Apple reportedly punishes German mag for its iPhone 6 Plus bend test

[Aniallation]

http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-News-Handy-Apple-boycotts-COMPUTER-BILD-An-open-letter-to-Tim-Cook-10953399.html

 

http://www.iclarified.com/44293/apple-revokes-pr-accreditation-of-computer-magazine-bild-for-posting-bendgate-video

 

http://www.cultofmac.com/298249/german-magazine-apple-bend-test/

 

 

 

 

An iPhone 6 bend test left a German tech magazine with bigger worries than a needlessly broken smartphone: The publication was reportedly banned from future Apple events and told it would no longer receive the Cupertino company’s latest products for review.

 

Apple’s German PR department reacted in a “disturbing way” to his magazine’s iPhone 6 Plus bend test, writes Computer Bild editor in chief Axel Telzerow in an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Instead of answering the questions about why the iPhone 6 Plus is so sensitive, a manager called Computer Bild and told us, that [we] will not get any testing devices and no invites to official events any more.”

 

Everyone from Internet forum users to mainstream media outlets has been jumping on the “Bendgate” fiasco since a video from Unbox Therapy highlighted how easy it is to bend an iPhone 6 Plus. That video went viral shortly after the new iPhones’ release this month, being viewed millions of times and piquing the public’s interest in Apple’s sleek new smartphones.

Following the departure of Apple PR queen Katie Cotton earlier this year, Cupertino has seemed to soften its formerly draconian attitude toward handling the press. Has Bendgate — the latest in a long line of such overblown controversies about Apple products — touched a nerve, causing Apple to harden its stance, or is this just an overreaction by the German office?

Apple did not immediately respond to Cult of Mac’s request for comment on the subject.

In his open letter to Cook, Computer Bild’s editor explains why the magazine needed to test the durability of the 6 Plus after reports surfaced online claiming the device was bending inside people’s pockets.

 

“We could not leave the subject without comment,” Telzerow writes. “Of course that required further tests since testing new products without any prejudice is our obligation to our readers.”

 

Telzerow goes on to say that Computer Bild was “shocked” at how easy it was to bend the 6 Plus, and even more surprised when an Apple PR representative called to say the magazine would no longer be invited to Apple events. But the publication pledges not to abandon its principles, and vows to continue its “incorruptible tests.”

 

“We congratulate you to your fine new generation of iPhones, even if one of them has a minor weakness with its casing,” Telzerow says. “But we are deeply disappointed about the lack of respect of your company.”

 

This isn’t the first time Apple has banned certain publications for bad press. Back in November, Cult of Mac columnist Mike Elgan revealed that the company — like many others — has a “blacklist” of people in the media who are punished for their “disloyalty.”

 

“The Apple ‘blacklist’ for most journalists appears to result from some combination of criticism, cynicism or coverage about specific topics — or breaking the company’s ‘rules’ for coverage,” Elgan wrote. “For example, criticizing Steve Jobs, Apple’s history and culture, or super-harshly criticizing their products will gain most journalists lifelong inclusion on the ‘blacklist.’”

[Jodomcfrodo]

Apple just admitted the phones bend...

That...That is amazing.

[TheKDub]

I'll bet they fully knew the phones would bend, so that people have to send it to them to have it fixed once it bends after being in your pocket for even just a few minutes.

[Victorious Secret]

Jesus christ is this really worthy of news? 

And Apple has done this before. They banned Gizmodo for leaking the iPhone 4. They don't discriminate in their banning. 

 

Also, this post barely meets news section guidelines, am I right News Team? 

[ShadowCaptain]

 

Even Apple fanboys need to stop denying it, the new iPhones bending is a design flaw.

 

It has still been blown completely out of proportion, so many smartphones can be bent/snapped by hand

 

Sure I am disappointed by Apple, I love and use their products, everyone was acting like no other phone could be bent by hand when in fact many could, and from Consumer Reports the HTC one can withstand the same force as the iPhone 6/6+, my 6 is super strong and I just took it to london for 4 days, it had a rough time in my pocket I can tell you that, and I dont use cases/screen protectors

 

 

Not sure how I feel about their punishment of the magazine, seems just, but seems unfair at the same time, I think articles that can prove damaging to a company are harsh and that company has every right to revoke that reviewers privileges 

 

That said people should know the truth too, neither are in the right in my opinion

 

That said, as an iPhone user, I am happy I chose the 6, and have 0 regrets

[Pugs501]

[Aniallation]

Jesus christ is this really worthy of news? 

And Apple has done this before. They banned Gizmodo for leaking the iPhone 4. They don't discriminate in their banning. 

 

Also, this post barely meets news section guidelines, am I right News Team? 

You where the one that started the official iPhone 6 launch thread.... if that doesn't say something about your Apple-ness idk what does

[daemonowner]

And Apple has done this before. They banned Gizmodo for leaking the iPhone 4. They don't discriminate in their banning. 

Breaking an NDA is different to doing the public a service by testing a phone.

[Victorious Secret]

You where the one that started the official iPhone 6 launch thread.... if that doesn't say something about your Apple-ness idk what does

 

I started a thread so we could talk about the launch of a popular device that millions of people buy and some on this very forum have bought and use. 

 

And that makes me a Apple fanboy? 

Excellent critical thinking there. You must win all the Grade 10 debate contests with that kind of wisdom.

[TopWargamer]

Jesus christ is this really worthy of news? 

Yes. Apple is punishing a magazine for doing their job. I'd say that is pretty news worthy, although this thread needs to have content that's more easily readable. 

[Victorious Secret]

Breaking an NDA is different to doing the public a service by testing a phone.

 

Gizmodo wasn't under a NDA however on any level what so ever. 

 

Yet it took how long for their ban to lift? It lifted THIS year. 

 

Apple is free to ban or allow whoever they please for whatever reasons they please, IMO this magazine being banned isn't newsworthy.

 

Yes. Apple is attempting to suppress a magazine from reporting on the bending issues with the iPhone 6+. I'd say that is pretty news worthy, although this thread needs to have content that's more easily readable. 

 

Fair enough, but the way the content is presented and laid out is just weak and indicative of a desire just to get news out fast instead of taking some time, and its been getting progressively worse lately. 

[Aniallation]

Yes. Apple is punishing a magazine for doing their job. I'd say that is pretty news worthy, although this thread needs to have content that's more easily readable. 

 

Fair enough, but the way the content is presented and laid out is just weak and indicative of a desire just to get news out fast instead of taking some time, and its been getting progressively worse lately. 

 

I do admit that copy pasted spacing was hideous. Spread them out now

[Probenja]

It has still been blown completely out of proportion, so many smartphones can be bent/snapped by hand

 

Sure I am disappointed by Apple, I love and use their products, everyone was acting like no other phone could be bent by hand when in fact many could, and from Consumer Reports the HTC one can withstand the same force as the iPhone 6/6+, my 6 is super strong and I just took it to london for 4 days, it had a rough time in my pocket I can tell you that, and I dont use cases/screen protectors

 

 

Not sure how I feel about their punishment of the magazine, seems just, but seems unfair at the same time, I think articles that can prove damaging to a company are harsh and that company has every right to revoke that reviewers privileges 

 

That said people should know the truth too, neither are in the right in my opinion

 

That said, as an iPhone user, I am happy I chose the 6, and have 0 regrets

 

Yes but you have the 6, we are talking about the 6+, also i don't trust consumer reports, they have been always a little bit biased and i am still mad when they talked shit about the suzuki samurai, so it shows that they are not truthful when it comes to their reports. Also from what i have read they applied pressure with a machine in the middle, not did a real world test or applied force near the volume button area where the phone has the issues.

 

[TopWargamer]

Fair enough, but the way the content is presented and laid out is just weak and indicative of a desire just to get news out fast instead of taking some time, and its been getting progressively worse lately. 

I'll admit that when I first started to post news topics that it was just to get them out there and to get on the WAN Show. Not even going to lie about that, and I think everybody likes to have the limelight on the WAN Show.

 

 

After a while I stopped caring about that and started to make posts that are of a certain quality, easily readable, and all of the important content is easy to spot. I take my time with my posts, especially now with the new way that I'm posting them. 

[Mooshi]

I used to defend Apple from blatant slander by those on this forum, now my view is they can fuck off. Throwing a hissy fit over journalistic integrity. The public has a right to know about products and as the manufacturer, it is your job to fix flaws, not blacklist journalists for saying what you don't want to hear.

 

(Granted with other things in the past, my opinion of Apple as a whole wasn't so hot, but I at least tried to be moderate with the products themselves. Shutting down reporting on a broken product instead of fixing it is the last straw)

Edited September 30, 2014 by Mooshi

[Hans Christian | Teri]

I don't see how this is wrong for them to do. I will openly admit to liking Apple products but that's besides the point. Being invited to launch events and getting free products for review is a privilege not a right. It's not like they couldn't have left the problem on the table until further information was released by Apple or Apples manufactures. A bend test is not standard practice when reviewing a phone.

[ShadowCaptain]

Yes but you have the 6, we are talking about the 6+, also i don't trust consumer reports, they have been always a little bit biased and i am still mad when they talked shit about the suzuki samurai, so it shows that they are not truthful when it comes to their reports. Also from what i have read they applied pressure with a machine in the middle, not did a real world test or applied force near the volume button area where the phone has the issues.

 

That is the standardized, and fair testing method and shows that under the same pressure other phones would deform and break, not unique to the iPhone,..also from what you have read? I suggest watching the video before commenting about the content it contains

 

Also a video about a car from 1988? it might bear the same name but does not mean it follows the same practices or employs the same people

[TopWargamer]

I do admit that copy pasted spacing was hideous. Spread them out now

That's not the issue. The issue is that you copy/pasted the entire article. 

 

Only copy/paste the important paragraphs and please for the love of God add in some kind of input. I'm sorry if I sound upset, but my goodness LTT, all you guys do is post the source, quote the entire article, and that's that. That's not how it's suppose to be done. 

 

I try my best to follow Wind's three rules for Tech News, which states:

1) Must have some original input along with the news story from the member on why it is news to them and/or the forum!

2) Your post cannot simply be a link to another news source - see point 1!

3) When quoting or copying content into your post from the original, you must make it very clear that you are doing so with the use of quotations, for example, or some other means.

 

Although I may do a few things extra, this is all I expect from you guys, and every time these three simple rules are not followed I die a little bit on the inside. 

[Trik'Stari]

Did my post get deleted or something?

[DigitalHermit]

Why am I not surprised?

 

Apple is a business entity... We can safely assume that all its actions are to secure profit and the company's future... They sell products so good publicity is critical...

[LAwLz]

I can't believe people are defending this terrible behavior.

This is flat out punishment for talking about a product in a bad manner. That is not okay. Reports should be able to report on anything without the fear of getting punished. Imagine if Samsung started threatening with not sending review units if people reported on let's say their phones overheating. That's absurd.

I am not saying that Apple don't have the right to ban people from their own events. I am all for them having that right. What I am against is them using that right to punish people who do not report on them in a favorable light. This is them trying to manipulate the media.

 

 

Edit: and before I get a bunch of failed ad hominem attacks against me, calling me an Apple hater, this is what I wrote when Samsung took legal action against a reporter saying the Galaxy S 5 had camera issues:

"Sigh... Samsung just keeps getting worse and worse."

 

I do not care about the logo on products at all. Right now I am criticizing Apple because they are acting like manipulative assholes, not because I dislike the company.

[MoonSpot]

If true it is entirely unacceptable and quite frankly it is extortion and fascist. However, I leave this up the the folks in the German thread to declare whether the magazine test was over the top or pandering to the populous with their testing, in which case an action like this by apple can be justified.

Is there a video of their test /w captions by any chance?

:edit: nvm think I found the video.

:edit 2: surprise! I still don't understand a lick of German.

[dragosudeki]

Terrible shit is happening... Apple doing bad PR for people showing these very harsh scenarios of bending... On the other hand we have Windows trolling us with their god damn naming schemes.

[zacRupnow]

so many smartphones can be bent/snapped by hand

Ummm... Nope

[Builder]

Ummm... Nope

Ummm... Yep.