1 Million Fitbit Ionic Smartwatches Recalled Over Reports of Overheating Batteries and More than 100 Burn Injuries (msn.com) 25
"Fitbit has announced a voluntary recall of its Ionic Smartwatch," reports Newsweek, "amid more than 170 reports that the battery has overheated, causing more than 100 reports of burn injuries...."
The Ionic smartwatch was first introduced in 2017 and the company stopped producing it in 2020. When worn, the smartwatch tracks activity, heart rate, and sleep. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), one million of the watches were sold in the U.S. while a further 693,000 were sold internationally.
The company has received 115 reports in the U.S. and 59 reports internationally of the watch's lithium-ion battery overheating, leading to 78 reports of burn injuries in the U.S. and 40 reports of burn injuries internationally, the CPSC added. Some burns were particularly severe, with four reports of second-degree burns and two reports of third-degree burns. Third-degree burns, in which multiple layers of skin are destroyed, are the most harmful of the two....
In a statement published on its website yesterday, the company said it would offer a $299 refund to Fitbit Ionic customers and "the health and safety of Fitbit users is our highest priority."
"If you own a Fitbit Ionic, please stop using your device," the company added.
Fitbit said the Ionic can be identified via the model number FB503 on the back of the watch under the "CE" mark, while those with a Fitbit account can check if an Ionic is connected to their account by clicking on the Today tab, then their profile picture, and then the Account page.
The Ionic smartwatch was first introduced in 2017 and the company stopped producing it in 2020. When worn, the smartwatch tracks activity, heart rate, and sleep. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), one million of the watches were sold in the U.S. while a further 693,000 were sold internationally.
The company has received 115 reports in the U.S. and 59 reports internationally of the watch's lithium-ion battery overheating, leading to 78 reports of burn injuries in the U.S. and 40 reports of burn injuries internationally, the CPSC added. Some burns were particularly severe, with four reports of second-degree burns and two reports of third-degree burns. Third-degree burns, in which multiple layers of skin are destroyed, are the most harmful of the two....
In a statement published on its website yesterday, the company said it would offer a $299 refund to Fitbit Ionic customers and "the health and safety of Fitbit users is our highest priority."
"If you own a Fitbit Ionic, please stop using your device," the company added.
Fitbit said the Ionic can be identified via the model number FB503 on the back of the watch under the "CE" mark, while those with a Fitbit account can check if an Ionic is connected to their account by clicking on the Today tab, then their profile picture, and then the Account page.
Is not bug, is feature (Score:2)
We just needed to see if you could be convinced to strap an incendiary device to your body. Now we know. Thanks!
Re: Is not bug, is feature (Score:1)
Re: Is not bug, is feature (Score:1)
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Is handwarmer. Very nice.
burn, burn, yes you're gonna burn! (Score:2)
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Stop, drop, and roll, baby!
Puns. (Score:2)
Feel the burn.
What time is it? It's frying time!
That's hot!
Re: Puns. (Score:1)
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There's already a popular app that does that using standard accelerometer data on phones.
Re: Puns. (Score:2)
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So the concept goes something like this?
Keep calling my number. My phone is on VIBRATE.
Lithium-Ion batteries have a lifetime... (Score:2)
My Android smartphone was manufactured in 2017. I replaced the battery last month after it started bulging from the case.
(Yes, one of the last models from that period that did have a user replaceable battery, I did my homework anticipating the scenario.)
A $299 recall is a massive PR exercise for something that could be written into right-to-repair legislation stating that non-user-serviceable-batteries will explode after a certain time.
Obligatory John Oliver Samsung commercial (Score:2)
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You're right. I'm buying this fine Swiss timepiece. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/file... [shopify.com]
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They overdid the colorie-burning bit (Score:2)
Just sayin'.
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I needed to buy some Bitcoin
Said no one EVER.
Hot ticket item (Score:2)
I remember when these first came out.
They were so hot everybody wanted one.
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Dumbfounded. (Score:2)
Former 3x Fitbit Owner (Score:2)
Over the period of a couple years, I went through three Fitbits, including an Ionic. The first two were replaced because they eventually developed a common issue with the band bubbling. The Ionic went pretty FUBAR just a bit over a year after I purchased it, and was then out of warranty. I contacted them to see if they would l give me any help and was offered a whopping $25 off the purchase of another. Sorry, no thank you. FUCK YOU FITBIT.