Amazon has issued an urgent warning over its Echo Buds earphones, saying there is risk they could overheat while being charged.
The product was released earlier this year as a direct competitor to Apple’s AirPods Pro.
But in an email sent to customers today, and seen by Sky News, users are told to install “an important update”.
“We recently determined that in very rare cases it is possible for Echo Buds to overheat while in the charging case,” the email says.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have released a software update that addresses this potential safety risk and improves the long-term performance of Echo Buds’ batteries.”
The email to customers requests that, if they have purchased the earphones for someone else, they immediately notify that person and provide them with the update information.
In a statement to Sky News, the company said: “The safety of our customers is our top priority.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have released a software update addressing this potential issue and have contacted affected customers.”
The product uses lithium ion batteries.
In the past, lithium ion batteries in other products have caught fire when overheating, although it is not clear if this has happened with any Echo Buds.
Customers will be able to apply the software update by using the Alexa app to ensure they are running software version 318119151 or higher.
Customers who do not have the Alexa app will need to download it in order to update the devices.
The Echo Buds have many of the same features as Apple’s AirPods Pro, including Bose active noise reduction technology.