Lithium-ion batteries are exploding at dumps and recycling plants across the United States - and that's a problem. These types of batteries come most often in the device that's likely in your hand or pocket - your smartphone. Today we're taking a quick peek at a few explosions and a few SUPER SIMPLE ways they could've been avoided at the source.
iPhone X and the rest of Apple's 2018 mobile devices may well benefit from components developed by Apple itself. For the first time in the history of the iPhone, Apple's aim to control the whole creation process may hit the power button. Development of iPhone power management chips (PMIC) could have far-reaching consequences for Apple and iPhone consumers around the world.
Apple released a step-by-step for a free replacement of select MacBook Pro models this morning. Some of the newest 13-inch MacBook Pro models without Touch Bars were affected, and only these models will have batteries replaced for free. This replacement program affected MacBook Pro models were manufactured between October of 2016 and October of 2017 - and there's a simple way to check if that includes you.
Apple may be in a bidding war with electric vehicle battery makers for one key metal: cobalt. Apple's been one of the biggest users of cobalt over the past decade due to their ever-increasing production of iPhone, iPad, and other devices with their own rechargeable batteries. Now that electric vehicles are coming into vogue, demand for cobalt is going up so much that Apple may be opting to buy from the source.
Lenovo is recalling its excellent X1 Carbon laptop, the reason being a screw that could potentially result in a fire. The recall announcement was made by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, which posted details on the issue today. According to the CPSC, an "unfastened screw" may cause battery damage that results in it overheating, which could then trigger a fire.
A man bit a smartphone battery in an electronics store in China this past week, and the battery exploded. The man who bit the battery seemed surprised by the results of his bite. The woman standing near him seemed displeased. Have a peek at the video and see what you make of it. And please do NOT go get a battery to reenact the situation in the video as it's happening - that'd be bad.
For the moment, one of the biggest stories in the tech world concerns Apple and the realization that it's slowing down some older phones to better support aging lithium ion batteries. The thinking behind this is that implementing some form of power profile management in phones with older batteries will help prevent sudden shut downs, but regardless of Apple's justification, it has users upset.
Unlike Apple, HTC and Motorola say they don't slow down older smartphones. Confirmation follows public outcry over Apple's decision to slow down iPhone models as they -- or, more specifically, their lithium-ion batteries -- age. Despite having a pretty good reason for slowing down the devices, Apple's attempt at mitigating problems caused by li-ion batteries has proven very controversial, and public attention has turned to other smartphone makers.
Following an FAA recommendation that airlines ban some devices containing lithium-ion batteries from checked baggage that comes a crackdown on "smart bags" containing them. Delta and Alaska Airlines have both announced these bans and other major airlines have confirmed that they have similar plans in the pipeline. The move aims to protect aircraft from fires located in the cargo hold.
Can't afford one of Tesla's big home batteries? It has a new alternative for you, and it'll fit in your pocket: the Tesla Powerbank. As you'd expect from a powerbank, this model is designed to charge your smartphone, earbuds, or any other USB gadget, and it is small enough to fit in your pocket. The Tesla Powerbank is available now from the company's own website.
Electrified cars may be increasingly popular, but one of the big questions is what happens when the batteries aren't holding enough charge for use on the road? BMW is showing off one of its solutions, officially opening its battery storage farm at the grounds of BMW Plant Leipzig in Germany today. Inside the facility, a next-door neighbor to the plant where it produces EVs like the BMW i3, is the place where old electric car batteries go to retire.
A company called Romeo Power has just launched its Saber battery for pre-order, promising it to be more versatile than any power bank you already have lying around. Whereas most power banks are limited to micro USB, Saber covers all of your needs: microUSB, USB-C, and, yes, an ordinary AC outlet for plugging in your ordinary laptop charger.