Apple is offering customers a
trade-in deal following reports that third-party iPhone chargers have
been connected to user injuries.
The company is allowing customers to swap
third-party chargers for certified Apple models at a discount, after a
woman in China was electrocuted and killed while using a third-party USB
power charger with her iPhone handset.
Apple said that the recall will start on
16 August and will cover both Apple-branded stores and licenced
third-party service providers.
“If you need a replacement adapter to
charge your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, we recommend getting an Apple USB
power adapter,” Apple said in a company statement on the matter.
“For a limited time, you can purchase one
Apple USB power adapter at a special price – $10 USD or approximate
equivalent in local currency.”
The recall comes as Apple is believed to
be readying the next version of its iPhone handset. Dubbed the iPhone
5C, the handset could be one of multiple iPhone models aimed at a wider
consumer market ranging from entry-level to premium handset customers.
USB chargers have also fallen under scrutiny from users following the release of research on the security of USB connections.
A group of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology were able to
develop a prototype device, which took advantage of the iPhone's USB
connections to take control of the device and remotely install and hide
malware on a targeted system.
Though the issue is fixed with the iOS 7
update, analysts have been critical of the security policies of Apple
and other mobile vendors.
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