Nokia N8 smartphone prototype stolen

HELSINKI, FINLAND: Handset maker Nokia Oyj, informed on Wednesday that it asked the Russian police to help retrieve a smartphone prototype from a Moscow-based blogger who riled the company by posting information it calls confidential.

Eldar Murtazin, editor-in-chief of mobile-review.com, published a detailed review of Nokia’s forthcoming N8 smartphone based on a working prototype on April 26.

The mobile firm then requested the unit back in a post labeled “one of our children is missing” on the company’s official blog.

“We have asked Mr. Murtazin for the return of all Nokia property in his possession. As he has declined to reply, we asked the Russian authorities to assist us. To be clear, we have no issue with individuals voicing their opinions about our company and our products,” said an official blog post.

Apple Inc enlisted the California state computer crime task force in April to seize computers from an editor whose blog bought an iPhone 4G prototype the company said was stolen.

According to media reports, Murtazin in his personal blog said that he has made repeated attempts in the past two months to get in touch with Nokia, however never heard back from the company.

Nokia said in a post today on its official blog that Murtazin has identified himself as a consultant to other mobile phone manufacturers. “Whether Murtazin’s actions were as a blogger, or whether he is acting in the capacity of a consultant in order to provide information to his clients is an open question,” it said.