Apple to Pay Up for Faulty iPod Batteries

Thousands of customers complained about problems with the iPod's battery life; eight filed a class-action lawsuit. The group of eight have tentatively won $50 vouchers and extended service warranties for up to 2 million customers in the United States that purchased first, second and third generation iPods from Apple.

The class-action, filed in fall of 2003, stems from Apple's boasting that iPod would play music nonstop for 10 hours straight and that the rechargeable battery would last throughout the product's lifetime. In reality, many customers enjoyed only four hours of continuous playback and ended up with a dead battery within a period of 18 months.

The cost of a replacement battery is $99 USD and the repair must be performed by Apple honor the warranty. Initially, Apple did not offer a battery replacement program.

Under the remedy, Apple must extend its AppleCare protection plan one year to a full two years and replace or repair defective units. Customers that apply to participate in the action must fill out a form that will make them eligible for a $50 voucher to purchase any Apple product or service sans iTunes tracks.

Alternatively, customers can opt to receive a check for $25 USD.

The settlement was approved by a judge in California's San Mateo County and is waiting final approval in late August. Attorneys for the plaintiff are confident that the ruling will be upheld.

Apple representatives were not available for comment by press time.