The iPhone 4 fiasco continues unabated today, given that numerous independent testing agencies have found its reception lacking. The highly-respected Consumer Reports review might be the final straw:
Apple will be forced to recall the iPhone 4 following Consumer Reports tests proving the “Death Grip” antenna issue is not software related, but a hardware flaw, PR experts say.
“Apple will be forced to do a recall of this product,” said Professor Matthew Seeger, an expert in crisis communication. “It’s critically important. The brand image is the most important thing Apple has. This is potentially devastating.”
via PR Experts: iPhone 4 Hardware Recall Is “Inevitable” | Cult of Mac.
Here’s the main point, though: this is why you don’t just do one model. One model, as the iPhone as always been (color and capacity aside) is dangerous … because mistakes happen.
This is why you spread your risk. This is why it makes sense to have your eggs in multiple baskets.
Apple: do the right thing and give bumpers for free to all iPhone 4 purchasers … or an equivalent value towards any a case.
If not … a recall is a more and more likely scenario … plus death by a million pinpricks via class-action lawsuits.
John, I have to disagree with you on this one. Apple’s one model strategy has been genius. It focuses resources, research and development, etcetera, with lower costs and higher marketing results.
The fact of the matter is this mistake is not a reason to say the one model strategy is wrong, it is just quite lame that they couldn’t detect and correct all flaws before launching only ONE product.
It is a huge mistake but it is still a simple one. So simple, it could make us think other things are wrong but they aren’t. You just have to really proof extremely well your one product before you launch it based on your one product strategy.
John, I have to disagree with you on this one. Apple’s one model strategy has been genius. It focuses resources, research and development, etcetera, with lower costs and higher marketing results.The fact of the matter is this mistake is not a reason to say the one model strategy is wrong, it is just quite lame that they couldn’t detect and correct all flaws before launching only ONE product.It is a huge mistake but it is still a simple one. So simple, it could make us think other things are wrong but they aren’t. You just have to really proof extremely well your one product before you launch it based on your one product strategy.
+1
Dangerous as the one model strategy is, sometimes is the best way to grow. Apple has always been on the apparently “dangerous” side of things. From a marketing perspective, Apple’s higher successes have been in the lower right corner of the Ansoff Matrix (offering products they didn’t sell before to audiences they never reached before… iPod, iPhone, iPad). See Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and RIM struggling to launch several models a year, diluting their focus. On higher end markets, the one model strategy is great but has also been genius on lower end markets, like the Volkswagen bug. Greetings John from a Mexican friend and fan 🙂