According to two reports, Apple is currently recalling the Verizon iPad 2 after discovering post activation issues with viewing and editing account information. The company is instructing Apple Store employees to scan current Verizon iPad 2 stock within a certain serial number range and ordering that those devices be returned to Apple, though it’s not known if other resellers are also affected. This follows earlier issues found with the Verizon iPad 2 relating to 3G network connectivity problems earlier in the year. The following accounts from anonymous employees confirm the issue:
Apple has given all the stores a list of serial numbers to scan, if it’s a match we were told to set aside and ship back to Apple, these are only for Verizon ipads. This was to be done on Monday and continue to scan all shipments thru June 11. I had over one hundred to send back.
Verizon iPad 2s aren’t being sent back due to engraving. If someone activates a cellular connection on the device, then wants to view or edit account information, they can’t. They receive a message that it is activated, and that’s it. I saw someone open at least 6 looking for one that didn’t do it. It’s device specific, not software.
A request for comment has been sent and will be posted if one is received.
Update: The problem has been pinpointed to specific units with duplicate serial numbers as explained in the latest anonymous comment below with Verizon aware of the issue. Apple Stores have also been instructed to issue $50 credits to those customers affected by the issue.
I bought an iPad2 on Wednesday (6/8) from the Apple Store in Louisville, KY. It is a 16GB black Verizon 3G edition. Have been using it for past couple days on wi-fi and went to activate the 3G service on it today. Had trouble doing it on the iPad, so I called Verizon for assistance. They told me that there is a batch of iPad2’s with duplicate MEID’s (which I believe are hardcoded into the device) out there and apparently I have one of them. Only way to fix is to bring my iPad2 back to the store for exchange to new iPad. I’m betting that is why people’s iPads are getting flagged for return before they even hit their doorstep.
