By Ben Fractenberg
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Computer giant Apple will give out free cases to iPhone 4 owners after getting heat for the phone’s reception problems.
Early buyers of the phone complained it lost reception when held in a certain way. Apple CEO Steve Jobs admitted the phone could drop calls if people used the so-called “death grip” — grasping the phone near the bottom with all of your fingers — but added that the issues have been "blown so out of proportion, it's incredible."
The cases will improve performance by protecting the phone's antenna from users who hold the phone too tightly at the bottom of the device.
However, owners cannot simply pick the cases up at an Apple Store location — instead they have to fill out an online form through the company’s website.
Apple also came under fire for the inaccuracy of the phone’s bars indicating signal strength, as the iPhone 4 shows at least one to two more bars than the phone is actually receiving. The company is issuing a free software update to correct the problem.
The news comes after Consumer Reports said it would not recommend the iPhone 4 to prospective buyers.
Owners of the iPhone 4 can get the cases from now through September 30. An employee at the Apple store on Fifth Avenue said those seeking the new case will be able to do so through Apple’s website by next week.
