We kept this under wraps because it sounded like an obvious stock dump ploy, but it seems that Apple is recalling about 1.8 million batteries due to overheating problems with the cells. Obviously this will make for quite a few finanical problems for Cupertino Steve and his band of misfits, but them’s the flaming laptop blues.
This is all conjecture until we can confirm it, but we’re seeing it pop up elsewhere so there might be some truth. Only a few more minutes before we get an expected confirmation at 6pm GMT.
UPDATE – Confirmed.
Apple recall on laptop batteries [BBC]
Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony for certain previous iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 notebook computers only.
Units: About 1.1 million battery packs (an additional 700,000 battery packs were sold outside the U.S.)
Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan
Computer Manufacturer: Apple Computer Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.
Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Apple has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns from handling overheated computers and other reports of minor property damage. No serious injuries were reported.
Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were used with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4. Consumers should remove the battery from the computer to view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the unit.
Computer model name Battery model number Battery serial numbers 12-inch iBook G4 A1061 ZZ338 through ZZ427 3K429 through 3K611 6C510 through 6C626 12-inch PowerBook G4 A1079 ZZ411 through ZZ427 3K428 through 3K611 15-inch PowerBook G4 A1078 and A1148 3K425 through 3K601 6N530 through 6N551 6N601 No other Apple notebook computers are involved in this recall.Sold Through: Apple’s online store, Apple retail stores nationwide, and Apple Authorized Resellers from October 2003 through August 2006 for between $900 and $2300. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.
Assembled in: Japan, Taiwan and China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.
Consumer Contact: : Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple’s Web site at http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram to check the battery’s serial number and request a replacement battery.
Apple Battery Recall Official [Gizmodo]