Apple will give away free cases for every iPhone 4 through Sept. 30

[Keith]

Every new iPhone 4 purchased through Sept. 30 will be eligible for a variety of free cases, and those who already purchased one will receive a refund, Apple announced on Friday.

Apple will offer its own bumpers, but said it cannot make the cases fast enough for customers, so it will source some other cases from other vendors and give users a choice of options. Users will be able to pick which one they would like.

Customers can apply for their free case on Apple's website starting late next week. "Pick a case, zoom, we'll send it off to you," Jobs reportedly said. "That simple."

In addition, customers who are still unhappy with the iPhone 4 can return their handset undamaged within 30 days for a full refund. Users can return before or after they've received their free case.

"No restocking fee or anything," Jobs said. "We want to take care of everyone. We want every user to be happy."

However, he revealed that there will not be a refund for customers who bought third-party cases for the iPhone 4. There are a very small number of people in that category, he said, because there are so few cases available. Jobs said he wishes there were more people with cases, because then the problem wouldn't have been as widespread.

[catrancher]

Ole Steve didn't look too terribly pleased.

Hid it well enough but I don't think I'd want to be anywhere near his office this afternoon.

Tom (... free bumpers for everyone!)

[josh.p.]

Has the issue been resolved other than the bumper? "Add a bit of rubber... but it's OK, It's FREE!" seems to be a bit un-apple like to me

[catrancher]

Depends on your definition of resolved.

Here's an interesting article by the the antenna engineer who's become the latest internet sensation over this.

The thing for me in this article is that many of the other phones have the same problem. Surprise, surprise. The things are radios for goodness sake! It just becomes more noticeable on the iPhone 4 because of where the antenna is located.

Will this fix the whole problem. Nope. But if people get their free bumper (or whatever), it should, in antenna speak, attenuate the problem.

For me, I'm still gonna get an iPhone 4 just as soon as I can figure out what the AT&T contract is gonna cost me!

Tom (... it's the free bumper that did it for me! )

[Tink]

Tom, be certain the AT&T coverage will be there when you need it. That's the main reason I turned my iPhone in, the lousy coverage from AT&T.

[Keith]

I'm yet to meet anyone in the UK who has an iphone4 who has this issue!

Although I'm right handed, that does mean that I often hold the phone in my left hand whilst prodding the screen with my right. No problem.

I honestly can't say I've seen a problem!

I got my first reasonably sized cell phone around 1992 I think, maybe a bit earlier. I can't think of one that didn't display a different reception characteristic depending how I held it. Perhaps I'm just used to getting to know the phones and how to get the best out of them.

Anyway, I'm up for the free case Ideally I want an all round thin plastic one like I had for my 3g. If they offer THAT free, it'll be a definite win for me

[Skywatcher]

o2 not giving them out by the look of it .... Although the web page gas just been updated to say they are considering their response to the news conference


Me ? Well if I'm totally honest I think mine has better reception than my 3G has but maybe I hold it weird

[Keith]

As I understand it it's for everyone who bought one irrespective of whether you bought it from apple or at&t, o2 etc.

I'd be beyond staggered if people on o2 didn't get one

[Britchick]

Jons had no problem and has already bought a case, I'll get him to get me one for when I upgrade though

[Dawn]

Why are they giving away free cases?