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Sarah Tew/CNET
Consumers who purchased Beats Pill XL speakers from Apple are being asked to stop using them due to a potential fire hazard.
On Wednesday, Apple announced a voluntary recall of the speakers, complete with refunds to customers who bought them. The company said it determined that in rare cases, the battery in the speakers may overheat, presenting a fire risk. The Beats Pill XL speakers can be identified by the Beats “b” logo on the speaker grille and the words “beats pill XL” on the handle. The speakers come in in five different colors: black, metallic sky, pink, titanium and white.
Consumers who bought the speakers are entitled to a refund of $325. The speakers themselves cost $299 at Apple’s website, so the company seems to be throwing in a little extra cash to smooth things over with disgruntled customers. Those of you who purchased the speakers should visit Apple’s Beats Pill XL Speaker Recall Program page to learn how to return the speakers to Apple and receive a store credit or electronic payment for $325.
But in a nutshell, you have to submit a return request by filling out the form on the Beats Pill XL Speaker Recall Program Request page. Apple will then send you a postage paid box for you to return your Pill XL speakers. After Apple receives the item, you should get your Apple store credit or electronic payment in around three weeks.
Apple is only processing returns for the speakers over the Web using the Request form. Returns will not be accepted at any store that sells or supports Apple or Beats products. The recall does not affect any other Beats or Apple products.
Apple has received eight reports of the speakers overheating, including one with a burn to a consumer’s finger and one with damage to a consumer’s desk, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, as spotted by MacRumors. The recall affects around 222,000 units sold in the US and around 11,000 sold in Canada.
The Beats Pill XL speakers were launched by by Beats by Dre in November 2013. Apple got custody of the speakers and all Beats produuts when it bought the company in 2014. The speakers are sold at Apple retail stores as well as other major retail chains and online at Apple’s website and the Beats by Dr. Dre website.
