Apple recalls Beats Pill XL speakers over battery fire safety risks

Here is some bad news for anyone who owns a Dr Dre's super-sized speaker. After Apple found out that the Beats Pill XL speakers had a serious issue with its battery - which tends to overheat and is a safety hazard for the owners of the speaker as it poses a fire safety risk - it is recalling back the speakers.

Apple has announced a refund to owners who send back their Beats Pill XL speakers, according to Apple's press release issued on 3 June.

The recall does not include any other Beats or Apple products.

With top priority being safety of it customers, Apple has asked its devoted customers to immediately stop using Beats Pill XL speakers.

The speakers were launched by Beats Electronics in November 2013, a company founded by Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine, which Apple later bought for $3 billion.

Apple recalling products due to safety hazard issues is a rare but it has happened in the past.

The company recalled some of the lithium ion rechargeable batteries for its 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptops in August of 2004, Guardian reported.

The batteries made by Sony for Apple laptops which were prone to catching fire led Apple to recall its laptop in August 2006. Apple also recalled its first-generation iPod nano music players - launched in 2005 - over possibility of batteries catching fire. The recall of iPod nano music players was announced in November 2011.

The company wants customers who bought the Beats Pill XL speaker to visit Apple support to know as to how they can return the product, and how to receive an Apple Store credit or electronic payment of $325.

According to Engadget, there is no word on fixing the battery issue, with new version going on sale at a later date.

The Beats Pill XL can be identified by the Beats "b" logo on the speaker grille and the words "beats pill XL" on the handle.