When Apple launched iPhone 4, users reported reception issues when they held the iPhone in a particular way.
The issue which was dubbed Antennagate received so much negative publicity that Apple had to call a special press conference to talk about it and forced them to give away iPhone 4 bumpers or third-party iPhone cases to all iPhone 4 customers.
Apple didn’t do a good job of handling the Angtennagate controversy, they first said it didn’t exist and that users should avoid gripping it in lower corner or use a case, then said that it was due to a software issue, which was quite bizarre, then they admitted it existed but was a industry wide issue and ended up giving a free iPhone 4 bumper case to all users and then stopped the program after a few months saying it didn’t exist anymore.
This led a to number of class action lawsuit from iPhone 4 users. Last month, we reported that Apple had reached a settlement in the class-action lawsuit and had agreed to give all original iPhone 4 users in the U.S. an iPhone 4 Bumper, which are available for $29 or $15 in cash.
At that time, the site www.iPhone4Settlement.com where original iPhone 4 users could claim the settlement was not live, but Engadget has just reported that the site is live now and if you don’t want the iPhone 4 Bumper case then you can claim the $15 settlement.
The site reads:
The purpose of this website is to inform qualified individuals who are or were the original owner of an iPhone 4 of this class action settlement.
To be eligible for the cash payment, you must have: (a) experienced antenna or reception issues; (b) been unable to return your iPhone 4 without incurring any costs; (c) been unwilling to use a case or free bumper for your iPhone 4; and (d) completed certain troubleshooting steps or are unable to complete the troubleshooting steps because you no longer own your iPhone.
The settlement will provide a $15 cash payment if you are a United States resident who are or were the original owner of an iPhone 4, and who experienced antenna or reception issues, and satisfy other requirements explained on this website.
Since July 2010, Apple has offered a free bumper to iPhone 4 owners who have experienced antenna or reception issues. Class Members can continue to request a free bumper as described at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4389.
Though one can debate if the amount that Apple is paying is enough or not, the settlement seems to be fair as all original iPhone 4 owners now have the right to claim it. Unfortunately, the settlement is only limited to original iPhone 4 users in the US.
Do you plan to get the bumper or claim the $15 cash payment?
