Sparking iPod Ignites Investigation in Japan

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the government is looking into a possible problem with the iPod nano model MA099J/A in the wake of reports that the unit was shooting sparks during recharging, according to published reports.

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) reported the problem to the Japanese government March 7, according to reports. The ministry reportedly said nobody was injured.

This kind of problem is not a novelty, said Jack Gold, principal analyst with J. Gold Associates. "It's happened in laptops; there are a few problems that occur."

Technology Outpacing Batteries

In a sense, the technology behind the device may have outpaced the design of the particular lithium-ion battery used to power it, Gold told MacNewsWorld.

"The geometry inside the batteries is so fine, there's not a lot of capability for the battery to absorb that extra heat from all that extra [functionality], and as the geometry gets stronger, the likelihood of failures in the batteries could go up," Gold said. "Secondly, as we move to try and recharge these things faster, the energy that we have to put into the batteries goes up. And, as we try to draw more power from the batteries, the batteries heat up."

Gold emphasized that the problem is not common. "The vast majority of batteries -- and we're talking hundreds of millions of these things -- have no problems. If it overheats significantly, it can cause a meltdown and, depending on where it is, can cause a fire. But it's a part of the world we're in."

There has been no official comment from Apple on the issue. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company did not return a telephone call Wednesday.

"My first thought is, 'OK, nobody was injured,'" In-Stat analyst Stephanie Ethier told MacNewsWorld. "Whether it would be something like sparks flying -- which is something slightly more alarming -- or something else, I'm sure Apple has taken steps toward recognizing any defect and rectify it. They'll address it, and they'll learn from it. That kind of thing doesn't seem to be a huge problem, and I don't think this is going to stop people from buying an iPod."

Model Shipped in 2005 and 2006

The model in question, according to published reports that quoted the Japanese government, was shipped between September 2005 and September 2006.

Apple's response is timely enough to put out any metaphoric fires, Ethier said. "I think what's important is that I don't see Apple brushing it off as an isolated event. They'll investigate to make sure it doesn't happen again. It's just the way they've always done things."

Lithium-ion batteries are noted for packing a lot of energy in a small package -- larger versions are used in hybrid automobiles, for example.

Apple has a particular problem, where batteries are concerned, that's related more to user-friendliness than safety, Gold said.

"No battery lasts forever, and if you use your iPod a lot and recharge it every day, you're going to have to replace the battery," he said. "But in iPods, the battery is in a sealed case, and Apple forces you to send the device back to the manufacturer for replacement. If you do open it up, you void the warranty. So, rather than $20 to $30 to replace the battery yourself, you have to ship the thing back to Apple for $80 to $100."

The iPod has been the biggest-selling portable music device since its launch in November 2001, having taken over the leadership position from Sony's (NYSE: SNE) Walkman. About a year ago, Apple reported its 100 millionth iPod sale. The company has introduced 10 models since the first launch. Apple reported 22 million iPod sales in the fourth quarter of 2007, or 5 percent more than a year earlier.