BBC News reports that Apple has called a surprise news conference:
The company has refused to give details about whether the event will address reception problems that some users have reported with the phone, launched just last month.
Apple has faced mounting criticism from analysts and consumers over its handling of the issue.
Industry watchers said the firm was in danger of damaging its “rock star” reputation over how poorly it had dealt with what would normally be a minor problem.
“It seems there has been a real crisis of leadership here,” said Patrick Kereley, senior digital strategist for Levick Strategic Communications which deals in crisis managment and reputation protection.
“There are so many conflicting reports about this issue and a lot of confusion in the marketplace. They need a plan of attack. Today’s companies have to react quickly before chatter on Facebook or Twitter turns into news headlines as is the case here,”
Of course, blaming the problem on Facebook and Twitter users isn’t particularly appropriate: there is a problem with the iPhone 4 and even the most pro-Apple folks are noticing it and complaining. Apple has reacted very badly to their most enthusiastic customers, and (for a change) appears to be damaging their reputation. Now that they’re no longer seen as underdogs, the haughty and uninformative response won’t work.
Friend of a friend said this was history repeating itself; the natural result of bringing Jobs back to run the Corp. A slow rise against the odds to major market success, then Jobs’ ego destroys the place.
Comment by Chris Taylor — July 15, 2010 @ 09:50
If I had a yen for registering new sites, I’d have an itch to pick up “stevejobsisnotjesus.com”
Comment by Nicholas — July 15, 2010 @ 10:22