S**t happens. Apple show how to sort it.

As a registered Apple-aholic I'm biased. But I think they've handled the rumours over the antenna l issues with the iPhone 4 pretty well.

In any tech business stuff goes wrong. In fact, the return rate for the iPhone 4 is lower than the previous 3G model. But, the word is out that there is a problem with the antenna. And in today's 24/7 multi-channel world, once the media get that sort of news story, its a tsunami of negative press you can't stop.

But, you can react.

And Apple have. Fast.

They have launched a free offer of a case for all iPhone owners. Or, you can get a refund. No attempt to spend weeks or months trying to deny there's an issue. Just offer a solution.

And, they have made it easy by creating an iPhone app to choose and order your free case. With one click you order the case, using your iTunes details in the phone.

This is pure genius. You use your cool phone to order a free case, and in doing so remind yourself how well the app store works.

In conclusion, when s**t happens, react, do it fast, and do it in a way which actually puts your product in a good light.

Comments

[mark]

While I acknowledge that this is a nice gesture of response to the media hoo-ha.
I do feel that it wasn't as timely as responsive ("FAST?") as it should have been.
This response is perceived to be out only because the key influential media such as consumer report negative test and review. Prior to that, the official response was to push the blame to consumers because they were holding the phone in a wrong position. Surely that response was uncalled for and would have incensed many tech early adopters.

[Andrew]

It is a nice surprise that Apple actually responds to issues such as the iPhone 4 reception problem - many companies just wait (or hope) for the problem to go away.

A protective case isn't going to fix the reception issue but it does provide a response for negative press.