:33AM]

No No No No No No No No NO!

Apple CAN'T keep secrets (at least anymore), name one major Apple product released after January 2007 (the iPhone was kept secret pretty well, at least the details) that was not revealed beforehand, either as a photo/video (iPod classic interface, iPod nano, Aluminium keyboard) or very accurate details (MacBook Air, Aluminium iMac).

[thef1re @ Jun 7th 2008 2:52AM]

your an idiot! read the leaked keynote!!! the Itablet is comming!!!

[Tony @ Jun 7th 2008 3:07AM]

@ "thef1re" [sic]

So he possesses a person named An, who is an idiot. Got'cha.

[Tallest Skil @ Jun 7th 2008 7:56AM]

@JakePT

The iPod touch.

[Ally @ Jun 7th 2008 11:35AM]

@jake

Time Capsule?

[dagamer34 @ Jun 7th 2008 3:59PM]

It's darn near impossible to hide updates to a product because you're gonna release it within a month or so. Apple was able to hide details about the iPhone because it hadn't even hit the manufacturing stage yet. More importantly, announcing the iPhone 6 months in advance didn't kill phone sales for THEIR company because they didn't have a phone!

If anything, Apple is probably feeding to the rumor mill with fake pictures to keep people guessing. It does their fans some good and keeps the hype up. Only downside is that the iPhone hasn't been selling for months.

[fatboyslim009 @ Jun 7th 2008 1:30AM]

Also, in the first picture that ( RED ) symbol is on the back of my Razr... I doubt Apple would be teaming up with Moto...

[Magnificen7 @ Jun 7th 2008 1:33AM]

They aren't teaming up with Moto. (RED) is a charitable organization run by Bono, Apple and many other companies make product branded as product(RED) and donate some of the proceeds.

[Prokanda @ Jun 7th 2008 3:49AM]

I think you're wasting your time... do you think he's going to come back and read a response? he still has a..... RAZR.... and (RED) is huge.. dell, apple, gap, hallmark, etc. I have no idea how he could have missed a campaign in it's third year, but that should tell you right there. =/ .sigh.

[Magnificen7 @ Jun 7th 2008 4:46AM]

Ha ha, you're probably right. My brother has a RAZR and I laugh at him daily because of it.

[d @ Jun 7th 2008 11:14AM]

Uh... you're kind of an idiot. You got a red razr w/o knowing what (red) means? you got a razr?

Apple has product(red) versions of the ipod nano and ipod shuffle, the rumor is that they are expanding this to the iPhone. Moto works with red as Apple works with red, but Moto and Apple don't work collectively with red.

However, there was at one point a moto, AT&T, and Apple phone- the slvr (? fuzzy on the details) with iTunes, and while the slvr was available other places, the itunes phone was only availble with at&t and on the slvr.

red is still not part of moto, nor is it a part of apple. Moto and apple are simply trying to spread awareness with red. Many argue the actual donation per ipod/phone does not make a difference and is all marketing, but I try not to take sides (at least over the internet)

[Dbryso @ Jun 7th 2008 1:29AM]

also I highly doubt steve jobs took the time to individually stick a stamp on each envelope... he probably used some auto postage metering device if that is thee case the black box would have to be much larger in order to cover up the long "stamp" the metering machine puts on there.

[Mr. Snuggle Bunny @ Jun 7th 2008 1:43AM]

iStamp?

[other bunny humping Snuggle Bunny @ Jun 7th 2008 11:24AM]

Found you!

[tpadekar @ Jun 7th 2008 3:17PM]

LOL @ Bunnies!

[Magnificen7 @ Jun 7th 2008 1:29AM]

Such a joke. That bottom one is a Colorware box. And I made the exact same shipping label in about 5 minutes.

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118816&d=1212754547

[ninad pandit @ Jun 7th 2008 3:17AM]

OS X 10.6 LOLCAT!!

>^..^

[Ryan @ Jun 7th 2008 1:30AM]

that green icon is the icon for the nintendo emulator (it is the green 1up mushroom from mario) thus meaning it is a jailbroken / hacked iphone as there is no way apple would allow the iphone (even with the new software) to run an emulator of licensed content...

[waiownsyou @ Jun 7th 2008 1:31AM]

That UI looks so fake. Why would they make the buttons that small on a touchscreen phone?

Not typical Apple (especially when the current one works better).

[xValentine @ Jun 7th 2008 1:32AM]

Errr..

Product Red ?

O_O

[JakePT @ Jun 7th 2008 3:21AM]

That second pic is based on the one that appeared on MacTalk.com.au

That Box is from a reseller but no one has said it has an iPhone in it. It could be marketing materials or whatever. The point is when that photo of the box went around the internet, someone made fake pic of the box open, the original box in the original picture hasn't been opened.

Also it needs to be said the first time MacTalk posted a rumour about the iPhone and Australia it has ALL come true. The box they saw is from one of the sources of that info (a reseller).

[Magnificen7 @ Jun 7th 2008 1:34AM]

And the red one is missing a hold button, the black one is not.

[Ryan @ Jun 7th 2008 1:38AM]

good call

[Eckofish @ Jun 7th 2008 1:43AM]

Those are some nasty looking fakes. I've put together these mock-ups based on a consolidation of all the rumor data gathered from the interwebs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eckofish/sets/72157605429187537/

[Magnificen7 @ Jun 7th 2008 1:46AM]

Those aren't half bad. I wish it will be that thin... hey, you never know.

[Bunson @ Jun 7th 2008 1:51AM]

Nice.

[Eckofish @ Jun 7th 2008 2:05AM]

I'm surprised that Edgadget missed the fact that the time shown on the this supposed iPhone leak is 1:25pm, when we all know Apple only starts work at 9:42am.

Total give away.

[PigeonX @ Jun 7th 2008 4:12PM]

if you look at the Macbook Pro pictures on apple.com ... they say 10:00am.

[rehs @ Jun 8th 2008 12:14PM]

how did u make them? very nice btw :)

[The Engadgeter @ Jun 7th 2008 1:45AM]

neat... let the great iPhone coverage from engadget begin!

[Matt @ Jun 7th 2008 12:14PM]

You are just now saying that? Where have you been for the past four months?

[The Engadgeter @ Jun 7th 2008 12:21PM]

lol... I've been right here. I was sort of referencing how engadget had phenomenal coverage of last year's iPhone release and we are now at the weekend of the announcement of the 2nd gen.

[Jaydizz @ Jun 7th 2008 1:48AM]

OMG, more iPhone news *orgasms*

[hanlon @ Jun 7th 2008 1:58AM]

Im calling it right now. Super surprise announcement.

First preview of OS 11.
I mean, come on.. OS X is like 8 years old.

[ryan @ Jun 7th 2008 1:59AM]

anyone else notice the letter turns from white to yellow dramatically near the apple logo?

[Tony @ Jun 7th 2008 3:19AM]

That's just a shadow.

[oylers @ Jun 7th 2008 2:18AM]

I was under the impression that Exchange would be supported in the new firmware. Thought it was even announced back in Jan.

[John Pastor @ Jun 7th 2008 2:25AM]

Definitely fake.

1. Some grammatical errors in the text mockups for iChat.
2. Lock button missing from (RED) version.

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jun 7th 2008 2:31AM]

Who cares? The EeePhone will blow all the competition out of the water.


For $100!

[ozzielad @ Jun 7th 2008 2:37AM]

You mean to say the new 3G iPhone will be incapable of video calls?!?!?!?

If so, the HTC products are looking better all the time!!

Kevin

[giantenemycrab @ Jun 7th 2008 2:36AM]

HA HA HA, Gizmodo fell for it..

[Philster @ Jun 7th 2008 2:47AM]

Oh so very fake.

We all need to chill. All will be revealed in two days.

[x20mar @ Jun 7th 2008 2:48AM]

Fake or not, all these 3G iphone leaks makes me think apple has something else up its sleeve...