Apple Japan replaces over 5,000 batteries in August
updated 03:00 pm EDT, Tue September 7, 2010
May signal an end to Nano debacle
After launching a replacement program for iPod nanos on the 11th, Apple Japan replaced exactly 4,994 batteries during the remainder of August, according to documents from the country's industry ministry. A total of 5,527 batteries were replaced during the entire month; the number compares against 232 in July however, and just 62 in June. The figure suggests that thousands of people are taking advantage of the Nano program.
Apple Japan may thus finally be wrapping up a long-standing problem with first-generation Nanos, which in some cases have been overheating and even sparking fires. The issue has been linked to a single battery supplier, and appears to be limited to one region. The Japanese government has nevertheless complained about a lack of response from Apple, which was only resolved when the company was ordered to start the replacement program.
