Apple Stumbles with 30 Pin Adapter

As someone who runs a business I have to say I envy Apple and all of its partners on days (and the weeks ahead) like this. Hot product. Demand. Money rolling in. And problems that can be sloughed off.  But the problems, even though they get attention, don’t seem to slow down the juggernaut. They may cause some ill feelings, but those fade in time, and dare I say it, some problem or other almost seems like it is a part of the game with an Apple product launch. Another way to say it is that if everything went smoothly, that would be news.

Aside from site issues (anyone surprised AT&T had site problems?) the problem with this year’s iPhone launch has to do with the adapter that allows folks to use their 30 pin dock connectors with the new smaller lightning cables. There was already a chorus of grumbling from folks who have invested in the older technology facing change, so the fact that this issue hit on that issue will only fan whatever flames get kindled.

Early reports (early reports are often wrong in any circumstance) said that it looks like Apple was being magnanimous and tossing an adapter in for free. Those reports have now been updated. That would have been a nice move given that the adapter will retail for $29. But hold the phone. That apparently isn’t the situation. Those early reports stem from what some users saw during the ordering process as evidenced by this picture from Engadget.

Now Apple is saying that there was an error in the wording and there is no free adapter included. Some are saying this is a PR disaster in the making. I don’t think it will go that far. But it does follow a history of this kind of thing. In my business I’d have to honor the offer to avoid losing customers even it was a mistake. Like I said, I envy Apple, because in the end, they can just move on and not worry about honoring the offer. But who knows. This is still somewhat a developing issue, so we’ll see how this all shakes out in a few days.

Anyone who pre-ordered see this during the process? Love to know your reports.