Promotional stunt exploits lost iPhone prototype

German airline Lufthansa is offering a free flight to Germany for Gray Powell, the Apple engineer who accidentally left a prototype iPhone behind at a German-themed bar in California. Specifically Powell is being offered a business-class flight to Munich, where Lufthansa has just opened a beer lounge. "I recently read in the news that you lost a very special phone at a German beer bar in California," reads a letter from the airline's Americas marketing director, Nicola Lange.

"At Lufthansa we also noted with great interest your passion for German beer and culture," the letter continues. "We thought you could use a break soon -- and therefore would like to offer you complimentary business class transportation to Munich, where you can literally pick up where you last left off."

It's not known if Powell has agreed to the trip, though a Lufthansa spokesman says the engineer has dropped hints to people he knows. The public is also in the dark as to whether he still works with Apple. Company CEO Steve Jobs is believed to personally monitor people who take prototypes off-campus, and a major security breach like the iPhone leak could potentially lead to a quick firing. So far it is thought that Powell still has his job, given no rumors to the contrary.

by MacNN Staff