Apple is offering a free case or a refund on the iPhone 4 to address what it calls “Antennagate.” But no hardware fix will be immediately forthcoming from the company.
iPhone 4 owners may return an undamaged phone that was purchased within 30 days for a full refund. An AT&T refund is also likely.
The free case is offered for any iPhone purchased through September 30. Or a case refund is available for those who already purchase one from Apple. If it’s a 3rd party case, no refund is offered.
Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs stopped short of apologizing for recent reception issues and dropped calls experienced by users, but said ‘We love our users and want to make them happy,’ in a press conference today as per a log posted by engadget.
He explained that the actual number of users experiencing problems is low. Less than half of 1 percent of 3 million purchasers have complained to Apple’s customer care dept. Also the actual return rate on the phone is a third lower than in the early days of the iPhone 3GS, or a rate of 1.7 percent vs 6 percent, respectively. Based on AT&T data, the actual number of calls dropped on the iPhone 4 compared to that on the 3GS is less 1 extra call per every 100.
Jobs noted that 80 percent of the buyers of the iPhone 3GS left the store with a case (which alleviates the reception problem). But cases are still in short supply for the iPhone 4 so only 20 percent of buyers are exiting stores with a case.
Apple said it is also looking into problems with the phone’s proximity sensor. And it announced its white iPhone will start shipping at the end of the July.
When specifically questioned about a hardware redesign to address the iPhone’s antenna issue, Jobs said the problem is industry wide and no one company has solved it, adding, “You can go on the web and look at pictures of Nokia phones that ship with stickers on the back that say ‘don’t touch here.’…You can go on YouTube and see these.” He added, “Would I like Apple to be first? Yes. Can we make it better right now? Maybe.” we’ll see.”
In a Q&A session following Job’s address, the CEO said Apple was not aware of the problem prior to the iPhone’s release and he called the Bloomberg article suggesting this “total Bullshit.” As for his health, Jobs says he feels fine.
Apple also released a software update correcting its iPhone “bar” displays so they more accurately reflect reception strength.
Source: engadget
Photos: Steve Jobs via engadget (top) and Yahoo! (lower)
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I fixed 3 iPhone 4’s already. I don’t see why Apple can’t? I opened the iPhone 4 and placed a shield barrier at the bottom left then closed the case. Problem solved within 10 minutes and $2.00 in parts. Why can’t Apple do this or setup a center to repair the problem. Instead they are choosing to blacken their name and product.