Phones Burst, Panic Spreads

[coolrajiv 1]

Source - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070820/asp/...ory_8212766.asp

Bhopal/New Delhi, Aug. 19: A Nokia cellphone and another handset with a Samsung battery allegedly exploded in Madhya Pradesh today amid panic over Nokia’s announcement about faulty batteries and its offer to replace them.

Rajesh Shastri of Indore said his Reliance mobile phone, run on a Samsung battery, burst with a bang on Sunday.

“I was talking to someone on the phone and the moment I put it down, it jumped and broke in two,” Shastri alleged.

Over 200km away, Vicky Jain told police that his Nokia 1100 mobile had exploded while being recharged at his electricals shop in Begumgunj, 80km from Bhopal. He said some furniture was damaged.

Mangal Singh Thakre, the officer in charge of Begumgunj police station, confirmed the complaint but said he was yet to ascertain the circumstances in which Jain’s phone had exploded.

A Samsung representative in Indore, J.K. Nayar, said Shastri’s battery was old and needed change. “We have not received any formal complaint but are looking into the matter,” he added.

Last week, Nokia had advised consumers to check their handsets after it decided to replace 46 million batteries worldwide because about 100 of them overheated while being recharged. The company listed steps to identify whether a battery was affected.

The fear of battery explosions has driven thousands of mobile users to service stations, and Nokia is believed to have received more than 31 lakh messages or phone calls in the past week.

Leading mobile operators, Bharti Airtel and Hutch, however, have thrown their weight behind Nokia, praising its commitment to customers.

“Such pro-active intervention… was never seen in India before. This reaffirms our confidence in them,” an agency report quoted Sanjay Kapoor, president of Bharti Airtel Mobile Services, as saying

Harit Nagpal, marketing director of Hutch, said: “The scale at which Nokia is communicating with its customers — it looks like a great act of responsibility.”

[ani_meher 42]

this panic spread is really a proof what havoc can media cause. there is just a single case reported in India till date, and around 100 whole worldwide. compare that to the total number of BL5c battery handsets sold, u'll see the probability of ur phone blasting off is VERY small. I am not saying u should ignore it, especially if u are getting a free new battery replacement for ur old battery. but even if ur bl5c battery is of that particular lot, relax, it's not that every battery is blasting off. take ur time, n whenever sooner is possible for u, go for the replacement n enjoy ur new battery. it hasn't exploded for so long, so a few more days are far less likely to hurt.

if u think of it, the probability of u getting in a road/train/household accident is far more than ur cellphone blasting off.

i m no way suggesting that u shouldn't go change ur battery, just asking ppl to stay cool, if at all there is any such hyper activated person here.

[coolrajiv 1]

this panic spread is really a proof what havoc can media cause. there is just a single case reported in India till date, and around 100 whole worldwide. compare that to the total number of BL5c battery handsets sold, u'll see the probability of ur phone blasting off is VERY small. I am not saying u should ignore it, especially if u are getting a free new battery replacement for ur old battery. but even if ur bl5c battery is of that particular lot, relax, it's not that every battery is blasting off. take ur time, n whenever sooner is possible for u, go for the replacement n enjoy ur new battery. it hasn't exploded for so long, so a few more days are far less likely to hurt.

if u think of it, the probability of u getting in a road/train/household accident is far more than ur cellphone blasting off.

i m no way suggesting that u shouldn't go change ur battery, just asking ppl to stay cool, if at all there is any such hyper activated person here.

Best option is to get your battery replaced asap if its among the affected lot.. why take chances with it after all a life is much more precious than a mobile.

Edited August 20, 2007 by coolrajiv

[KumaarShah 143]

It is not as if one can walk into a Nokia ASC with the defective battery and come out with a new one, just like that. Nokia will see that your battery belongs to the defective lot and then arrange to courier it to you against replacement of old battery. This couriering business will no doubt take about a week or ten days at least. So relax, and let the replacement come about. There is no need to panic at all.

Of course a life is far more valuable than a mobile, but why live in tension for that one week or ten days and die of tension about whether your phone will blast off in your ears or hands? What if Nokia had not issued such an advisory in the 1st place? Wouldn't one have been using the handset with the defective battery merrily? Lets us remain cool and not panic. Maybe, most of the people who are flocking Nokia want a replacement more than the fear of the battery exploding in their faces. Thats why they are panicky in behaviour and also creating panic in the minds of others. The advisory states that the defective batteries heat up while recharging, there is no mention that the batteries could explode.

"KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS AND IGNORANCE IS BLISS"

Anyway, people can interpret the above in their own way and take appropriate decisions.

[coolrajiv 1]

It is not as if one can walk into a Nokia ASC with the defective battery and come out with a new one, just like that. Nokia will see that your battery belongs to the defective lot and then arrange to courier it to you against replacement of old battery. This couriering business will no doubt take about a week or ten days at least. So relax, and let the replacement come about. There is no need to panic at all.

Of course a life is far more valuable than a mobile, but why live in tension for that one week or ten days and die of tension about whether your phone will blast off in your ears or hands? What if Nokia had not issued such an advisory in the 1st place? Wouldn't one have been using the handset with the defective battery merrily? Lets us remain cool and not panic. Maybe, most of the people who are flocking Nokia want a replacement more than the fear of the battery exploding in their faces. Thats why they are panicky in behaviour and also creating panic in the minds of others. The advisory states that the defective batteries heat up while recharging, there is no mention that the batteries could explode.

"KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS AND IGNORANCE IS BLISS"

Anyway, people can interpret the above in their own way and take appropriate decisions.

Source - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070829/asp/...ory_8250030.asp

Jammu, Aug. 28 (PTI): A woman was injured when the battery of her mobile phone “exploded” while she was talking on her phone, officials said today.

Kareena Bali, a resident of Kathua district, received injuries on her face and hands. A mobile phone company had declared the same series of battery unfit.

Now i guess people should understand what i meant by saying life is much more important than a mobile

Even though this is a one off case as people would say i would still suggest that if your battery is among the affected lot get it replaced as early as possible dont wait & think i will do this after some time .. If this woman had replaced her battery than she would not have suffered this fate..

Edited August 29, 2007 by coolrajiv

[amtrag 20]

I am just wondering: How come so many batteries have started bursting after nokia declared batteries unsafe.

There must have been atleast 5-6 cases being reported during past one week.

And as somebody has already said that we should be more worried about cheap fake batteries which are available in abundance in Indian markets...I still believe that nokia's "faulty" batteries are safer than those fake ones.

Edited August 29, 2007 by amtrag

[coolrajiv 1]

I am just wondering: How come so many batteries have started bursting after nokia declared batteries unsafe.

There must have been atleast 5-6 cases being reported during past one week.

And as somebody has already said that we should be more worried about cheap fake batteries which are available in abundance in Indian markets...I still believe that nokia's "faulty" batteries are safer than those fake ones.

Dont blindly think that Nokia's batteries r safe buddy.. come out of the comfort zone mate .. there r atleast 5 cases of battery exploding & all this r Nokia phones whether or not the battery in it is original or not thats another issue(no one knows abt it)

When a consumer buy a Nokia mobile he buys it bcoz its Nokia can he know ? that the battery inside it is original or not? Its Nokia who has to now think hard abt this how to tackle this thing

Fact is that the mobile which r bursting r of Nokia brand .. Nokia's reputation has taken a beating .. Fact is that India is getting substandard products. The lady(Kareena Bali, a resident of Kathua district) who has suffered severe injuries on her hand & face is lucky to have survived this who knows this could have been fatal for her..

Edited August 29, 2007 by coolrajiv

[KumaarShah 143]

^^^

It may just be that some people did not report about the explosions earlier but now that Nokia has already issued an advisory, one sees a lot more reports of battery explosions etc.

Coming to the explosions part, will Nokia offer compensation to the affected people or not?

@coolrajiv,

What I meant by "not panicking" was actually that people should not flock Nokia's ASCs and create a ruckus for replacement of their batteries. The whole replacement process would take some time obviously.

And if one's battery is among the defective lot, should they stop using their mobiles or buy another battery temporarily till Nokia replaces theirs?

People can feel the phone/battery heating up just before explosion or does it just explode without any heating? In such cases, people may put away their mobiles / batteries.

And in any case, Nokia's advisory does not state anything about the batteries exploding at all. They have merely stated that some batteries may heat up while being charged.

Anyway, life is still more precious than a mobile and hence, people having affected batteries may please get it replaced immediately and in the interim, they can stop using their mobiles, right?

[coolrajiv 1]

^^^

It may just be that some people did not report about the explosions earlier but now that Nokia has already issued an advisory, one sees a lot more reports of battery explosions etc.

Coming to the explosions part, will Nokia offer compensation to the affected people or not?

@coolrajiv,

What I meant by "not panicking" was actually that people should not flock Nokia's ASCs and create a ruckus for replacement of their batteries. The whole replacement process would take some time obviously.

And if one's battery is among the defective lot, should they stop using their mobiles or buy another battery temporarily till Nokia replaces theirs?

People can feel the phone/battery heating up just before explosion or does it just explode without any heating? In such cases, people may put away their mobiles / batteries.

And in any case, Nokia's advisory does not state anything about the batteries exploding at all. They have merely stated that some batteries may heat up while being charged.

Anyway, life is still more precious than a mobile and hence, people having affected batteries may please get it replaced immediately and in the interim, they can stop using their mobiles, right?

@KumaarShah

What i am trying to say is that its Nokia who is at fault owing up the fault does not make them worthy they r supplying their substandard mobiles in India ..

I think Nokia should compensate the victims

Nokia's advisory states that batteries may heat up while charging but now they r actually exploding so whose fault it is .. it is nokia which is at fault .. Nokia has to come with a solution & also replace the battery within 2 working days why the hell r taking so much time(14 days) to replace a battery .. They can use 1 day shipping for this battery replacement its easily available worldwide there r many Courier companies(Fed ex, UPS) which deliver within 24 hours Nokia says India is the best market for them and this is what they r doing for their customers

Of course everyone knows one cannot live without mobile for a minute but they have to do without their mobiles atleast for 2 days .. thats what i feel whether one likes it or not

Edited August 29, 2007 by coolrajiv

[amtrag 20]

@coolrajiv:

You misunderstood my point about fake batteries. I meant those aftermarket batteries which people buy as replacement and not the originals coming with the box-packed phones.

And I would still say: Nokia batteries are safer than those cheap ones available for 50-100 rupees. And in case people use such batteries and they explode then I don't understand how could Nokia be held responsible? (now don't think that I work for nokia or whatever...I am just saying what I think is fair).

Regarding comfort zone: I would say there is no need to be paranoid about bursting batteries...traveling on Indian roads is much more riskier than the chance of a nokia battery "exploding" in your hands, so does it mean one should stop traveling on the road?

[coolrajiv 1]

@coolrajiv:

You misunderstood my point about fake batteries. I meant those aftermarket batteries which people buy as replacement and not the originals coming with the box-packed phones.

And I would still say: Nokia batteries are safer than those cheap ones available for 50-100 rupees. And in case people use such batteries and they explode then I don't understand how could Nokia be held responsible? (now don't think that I work for nokia or whatever...I am just saying what I think is fair).

Regarding comfort zone: I would say there is no need to be paranoid about bursting batteries...traveling on Indian roads is much more riskier than the chance of a nokia battery "exploding" in your hands, so does it mean one should stop traveling on the road?

Buddy there's no proof as of now that the person who got injured yesterday was using Fake battery or the original one..

If it was a fresh handset(less than 1 year) than Nokia is responsible no doubt abt it has to compensate the victim than..

no one is getting paranoid buddy just wanna say that people now should get out of the comfort thinking zone abt Nokia that they cant make any mistakes & also owing up abt it is nothing great.. Fact is that Nokia's market reputation has taken a real beating after this battery issue not number wise(sales r still OK) but people r now apprehensive abt Nokia earlier they were not.. people were used to buying Nokia mobiles only.. but now they r thinking should i buy Nokia or not?

Everyone one knows how good our indian roads r for mishaps .. we r not discussing the accidents menace here .. talk abt Battery issue only i just wanna say that Nokia has to provide the replacement battery in 2 days.. thats it

[coolrajiv 1]

Another mobile battery explodes

Source - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070830/asp/...ory_8254424.asp

Plugged in to charge, mobile explodes

Aug. 29: A mobile phone blew up while being charged in a south Calcutta house, the “chocolate bomb-like explosion” leaving a pregnant homemaker speechless and quaking in fear.

Kishori Saha’s Nokia 2100 was plugged in for 15 minutes at the Ganguly Bagan home when the battery exploded. The 25-year-old Kishori, who is five months pregnant, was not hurt but she was in such a state of shock that she had to be taken to hospital.

The battery — BLD-3 — does not belong to the BL-5C series that were at the centre of a storm earlier this month when some cells of the series were recalled on suspicion of overheating.

A Nokia spokesperson said the “Calcutta incident” was being investigated. “From initial findings, it seems that the consumer was using a phone which was last sold in 2004. Nokia takes consumer issues very seriously and promotes the use of genuine accessories in phones,” a company statement said.

The mobile had been bought from a shop in Durgapur two-and-a-half years ago, Kishori’s husband Suman said but could not recall details.

When the BL-5C advisory was issued, a Nokia spokesperson had told The Telegraph that handsets and batteries are widely sold in the grey market. Companies usually don’t accept responsibility if accessories are bought from the grey market and in the absence of vouchers.

The battery identification number (26 characters in the case of BL-5C and 18 digits on the one that exploded) can help tell between the real and the fake but not if even that is forged.

An option is to see whether the hologram on the battery changes colour when held against light. If the colour changes, it can be more or less assumed that the product is genuine.

Till Wednesday night, the Nokia website (www.nokia.com) did not have information on the explosion or its possible causes. The Nokia helplines (08030303838 from BSNL landlines and 30303838 for other phones) were busy.

Scientists who specialise in batteries said a short circuit between the anode and the cathode or the failure of a protection mechanism to prevent overcharging are two possibilities that may cause a battery to explode. But they cautioned that precise reasons could not be established without examining the battery.

“When the charging schedule is not adhered to and overcharging happens, a protection mechanism is expected to work and safeguard the battery. But if the protection mechanism fails, an explosion can occur,” said N.G. Renganathan at the Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Tamil Nadu.

Kishori’s husband Suman, a website designer, said he was in office when he heard about the explosion at 1pm. He rushed home to find that his wife had been taken to Baghajatin hospital by neighbours. She was discharged without being administered medicine.

Neighbour Mithu Barui said she heard a “chocolate bomb-like” explosion.

Kishori’s landlady Beena Saha said she put “some toothpaste” on her tenant’s cheeks because of a “burning sensation”. “I could feel that she was shaking and her teeth were chattering,” Beena said.

The phone and Kishori Saha. Pictures by Amit Datta

[coolrajiv 1]

The battery — BLD-3 — does not belong to the BL-5C series .. so will Nokia now issue another advisory abt this model number too? Its time people wake up now from their obsession with Nokia ... & its time Nokia also show that they really care for their customers .. just issuing advisory wont help we require genuine products not substandard products..

People want their Battery replacement to be done in a space of 2 days max & u know what Nokia will play it safe they will say that battery which exploded could be fake even if the battery was genuine .. & will say its an isolated case very typical answer.

I would also suggest to all the people to buy battery or replace it only from Authorised Nokia dealer & never buy batteries from grey market.. just bcoz its available there cheaply..

Nokia should do its best to solve the battery problem asap via replacement in 2 days(if its among affected lot) & we as responsible citizens should also help them by buying only genuine stuff from Nokia authorised dealers only.

Edited August 30, 2007 by coolrajiv

[coolrajiv 1]

Source - http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070901/asp/...ory_8259922.asp

Read what Nokia is doing to their customers

Calcutta cry of battery bias

- Delay in replacement of faulty cellphone parts resented

A STAFF REPORTER

Nokia is yet to replace the faulty cellphone batteries of many city customers, more than 15 days after it issued an advisory on a batch of BL-5C batteries that might “overheat” during charging.

“The company has been much more prompt in Delhi and Mumbai. People in Mumbai, I gather, got their batteries replaced in 48 hours,” alleged retired bureaucrat Manindra Nath Banerjee in a letter to Metro.

He and his daughter filed online applications for battery replacement on August 15. “The newspapers said the defective BL-5C batteries would be replaced in 10 days. We have not received even a phone call from the company yet,” said the Jodhpur Park resident.

Ishani Dutta Roy, a resident of Dum Dum, has the same tale to tell. Only, she had filed the online application a day earlier than the Banerjees.

Nokia declined to provide a city-wise break-up of batteries replaced. An operations manager at a Nokia Care shop claimed that four Nokia Priority Dealers and Nokia Care shops in the city have replaced over defective 1,000 batteries.

“We have enough BL-5C batteries with us. We have just started sending the new batteries by courier,” he said. According to him, the delays might have been caused because of “improper registrations”.

There are complaints regarding that, too. Sodepur homemaker Dipannita Ganguly told Metro that she learnt at a Nokia shop in Dunlop on Thursday that she and her daughter had not received new batteries because their complaints had not been registered. “Both of us received SMS texts from Nokia saying that the new batteries would reach us by courier,” asserted Dipannita.

[Dushie 30]

Nokis s**ks big time, 4.5 million faulty battery's, were they sleeping for more than 1 year,

Good i switched to sony ericsson for GSM

[Honest 836]

^^^

Yesterday on Star News I heard that one of Samsung make phone's battery also burst. Day before yesterday there was I news for Tata phone from Punjab, in which the battery also burst.

Thank God I am not using Nokia, Samsung or Tata phones. My all phones are of LG make. I'm an LG lover my dear friends.

Regards.

[raccoon 53]

As we all know, Tata does not make any phones! Would be of intrest to know what the actual make of the phone was! Also, was the Samsung that exploded have an original Samsung batt?

[amtrag 20]

Yesterday I heard on TV headline that one LG phone had burst...but didn't have enough patience to sit thru' all those breaks before watching the complete story as the one day match had already started.

[Sadikk 301]

Well i now doubt on NOKIA did it deliberately, as now they are asking TAX relaxation fr4om government for their accessories.

This loss of replacing batteries is kinda investment which will fetch them revenue forever on TAX waiver they will get from government.

[savramesh 37]

Nokia mobile explodes in Faridabad

Source

Faridabad: In yet another incident, a mobile of Nokia exploded here. The cause of blast is not known.

According to reports, a three-year old child prince was playing with mobile. Owing to night, family members of child took the mobile and put the set on table. After sometime, the mobile suddenly exploded.

Hearing the loud sound, members of the family went to the room and found the pieces of mobile scattered. The cause of explosion is yet to be established.

Members of the family said that the mobile Nokia 1200 was purchased one year back. They have informed the Nokia's Headquarter, Bangalore about the incident. The company accepted that such blasts occurred due to wrong battery.

[kshah 452]

Any battery could burst if faulty or duplicate or repaired by technician in market who do not do necessary calibration after replacing any hardware component on power side of phone.

Its unjust to keep on blaming manufacturer for every thing. Battery or for that matter any manufactured goods could be defective. Even tyres, wipers, bearings, suspensions in automibile too are found defective in millions of pieces world wide.

[ACS 130]

^^^ I second that..

How many nokia/LG/Samsung battery explosions have occured during the Company's lifetime ?

Were they original/duplicate.. was the phone meddled with?

Was it being simultaneously charged while talking for long ?

Gimme a break !

[ani_meher 42]

How come all the kids that get into trouble are named 'Prince'? Remember that kid that fell in the borewell hole? I for one am sure not to name or even nick-name my kid Prince!