Apple launches have seldom been smooth things. Many may remember the so-called “Antennagate” issues of the iPhone (News - Alert) 4 launch. And the new iPad has proven no exception, with issues of the device heating coming to light. One issue that has dogged the new iPad since its launch is a difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi signals, and this difficulty has stuck around sufficiently that Apple (News - Alert) is launching a full investigation of the matter.

Users had been reporting issues with their new tablet's Wi-Fi connectivity almost from the launch, with some users having virtually no problems, others being able to make connections only intermittently, and some completely unable to make connections, with a few not even able to see available Wi-Fi networks to which they can connect in the first place.

While intermediary fixes were introduced, to the satisfaction of some, the lingering issues are sufficient that Apple is running an investigation of its own. Threads on the Apple support forum about the issue number over 700 at last report, so the issue does not seem to be limited to only a few users.

Early investigations suggest that the problem appears limited to those iPad units that only connect via Wi-Fi. Some have theorized that the 4G models are seemingly exempt from this issue due to the extra power allowed for networking. And considering that some users have reported connection issues with their new iPad that aren't happening with other devices they have on hand--one reports even suggested that a MacBook Air and an iPhone were both kept close to hand, and while the laptop and the smartphone could connect to a Wi-Fi network without incident, the tablet could not.

It would be easy to dismiss the reports as those of folks not sufficiently acquainted with technology to do what's necessary to make the connections, and indeed, in some cases this may be the truth. But with 700-plus threads asserting there's a problem--and who knows how many people having problems that simply didn't take the problem to Apple in the first place--the issue is likely more than a few fat-finger disconnects or the technologically inept trying to make connections.

It will remain to be seen, of course, just what Apple discovers as the results of its own investigation, but it's good to see they're not taking the user reports lightly. Whether they're trying to prevent another Antennagate in the making, or are simply trying to do right by their customer base, the end result will hopefully be the same, that many more users will be enjoying their new tablets on Wi-Fi connections very soon.