Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has started a trade in program to give official USB power adapters to customers after there were reports that a woman was electrocuted in China due to a bad charger, which she purchased from the third party vendor, says a report from 9to5mac.
Apple take-back program
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will replace any third party charger that the user finds to be defective and will provide a new official adapter for the discounted price of $10. Apple will promote its campaign until October 18th and has also asked Chinese consumers to beware of the faulty chargers. Owners need to bring their iPhone, iPad or iPod to an Apple store to verify the serial number.
According to recent reports, fake and third party chargers might have some issues because of their lack of proper design. On the Apple website it is mentioned, “While not all third party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters.”
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) said in a statement that safety of users is its topmost concern, and this is the reason why all USB power adapters for iPhone, iPad and iPod are put through tough tests for safety and reliability and are also in compliance with government safety standards all over the world.
Incidents that prompted Apple to come up with such plan
Last month, two back-to-back incidents of electrocution in China were reported: a 23-year-old woman from Xinjiang was electrocuted after touching her iPhone 4 when it was on charging; and another incident in which a 30-year-old man, who is now hospitalized, got a shock from his iPhone4 while it was charging. After the incidents, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) investigated along with posting power adapter identification information and photographs to let users know how to differentiate between authentic versus knockoff chargers.
Previous recalls by Apple
In 2008, Apple recalled USB power adapters included with iPhone 3G following reports that metal prongs on the power adapters would break when put inside the socket. Now Apple marks a green dot on new power adapters to identify it from the older, recalled models.
The Take Back Program is a good step from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The program also provides validation of the company’s strict and (according to some) draconian hardware certification program.
