[vinbreau]

I did Apple support from 2000-2010 and I find this is a ridiculous argument. Apple constantly gives out free phones. I've given a free iPhone (5th replacement) for a guy who dropped his phone at a construction site and it was run over by an industrial vehicle. I've given a free phone to a famous tennis start because she threw it across the room in a fit of rage. I denied tons of free iPhones to people affected by Aentennagate. I've given a third free iPhone to a loudmouthed lawyer who dropped it at a bar and then ran over it. People come into the Apple store every damn day demanding free iPhones and the truth is, if you are savvy enough, loud enough and endless enough you will get it. Whether or not people will show up demanding replacements is not a factor in their decision. Internally our policy was if it affects less than 10% of the user base, it's a non-issue to be dealt with on a case by case basis. If the person making the demands has any cultural, media or social weight, they get a free phone. If the person is being loud enough and you are seeing a no-win situation ahead, just give them a free phone. I can't see how this app would have caused either situation to occur.

[r00fus]

Giving out free phones is not a sustainable way of doing business. The just sold ~50m phones on a historically low volume quarter.

Statistically speaking any meaningful way to reduce phone handouts is probably worth the negative publicity.

Banning this app is one such way.