Apple to investigate Verizon iPad 2 connection errors

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) acknowledged that a "small number" of iPad 2 owners are having trouble connecting to Verizon Wireless' (NYSE:VZ) CDMD EV-DO network, though details of the problem--and a possible fix--remain unclear.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is investigating the issue. The company declined to say how many iPad 2s are affected or whether a fix would be made available. Verizon declined to comment on the issue, reported the WSJ.

According to user reports of the problem, some iPad 2s with built-in support for Verizon's network have trouble reconnecting to that network after users turn off the connection. According to the blog Boy Genius Report, an Apple software update scheduled to be released in a week will address the issue.

Apple introduced the iPad 2 last month, and offers two versions of the device with cellular connections: One for AT&T Mobility's (NYSE:T) data network and one for Verizon Wireless' data network. The gadget allows users to purchase a cellular data connection on a month-to-month basis, and to turn off the feature during months when Wi-Fi is sufficient.

The issue is certainly not the first in which Apple device owners have complained of connection troubles. iPhone users, particularly in large cities like San Francisco and New York City, have long bemoaned dropped call rates on AT&T's network.

Further, Apple last year suffered a public black eye over complaints that the antenna on its iPhone 4 was not properly designed. Apple subsequently offered iPhone 4 users free cases in order to prevent users from touching the antenna directly.

Earlier this year, Apple teamed up with Verizon for a CDMA version of the iPhone--a move that ended an exclusive agreement between Apple and AT&T that started in 2007.

For more:
- see this BGR post
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
- see this Apple user forum

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