More iPad Wi-Fi woes as Israel seizes devices

The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that incompatibility issues with the iPad's Wi-Fi connectivity are the reason Israeli officials are seizing iPads from anyone trying to enter the country with them.

The Monitor published the following statement from the Israeli government:

The iPad device sold exclusively today in the United States operates at broadcast power levels [over its WiFi modem] compatible with American standards. As the Israeli regulations in the area of WiFi are similar to European standards, which are different from American standards, which permit broadcasting at lower power, therefore the broadcast levels of the device prevent approving its use in Israel.

On April 15, the Christian Science Monitor reported that 10 iPads had been confiscated, and at least one iPad owner was told he had to petition the Israeli government to get his device back.

We reported earlier that some of the first iPad owners had difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi networks.

Wi-Fi troubles are iPad users' early gripe

Intermittent or weak Wi-Fi connections have been bothering early users of Apple's iPad - at least according to the level of activity in Apple's iPad support forum. As of early Tuesday, the discussion thread titled Weak wifi included 161 replies and had been viewed more than 18,000 times.

Apple has released at least two support documents specifically for iPad WiFi access, one entitled Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections, and another titled Does not automatically rejoin known Wi-Fi networks. One suggestion in the "Troubleshooting" document is to move closer to the router or hotspot.

One commenter, username VinceChan, cautioned: "Bear in mind that the all metal enclosure of the iPad may be whats blocking the signal. Theres a reason that the ipod Touch has a plastic window in the back for the wifi antenna, and the MBP's antenna is housed within the plastic portion of the hinge."

Many users described the fixes they successfully implemented themselves, or achieved through Apple customer service. Others remain without Wi-Fi connectivity on their iPads.