Apple just can't catch a break with the iPad 3, with another reported problem with the long-awaited tablet. From 'Heatgate' to 'Batterygate', and users outside North America unable to connect to 4G LTE networks, another issue has arrived apparently limited to Wi-Fi only models.

According to a leaked memo, Apple has internally acknowledged and is investigating customer reports that iPad 3 tablets are suffering with Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

Customers experiencing "intermittent connectivity, slow Wi-Fi speeds" and issues with the "Wi-Fi network not seen" can take their shiny rectangles to an Apple retail store or resellers for a replacement, but many are also taking to Apple's online forums to complain.

"Capturing" and "recalling" is not the same thing. Apple is looking to investigate the complaints by "capturing" devices that may have issues, while a "recall" would result in the company asking for the devices back to fix any discovered hardware issues.

Once customers have their iPad 3 Wi-Fi replaced, Apple will pack up and ship off the faulty tablet back to base for examination and investigation, provided the power adapter and USB cables are included on return.

Apple remains silent on the matter, and has not yet publicly said whether it is an isolated problem, or even a hardware or software fault. Such Wi-Fi related issues have been noted before in the iPad 2, but many found that a software update fixed any problems.

It seems at this stage, with a potential for a recall looming over Apple, that devices are to return to the company's engineering centers to determine what the cause of the problems may be.

Apple did not respond for comment at the time of writing.

Image credit: 9to5Mac.

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