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That's quite some benefit you've got there. The letter doesn't seem to be more proof than Steve calling and asking for his stuff back whilst gritting his teeth. It could be fake Steve calling, but having it sent to Apple, c/o Steve Jobs, 1 Infinite Loop should put it in the owner's hands.

They needed proof that an unreleased Apple device belonged to Apple? Who else could it possibly have belonged to?

Ah, I hadn't thought of it like that. Still somewhat ridiculous, and a bit slimy but I suppose rational.

If I find a cell phone, I'm not going to give it away to the first person who comes forward about the "lost phone ad". I'm going to ask the person 20 questions to make sure it's really their phone (what color, brand, etc). If you look at this "at just the right light" you could almost see it... until the editor went on about profits, etc.

It's an apple-branded phone ffs. The Gawker editor clearly dug a hole for himself with that email, and Jobs was right to send in the dogs (as much as I hate to admit it)