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.’”

Source: Computer Bild

Via: Mike Elgan