Apple will give free protective cases to buyers of its latest iPhone to alleviate the so-called "death grip" problem: holding the phone with a bare hand can muffle the wireless signal.
Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs announced the giveaway at a news conference Friday. Those who have already bought the iPhone 4 and new buyers through Sept. 30 will be eligible. People who already purchased the $29 "Bumper" cases will be refunded.
Jobs declared, "We're not perfect." He is apologizing to those who don't like the phone. He says refunds are available, even for those with long-term AT&T contracts.
But he says the problem isn't widespread, and less than 2 percent have returned the device.
Consumer Reports refused to recommend the phone and called on Apple to compensate buyers.
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