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Problems With Taptic Engine Slows Rollout Of Apple Watch

CUPERTINO (CBS SF) – A key component of the Apple Watch has been found to be defective, prompting the company to limit the availability of the devices.

According to the Wall Street Journal, tests revealed that some taptic engines supplied by AAC Technologies Holdings in China started to break down over time. People familiar with the matter tell the WSJ that Apple has scrapped some of the completed watches as a result.

Apple does not plan a recall at this time because there's no indication any watches were shipped with the defective part.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a second supplier of the taptic engines, Nidec Corp. in Japan, did not experience the same problem. Apple has moved almost all of its production of the component to Nidec.

The taptic engine is said to be one of the key technologies that Apple created for the Apple Watch. The taps are designed to be less intrusive than ringing, buzzing or other ways to get a user's attention.

The engine uses a motor to move a small rod back and forth, a motion that creates the sensation of a gentle tapping. The component is also featured prominently in the Watch's ability to send your heartbeat to others.

Apple began shipping the devices last week. Retail stores are not expected to get the Apple Watch to sell until the end of May at the earliest.

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