iPod Nano Defect Sparks Investigation

Reports of iPod Nanos shooting sparks while recharging have government officials in Japan investigating reported incidents.

The iPod in a question in an older-generation iPod Nano that is specific to the Japanese market. Its model number is MA099J/A, reports the Reuters news agency. The cause of the sparking, it is believed, is tied to the lithium-ion batteries used in the iPod Nano.

Faulty lithium-ion battery technology has been linked to massive numbers of laptop recalls in the past. Cell phones have also been recalled for faulty lithium-ion batteries. Our sibling publication Macworld UK reports Apple has shipped 425,000 iPod Nanos of the same model number as the ones being checked out by Japanese investigators.

According to the trade and economy ministry of Japan incidents of sparking Nanos were reported in early January. According to reports Apple fessed up to the problem to the ministry in March. Japan's trade ministry now says it's launched a "safety investigation."

There are no reports of injuries from the sparks, which would suggest the incident was minor. Owners of this iPod model, however, should keep their eye out for a recall.

Apple's had a roller coaster of a week that began with the well-received iPhone updates and SDK and continued on with a bit of a Beatles snafu regarding its availability on iTunes.

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