Antennagate is subject of class action suit settled by Apple

Remember Antennagate? Well, the 18 minute gap in the tape That was the name given to problems that Apple iPhone 4 buyers had thanks to the design of the phone. With the antenna wrapped around the outside of the handset, those that held the phone in the left hand would find the device quickly losing signal strength. That became known as the left-handed death grip. You might remember the late Steve Jobs scolding people for holding the Apple iPhone 4 the wrong way.

After consolidating 18 lawsuits into one class action, Apple has finally reached a settlement that those Apple iPhone 4 owners unhappy with the antenna's performance, can take part in. And as usual with these sort of things, the plaintiffs will not be walking away wealthy. The terms of the settlement call for Apple to give those filing a claim the choice between a free bumper case or $15 in cash. Those taking part in the settlement will have 120 days from April 30th to inform Apple and the latter will be emailing customers to inform them as well as placing ads in USA Today and MacWorld.

The number of Apple iPhone 4 owners that may take part in the settlement is unknown. Many already received free rubber bumpers from Apple when the Antennagate "scandal" originally broke. The Apple iPhone 4S uses a different dual-antenna system that switches the antenna in use if the phone is losing signal strength for various reasons, including the attenuation that might occur from holding it in a certain manner. Ira Rothken, the attorney that represented the class, said that the settlement, "is fair, adequate, and reasonable."  Apple iPhone 4 owners, do you agree?

source: CNET