Apple recalls Beats Pill XL speaker due to fire hazard, offers refunds

By Roger Fingas

Apple on Wednesday announced a voluntary recall of its Beats Pill XL speaker, warning that in some cases the battery in the speaker can overheat and cause a risk of fire.

The company has launched a support page for the recall, and asked that people stop using the Pill XL immediately. In compensation the company is offering a refund, whether in the form of Apple Store credit or an electronic transfer of $325.

Affected people must submit a return request via a Web form, after which the company will mail a prepaid shipping box. Only once the defective speaker is received will Apple issue the refund, which it promises within three weeks.

Owners cannot take a speaker into an Apple Store or any other retailer that sells or supports Beats products.

The Pill XL first went on sale in January 2014. Apple would only buy Beats in May of that year for $3 billion, inheriting both Beats' headphone and speaker lineup and Beats Music, an online streaming service.