He also decried most of the controversy as confusion and press hype. "We're not perfect, phones aren't perfect."
This letter says "We are extremely sorry." Extremely! Imagine Steve Jobs saying, "I am extremely sorry" is tough to imagine. Possible, but tough to imagine.
Soon after the original iPhone launch Apple posted a letter apologizing for the price drop so soon after the initial launch.
"We apologize for disappointing some of you..."
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/openiphoneletter/
Like Cook's letter, it was reactionary and came after the price drop was poorly received. They've used this medium quite a few times for specific things (letter against Flash and against DRM). Generally, to clarify their current position or to apologies.
This letter says "We are extremely sorry." Extremely! Imagine Steve Jobs saying, "I am extremely sorry" is tough to imagine. Possible, but tough to imagine.