iPhone the end of Apple?

In recent weeks Apple's gone from gadget golden child to the top of the technology hipster hit list. Why you ask? Mostly due to the fact that in recent weeks it has done the one thing that no one really expected from Apple, they showed disregard for they're fans. What seemed like a simple software update to their popular iPhone line has "bricked" all unlocked iPhones to a non-phone like state. So now that Apple has tarnished their reputation, the question is have they gone too far? The whole thing seems a bit overly dramatic I know but the out cry can't be ignored and could be the point in which the Mac faithful begin to question the big fruit?

Obviously Apple won't fall over night but the companies image isn't invulnerable to heavy criticism. The mystic of Apple is one thing the company can't afford to loose at the moment. It's iPod line is mainstream but they're still dealing with a growing product line with the iPhone and bad press is really what they don't need with an upcoming European launch. So unless his Jobbiness pulls out another apology with a fix or the community cracks it again. Expect the out cry to only get louder at a time where Apple's iPhone is losing its luster, could this mean the end of Apple?

UPDATE: It seems you just can't keep a good community down, the iBrick is a phone once again. It seems that if Apple really wants a closed system, they'll be dealing with a software arms race.