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Japan Demands Probe of iPod Nano Flameouts
iminplaya sends in an item from TechNewsWorld that begins, "Several incidents of iPod Nanos bursting into flames have created consumer jitters in gadget-happy Japan. Apple is downplaying the problem, pointing out that no major injuries or damage have been reported. The problem is due to defective batteries, the company said, and only a tiny percentage of the devices have caught on fire." Japan has seen 14 such incidents so far, two in recent days. iminplaya adds, "I like that. Only a 'tiny percentage'... Is anybody beginning to understand why I would prefer that these devices not be allowed on airplanes?"
LiPo batteries (used in iPods and lots of other devices) are little roman candles when the go off: video here.
Some LiPos are pretty sketchy - we've had a few in prototypes "pillow" (fill with gas), but no explosions yet. Definitely a no-no in medical devices, particularly implantables!
You're aware that Apple's "Pro" line is the one that's rated for unusually high quality, right? Not the consumer grade iMac or MacBooks...
I'm also aware my friend is now on his third macbook pro in 2 years, and he has to ice-pack it all the time because it overheats.
He's been a user since system 6, and we're both unimpressed.
VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
Japan demands...something or other.
And the batteries in these iPods? "Made In Japan". Glad to see they take their own QA so seriously.
If I was doing a Reliability Centered Maintenance program for the airlines, and this failure mode came up, it would rank very very low on my scale in terms of human risk, and we probably wouldn't take any actions to mitigate or prevent it. Someone's battery bursting into flames probably won't cause more than slight injury. It won't cause major damage to the aircraft. It won't cause any environmental impact to speak of.
I'd even go so far as to say the risk to my airline's reputation by continuing to stupidly and arbitrarily ban objects would outweigh the risk to my airline's reputation by one of these things catching fire. It's not like the plane will ever be in any danger.
On the other hand, I stopped being risk-averse when I realised I live in a town where I could be beaten, stabbed, or shot by members of the street gang Indian Posse. Do I hide and give up on life so they can't take mine, or do I live my life, accepting that there are risks in simply leaving the house?
It's been a long time.