Apple willing to replace any smoking first-gen iPod Nanos

The first-generation iPod Nano, first released in September 2005.

(Credit: Apple)

If you're still hanging on to your first-generation iPod Nano, and you've noticed it has a tendency to smoke too much, Apple is willing to replace the unit.

The company issued a statement Tuesday after reports out of Japan that some first-generation iPod Nanos, first released in 2005, have had battery problems that cause them to give off smoke or spark in rare cases. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is investigating three instances of iPod overheating that resulted in minor burns.

Quoth the Apple: "Apple has determined that in very rare cases batteries in first generation iPod nanos sold between September 2005 and December 2006 can overheat causing failure and deformation of the iPod nano. Apple has received very few reports of such incidents (less than 0.001 percent of first generation iPod nano units), which have been traced back to a single battery supplier. There have been no reports of serious injuries or property damage, and no reports of incidents for any other iPod nano model.

Any first generation iPod nano customers who have experienced their battery overheating should contact AppleCare for a replacement. Any other customers who have concerns about their first generation iPod nano battery should also contact AppleCare."

The original slim iPod Nanos gave way to the third-generation fatties in September 2007. One rumor making the rounds is that Apple plans to bring back the long and sleek design from the first-generation during its usual September iPod event.

[Perry_Clease]

"If you're still hanging on to your first-generation iPod Nano, and you've noticed it has a tendency to smoke too much"

Okay Tom, how much smoke coming from the Nano is "too much" :)

[Tom Krazit]

Hey, some people just like to have a cigar every now and then, no harm in that. ;)

[dyaballikl]

lmao, thought i was the only one who read it that way!

[sanenazok]

Rather than identifying the serial numbers of the iPods involved and recalling them Apple will allow its customers to do its product testing for it. Good job.

[skillingssucks]

Serial numbers aren't needed, you complete and absolute moron. What part about 1st generation models don't you understand?

[Penguinisto]

Well Gee, one would think that "All First-Gen iPod Nanos sold between September 2005 and December 2006" would be descriptive enough.

/P

[coolio]

and I thought we were in the CEM era pfttt

well too bad I lost my 1st gen ipod nano 8 months ago, I would've loved a free replacement, but that probably wouldn't happen since I've dealt with Apple and they are anal when it comes to customer service.

[carsonfrdiay]

What a joke. I keep my nano in my glove box connected to my radio so if it were to overheat it could lead to some very serious problems. Just to ease my mind, I called applecare and gave them my serial number. The lady on the phone (Val) would not confirm or deny whether my ipod nano was affected by this problem, and it sounded like she had no idea about the recent announcement.

At least I have a call on record with them in case my nano overheats and causes damage to my vehicle so I can pursue compensation...still, a simple "No, your nano is not affected" would have made me feel a lot better...

[fdunn3]

How sweet of Apple to do this. It couldn't be by threat of a class-action could it? Nah, Apple's too nice for that. I'm surprised there hasn't been a class-action started on the iPhone 3G.

[Lerianis]

Give it a week or more.... there will be a class-action started on the iPhone 3G if this latest update really doesn't correct things for most people, as the reports thus far are stating it doesn't.

[jpage4500]

How do you report this to exchange a nano? I bought my wife a refurbished nano over a year ago and it stopped working. I plugged it in for a few hours to make sure the battery was fully charged and when I tried taking it off it almost burnt my hand! But, since it was out of warranty, the Apple Store wouldn't do anything.

Anyway, my question is: do we call or take it to a store? (or either).. will they even know about this replacement policy?

[Lerianis]

The best thing to do would be to go on Apple's website and search for this recall. They will most assuredly have it listed on their main website somewhere if these things were really recalled.

[Tom Krazit]

Either way, they should be wiling to listen to you now. If you visit a store in person, print out a copy of this article and bring it with you.

[Isomorphic]

How ironic my iPod Nano is amazing, it's been dropped, stood on, sat on and it has been through a 40 degree washing cycle, and it still works fine, well the battery is a bit shorter than when I bought it

Although I don't use the flash player any more...

[superaznman]

LOL i still use my nano 1st Gen, but i put rockbox on it. now i can play doom and watch videos on it, its got more functions than a nano 3rd gen. www.rockbox.org

[hawkmanva]

Where is the source of this article? Apple doesn't know anything about replacing the Nanos. No source is stated in this article or on Apple website.

[ewerdna]

I agree. Tom, let's see the press release from Apple or whatever source you have that inspired you to write this article.

[thrillicus]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j8-0iJyw6RKjuz89Qb5Jv7bWElFQ

These models are all Japanese/Asia. This doesn't seem to include anything in North America, hence if you call Apple they don't have any idea what you're talking about.

[onerockinmomma]

just got off the phone with Apple care. The representative was
treating this Nano problem like a joke. I called just to find out
what information (serial number etc.) they would need from me to see
if my Nano falls into this group. We bought ours before the holidays
of 2006. He quietly laughed at me.
He says that this is a battery problem. If the Ipod is left to charge
over the "recommended three hours" it overheats. He said that the
device would have to be so hot to the touch that you couldn't pick it
up.
They will send out a replacement battery with your ipod serial
number. He asked me several times "are you sure it gets hot."
The IPOD Nano is my daughters. It has gotten hot before and I thought
it was curious but reading this story I got very concerned. He was
reluctant to even send the battery and made it a big deal that
?if? it was the case that our IPOD was getting hot that they
would send out a battery "free of charge". Wow thanks for being so
considerate.
Since it was such a big joke to him I don't trust their opinion. She
is eleven what happens if she accidentally charges it for a little
longer than three hours.
I don't know about you but it makes me not want to allow her to use
it and just throw it away. Why take the chance.

[Penguinisto]

Err... what? You do realize that an iPod's battery is locked inside the case, and is not user-replaceable, right?

[dyaballikl]

well, mine doesn't overheat, but maybe i'll take it in just to get a new one!

[zacarrell]

Good thing I have a second generation Nano!

[pdaaccessory]

Apple done a great job.......
http://www.pdaaccessories.com/productDetail.asp?accid=1256&searchcat=Batter