Apple issues apology and update to iPhone 4 users
Apple is to issue a software update to appease angry customers who have experienced problems with their iPhone 4 handsets, and will also refunds to those who have been inconvenienced.
The company says the iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in its history, but it has been tarnished by reports of reception problems. Initially, the company told users not to grip the handset in certain ways, but research has revealed a display error in the mobile’s programming.
It found the handsets were sometimes displaying 4 bars when they should be displaying as few as 2 bars and says to fix this, it is adopting AT&T’s recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. This will be issued through a free software update within a few weeks.
Apologising to customers in a letter, Apple says: “For those who have had concerns, we apologise for any anxiety we may have caused. As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do. Thank you for your patience and support.”
The phone was unveiled last month and features the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, and HD video recording. It has also been built to be the thinnest smartphone in the world.
Apple’s mobile advertising platform iAd launched yesterday (1 July). Apple says iAd, which it unveiled in April, will be promoted via mobile ad campaigns from leading global brands including AT&T, Best Buy, Unilever and Campbell Soup Company.
