Apple recalls Beats speakers: Rap chap's crap batt rapped in zap mishap flap

Heats by Dre

Apple is recalling its Beats Pill XL speakers over claims the product overheats to the point of burning one particular fan's finger.

The speaker, which was manufactured in China, sells for $325, and apparently poses a potential fire hazard due to a faulty battery. Cupertino has promised to refund any US and Canadian customers who return the item to the iThing maker.

It said it would provide postage-paid boxes for consumers to send their dodgy Pill XL speakers back to the company.

Around 233,000 units sold in North America through Apple's retail and online stores and via Beatsbydre.com from January 2014 to the present date have been recalled by Apple.

Health Canada said:

Apple has received two reports of incidents of the speakers overheating in Canada and six in the United States, including one with a burn to a consumer's finger and one with damage to a consumer's desk.

The US consumer product safety commission added:

This recall involves all Beats Pill XL portable, wireless speakers. The recalled products are plastic, capsule-shaped speakers about 4 inches tall by 13 inches wide by 4 inches deep with a plastic mesh grille on the front and a built-in carrying handle to the rear.

The small "b" Beats logo is on the grille and "beatspillXL" is on the handle. The speakers come in five colours: black, white, pink, metallic sky and titanium.

Apple, which acquired Beats from rapper Dr Dre for $3bn in 2014, said that customer safety was its "top priority" and asked fanbois "to stop using their Beats Pill XL speakers". ®