Apple recalls iPhone 3G power adapters over shock risk

[AppleInsider]

Apple on Friday afternoon recalled the ultracompact USB power adapter for iPhone 3Gs with warnings that they might pose a hazard to owners.

The company's notice for the exchange program cautions that "certain conditions" could cause the prongs to snap off when the adapter is pulled from a wall outlet, potentially creating a shock for those who touch an exposed connection.

No injuries have been reported by users affected by the failure, and the issue affects just a "very small" number of adapters, Apple claims.

Nonetheless, the company is giving iPhone 3G owners in Canada, Japan, Mexico, the US, and a number of Latin American countries a free replacement charger regardless of whether they're likely to suffer the problem. Owners are asked to immediately stop using the old charger until they receive a replacement and to use either a direct USB connection to a computer, an older iPhone charger, or a third-party accessory to power the iPhone until the replacement arrives in the mail.

Those who bought the power adapter as a stand-alone accessory should also trade theirs in, Apple says.

The company doesn't explain what may have triggered the issue but explains that users can visually identify the new, fixed adapter through a green dot on the prong side of the device.

Replacements should be available from October 10th either online or at retail but will need a given iPhone's serial number as part of the swap.

Apple's replacement power adapter; affected models lack the green dot.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[DimMok]

This is a shocking story.....

[Samnuva]

Originally Posted by DimMok

This is a shocking story.....

Har Har Har

Seriously though, how do you not pull the prongs out of the wall? The cord comes out before that happens.

[screth]

Nice. A free charger! Now I'll have two!

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by screth

Nice. A free charger! Now I'll have two!

Shocking.

[jg_gamer]

What's the fuss about?

Anyone who dies by breaking this adapter off and then touching the exposed contacts had it coming. Natural selection baby.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Samnuva

Seriously though, how do you not pull the prongs out of the wall? The cord comes out before that happens.

I think they mean you could pull the adapter itself and the pring may break off in the wall socket.

Originally Posted by jg_gamer

What's the fuss about?

Anyone who dies by breaking this adapter off and then touching the exposed contacts had it coming. Natural selection baby.

Darwin Awards

[Tenchi211]

Originally Posted by screth

Nice. A free charger! Now I'll have two!

Actually, according to the Apple support page, Apple sends you a new adapter along with instructions for returning the old one.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by Tenchi211

Actually, according to the Apple support page, Apple sends you a new adapter along with instructions for returning the old one.

Only with the web return.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Tenchi211

Actually, according to the Apple support page, Apple sends you a new adapter along with instructions for returning the old one.

It wouldn't be a recall if they didn't actually recall something

[NasserAE]

Just noticed that the adapter is sold for $29 at Apple Store. Expensive but very handy.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by Samnuva

Har Har Har

Seriously though, how do you not pull the prongs out of the wall? The cord comes out before that happens.

They mean if you pull it out by holding onto the plug itself, which, ever since the invention of the "plug" has been the recommended way to do it.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, after almost a hundred years of electrical appliances being plugged in and out and generation after generation of children being taught to *never* unplug anything by yanking on the cord, people like yourself still do?

[Samnuva]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

They mean if you pull it out by holding onto the plug itself, which, ever since the invention of the "plug" has been the recommended way to do it.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, after almost a hundred years of electrical appliances being plugged in and out and generation after generation of children being taught to *never* unplug anything by yanking on the cord, people like yourself still do?

Yes, People like myself still do. After a lifetime of yanking cords out from where ever the heck I want to, I have not broken one cord. Not One.

[Messiah]

Wow!

Do you think somebody should have tested this design before it was released to the market?

Someone?

Maybe?

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Samnuva

Yes, People like myself still do. After a lifetime of yanking cords out from where ever the heck I want to, I have not broken one cord. Not One.

Just because it generally works, doesn't mean it's a good idea. A good electrical connection isn't necessarily a good mechanical connection.

Besides, with this adapter, it doesn't work that way, the USB cord is separate. The adapter is just a block that plugs into the socket, and the user plugs in the USB to dock connector cable.

[digitalclips]

Time for Wi-Tricity device from Apple.

[NOFEER]

are they the same size? these are very small and easy to carry with you
hope its not some bulky brick mess

[jdavy]

Originally Posted by NOFEER

are they the same size? these are very small and easy to carry with you
hope its not some bulky brick mess

Yes a picture of the new one is in the article with the green dot. The item is the same size with a new tapered prong. I do not even use mine as I use a Griffin Powerdock 2 so I can charge my iPhone and iPod at the same time. BTW the new iTouch has the same charging issues as the iPhone 3G and the Powerdock 2 will charge both new devices. The nice old Bose SoundDock and most other such speaker systems will play the music from the new iTouch but not charge it. Just an FY. All that said, I will swap my original charger out at an Apple store in October.

[grayum]

I think the new charger is snappier.....

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Tenchi211

Actually, according to the Apple support page, Apple sends you a new adapter along with instructions for returning the old one.

How do you return the old- if the prongs are in the wall?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by grayum

I think the new charger is snappier.....

But the recalled plug is the zappier.

[ByronVanArsdale]

Originally Posted by teckstud

How do you return the old- if the prongs are in the wall?

not to worry - only the prong will survive!

[ByronVanArsdale]

Originally Posted by teckstud

How do you return the old- if the prongs are in the wall?

Originally Posted by solipsism

But the recalled plug is the zappier.

didn't you just post yesterday about not liking to make puns?? nice!

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by teckstud

How do you return the old- if the prongs are in the wall?

You have to return the prongs as well as the body or they won't give you the replacement one.

Be sure to lick your fingers before pulling the prongs out of the wall so the electricity doesn't stick to you.

[auxio]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Besides, with this adapter, it doesn't work that way, the USB cord is separate. The adapter is just a block that plugs into the socket, and the user plugs in the USB to dock connector cable.

The problem is that the block doesn't have any sort of surface feature or grip to hang onto while you pull it from the outlet. Making it very difficult to pull from some electrical outlets using the block alone.

It's not quite as bad as the ultra-smooth connectors on the iPhone component video cable (which are virtually impossible to disconnect without pulling on the cord), but it's still a poor design. Sometimes Apple errs too far on the side of style over functionality for my tastes.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by auxio

The problem is that the block doesn't have any sort of surface feature or grip to hang onto while you pull it from the outlet. Making it very difficult to pull from some electrical outlets using the block alone.

It's not quite as bad as the ultra-smooth connectors on the iPhone component video cable (which are virtually impossible to disconnect without pulling on the cord), but it's still a poor design. Sometimes Apple errs too far on the side of style over functionality for my tastes.

Odd. I haven't had a problem with it, but I suppose you're right.

Also, for what it's worth, my kitchen timer, er, iPhone got an SMS from Apple about the recall.