Tag: battery overheating

  • Google fined $12M for severe burns caused by Fitbit Ionic

    Google fined $12M for severe burns caused by Fitbit Ionic

    Between 2018 and 2020, Google, which owns Fitbit, discovered at least 115 instances of battery overheating in its Fitbit Ionic smartwatch. Out of these, 78 cases involved actual burn injuries, including two cases of third-degree burns and four cases of second-degree burns. The company ultimately recalled this dangerous device in March 2022, but by that time, it was already too late.

    Reporting Failures

    In situations where it is found that a product has a defect that poses a serious risk of injury or even death to consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) mandates immediate reporting of the issue. Unfortunately, Google did not fulfill this requirement. Consequently, the company is obligated and has consented to pay a fine of $12.25 million to the CPSC.

    Internal Audit Requirements

    The settlement terms also stipulate that Fitbit must carry out an internal review of how effective its compliance policies, procedures, systems, and training are. Furthermore, they are required to submit an annual report on their findings.

    Interestingly, this news comes just one day after Google issued a consumer alert regarding a potential (though unlikely) risk of injuries caused by overheating batteries in the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatches. Both of these models have been replaced by newer versions: the Fitbit Sense 2, which is currently 21% off on Amazon, and the Fitbit Versa 4, which is currently 17% off on Amazon.

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  • Fitbit Smartwatch Overheating Risks: Google Offers $50 Update Compensation

    Fitbit Smartwatch Overheating Risks: Google Offers $50 Update Compensation

    Two Fitbit devices are facing a notable problem. As per Google’s statement, the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatches have lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in most modern gadgets, that might overheat under certain conditions. In extreme cases, this could lead to burns on the wrist, though Google emphasizes that the overall risk of such serious overheating is quite low.

    Update Rollout

    Google has mentioned that this problem can be fixed with software updates, and one has already begun to be distributed. This update aims to lower the chance of overheating, but it will also reduce the usable battery capacity, meaning users will experience a shorter battery life and will need to charge their devices more often. The tech giant has also stated that users will need to install this update manually.

    Consequences of Inaction

    For those who choose not to update their smartwatches, a factory reset will automatically happen soon, wiping all personal data from the device. During the setup that follows, the new firmware will be automatically installed, which seems to be Google’s way of ensuring that users get this important update.

    Compensation for Users

    Furthermore, Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 owners can check a dedicated website to see if their device is impacted. Those affected by this issue will receive a compensation of $50 or its equivalent in their local currency. However, it is still uncertain how much the new software update will affect the battery life of these Google smartwatches. Neither the Fitbit Sense nor the Versa 3 is currently available for purchase, but the unaffected Fitbit Sense 2 can be bought for $149 on Amazon.

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