My Story, Apple begins replacement program for first iPod nano

Apple's first iPod nano.

(Credit:
Apple)

Apple's begun a new replacement program for some of its first-generation
iPod nano units, which contained batteries that could overheat.

In an e-mail sent out to first-generation nano owners yesterday, Apple said that batteries in nanos the company sold between September 2005 and December 2006 could "overheat and pose a safety risk."

In its note Apple said the issue can be tracked back to a particular battery supplier, and that the potential for such overheating behavior "increases as the battery ages."

The new program offers a free replacement to customers with eligible serial numbers that fall into the range made with the suspect batteries. Apple is promising a replacement unit about six weeks after affected customers send them in.

This particular problem has been known about for several years now, and was the target of an investigation by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2008 after claims were made that sparking units were causing fires, and leading to minor burns. Apple later began a replacement program in Japan, and on a case by case basis elsewhere.

In 2009, Apple published a since removed knowledge base article that noted that the problem could warp the unit, and render it non-functional. That same document also suggested that the problem had brought in "very few reports" of the problem occurring, with "less than 0.001 percent" reporting issues.

Despite its sales success, this is the latest mark against the first-generation iPod nano. The gadget, which replaced the hard drive-based iPod mini in 2005, was the target of lawsuit that resulted in a $22.5 million settlement in 2009 that claimed the units were prone to scratching. The settlement doled out $25 to iPod nano owners who bought the MP3 player before Apple began including a free, pack-in slip cover.

First-generation iPod nano owners can head here to check if they're eligible for a replacement.