Apple Addresses iPhone 4 Antenna Issue in Press Conference, Offers Free Cases
Everyone knew that Apple's press conference today was coming, but nobody knew just what Steve Jobs would say. It was clear from the beginning that the press conference would address the widely publicized problem with antenna reception for the iPhone 4 (specifically, how holding it a certain way would kill reception) but how it would be acknowledged and the resulting actions taken by Apple to deal with the problem was not.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs started the conference by giving some statistics about the iPhone 4: 3 million sold in 3 weeks, and the title of #1 smartphone according to numerous tech sites, in addition to the highest customer satisfaction rating of any smartphone or iPhone. Next, the presentation showed a number of other smartphones (the BlackBerry Bold 9700, Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II) and demonstrated how they would similarly lose reception when held in a particular way.
Next, Jobs compared missed calls and returns of the iPhone 4 to those of the 3GS. Basically, downplaying the negative publicity and image that the press had created for the problem.
Once that was out of the way, Jobs explained what Apple would be doing to resolve the problem. As many people had suggested and predicted, the answer was... FREE CASES.
Since the problem with the antenna was the result of the user's skin shorting out two adjacent segments of the iPhone 4 antenna (which runs around the outer edge of the phone), the solution was a case that would provide insulation between the hand and the phone. Those unhappy with their purchase can return their undamaged iPhone 4's within 30 days, and everyone who has already bought a bumper will be refunded.
Damage control has been rendered, now the only thing that remains will be to see how the public and current iPhone 4 users will react.
Source: Engadget 1, 2
