APPLE - APPLE APOLOGISES OVER IPHONE BLUNDER

APPLE APOLOGISES OVER IPHONE BLUNDER

Apple has apologised to US consumers who bought the company's new iPhone before slashing $200 (£99) off the purchase price.

The company announced earlier this week that it was cutting the price of the eight-
gigabyte version of the phone, which is now on sale in American stores for $399 (£197).

But the price cut angered many consumers who had rushed out to buy the much-hyped phone after its release, with the discount coming less than ten weeks after the iPhone first went on sale on June 29th.

Apple chef executive Steve Jobs said that the company had received "hundreds" of emails from iPhone customers who were "upset" about the price of the product being slashed after just two months.

In a letter posted on the company's website, Mr Jobs stressed his belief that Apple was making the "correct decision" in lowering the price of the phone. He said the firm had made the decision in order to make it affordable to more people over the US holiday season.

But he acknowledged that the company needed to do "a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price".

Mr Jobs subsequently announced that those consumers who had already bought the iPhone would receive a $100 (£49) voucher to spend on other Apple products.

Commenting on the move, the Apple boss said: "We want to do the right thing for our
valued iPhone customers.

"We apologise for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple," he added.

Apple said earlier this week that it was on track to sell its one millionth iPhone before the end of September, with the new gadget still only available in the US.