Apple delays white iPhone 4 and spells out bumper case givea
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:15 am
Apple delays white iPhone 4 and spells out bumper case giveaway details
In the wake of "antennagate", Apple unveiled details of its bumper/case-giveaway program today while at the same time announcing that there will be further delays on the availability of the "white" iPhone 4.
"White models of Apple's new iPhone have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year," Apple said in a statement. "The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected."
Black iPhones have also been on back order, though delays tend to be three weeks or so. And why the white model is more challenging to produce than its black sibling remains something of a mystery.
Meantime, here's how the iPhone 4 bumper or case giveaway works. You download an iPhone 4 Case Program app from the App Store and launch the app on your phone using your iTunes Store account or Apple ID. You then select your bumper or case. Apple will check the "IMEI" (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and serial number to verify you have an iPhone 4.
In addition to Apple's own bumpers, you can choose cases from Incase, Belkin, Griffin and Speck; the cases ship in 3 to 5 weeks.
For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, you must apply no later than August 22; otherwise you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for the program you must purchase your iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010.
If you already bought a bumper from Apple, you're eligible for a full refund including taxes and shipping fees. If you bought the bumper by credit card, Apple says it's already refunded your account, though it may take a full billing cycle for the refund to appear. If you paid cash, check or used a gift card at an Apple Retail Store, you must return to the store with your receipt by Sept 30. If you bought it from an AT&T store, head here for a rebate coupon you must fill out and mail.
As announced on its earnings call earlier this week, Apple expects the bumper/case giveaway program to cost the company about $175 million.