RIM recall 1,000 Playbook tablets – faulty OS

Research In Motion haven't had an ideal launch for the Playbook, early sales indicators weren't positive and latest reports show that they have just recalled 1,000 of the tablets which have shipped with ‘faulty' operating systems which may have stopped users from getting past the initial setup of the device.

RIM issued a statement but they said that many of the affected devices are still in the distribution channel and haven't reached customers.

“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.”

A report from Engadget said that the faulty batch of PlayBooks were shipped to Staples. Officials from Staples haven't yet commented on the concerns.

This is the latest in a long line of disappointments for RIM who have issued very poor first quarter profit reports indicating BlackBerry sales are down. Their stock is at a 52 week low right now finishing on Friday at $43.24 a share on Nasdaq.

The Playbook was poised to be an ‘iPad killer' but the transaction from concept piece to market hasn't proven successful so far. Reviews by the press haven't also been overwhelmingly positive either indicating that the platform wasn't ready for prime time release. The latest news of operating system problems would verify the claims.

Kitguru says: RIM are due to release sales information in June, but many analysts claim the device has underperformed so far.

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