Apple has just released a case program app to help provide disgruntled iPhone 4 owners with their promised free cases.
The application can be downloaded from iTunes or the iPhone app store and provides a choice of mobile cases to help the handset's reception issues.
Cases on offer included an official black bumper (although no other colours are available) and a range of third party options including a Belkin Shield Micra or Griffin Reveal Etch. All of the case options are listed as shipping within three to five weeks, leaving a big wait for Apple fans hoping for a free reception cure.
Apple's iPhone 4 handset has been controversial since its release, with its supposed improved reception actually emerging as a major design flaw. The computing giant has released a firmware update for the handset which fixes a software-related reception issue. Apple's CEO Steve Jobs claims that many competitors handsets faced similar reception issues and offered buyers free cases to treat the problem.
A statement from Apple explained: "Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases."
The company has begun refunding those who initially purchased iPhone 4 bumpers and released the case program app to provide free cases to the rest.
Early adopters of the iPhone 4 flooded blogs and social networks complaining of lost reception and dropped calls when the handset was held in a certain manner. The free case program rolled out by Steve Jobs will cost Apple an alleged $175 million.
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