XBox Power Cable Fire Hazard and Recall

hattig writes "According to BBC News Microsoft is to replace 14 million XBox power cables due to a fire hazard. XBoxes made before 23rd October 2003 or 13th January 2004 (Europe) require replacement." From the article: "The company said the move was a "preventative step" after reports of fire hazard problems with the cables."

Microsoft geo-locates all owners

[p3bf]

Ah, the beauty of it. All that statistical data, tying the serial number of your xbox to a physical location.

Now those who don't even have xbox live can enjoy data association and aggregation.

I wonder....

[another_plonk]

Considering that the power cable is probably the cheapest part of the system to replace, I wonder if this might not be an excuse to collect data of Xbox owners.

a) The release of Xbox Next is imminent (i.e. comming fall/winter.) Microsoft may be wanting to collect data for massive marketing or regional statistics.

b) Microsoft may be wanting to collect data to crackdown on modders. With Xbox live, they can determine the serial number of modded Xboxes. Considering that you have to enter the serial number of your Xbox to order your power cord replacement, they might be collecting the addresses of the owners of these Xboxes.

oddly form does not work with firefox.

[leuk_he]

Users are noticing that entering the ordering form with firefox can report you do not need a replacement cable, but if you fill in the same serial number in explorer you suddenly do.

i gues it is called firefox for a reason.