Verizon iPads recalled over dupicate serial numbers

Apple Inc. has recalled a "very small" number of Verizon iPad 2 tablet computers, which it said were inadvertently shipped with identical mobile serial numbers. Tech site AllThingsD said that Apple confirmed the recalled iPad units had identical mobile equipment identifiers (MEIDs). “Duplicate MEID numbers were flashed onto an extremely small number of iPad 2 units for the verizon 3G network," the site quoted an Apple representative as saying. MEID numbers vs SIM cards MEID numbers are important in the activation of devices that use Verizon’s cellular network; they are designed to be unique to the individual device. This is in contrast to the GSM technology adopted by the Philippines and a large portion of the world, which uses SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Modules) for individual devices. The AllThingsD report said that while the devices to be recalled were still in the process of hitting the market, a few are already in customers’ hands. No definite numbers Apple declined to specify the number of iPads involved, although Apple enthusiast site 9to5Mac was quoted as saying that one store sent back more than 100 tablets. Earlier, Apple said at its developer conference it has sold 25 million iPads since the original tablet debuted last year. - TJD, GMA News