Apple officially launches iPhone 4 Case Program
As promised, Apple on Friday launched its iPhone 4 Case Program, granting free cases to customers who buy a phone through Sept. 30, and refunding those who already bought a protective "bumper" through an iPhone application.
The website with instructions is available at apple.com/iphone/case-program/, but users must request their case through the free "iPhone 4 Case Program" application on the App Store. From there, users sign in with their iTunes Store account or Apple ID, and can choose a bumper case.
iPhone 4 customers who made a purchase before July 23 must apply no later than Aug. 22, 2010. Otherwise, customers must apply within 30 days of their iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for the program, customers must purchase their iPhone 4 by Sept. 30, 2010.
"If you are experiencing reception issues with your iPhone 4, youa re eligible to receive an iPhone 4 Bumper or other select third-party case from Apple at no charge," the application's description reads. "Download this ree app onto your iPhone 4 and apply your free bumper or case."
"Only iPhone 4 owners are eligible for this program. The app will check the IMEI and serial number to verify that you have an iPhone 4. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be able to choose an iPhone 4 bumper or other case. The bumper or case will be shipped to you at no charge."
Options include a black first-party bumper, smoke or clear Incase Snap Cases, clear Belkin Shield Micra, diamonds/smoke Griffin Motif, black/black graphite Griffin Reveal Etch, black tartan Speck Fitted Case, and black Speck PixelSkin HD. All of the cases ship within 3 to 5 weeks.
Apple also said that those who purchased a bumper via credit card have already been refunded automatically. Those refunds began Thursday. Apple Retail Store customers can check the status of their refund at iphonebumper.apple.com.
Those who bought with cash, check or gift card at an Apple Store must return to the store with their receipt by Sept. 30, 2010 to get their refund. Customers who used a gift card on the Apple Online Store will be automatically mailed a new gift card for the refund amount.
Finally, for those who bought through an AT&T store, customers will be reimbursed for the purchase price as well. A rebate coupon is available to fill out on Apple's website. The rebate form must be mailed by Sept. 30, 2010, and refunds will be sent as soon as the claim is processed.
Apple's case program site also includes information on how customers can return their handset if they are not fully satisfied.
"You can return your undamaged iPhone 4 to any Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund," the site reads. "If you purchased your iPhone 4 from AT&T, you can also return it to an AT&T store."
The page also includes a link to Apple's newly launched antenna performance site, which explains the attenuation effect that can be experienced on the iPhone 4 and other smartphones when held improperly. Apple explained the issue and launched the site last week at its iPhone 4 press conference, when the company also revealed its free bumpers and cases program.
The website with instructions is available at apple.com/iphone/case-program/, but users must request their case through the free "iPhone 4 Case Program" application on the App Store. From there, users sign in with their iTunes Store account or Apple ID, and can choose a bumper case.
iPhone 4 customers who made a purchase before July 23 must apply no later than Aug. 22, 2010. Otherwise, customers must apply within 30 days of their iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for the program, customers must purchase their iPhone 4 by Sept. 30, 2010.
"If you are experiencing reception issues with your iPhone 4, youa re eligible to receive an iPhone 4 Bumper or other select third-party case from Apple at no charge," the application's description reads. "Download this ree app onto your iPhone 4 and apply your free bumper or case."
"Only iPhone 4 owners are eligible for this program. The app will check the IMEI and serial number to verify that you have an iPhone 4. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be able to choose an iPhone 4 bumper or other case. The bumper or case will be shipped to you at no charge."
Options include a black first-party bumper, smoke or clear Incase Snap Cases, clear Belkin Shield Micra, diamonds/smoke Griffin Motif, black/black graphite Griffin Reveal Etch, black tartan Speck Fitted Case, and black Speck PixelSkin HD. All of the cases ship within 3 to 5 weeks.
Apple also said that those who purchased a bumper via credit card have already been refunded automatically. Those refunds began Thursday. Apple Retail Store customers can check the status of their refund at iphonebumper.apple.com.
Those who bought with cash, check or gift card at an Apple Store must return to the store with their receipt by Sept. 30, 2010 to get their refund. Customers who used a gift card on the Apple Online Store will be automatically mailed a new gift card for the refund amount.
Finally, for those who bought through an AT&T store, customers will be reimbursed for the purchase price as well. A rebate coupon is available to fill out on Apple's website. The rebate form must be mailed by Sept. 30, 2010, and refunds will be sent as soon as the claim is processed.
Apple's case program site also includes information on how customers can return their handset if they are not fully satisfied.
"You can return your undamaged iPhone 4 to any Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund," the site reads. "If you purchased your iPhone 4 from AT&T, you can also return it to an AT&T store."
The page also includes a link to Apple's newly launched antenna performance site, which explains the attenuation effect that can be experienced on the iPhone 4 and other smartphones when held improperly. Apple explained the issue and launched the site last week at its iPhone 4 press conference, when the company also revealed its free bumpers and cases program.
Comments
~Callum
My question is, what other cases are going to be included in this? Can someone who has the app let us know? I am fine with a bumper if I can get my hands on one, but would like to know what other cases will be included.
So now all I need is an iPhone!
~Callum
Right, mine is already shipping, and I was checking this and other sites like crasy lately because I want to get an apple bumper..
Now that sucks...
You can get there with https://iphonebumper.apple.com
So, I have not purchased my iphones yet because I have gift cards, and apparently you cannot buy a phone that is not in stock using gift cards...
My question is, what other cases are going to be included in this? Can someone who has the app let us know? I am fine with a bumper if I can get my hands on one, but would like to know what other cases will be included.
There are 9 other cases available by Case Logic I think. Only the black bumper is available from Apple, no other color. I can't get back into the catalogue in the app because it gives me a message stating I already ordered one. otherwise I would have posted a screen shot.
Got confirmation in the App that the case is ordered - great news, a free case.
Then I see on the Apple web site that if you bought a bumper from Apple Retail (which I did in the UK), that they will refund the purchase price. They even provide a page to let you check the progress of the refund. It states they refunded me the £25 on the 22nd July.
So this begs the question will I still get the case I ordered in the App or will the refund somehow stop it. I did not ask for the refund as I wanted to get a free case instead.
Seems there is a potential flaw in the process somewhere, if they send me a free case, then in effect I have been given 2 free cases. Not what they intended surely?
Ian
Apple iPhone 4 Bumper - Black
Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4 - Smoke
Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4 - Clear
Belkin Shield Micra for iPhone 4 - Clear
Griffin Motif iPhone 4 - Diamonds/Smoke
Griffin Reveal Etch iPhone 4 - Black/Black Graphite
Speck Fitted Case iPhone 4 - Black Tartan
Speck PixelSkin HD iPhone 4 - Black
All on 3-5 week ship time.
What happens if somebody bought "Case mate medley" from other online retailer?
You can still order a free case from Apple. You just can't get a refund for the case you bought from a 3rd party.
I wonder if that was so that they could more easily ramp up production?
I wonder how many people will end up buying a case now that it's free even though they didn't experience reception issues
i have zero issues but will pick up the case to hold on to for when i sell the phone next year.
the phone is excellent. nuff said.
I wonder how many people will end up buying a case now that it's free even though they didn't experience reception issues
I figured with the distribution delay of getting free cases, I still bought a 3rd party Belkin online. But I also ordered the free case. I messed around with the reception issues on my phone and couldnt tell a big difference from my 3G. Since I was having issues in my home anyway with an ATT signal, I got them to give me a free microcell which at least solves my home issues.
And whats to stop the people who are getting the refunds from requesting a free case as well
I wonder how many people will end up buying a case now that it's free even though they didn't experience reception issues
I don't even have an iPhone 4, but I am going to order a free bumper now you have said that
I don't even have an iPhone 4, but I am going to order a free bumper now you have said that
The software checks the IMEI number to make sure you're using an iPhone 4.
Can't see the app in the German app store yet. Is it only up in english speaking countries? Also no mention on the German Apple website...
just downloaded it (German store). Download worked. (Don't have my iPhone 4 yet so i cant test)