Apple’s iPod Nano, iPod Touch have a burning problem
By Jonathan Schlaffer
With all the iPods that Apple manufacturers, some of them are bound to not work according to design, that’s why there’s a warranty and most Apple stores will replace a malfunctioning iPod on the spot. Things are a little more serious when the most popular digital audio player on the planet start spontaneously combusting.
It started with an iPod Nano in Japan that began emitting sparks while it was charging which then ignited the Lithium-Ion battery pack. Lithium-Ion batteries do not respond well to overheating/sparks; more so than other battery types. More than 400,000 of these iPod Nanos were sold in Japan.
Apple did not immediately report the incident and is now under investigation from Japan’s trade ministry. The iPod Touch has a similar problem.
Two reports of an iPod Touch burning from the inside out were reported to Engadget. However, the low quality nature of the photographs leaves a lot to the imagination. One owner of the offending units wrote Apple and received a replacement unit as well as $50 to the Apple Store.
In these cases, all the iPods were being charged after reporting a low battery which then proceeded to overheat and combust in various ways. Whatever the cause, Apple had better figure it out because I’ve become rather attached to my iPod Touch. My luck would be that it does so just one day after the warranty expires and my experiences with Apple Store support have been mostly bad.
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March 16th, 2008
Ouch, I hope my ipod touch doesn’t suddenly burst into flames
August 26th, 2008
It’s really a serious quality problem.
September 12th, 2008
My iPod Touch (first generation) after the latest software update started to get very warm on standby and the battery life was severely shortened.
If the unit is playing there is no problem but if left in standby it gets very hot and the battery dies quickly.
I have seen similar complaints from other users after the latest software update. One user solved the problem by a full reset and re installation of all files.
July 21st, 2009
Hmmm, could be a helpful sales factor. Medical bills and punitive damages could run into millions. So people would start buying them hoping it will catch fire so they can sue. Like a lottery.
October 26th, 2009
yeah, mine just started doing that today. it got way overheated, turned off when the battery was fine, and it smells like burned rubber, or some other burning thing. the built in light died, so i cant see without holding it up to the light. I just hope it doesnt blow up in my face. :/