Apple to change free iPhone 4 case program on September 30

Apple is going to change their free iPhone 4 case program on September 30, the date originally given for the initial term of the program by Steve Jobs during the iPhone 4 press conference.

We now know that the iPhone 4 antenna attenuation issue is even smaller than we originally thought. A small percentage of iPhone 4 users need a case, and we want to continue providing them a Bumper case for free. For everyone else, we are discontinuing the free case program on all iPhone 4s sold after September 30, 2010. We are also returning to our normal returns policy for all iPhone 4s sold after September 30. Users experiencing antenna issues should call AppleCare to request a free Bumper case.

So if you bought or buy your iPhone 4 on or before September 30, and you just want a free case, download the Apple case program app and order it asap.

If you get your iPhone 4 on or after October 1 and have a real death grip or death touch problem, you'll have to talk to Apple Care for your free case.

Make sense?

[Apple.com, thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.