Intel Recalls 'Basis Peak' Activity Tracker Due to Overheating Issues

[MacRumors]

Intel is recalling its Basis Peak sleep and activity tracking watch due to overheating issues, and says it is shuttering the acquired startup behind the technology "immediately".

The chip company initially reported the overheating problem in June after some Basis users complained of blistering and burns caused by the wearable device. Intel told its customers not to use the watch until a firmware update was deployed to solve the issue. The update never materialized, however.

"We had hoped to update the software on your watch to address the problem," the company said in a statement on the Basis website. "Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we aren't able to develop such a solution without completely compromising the user experience. As a result, we are asking that you return your Basis Peak watch and authorized accessories for a full refund at your earliest convenience."

The recall and subsequent closure of Basis Science is a blow for Intel's ambitions in the wearable tech sector. Intel bought the San Francisco startup in March 2014 in a deal said to be worth more than $100 million. However, Basis failed to exceed its 1 percent share of all smartwatch sales, according to market research firm Canalys.

Basis Peak owners will be able to access their activity data from the watch until the end of the year, according to the company. Further refund information can be found on the support section of the Basis website.

Article Link: Intel Recalls 'Basis Peak' Activity Tracker Due to Overheating Issues

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

Should have put a fan in Intel; would be fitting

 

[keysofanxiety]

Ah, nostalgia! Intel products having an issue with overheating takes me back to the days of my old 3.4GHz Pentium 4. That was a toasty processor.

Mind you, thank goodness this wasn't an AMD watch. There'd be more than blisters

 

[ZZ9pluralZalpha]

I feel sorry for the burned users. Are both of them expected to make a full recovery?

 

[iamnotme]

Can you imagine if the watch had a dedicated GPU as well??? They should have shipped them with a year's worth of dry ice just to be safe.

 

[Kabeyun]

All four owners must be very disappointed.

 

[fitshaced]

Intel Inside. Fire extinguisher sold seperately.

 

[iConnected]

To the Apple Watch naysayers: this is what a smartwatch failure actually looks like.

 

[Sunday Ironfoot]

I feel sorry for the burned users. Are both of them expected to make a full recovery?

Do you mean burned literally or figuratively?

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Sorry to hear this. I had one prior to Apple Watch being released, I liked it. It was a big step up from FitBits and for the most part worked just as well as advertised. I guess whoever picked mine up from Good Will just got a nice $200 surprise

 

[merkinmuffley]

Did Intel subcontract the testing of this device out to Apple?

 

[coolfactor]

The product's design reminds me of the knockoff brands you can buy here. They try so hard to "look cool" by mimicking existing products, but always have that "cheap" feel and price tag.

 

[Justim]

This is really sad. I love my basis peak. Been wearing it for almost a year and it's never let me down.

 

[richie510]

I have had one of these Basis Peak watches since its launch. It is a great fitness and sleep tracker with a long battery life. After the Apple watch came out, and I eventually received mine, my Basis Peak became my sleep tracking device, and the watch I used when snorkeling or doing something a bit more extreme than I wanted to subject my Apple watch to.

It is unfortunate that I have to part ways with this device as it is filling a gap not reasonably possible with my Apple watch.

 

[macduke]

Ah, nostalgia! Intel products having an issue with overheating takes me back to the days of my old 3.4GHz Pentium 4. That was a toasty processor.

Mind you, thank goodness this wasn't an AMD watch. There'd be more than blisters

Hah, the second computer I ever built had a 3.2GHz Pentium 4 overclocked to just under 3.7GHz on air cooling, although I might have backed down to 3.6GHz due to stability issues. Can't completely remember. But I do remember that my room was so hot. Maybe around 2004 or 2005? Ah, memories.

This is why Intel doesn't make truly mobile processors for smart phones. They just can't. Crazy how they're just shutting the business down. Sounds like they were sold a bill of goods and lost big on that acquisition. Wonder how much the founders at Basis got away with…

 

[phairphan]

Hah, the second computer I ever built had a 3.2GHz Pentium 4 overclocked to just under 3.7GHz on air cooling, although I might have backed down to 3.6GHz due to stability issues. Can't completely remember. But I do remember that my room was so hot. Maybe around 2004 or 2005? Ah, memories.

2004 or 2005!? That is one toasty room!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Do you mean burned literally or figuratively?

Fiscally? Financially?
[doublepost=1470342496][/doublepost]The Peak was very highly rated from a number of publications, and not in a Nike Fuel Band way.

A lot of users actually liked it. Most Fitbit users I've met HATE their Fitbits. I had first hand information with their scale, and how inaccurate it was. Oh well...

That $100,000,000 must sting a little. Did what they learned from it make it worth the admission price?

 

[macduke]

2004 or 2005!? That is one toasty room!

Hah, phrasing. My thoughts are a bit scattered as my wife could give birth at any moment.

 

[phairphan]

Hah, phrasing. My thoughts are a bit scattered as my wife could give birth at any moment.

Wow. Good luck to all three of you!

 

[Mactendo]

How to spend $100 millions...

 

[sidewinder3000]

Who knew... that Basis Peak was an actual thing?

 

[macduke]

Wow. Good luck to all three of you!

Thanks, and four, if you count my toddler. She's several days late now so I'm on edge at work and can hardly get anything done.

 

[Justim]

Just heard back from Basis. They are refunding the watch, the charger, and a sport band for a whopping $279. I have so much respect that they are taking full accountability and being completely transparent.

 

[munpip214]

Intel Inside. Fire extinguisher sold seperately.

Technically it didn't have Intel inside. Intel bought Basis after it had already made the watch.

Definitely enjoyed mine for the last year and being waterproof with 1 week battery life while aways tracking heart rate, sleep, and activities, it was the best fitness band on the market. (wouldn't say smartwatch since it didn't really have apps). I will see what to get next. Probably an apple watch 2.