Flaming Laptop Batteries Prompt Sony Recall

Sony has issued yet another recall for some of its laptop batteries, citing burn and fire hazards. Most of the batteries in question are found in HP laptops, though Dell and Toshiba notebooks are also affected. Over the last few years, overheating Sony laptop batteries have led to recalls of millions of units worldwide.
Sony issued a recall Friday for roughly 100,000 notebook batteries. Conducted in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission (USCPSC), the recall affects laptop users worldwide. The lithium-ion batteries can overheat and pose a fire and burn hazard to users.
There have been 19 reports of batteries overheating, including 17 instances in which flames or fire were reported, according to the USCPSC. Two consumers received minor burns as a result.
The news follows massive battery recalls that began in 2006 when some 9.6 million Sony laptop batteries had to be returned.
"Batteries have always been a tough area of systems, given power and heat issues," said David Daoud, an IDC analyst, told TechNewsWorld. "Battery makers have not really been under pressure enough to address the quality problem, but we will see growing pressure on them. But in the meanwhile, and until we have proven technology, I don't rule out more incidents to come."

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