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?"

Comments

Ever See A Flaming LiPo Battery? Very Ugly.

[occamboy]

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!

Re:The end of apple as a name of "quality".

[plasmacutter]

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.