Parker also challenged Jobs' case for the low level of complaints that Apple's official support center, AppleCare, has received. During the press conference, Jobs stated that 0.55 percent, or roughly 16,500, of the three million users who have purchased the iPhone 4 have called into the center regarding reception to date.
"Why would people complain? There was no real solution to begin with. Apple gave their response -- hold it differently or buy a bumper," said Parker, who has been tracking the case closely.
Neither Bunting nor Barton, however, thinks that this will have any real long-term impact on Apple's image. "At the end of the day, it's going to be about the product...Apple is very protective of its brand and it's an incredibly successful company," said Bunting.
He also pointed out that in spite of all the negative press that has surrounded the iPhone 4, the device's popularity has hardly diminished. "Last time I checked, there's still an iPhone 4 waiting list," said Bunting.
"In my opinion, the delay in Apple's response was the most significant issue," said Barton. "They have always been known as a company with a brand mystique, but they have never been known to be conniving. When you have a mystique and intrigue about you, you need to remember that people have every high expectations of you."
