RIM recalls 1,000 BlackBerry PlayBook tablets [video]

By on May 16, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Exclusive May 16, 2011

RIM on Monday confirmed that it has issued a recall for approximately 1,000 BlackBerry PlayBook tablets. “RIM determined that approximately one thousand BlackBerry PlayBook tablets (16 GB) were shipped with an OS build that may result in the devices being unable to properly load software upon initial set-up,” the company said in a statement. “The majority 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.” Shortly after the PlayBook was released, a BGR reader contacted us to report problems with his PlayBook. The device, which was purchased on launch day, would not boot. Instead, it would just flicker and flash randomly while the power button was depressed and then power down when the button was released. It is unclear if this is the same issue that resulted in RIM’s PlayBook recall, but RIM’s description of the devices’ inability to boot on initial setup matched our reader’s description last month. Hit the break for a video of the BGR reader’s PlayBook.

Thanks for the video, Jake

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  • http://twitter.com/homescrub homescrub

    LOL, 1000 tablets, of which 1000 didn’t get purchased, of which 1000 units were recalled due to the device being a fail. 

     

    • Martin

      huhuhuhuhuhuhu you made a funny 

  • Anonymous

    The devices that had the software problem were the only on the 16gb models. Most sales have been for 32gb models. That would explain why most are in the distribution channel.

  • Anonymous

    That must be rough to have to recall every single unit that has been sold so far.

    • Tony

       I think you read the article wrong.  This isn’t about the XOOM

  • Anonymous

    OK, I have a Blackberry and a PlayBook, and I love them both.  But you know what?  I’m just going to sit here and stalk this site until a post about Android and Apple comes up.  Then I’m going to to write a bunch of nonsense about how much I hate Android and Apple. I’m going to terrorize everyone that owns an android phone or an Iphone, or an IPad, or a Galaxy Tab, or even a Xoom.  I just want them to feel like they made a terrible buying decision.  I’m going to scream EPIC FAIL whenever I get the chance.Why am I going to do this?  I don’t know…. I have nothing better to do. 

  • Anonymous

     Wait.. 1000 units? you mean all of them sold?  *rimshot*

    • Guest

       I bet you’re very proud of your brightly-colored feathers parrot…

      • Anonymous

         Why yes i am

  • Anonymous

    You know, I’ve done a 180 on what I think about the PlayBook and RIM, watching Google screw over manufacturers and customers alike, redefining “open”, pulling tethering apps at the carrier’s request, etc…

    I think QNX is a compelling platform with lots of potential, and I think when RIM puts it on phones, they’re going to have a slick product, the same for a 10″ tablet.

    I have 2 iPads, and a handful of Android phones, I’m either going with Apple or RIM for my next phone, if you fools want to listen and watch Android get more and more locked down, and buy the corporate BS as they screw over their early adopters and fans, go for it.  Google doesn’t need you any more, and it’s going to get a lot worse.

     A new product like the PlayBook is going to have some problems, but at least RIM is owning up to them.

  • Rocker

    Filed under “Exclusives?” Pretty sure every other news outlet on the planet had this one covered before BGR rolled outta bed lol.

  • http://twitter.com/UrbanEnigma Yves

    I knew BGR couldn’t pass up the opportunity to report on negative RIM news

  • Anonymous

     This means they recalled all the playbooks sold correct?

    • Martin

      you haters sure are an original bunch. that joke has been tried probably 100 times on this article

  • Max

    RIM job pulls another Charlie Brown. Late to the party with a small shitty device.

  • Choda Boy

    Wow!  I guess they copied EVERY aspect of the Palm webOS software AND hardware.

  • http://twitter.com/cjalxndr â™” Christian James â™”

     Glad mine isnt on the list! I LOOOOOVE it :D

    • Anonymous

      Bad choice.

  • http://twitter.com/cjalxndr â™” Christian James â™”

    Actually, iPhone 4 had yellow piss stains on the screen when it launched. I was one of the unlucky ones who got one of the yellow stained screens :( and the iPhone 4 is certainly not DOA…. why everyone has to bash RIM is beyond me! The PlayBook is a very capable device, much like the original iPhone was when it launched. :D

  • http://profiles.google.com/securehome Ildar Galiulin

     NOT WINNING!!!! i made biggest mistake of my life when got RIMM stock…….. 

    • Martin

       stop lying. you dont even know how to “get stock”

  • MARKWI

    RIM is trading at a near two year low and has cut their first quarter earnings outlook.  In addition, their stock has lost a quarter of its value. RIM has continued to slip in the phone market due to Apple and Android devices.  How can anyone say that RIM is not in trouble?  There is nothing wrong with loving your Playbook.  Most people don’t.  That’s not anecdotal, it’s fact.  Otherwise, RIM would be spouting their sales numbers everywhere.  I’ve stated for months that until a company can match the iPad/iOS/iTunes experience with 10 hours of battery life, their consumer tablets will flop.  Unfortunately, before they figure this out, Apple will release the iPad 4 3D, which will have a Quad core processor, 2GB of RAM, and the ability to boot either iOS or Mac OSX.  Good luck RIM, you’re gonna need it.

    • George-king

       there is the problem in your analysis.  The Playbook is not a consumer device.  It is, inherently, an Enterprise device with some consumer features.

      • MARKWI

        Really, so all of the marketing of this device has been at enterprise customers?  The Playbook was not market like the HP Slate.  And I guess you have figures to support that the initial sales have been to corporate customers too?

      • MARKWI

        I just went to the RIM website for the Playbook and the Playbook initial screen shows the music store, web browser, and games.  I only saw a few references to business productivity.  I guess people here know more about the Playbook than RIM.  Cause they sure as heck seem to be marketing to consumers.  And I’m sure the enterprise customers need the dual HD cameras as well.  I believe your sentence should read this is a consumer device with some business features.  Nice try though…

  • Eburton70

    Such crap talking babies on this site!!! Jesus people can we have opionons, but lets not get so angry over peoples personal prefrences wow…..  I own an iphone 4 love it just came over from android loved it to.  Had the ipad 2 great device but wasnt for me to ipodish have one of those too.  I bought the playbook because the size was really great didnt care about the price to much because i work and make money so not an issue.  When i got it home started to use it was fine for a bit but then i was having problems getting onto the net even though it  kept saying full bars of wifi as i was sitting next to the router.  Had to reinstall three times still wasnt working right.  Kept saying cant connect to appworld either so i returned it today and will wait for RIM to work out there bugs.  So what it doesnt have a million apps most of them are garbage and dont use but a hand full anyways and the email is so simple log on DUH so it doesnt push, but it does on my phone which is were i want it to do anyways.  everyone relax and enjoy your toys whatever they maybe remember what works for you may not work for me it called freedom of choice!!!!  

    • MARKWI

       What?! How dare you have a different opinion.  Your opinion sucks!!!! Just kidding, just kidding, lol.  Point well taken.

  • Anonymous

     ”Exclusive” — You’re sites not that cool, BGR.

  • Alexander_ekin

    Finally unbaked DOA tablet recall because hardware problem

  • Kevldulf

    I work for a company that has purchase a few Playbooks for testing.  We bought a 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB model.  I actually saw an issue with the 16GB playbook.  When you have to download the 1.0.3 update the device would just quit and restart over and over again.  Eventually it finally finished and it works fine now.

    I did not have this problem with the 32 and 64gb models.  They loaded the update on the first try.

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