Free iPhone 4 Case: Apple To Offer FREE iPhone Bumper To Solve Antenna Issue

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple says it will give free protective cases to buyers of its latest iPhone model to alleviate the so-called "death grip" problem: holding the phone with a bare hand can muffle the wireless signal.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the giveaway Friday during a news conference at the company's headquarters, even as the company denied that the iPhone 4 has an antenna problem that needs fixing. The more than 3 million people who have already bought the iPhone 4 and new buyers through Sept. 30 will all be eligible. People who already purchased the $29 "Bumper" cases will be refunded Apple Inc.

"We're going to send you a free case. We can't make enough bumpers. No way we can make enough in the quarter. So we're going to source some cases and give you a choice," Steve Jobs said, according to Engadget's live blog of the iPhone 4 press conference.

Every user who buys the iPhone 4 through September 30 will be able to receive the free iPhone 4 case. Apple will also refund those who have already purchased an iPhone bumper.

Jobs added, "And if you're not happy, you can bring the phone back. We'll give you a full refund within 30 days. No restocking fee. We want to make everyone happy, and if we can't make you happy we'll give you a full refund."

The iPhone 4 has been dogged by complaints about the antenna problem since it went on sale in the U.S. three weeks ago. On Monday, Consumer Reports said careful testing had confirmed the issue. The magazine refused to recommend the phone and called on Apple to compensate buyers.

On Friday, in the company's first remarks following the magazine's report, Jobs said Apple was "stunned and upset and embarrassed." Yet Jobs denied that there was any "Antennagate" and spent part of the Apple press conference highlighting how other smartphones on the market also lose service when handled in certain ways.

"Well, we first learned that this doesn't just happen to the iPhone." Jobs said. "Nokia, Motorola... other phones have this issue."

"This is life in the smartphone industry," he added, according to All Things D's live blog. "Smartphones are not perfect."

What do you think of Apple's response? Tell us in the comments below.

Read our full coverage of the iPhone 4, including reviews, analysis, and news, here. All Things D, Engadget, ZDNet, CNET, and MacWorld are among the sites that live blogged the event.

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Comments

[Descutner]

11:44 AM on 08/10/2010

For me, it's just hard to fathom why ANY design of a cell phone would put the antenna in the lower corners, where the phone is held? When cell phones actually HAD antennas, they were little sticks in the top of the phone. Wouldn't it make sense that antennas belong in the top of the phone? The part that's free to reach out into the atmosphere? But what do I know? I actually bought one of these things.

[kellysans]

12:39 AM on 08/03/2010

The one that I prefer is that amazing iphone 4 bumper from ivyskin! http://2su.de/MQu

[steelhorse]

01:29 PM on 07/22/2010

wow, what a neat place for droid psychos to gather for a bash session. oh the envy. you are pathetic

[Jakomi Mathews]

10:37 AM on 07/21/2010

Apple having to give all their customers a free casing for their faulty iPhone 4 product is a massive embarrassment for the company. And so it should, if you consider how lazy they must have been to have released a not fully tested product out onto the market. Is this another example of how reliable they are? Have a look at this article on the subject and see whether or not you have encountered similar problems - http://www.themusicvoid.com/2010/01/apple-devices-are-sexy-but-are-they-reliable/

[jefferson0467]

04:44 PM on 07/19/2010

They are offering a full refund. You can't do any better than that.

[gvscmr]

02:23 PM on 07/19/2010

As a public service announcement we are recommending that every iPhone be used safely by the use of an iCondom for greater protection of the antenna during sexting.

[gvscmr]

02:13 PM on 07/19/2010

Breaking News... Cupertino: Steve Jobs said today in an interview that the best solution would be for customers to purchase a Sprint Evo which can serve as a multitasking multiuser hotspot and it should resolve the iPhone antenna problem currently plaguing his piece of junk... News at Eleven.

[Complex757]

09:06 AM on 07/19/2010

Should have done this from the beginning instead of saying you're holding it wrong.

[vintagefunk]

07:17 AM on 07/19/2010

HuffPo has a definite Apple bias, judging from the way this article is titled. "Solution" is an interesting word choice. How about "mitigator" to their design flaw"

[XPat100]

05:19 AM on 07/19/2010

Design defect? No problem. You get a free band-aid.

[vintagefunk]

07:17 AM on 07/19/2010

And sadly, you are not only figuratively right, but literally, too LOL

[gvscmr]

02:14 PM on 07/19/2010

Nayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy a free roll of Duct Tape with every iPhone

[the964kid]

04:10 AM on 07/19/2010

Why have this sleek phone and have to cover it up in a case? Weak.

[planetarymama]

04:57 AM on 07/19/2010

there will be a million designer cases, from the simsoms to palin to daffy duck, in all colors and patterns. these will be important INSULATORS preventing CONNECTION of the live antenna nodes directly to the human skin, and thru it to the human heart and brain which are essentially electrical, as everyone knows. using one without an insulator is something ONLY A FOOL WOULD DO. CHECK OUT FCC STANDARD REGULATIONS REGARDING EVER TOUCHING A LIVE ANTENNA NODE.

[gvscmr]

02:15 PM on 07/19/2010

"Weak...." Just like the phone and their signal.

[Jazzyways76]

02:39 AM on 07/19/2010

Ok. It's not that I don't like the IPhone or Apple products. I usually go in the apple to gaze and play with the new gadgets. The IPod has revolutionized the entire music industry. So I do give credit where credit is due. I have a Moto Droid now and love the phone, but it's not perfect (can't wait for froyo!!). Nor is the IPhone as many people like to believe. What I don't like about Apple is the way Jobs keeps everything closed. There's no real adaptability. The people I know who get IPhones "jailbrake" them the minute they get them. (Not to say "rooting" doesn't go on with Android phones). But they do it to make the phone fully function. Jobs act like he's so innovative when most of things he highlights about the phone has been done before. On top of it there's the horrible AT&T service to contend with. Jobs won't brake with AT&T. At least Android is on every major carrier. I would get an IPhone if it were with Verizon. People ask me why I didn't get a IPhone 4 now. My answer is because I'm left-handed.

[Upside]

02:22 AM on 07/19/2010

I think that Apple will quietly release a hardware fixed version of the iphone 4 shortly. For legal liability reasons, the company will probably try to hide the introduction of the new "fixed" phones -- imagine the expsosure to legal action the company would face from irate owners of the first production run. The re-sale value of their phones would plummet as soon as an official Version 2.0 IP4 were introduced into the market.

Once both the original and "fixed" version of the two phones are intermingled in the wild, there would be no way for the typical user to determine which is which. There would probably be a way to cross-reference the models through serial numbers, but without official confirmation from Apple, there would be no way to conclusively determine which is which.

From a business and legal point of view, this sort of "silent introduction" seems a likely course of action.

[planetarymama]

04:51 AM on 07/19/2010

INTERESTING, but the supply chain is densely integrated to supply the big international
spread upcoming, with a good 20 million on the way. Too late. Way too late. That was
what this stupid press conference was all about. No way in the Cosmos they were going to
eat those phones. Probably it will be a SOUR experience as the word is out its a LOSER
AND THAT ANDROID 2.2 has a far far far far faster PROFILE, and is OPEN. the iphone
is like the roman empire..............it rose.......................and then it fell.....people want a
reliable phone without issues for the thousands involved in the contract.....NO ISSUES.
APPLE IPHONE4 IS JUST ONE BIG ISSUE......

[WasteNJ]

05:46 PM on 07/20/2010

You nailed it, because that is the way Apple has historically handled problems in the past, at least as long as I have been in the field, and that's a while. Everything is done later, when the story is gone, in the next product update, usually a hardware change or full operating system version change.

[MilesLong]

12:23 AM on 07/19/2010

Since Consumer Reports is just about the last impartial testing agency out there, I'm inclined to believe that a design issue exists. However, as with any consumer electronic device, some will experience a problem related to the design flaw and some will not.

I think we can all agree on the fact that public relations for this issue weren't handled well. My only issue with the iPhone is that Mr. Jobs insists on treating consumers like children who must accept his guidance alone if they wish to purchase this Apple device.

I laugh to think how consumers would respond if their auto dealership prohibited them from driving their car in certain neighborhoods, cities, states or countries. Or better yet, how about if your brand new flat-screen television was prohibited from accessing certain channels on your cable or dish network or even store-bought content of your choosing. (laughing)

It's amazing to me how Apple consumers seem to accept the capricious whims of Mr. Jobs in the use of something they spent hard-earned money on.

Miles "My Way, Or A Time Out For You" Long

[David Reinertson]

11:54 AM on 07/19/2010

My car gets worse reception when I put the antenna down to go through a carwash.

[MilesLong]

02:32 PM on 07/19/2010

Okay, (laughing) but I'm betting that the car or radio manufacturer isn't denying that this happens when you or others lower their antennas as well...

Miles "It's Not A Bug, It's A Feature" Long

[KarateKid]

11:45 PM on 07/18/2010

To each his own. Why is that so hard a concept for some of you _haters in both directions. It's rather foolish to criticize what someone ELSE uses.