Worldwide recall of 2005-2006 first-gen Apple iPod nano

by Alistair Lowe on 14 November 2011, 09:51

Tags: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), iPod nano

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In what would perhaps be a shocking announcement for those of us who still own a first-gen iPod nano, Apple has revealed that it "has determined that, in very rare cases, the battery in the iPod nano (1st generation) may overheat and pose a safety risk". In other words, your first-gen nano may catch fire.

This issue itself stems from a manufacturing defect in the battery, that becomes more unstable as the device ages. Though Apple has stated that this is a rare occurrence, it's clearly enough of a concern for Apple, as it has issued a mass-recall of the product and is offering replacements with a 90-day warranty. Apple advises that any first-gen iPod nano owner should stop using their device and follow its on-line replacement procedure. To be clear, affected first-gen iPod nano devices shipped from September 2005 to December 2006.

It appears fairly benevolent of Apple to offer such a large-scale recall six years later, far beyond the typical life-span of a portable electronics device, though when weighing up the possibility of being held responsible for burning houses down and factoring in the low-number of first-gen devices that are likely still in circulation, this is a very logical move observed from the US giant.



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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I thought Apple products catching on fire was a patented feature.
Did they get the patent from Sony?
I used that click through link and wasn't impressed. First of, I thought they were replacing the Nano's with the new model - woohoo I thought - early Christmas present from Apple. :woowoo: Then, on reading more closely, it looks like they're just throwing your Nano into a big pile and effectively sending you a reconditioned one. :mad:

Now I'm maybe being prissy about it, but I look after my gear, so I'm not exactly cheering at the idea of perhaps sending in my “mint” Nano and getting someone's battered and scratched item in return. What's wrong with Apple just replacing the battery on my unit and then sending it back to me? Heck, it's an old model, so if it takes 2-3 weeks to do the swap then I'm fine with that.

Complaining over - it is good of Apple to do this. :thumbsup: Personally speaking I would have been less honourable and just done something like - “send us in your defective unit and we'll post you a voucher for £30 off a new one”.

Edit: just noticed that Apple say "You will receive a replacement unit approximately 6 weeks after we receive your current iPod nano (1st gen).". Strikes me as pretty darn shoddy that it's going to take them a month and half to change the battery in someone else's iPod and send it out to replace yours. For that timescale, I would have expected them to be able to replace the battery in the owners unit and return it to them.
crossy
I used that click through link and wasn't impressed. First of, I thought they were replacing the Nano's with the new model - woohoo I thought - early Christmas present from Apple. :woowoo: Then, on reading more closely, it looks like they're just throwing your Nano into a big pile and effectively sending you a reconditioned one. :mad:

Now I'm maybe being prissy about it, but I look after my gear, so I'm not exactly cheering at the idea of perhaps sending in my “mint” Nano and getting someone's battered and scratched item in return. What's wrong with Apple just replacing the battery on my unit and then sending it back to me? Heck, it's an old model, so if it takes 2-3 weeks to do the swap then I'm fine with that.

Complaining over - it is good of Apple to do this. :thumbsup: Personally speaking I would have been less honourable and just done something like - “send us in your defective unit and we'll post you a voucher for £30 off a new one”.

I've had few “reconditioned” iPhones from Apple and apart from the Lack of Packaging I was not able to tell it wasn't new.
redddraggon
I've had few “reconditioned” iPhones from Apple and apart from the Lack of Packaging I was not able to tell it wasn't new.
I bought two Apple reconditioned iPods for my kids and they arrived in proper packaging, but the units themselves were obviously “pre-owned”. That said, those were destined to be “upgraded” by me, so the odd scratch and burr were acceptable.

Wonder if HMV are still doing that trade-in deal for a new Nano - could do with something cheap n' nasty for the gym.