9.7" Smart Keyboard Serial Number Mystery

[Brookzy]

Hi everyone,

Had a weird situation where a Smart Keyboard I ordered from a reputable retailer arrived unsealed and in the wrong box. Before returning it I thought I'd check the serial number.

I've seen about 10 9.7" Smart Keyboards - mostly in stores, but also family and friends - and all have a serial number starting FTP.

This one, though, starts DLX. See picture.

Additionally, it comes up as invalid in the Apple database. I've tried different numbers (the fourth character looks like it could be an R, P, or B) but all come up as invalid.

This isn't an issue per se - I'm returning it anyway - but this is the sort of thing a nerd like me enjoys getting to the bottom of!

Anyone else here have a 9.7" Smart Keyboard with a serial starting DLX?

[Image removed as issue resolved.]

 

[TrueBlou]

Well you learn something new every day. I didn't think Apple used the service database for low cost items. I've only ever used my proof of purchase. Albeit I've only had to do it once.

 

[Brookzy]

Well you learn something new every day. I didn't think Apple used the service database for low cost items. I've only ever used my proof of purchase. Albeit I've only had to do it once.

Indeed they normally don't - the Pencil and Smart Keyboard are serialised and can be put in your Support Profile however.

 

[TrueBlou]

Surely new, I know everything has a serial, even my aging and needing replaced keyboard. But I never knew they had added these new peripherals. Hope that doesn't mean they're expecting problems

 

[urkel]

Well you learn something new every day. I didn't think Apple used the service database for low cost items. I've only ever used my proof of purchase. Albeit I've only had to do it once.

What I learned recently with my 13mo old Smart Cover (Separating near magnets) is that AC+ no longer covers accessories unless it has a serial number. The genius said "If it has a serial number it's covered. So a pencil is covered for 2yrs with AC+but not your leather iPhone case".

(Note: Of course Apple replaced my cover regardless of official rules because they're awesome like that. But it's info that was new to me and it does make AC+ more appealing for power buyers)

 

[TrueBlou]

What I learned recently with my 13mo old Smart Cover (Separating near magnets) is that AC+ no longer covers accessories unless it has a serial number. The genius said "If it has a serial number it's covered. So a pencil is covered for 2yrs with AC+but not your leather iPhone case".

(Note: Of course Apple replaced my cover regardless of official rules because they're awesome like that. But it's info that was new to me and it does make AC+ more appealing for power buyers)

Thanks for the clarification. Yeah Apple service really is the best. I've mentioned before but out of warranty and no Applecare+ on my iPhone 6+. It had a slightly loose mute switch, not an issue, still worked, wasn't annoying. But when I happened to mention it, they just gave me a new iPhone, crazy people

 

[Brookzy]

Back on topic, anyone have a serial number starting DLX?

As for it being an invalid serial I'm speculating either stolen, a unit from abroad (though it's not American judging by the regulatory symbols), a prototype, or a simple error.

 

[TrueBlou]

Back on topic, anyone have a serial number starting DLX?

As for it being an invalid serial I'm speculating either stolen, a unit from abroad (though it's not American judging by the regulatory symbols), a prototype, or a simple error.

I'll have to check mine when I go back in out of curiosity. Could well be an import. Hope it's not the start of the typical knockoffs, some of which are damn convincing.

 

[Brookzy]

I'll have to check mine when I go back in out of curiosity. Could well be an import. Hope it's not the start of the typical knockoffs, some of which are damn convincing.

If this is a knockoff I'll be damn impressed! Cosmetically, materially, and functionally identical to my definitely-genuine 12.9" keyboard.

 

[TrueBlou]

If this is a knockoff I'll be damn impressed! Cosmetically, materially, and functionally identical to my definitely-genuine 12.9" keyboard.

It's probably not, but I've seen counterfeit Apple products in the past that you wouldn't know at all, until you rip them apart and see the crap that's inside them.

 

[Brookzy]

It's probably not, but I've seen counterfeit Apple products in the past that you wouldn't know at all, until you rip them apart and see the crap that's inside them.

Very true. I don't think any non-MFi manufacturer has figured out the Smart Connector yet though.

Return is on hold pending results of this investigation. If it is a prototype I think I'll keep it for geeky sentimental value

 

[Gav2k]

Hi everyone,

Had a weird situation where a Smart Keyboard I ordered from a reputable retailer arrived unsealed and in the wrong box. Before returning it I thought I'd check the serial number.

I've seen about 10 9.7" Smart Keyboards - mostly in stores, but also family and friends - and all have a serial number starting FTP.

This one, though, starts DLX. See picture.

Additionally, it comes up as invalid in the Apple database. I've tried different numbers (the fourth character looks like it could be an R, P, or B) but all come up as invalid.

This isn't an issue per se - I'm returning it anyway - but this is the sort of thing a nerd like me enjoys getting to the bottom of!

Anyone else here have a 9.7" Smart Keyboard with a serial starting DLX?

View attachment 625746

It's just the assembly factory

 

[Brookzy]

It's just the assembly factory

I know, and DL is Foxconn, but that doesn't explain why 1) every other one seems to start FT, and 2) why the serial is showing as invalid by Apple.

 

[Gav2k]

You say every one but your looking at store displays? If that's the case it could be an initial run or it could be multi factory production. I would not worry about it.

 

[Brookzy]

You say every one but your looking at store displays? If that's the case it could be an initial run or it could be multi factory production. I would not worry about it.

I've looked at eight display units at three stores, and four retail units from different retailers and different batches (i.e. ones friends and family have bought). All start FT.

I'm not worried, I'm just curious as to why the serial is invalid.

I've removed 'stolen' from my list of possibilities (e.g. stolen from a store) because I checked a store unit's serial on the Apple site and it comes up as valid, but without a validated purchase date, and thus no warranty (as would be expected). My one comes up as totally unrecognised.

 

[TrueBlou]

For what it's worth, I've just checked mine and it starts DQDR.

 

[Gav2k]

I've looked at eight display units at three stores, and four production units from different retailers and different batches. All start FT.

I'm not worried, I'm just curious as to why the serial is invalid.

I've removed 'stolen' from my list of possibilities (e.g. stolen from a store) because I checked a store unit's serial on the Apple site and it comes up as valid, but without a validated purchase date, and thus no warranty (as would be expected). My one comes up as totally unrecognised.

I'm diagnosing ocd lol

Seriously though have you actually called apple?

 

[Brookzy]

For what it's worth, I've just checked mine and it starts DQDR.

And that's a 9.7" one? My 12.9" Smart Keyboard starts DQDR. Is it valid on the Apple site?
[doublepost=1460133561][/doublepost]

I'm diagnosing ocd lol

Seriously though have you actually called apple?

Haha, guilty as charged.

I did call, and the number does not show as being valid for them either. They had no other information.

 

[TrueBlou]

And that's a 9.7" one? My 12.9" Smart Keyboard starts DQDR. Is it valid on the Apple site?

No, sorry it's a 12.9", forgot about that bit

 

[Brookzy]

No, sorry it's a 12.9", forgot about that bit

Haha no worries. Back to square one!

[To clarify, I am in no way annoyed or worried about this, I'm just a saddo who wants to get to the bottom of it! ]

 

[Gav2k]

And that's a 9.7" one? My 12.9" Smart Keyboard starts DQDR. Is it valid on the Apple site?
[doublepost=1460133561][/doublepost]
Haha, guilty as charged.

I did call, and the number does not show as being valid for them either. They had no other information.

Congrats you have a cloan. Before you return it take lots of photos and post them in here along with a link to the supplier.

 

[Brookzy]

Congrats you have a cloan. Before you return it take lots of photos and post them in here along with a link to the supplier.

It's not a clone. I've got it here side-by-side with one I know is genuine. They are identical in every way.

If there were clones floating about then I would not be the only one to have one! And it wouldn't have come from a big-box retailer.

Not to mention that no non-MFi manufacturers have managed to utilise the Smart Connector yet.

I think it's just an early pre-production unit (it was manufactured two weeks earlier than any other I've seen according to chipmunk.nl) that snuck into a retail shipment by accident.

 

[Bbqthis]

Indeed they normally don't - the Pencil and Smart Keyboard are serialised and can be put in your Support Profile however.

I didn't think the Pencil can be put in the support profile as it is an accessory.

 

[Brookzy]

I didn't think the Pencil can be put in the support profile as it is an accessory.

Most accessories can't be added, but the Smart Keyboard and Pencils are exceptions.

 

[Gav2k]

It's not a clone. I've got it here side-by-side with one I know is genuine. They are identical in every way.

If there were clones floating about then I would not be the only one to have one! And it wouldn't have come from a big-box retailer.

Not to mention that no non-MFi manufacturers have managed to utilise the Smart Connector yet.

I think it's just an early pre-production unit (it was manufactured two weeks earlier than any other I've seen according to chipmunk.nl) that snuck into a retail shipment by accident.

If it were preproduction apple would have seen a red flag and asked for it back. They generally don't like prototypes and pre production models in the wild.