PR Experts Say iPhone 4 Recall is 'Inevitable'
If you're among the roughly 1.7 million Apple fans who have purchased the iPhone 4 over the last few weeks, you could be in for a nasty surprise: A product recall as a result of the antenna issue.
We all know about the iPhone 4's antenna issue, so I won't bore you by reiterating the finer details. Covering the lower-left corner diminishes signal and solutions to the problem range from a piece of duct tape, to cases, to a software patch that will alter the iPhone's signal bars to better reflect how much signal the user actually had in the first place. However, at least three PR experts believe these solutions will not be enough and predict that an Apple iPhone 4 recall is imminent.
CultofMac cites Professor Matthew Seeger, an expert in crisis communication from Wayne State University, as saying the design flaw is 'potentially devastating.'
"Apple will be forced to do a recall for this product," he said. "It’s critically important. The brand image is the most important thing Apple has. This is potentially devastating."
Dr. Seeger isn't alone in his thinking; two more experts told CultofMac the same thing. Chris Lehane, former 'Master of Disaster' for the White House (President Clinton), said the iPhone 4 antenna problem needs to be acknowledged and addressed.
"You acknowledge it; you address it; you deal with it," Lehane said. "Apple must protect its brand image, its crown jewels, at all cost. Apple has enormous consumer loyalty but it depends on whether people believe it’s credible."
Another expert, Dr. Larry Barton, author of Crisis Leadership Now, criticized Apple's response to the problem and said they need to take a 'military-like' approach to the issue.
"Apple needs to put this fire out now,” said Dr. Barton. "There has to be a military-like response to this issue. And we have not seen this kind of urgency."
"Their response has been lackluster," he continued. "It’s been borderline irresponsible. They are in danger of betraying customers’ trust and hurting the brand, which is infinitely more valuable than any one product."
Do you think Apple will recall the iPhone 4? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: CultofMac
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Not a chance. Only the savviest of users knows or even cares. So about 1% of the user base is pissed off. 99% is unaware. All three PR firms are wrong.
If Apple does a recall now, it would do far more damage than doing nothing at all.
Everybody knows about that since the beginning, lol, is that or to give free plastic surgeries for their users so they can hold it the right way.
Apple will issue a recall for the current iPhone4 just before the next generation iPhone comes out. By then, it wouldn't matter. Apple can protect it's brand image, not spend much money on the recall effort, and fleece the same loyal customers all over again.
I'm sure they'll still figure out a way to squeeze more money out of people for the recall.
I know 5 people at work who use new iPhones in protective cases for 5 bucks and all of them are very happy. So far, the positives the phone has outweigh the negatives. We will see what happens next...
No
I heard Apple are already shipping iPhone 4's with a coating on the metal strip to stop the antenna issue. Can anyone confirm?
that means Steve The Omnipotent is WRONG and HE's NEVER WRONG....
as someone who works in marketing, i never understood why they go to professors as "experts". I'm sure there are a few but the vast majority of "experts" work at agencies. The vast majority of "professors" are people who could not hack working in the field and now teach outdated techniques of those people do work in the field.
Apple don
everyone at my work uses iphone4's in cases(No one seems to complain). I bet the guy who designed the phone got fired
Plus.. You guys are just holding it wrong
Not a chance. Only the savviest of users knows or even cares. So about 1% of the user base is pissed off. 99% is unaware. All three PR firms are wrong. If Apple does a recall now, it would do far more damage than doing nothing at all.
OK, random guy, you're right. All the PR experts are completely wrong, you obviously know more about the subject than them, and blatantly have more experience with such issues.
Not a chance. Only the savviest of users knows or even cares. So about 1% of the user base is pissed off. 99% is unaware. All three PR firms are wrong. If Apple does a recall now, it would do far more damage than doing nothing at all.
where do you think the "99% who are n00bs" got the idea to buy an Apple product from?
they would have got it from the "1% who are tech crazy fanboys" who are pissed.
Apple design and build quality has been one thing even the biggest Anti-Apple person has struggled to not show respect. if they loose that... there really is legitimately no reason to put up with all the extra apple crap you have to put up with.
Not a chance. Only the savviest of users knows or even cares. So about 1% of the user base is pissed off. 99% is unaware. All three PR firms are wrong. If Apple does a recall now, it would do far more damage than doing nothing at all.
It has been all over the national news paper on practically all the news channels 99% of people must have been living under rocks(excluding Steve Jobs lol)
Not a chance. Only the savviest of users knows or even cares. So about 1% of the user base is pissed off. 99% is unaware. All three PR firms are wrong. If Apple does a recall now, it would do far more damage than doing nothing at all.
Well, the other day, I overheard a conversation between two people who do not fit into the stereotype of tech savie (I could be wrong and they know a lot,) they where both older men, about 60 years old, and they both knew about the issue with the iphone 4. To me, that tells me that the problem is well known.
As for the recall, they SHOULD issue one, however I do not see it happening. That would come at a massive cost to all involved, and involve Mr. Jobs admitting that there is a issue on the hardware side, which he has said does not exist.
If he does anything, I think it would be discounted bumpers, given for a very short period of time, and announced very quietly. No speeches or anything, something you would need to ask for.
So about 1% of the user base is pissed off. 99% is unaware.
That may have been the case at one point, but once a mainstream pub the likes of Consumer Reports raises the issue, many, many people will be second-guessing their decisions.
Apple fans turn a blind eye to this article! Quick! Bask in your ignorance! just chant "there-is-nothing-wrong-with-the-iphone-4!" repeat.
If that doesn't work hold your breath until everyone forgets about the reception problem. Yah that will work.
A recall will not happen because apple would have to admit some kind of fault. Worst case scenario, they will offer a "connection improvement kit" to those who request one. Odds are they will charge shipping, which will have the apple tax applied to it as well.
While they should do a recall, they won't. As mentioned previously in comments, very few people are aware of this issue, as very few of Apple fans are actually "tech-savvy".
I recomend Apple offer bio-engineering to cause future humans left hands to sprout a thumb on the opposite side. Thereby correcting what Apple says is the "real" problem.
no need for recall
the people need to understand that they are holding it wrong
Why would they issue a recall when they can just charge people $$$ for the case, as people have said before doing a recall would just be admitting there is a problem with the phone and apple seems to have a problem with accepting blame.
I suspect that if Apple does something to address this issue, it will be to just offer a cheap case to users for free. Seems like one of the simpler solutions.
I have the feeling at least half of the people making the big stink about the issue are people who don't even own/want an iphone in the first place
I can't see a recall, I've tried holding it 'the wrong way' with mine, and the signal does drop, but no more than on my LG if I hold it the same way. All 'candybar' phones seem to have this issue to some extent, it is just getting lots more press because it is apple, and probably in part to their bar display being incorrect. A $5 case improves the issue for all phones, apple included.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a revision of the hardware though to minimise it or move the join to the bottom or somewhere less likely. Most people don't hold their phone the wrong way unless going hands free or video chatting.
I had an iPhone 4 since 6/23 and just had my 3G reactivated. The 4 is going back. I had the issue (among a few other minor sw glitches) and I think Apple needs to really fix it. Then I'll consider repurchasing.
hahahahahaha my Iphone 3G is better than the new 4G piece of shit
With Apple, nothing is ever "certain" aside from the continuing inflow of cash from sheeps.
rotten apple!
If you can afford the Iphone and the ridiculous prices AT&T charges for iphone services, then you can afford a nice case to fix it. I otterbox most of my phones.
A nasty surprise? I would welcome a recall - I can't stand the issue.
And I would hardly consider myself an Apple fan...