Apple recalls Beats Pill XL Speakers because they 'could catch fire'

The battery could overheat and set the speakers alight in rare cases, company warns

Apple has recalled all Beats Pill XL speakers, because a problem with the batteries mean that in rare case they can overheat and pose a fire risk.

“Because customer safety is the company’s top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using their Beats Pill XL speakers,” Apple said in a statement. Customers can return the products using a special page, in return for Apple Store credit or a payment of £215.

The page also gives out guidance on how to spot the speakers. They have a Beats logo on the grille and the back handle says “beats pill XL” in large writing. They are sold in black, a metallic blue, pink, silver and white.

Apple acquired Beats, which makes the Pill, for $3-billion in 2014. The Pill XL was introduced in November 2013 and so Apple had not yet acquired the company.

Product recalls are rare for Apple products, but batteries — which are typically made by external companies — have sometimes caused a problem. Since 2004, specific products in Apple’s laptop and iPod ranges have both been hit by similar problems, where specific batteries could cause the computers to overheat and potentially catch fire.

The Beats Pill XL is a large version of the popular speaker, which is long and round like its namesake. The speakers have become well known partly because they regularly feature in music videos.