Apple To Hold a Press Conference … About iPhone?
0Apple seems to be finally ready to fight back against all the criticism that iPhone 4 has received in the past few weeks. The company is going to break its silence on iPhone 4 issues at a press conference on its Cupertino, Calif., campus tomorrow (at least that’s what we all hope). Details are still sketchy about this event. The event could cover iOS 4.1 and any other software solution that Apple may have come up with.
Will Apple finally accept that iPhone 4 may be flawed in design? Don’t count on it. Unless Apple’s policy in regards to discussing its products in public has changed, Apple executives will defend iPhone 4’s design and blame everything on software and possibly consumers (maybe ConsumerReports too). The purpose of Friday’s press conference is to change the conversation and put Apple in control of the news coverage. There are people who truly believe iPhone 4 and Apple are being treated unfairly here. This event will most likely be for them.
I happen to agree with Will (“spblat”) Irace’s prediction on MacRumors. An iPhone recall won’t happen, but Apple is willing to give out free cases or let people return their phones if they are not happy with it:
We are extremely confident in the overall design of the product. So much so that today we’re announcing that anyone who buys an iPhone 4 during its first 6 months can return it–no questions asked–within 30 days of purchase, with no restocking fee, regardless of which authorized reseller you bought it from. This includes the 1.7 million people who bought an iPhone 4 on launch day. We’re confident you will love your iPhone.
In addition, next week we will release a software update that will (among other enhancements) do two things. 1) It will make our signal display more accurate, and 2) it will include an update to the radio equipment in the iPhone that will make it more effective at maximizing signal strength even when the two antennas are bridged by your hand.
Also check out:Finally, anyone who has already bought an iPhone 4 will receive a $50 Apple Store gift card with our compliments. If you would prefer to make sure the two external antennas are never bridged by the way you hold your iPhone, you can buy a bumper or another case on us. If you don’t feel you need a case for your iPhone (or if you already bought one) we hope you enjoy whatever you buy with the card.
Apple will protect its brand and top product at all costs. The cost of a recall can be huge for Apple, and it could possibly open a new can of worms for Steve Jobs and co. Will people accept Apple’s explanation if it all goes according to the above script? That’s another story.