About 1,000 BlackBerry PlayBooks recalled, even more traction lost
Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is off to a rather rough start. Although it received some favorable reviews, its lack of basic preloaded applications and failure to utilize its hardware have been hampering the device's appeal. Now, there is one more thing to add to the list of launch troubles: a recall.
Earlier today RIM announced that about 1,000 of its 16GB PlayBooks have a faulty version of the PlayBook OS. Even though the tablets will power up, the faulty OS causes them to hang at the user agreement screen. If users are unable to accept the license agreement, the device becomes practically useless.
Fortunately, most of the recalled PlayBooks have not yet reached consumers and were instead sent to Staples. However, those who got the affected device will most likely be unhappy, and potentially less happy with the PlayBook brand.
Even though 1,000 units might not sound like much, now is a time when RIM needs as much good press and word of mouth as they can get. Incidents like this, however small, are not helping them overcome their late entrance to the tablet game. Hopefully they can get their act together, because having their tablet as an option will always be a good thing.
[Vancouver Sun]
