This is the last thing Research in Motion needs to have in the headlines.
The Playbook, regarded as RIM’s last chance to remain relevant in the changing mobile environment, is now the subject of the latest electronics recall.
It’s not a sweeping recall, though. Only about 1,000 units have been targeted because of a software glitch that prevents them from working right out of the box.
“RIM is working to replace the affected devices. In the small number of cases where a customer received a PlayBook that is unable to properly load software upon initial set-up, they can contact RIM for assistance,” the company said in a statement.
The Playbook, which launched last month, is noteworthy not only because it’s RIM’s first foray into the tablet market but also because it abandons the company’s decades-old Blackberry operating system and uses a new QNX-based platform. One of the stumbling blocks from RIM had been its highly outdated OS and failed attempts to bring it into the competitive arena of Android and iOS.
Because of its new and fresh approach, the Playbook has received a handful of positive reviews, but it has also faced criticism for its lack of apps and because it heavily relies on users having a Blackberry phone nearby to access certain features.
Other than confirming some units were afflicted, RIM did not reveal details about what happened or where the affected units were shipped. A report on Engadget said they were sent to Staples stores.
Regardless, it should be pretty easy for users to determine if they have a faulty unit since it can’t do anything. Hopefully that 1,000 number doesn’t somehow start to grow any time soon.
