Hey, keep in mind when Snapchat launched that cool little drone that would fly round you as you walked and take movies in your Snaps, then fold up right into a tiny sq. that match into your bag?

That appeared fairly cool, proper? So it was one thing of a shock when Snap stopped manufacturing of the gadget simply 4 months after launch, ostensibly as a part of broader cost-cutting measures.

Nicely, now we’ve discovered that there could have been one other concern with the Pixy gadget, with Snap issuing a full recall of the drone on account of considerations that the batteries may spark a fireplace.

The recall particularly pertains to the separate rechargeable battery that got here with the gadget.

As per the recall discover on the U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee web site:

“Shoppers ought to instantly cease utilizing the Pixy Flying Digital camera, take away the battery and cease charging it. Shoppers ought to then go to www.pixy.com for directions on tips on how to take part within the recall, obtain a refund of the acquisition worth, and get rid of the battery in accordance with native and state laws. The Pixy flying digital camera and different Pixy equipment are additionally individually eligible for a refund of the acquisition worth.”

The recall discover says that Snap has acquired 4 studies of the battery overheating and bulging, “leading to one minor battery fireplace and one minor harm”.

Those that presently have a Pixy drone can study extra concerning the course of right here.

As reported by The Verge, Snap had bought 71,000 Pixy models earlier than it was discontinued again in 2022, so the recall gained’t be widespread. Nevertheless it’s one other headache for Snap, which is already coping with varied cutbacks and enterprise rationalization measures, because of the broader downturn within the digital promoting market.

As such, the price of a recall is one thing the corporate positively doesn’t want.

To be clear, there’s nothing to recommend that Snap was conscious of any points with the Pixy battery when it initially discontinued manufacturing, however it can now must facilitate refunds of any returned units, whereas additionally coping with compensation in incident circumstances.