Steve Jobs intervened in iPhone prototype search

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs contacted the editor of tech blog Gizmodo in order to ask for the return of a prototype iPhone, according to official court documents.

It is the latest development in the case surrounding the prototype, after the blog posted technical pictures and videos of the gadget, after obtaining it for $US5,000 from a man who found it in a San Francisco bar.

The court documents show Jobs was involved in negotiations behind the scenes. Gizmodo editor Jason Chen had his home searched last month by authorities looking for the device, but no charges have been filed.

Additionally, the documents show the man who sold the iPhone to Gizmodo was turned in by his roommate, who was worried she could be involved in the case after Chen connected the phone to her computer.

The documents reveal that after Jobs requested Gizmodo return the phone, another Gizmodo editor said he would return it based on a confirmation of authenticity.

“I understand the position you’re in, and I want to help, but it conflicts with my own responsibilities to give the phone back without any confirmation that it’s real, from Apple, officially,” Lam reportedly said in an email.

“I want to get this phone back to you ASAP,” Lam said. “But I have to get this story of the missing prototype out, and how it was returned to Apple, with some acknowledgment it is Apple’s.”

It is still unknown whether the prototype will be part of this year’s hardware update.