Japanese Government Pressing Apple Over First-Generation iPod Nano Fire Risk

[MacRumors]

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Japanese government is continuing to pursue its long-standing concern over reports of first-generation iPod nanos overheating, following up on a warning to consumers issued by the government nearly two years ago.

The ministry is requesting Apple Japan to explain the cause of overheating, whether similar incidents have been reported domestically and abroad and what prevention and cautionary measures have been taken to counter such incidents, according to Seiji Shimagami, a ministry official who works in consumer product safety.

The order came following an incident in Tokyo that took place on July 13, when sparks flew from a user's device while it was recharging, according to Masahiro Yamazaki, the head of the consumer product safety unit at METI.

According to the report, the Japanese government agency responsible for overseeing trade issues has documented 27 instances of first-generation iPod nanos overheating while recharging, classifying those incidents as "fire-related". Six of those incidents have occurred since the 2008 warning was issued.

"iPods are incredibly well designed and safety is the highest priority for Apple. We are taking METI's letter in regard to the first generation iPod nano very seriously and are working closely with them to answer their concerns," Apple said in a statement.

Similar concerns over the first-generation iPod nano have been expressed in South Korea, where some July 2009 reports claimed that Apple had issued a recall of the device, a fact that Apple denied, although it does continue to acknowledge the possibility of overheating in a support document and encourages concerned customers to contact the company.

Article Link: Japanese Government Pressing Apple Over First-Generation iPod Nano Fire Risk

 

[saxon48]

People still use first-gen Nanos?

 

[RalfTheDog]

Please remember the order of operations, Charge Nano, Pull pin, count to three (depending on fuse length), throw Nano, duck!

 

[bballmitch2]

I doubt their implementation of how to handle overheating for the nano is much different than the iPad. There is no mention of any actual fires caused by this which makes me think that when the nano is gonna overheat, at some point it just shuts off.

 

[h1r0ll3r]

I thought the Japanese were on the cutting edge of technology for little gadgets like these.

Who the hell still uses a 1st gen Nano?

 

[Elysian]

I thought the Japanese were on the cutting edge of technology for little gadgets like these.

Who the hell still uses a 1st gen Nano?

This is ignorant speak sir! Every country has it's share of middle and lower class. Just because there is so much coming out of there, doesn't mean that it's country wide.

 

[VicMacs]

wow i have not seen one in a while that hasnt been dropped 8 zillion times and looks like a battered oj simpon ex wife, even covered by a case from day one there just arent any out there, if you keep it for this long and still leave it unatended youre an idiot! and i dont want you pulling out your open-box-as-new ipod nano from 2003, i dont care youre weird for still having that thing give-it-away … you have never seen it get hot let alone become a fire hazard in the 8 years you have hade it… the jap gov can press on this ( )*( )

 

[RalfTheDog]

This is ignorant speak sir! Every country has it's share of middle and lower class. Just because there is so much coming out of there, doesn't mean that it's country wide.

When you look at the cost of housing, the most expensive electronics are very cheep. The cost of any device you buy is not what you pay in the store, it is paying for a place to keep it.

Homeless people in Japan pay more rent on a card board box than most Wealthy Americans.

 

[Popeye206]

This seems silly... 27 cases from millions sold in Japan... most not in use still I'm sure due to aging and normal wear and tear. I still have my first gen Nano and it works fine... but if it was stolen, lost, or overheated and died... I'd hardly cry over it at this point. I got my money's worth out of it.

You have to wonder... at what point is a manufacture still responsible for a product.... now if there were a bunch of new ones burning up, then that would be an issue in my book... but 27 cases over 3-4 years on a product that is way old? Seems like a dead issue.

 

[macpro2000]

Can there be more people out to get a cut of apples pie?

 

[Consultant]

Are they going to sue earth for lightning / aka freak accidents?

 

[Laglorden]

I think Apple should fix this! ( by posting Youtube-videos of other manufacturers mp3-players also catching fire while charging, showing it's an "industry-wide" problem. Problem solved. Maybe supplying free asbestos mitts. )

 

[japanime]

People still use first-gen Nanos?

I have a first-generation iPod nano that I received as a free replacement when Apple had the recall in Japan a couple of years ago. I continue to use it for the Nike+ functionality, especially now that iOS4 has completely hosed Nike+ in my iPhone 3Gs.

 

[NetScheduler]

I have an old silver 2nd generation that I keep in my work car (with an adapter that plugs into lighter and broadcasts on FM radio)...

Should I toss it out because the users here don't approve of using "old stuff"???

 

[gnasher729]

I thought the Japanese were on the cutting edge of technology for little gadgets like these.

Who the hell still uses a 1st gen Nano?

People who purchased them and looked after them so that they still work. People who don't have rich parents, or more to the point people whose parents don't have spoilt children.

I have an old silver 2nd generation that I keep in my work car (with an adapter that plugs into lighter and broadcasts on FM radio)...

Should I toss it out because the users here don't approve of using "old stuff"???

QFT.

 

[Queso]

Cue Steve Jobs and a press conference to show how everyone else's MP3 players burst into flames, and to give out free extinguishers to everyone that doesn't want their money back.

 

[nathanw]

My old jeep overheats too...

 

[Salacion]

My old jeep overheats too...

My old body overheats too...

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

So they have fires over there in our perfectly fine 1st gen Nano and we have unintended acceleration over here in their perfectly fine Toyotas.

 

[bdkennedy1]

How did they last this long without being unusably scratched?

 

[wordoflife]

Overheating? Never had that problem. But if they want to do a recall and give everyone current gen nanos, i'm up for it!

 

[Truffy]

Who the hell still uses a 1st gen Nano?

My wife, for one. She's looked after it, it still works, she doesn't need or want more. Nuff sed.

 

[aughsum]

I'd like to say something along the lines of "my * that i bought in 19** has *this problem*, etc.." but I don't think I own anything from before 2009.

 

[DraziGuy]

My first gen nano only died about a year ago... it was used every day from a few weeks after release until then.

Some of us only replace our gadgets when they wear out....

 

[0098386]

Cue Steve Jobs and a press conference to show how everyone else's MP3 players burst into flames, and to give out free extinguishers to everyone that doesn't want their money back.

Ha .
At this point it wouldn't surprise me.