iPhone security tight -- and rightfully so

AppleInsider has, in my opinion, the best nugget of the day about iPhone logistics::

Awaiting the [iPhone shipment] freight at each location on Sunday were armored personnel, who were reportedly hired by Apple through its courier's ground handling agent and then cleared by the Transportation Security Administration. Armed guards are extremely unusual for freight coming out of the Asian sector, those familiar with the matter explained, and are typically reserved for shipments containing riches such as gold and diamonds.

Think that's over-reacting? Do the math. Word has it that the largest Apple and AT&T stores may receive stock of up to 10,000 iPhones. At an average selling price of $550, that comes out to a shipment valuation of -- $5.5 million. And given that we expect iPhones to be auctioned on eBay in the range of $800 to $2,000 for customers who don't want to pay their monthly cell dues to AT&T, it could be worth even more to the enterprising truck hijacker.

But the article goes on with another fun tidbit:

Apple management on Sunday began informing its retail personnel that beginning Monday, no cameras of any kind will be allowed in the back stockrooms of its retail outlets. The ban reportedly spans all cell phones -- regardless of whether they contain camera functionality -- and all personally owned Apple notebooks that feature built-in iSight video cameras.

The irony here should be apparent: for those Apple employees who actually fork out their own hard-earned dollars for an iPhone, they'll have to leave those iPhones with someone when they go into the back room to check on stock. They'll then know who their true friends are; they'll be the ones that they can trust with their iPhone while they are working and not have them sell it for a quick kilobuck on eBay.

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