During Apple’s press conference on July 16th about the iPhone 4′s exposed antenna weakness, Steve Jobs offered all iPhone 4 customers a free case to remedy the problem. During the conference he expressed that there would be a way to place orders for the case “by the end of next week.” Which was last Friday. I received an email requesting that I download the iPhone 4 case app to place my order…
After going online to view the details of all the case options available, some from Belkin and other 3rd party manufacturers. The ordering process only took a minute. It was quick and simple. So far all seemed fair and good. Then, as I completed the order, the ship date on the product appears on the screen nearly 5 weeks into the future. This didn’t sit well with me but Apple had expired their inventories. I wanted a free case but I didn’t want to have to worry about my shiny, brand new iPhone 4 getting scratched up. I had already ordered and received a Zagg invisibleShield screen protector, now I just need the Apple Bumper case to completely protect the device. Needless to say, I’m a little anxious to get my new baby fully covered and waiting over a month will not be easy.
Then, yesterday happens, I receive an email from Apple Shipping Notification telling me my black iPhone 4 bumper has shipped and will be here within a week! Yay! Not sure how many people out there also received a happy notification like this about their cases, I also would like to know if the 3rd party cases offered are shipping now as well.
Anyway, thank you Apple, and thank you Steve Jobs for doing the right thing.
UPDATE! 2010-07-28 – It’s arrived! EVEN EARLIER!
Guess what showed up in the mail today? Estimated delivery date showed Aug. 3rd, but here it is, almost a week early! Thanks Apple. Unfortunately my Griffin iPod USB cable doesn’t plug in all the way when the bumper is on, eeks. Otherwise, I’m completely covered now 
Apple iPhone 4 bumper
ANOTHER Update…not such a good one. My Apple Composite AV Cable connector doesn’t seem to fit with the iPhone 4 bumper case. NOT a good situation. The AV cable is how I get audio and video and power when I’m in my car. So I ended up literally sawing off about an eighth of an inch off of the plastic part of the connector and now it works just fine. I then strategically placed electrical tape over the copper shielding and the electronic components that were partially exposed as a result of the modification. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. You will risk destroying the cable entirely. Enjoy!