Batteries in Apple's Beats Pill XL speakers pose a fire risk, according to a worldwide recall. (Credit: Beats Electronics)
The recall affected about 222,000 units sold in the U.S. and 11,000 in Canada, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency said Apple had received eight complaints about the product, including one instance in which a person's finger was burned and another that damaged a desk.
The consumer electronics icon asked owners of the speakers in dozens of countries to register to return the product through its website. The product was launched later in some markets outside North America, including Japan, where the speakers have only been available since December.
“Because customer safety is the company’s top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using their Beats Pill XL speakers,” the company said in a press release.
The cause of the issue was traced to a third-party battery manufacturer who provided the component while Beats ramped up its capacity as a standalone manufacturer, according to a source familiar with the battery issue.
The company had previously partnered with electronics maker Monster LLC to produce its wares. Monster sued Beats in January over a transaction that cut it out of the Dr. Dre-affiliated product line before Apple's acquisition of the company for $3 billion in May 2014.
Though the speakers were rolled out in November 2013 before Apple bought the speaker and headphone company from its creator Dr. Dre, Joyce said the recall extended to those speakers as well.
The company said after consumers provide their information through its online recall form, it will ship them a postage-paid box to return the potentially hazardous product. Apple will then wire a $325 refund to their bank account or provide equivalent store credit.
The speaker was priced at $299.95 in Apple's online store on Wednesday, though it was unavailable for purchase.
In 2005, Apple recalled iBook and Powerbook batteries made by LG Chem Ltd. because of overheating hazards, and in 2001, the consumer electronics company recalled more than half a million AC adapters over similar concerns, according to the CPSC.
--Editing by Christine Chun.
