Student hospitalized after suffering leg burns from pocketed PSP

by Griffin McElroy { Feb 10th 2008 at 3:30PM }

This past month has seen the addition of a number of useful features to Sony's underdog handheld, such as its Skype integration and the soon to be imported GPS functionality. However, a story from a Michigan middle school recently broke the news of a heretofore unannounced ability of the PSP -- instantaneous superheating, with possible leg disfigurement.

Apparently, a student had the system turned off and in his pocket in the middle of band practice when, all of a sudden, it melted through his jean pocket, sending him to the hospital with second-degree burns on his leg. Sony has yet to comment on the incident, though their website reminds PSP owners that using third-party batteries and charging equipment is likely to cause such an accident -- as will playing the trombone within a 5 foot radius of the system, apparently.

In a beautiful showing of coincidence, the game occupying the system at the time of the meltdown supposedly was, you guessed it, Burnout Dominator.

Tags: accident, burn, explosion, fire, michigan, psp, psp2000, school

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 3:35PM

What firmware version give this functionality?

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 3:48PM

I would say probably Pandora's Battery gave this functionality...

Let's not forget one PSP owner exploded his battery by using a radio shack charger... technology is not exactly fragile but you can't feel sorry for idiots. Just remember, thousands of years ago, they would have tried defeating bears with leaves. Nowadays, we've defeated evolution and bears are no longer a threat, enter "Technology... the idiots natural predator."

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 3:51PM

Yeah sheppy... but what about pedobears... there still not technology against them =)

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 3:58PM

The catholic priests have found quite an effective defense against the pedobears. Of course it usually involves sacrificed a loved/abused one but they get away safely.

As for me, I'm grown. I need no defense against the pedobears. I usually point them towards nurseries anyway, because I'm a Chaotic Evil and that's how we roll.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 4:05PM

D&D FTW!!!

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 4:15PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RePL0iLe9I

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 4:26PM

Thanks FiliousWong....fraking LOL HELLarious.

upz @ Feb 10th 2008 8:59PM

Fid, are you Sheppy with a new name? By the way, I just finally realized what the hell your avatar is.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Feb 10th 2008 3:37PM

From the people that brought you the exploding laptop batteries proudly present.........

jamma @ Feb 10th 2008 5:52PM

Stop FLAMEbaiting!!

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Feb 10th 2008 8:42PM

oh shush, it's hilarious and you know it.

jamma @ Feb 11th 2008 11:23AM

Evidently people are not getting the intended FLAME pun.
I did indeed laugh at his post, a lot

Tranando @ Feb 10th 2008 3:37PM

I suppose (if this is true, and not the usual Microsoft FUD), it's not as bad as Xboxes burning down your house...

HighFiveJesus @ Feb 10th 2008 3:40PM

And killing your infant. Don't forget that case.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 3:41PM

I love my stalkers! They took time of their lifes just to bash me...

They make avatars, change names, create new accounts...

=)

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 3:42PM

That case was hilarious....

Completely inexcusable behavior but damn did he try. I just can't WAIT to hear about all the anal rapage he'll get in prison for beating a little girl to death.

qo_op @ Feb 10th 2008 4:41PM

We dont stalk you, we merely take all the Fud that comes out of your mouth and shine light of truth upon it. Almost like superheroes......

mr nimblewick @ Feb 10th 2008 5:04PM

"shine light of truth upon it"

You aren't seriously that delusional, right?

qo_op @ Feb 10th 2008 5:13PM

When Fernando makes comments like this:

Fernando Rocker
Jan 27th 2008
3:32PM

"I hope that this game fails(FFXIII), together with MGS4 and Killzone 2 (really)"

I mean, cmon this guy needs to be banned or at least hung.

fluffbox @ Feb 10th 2008 7:58PM

THAT IS TOTALLY REASONABLE

timnc @ Feb 11th 2008 9:14AM

Wow you guys are ultra sensitive. I've never seen Fernando say anything that deserves the kind of remarks against him I see here. All I see is him stating an opinion, and everyone else attacking him.

Doesn't everyone have an opinion or some bias? Why single out Fernando for that?

--timnc
http://timnc.com

GRANTED @ Feb 11th 2008 9:53AM

i dont mind fernando so much as i hate fuckers who post comments just to spam their shitty websites

timnc @ Feb 11th 2008 11:14AM

I choose to be open and let everyone freely read my thoughts and opinions instead of hiding behind an alias and flaming others. If that makes me a spammer, then I've been using the term wrong all this time.

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 3:38PM

Wow, I sent this tip in a week ago. As well as the Gamefaqs poster who burned down a church was sent in early Friday morning...

That tips lines is TEH rock!

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 3:43PM

Joystiq, you are about as fast as a three-toed sloth. C'mon this happened billions and billions of years ago. What story will you report next?

This just in.....
Sony's successor to the wildly popular PS2 will be priced at $499 U.S. dollars for the 20gb system and $599 U.S. dollars for the 60gb system.

I do not remember who said it but I am starting to think you really DO HOLD BACK certain stories until you can post them so that a proper flame War ensues. Kinda like the BIG N holding back key titles for marketing reasons.

Oh well, I am sure Fernando's will have a field day with this one.

JakubK666 @ Feb 10th 2008 3:46PM

Company mistakes deserve to be mocked. I can't imagine you NOT bashing 360's in one of the RROD posts.

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 3:50PM

But we don't know that this battery incident WAS a company mistake....

After all, aside from the radio Shack charger incident, this IS the first burning battery on PSP. One in 30+ million doesn't seem like a rampant problem.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 3:52PM

What? Me? No, never in a million years. What's a RROD? I am not saying Joystiq should NOT report this story, all I am saying is that this story broke about a week ago. Why post it now?

From my understanding, it was a third party battery that caused the damage, so if that is the case...then Sony has nothing to do with this unfortunate mishap. If it turns out that a Sony battery was in place...then Sony should buy the boy a snowcone.

playwhutyalike @ Feb 10th 2008 3:56PM

Buy him a sno-cone and put it on his 2nd degree burn.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 3:57PM

But Ken!... You are the creator of the PSP... why dont you create the PSP with compatibility with third party batteries???

It was obvious that other companies are going to make accesories for your system.

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 4:02PM

Yeah, Fernando...

"• Do not use any battery other than the Nintendo DS Lite rechargeable battery, Model No. USG-003. A replacement battery may be ordered through Nintendo's web site at www.nintendo.com (USA/Canada only) or by calling Customer Service at 1-800 255-3700."

Well shit... there goes that point. Oh well, try again some other time.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 4:08PM

"But Ken!... You are the creator of the PSP... why dont you create the PSP with compatibility with third party batteries???"

Because I don't like them. My friend does'nt like you. I don't like you either. You better watch yourself...

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 4:09PM

I'm scared =(

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 4:11PM

Hey, where o where is my stalker? Can someone help me find him? Perhaps you can Fernando's. He goes by the same name, and same avatar...(I know, such originality) and says really stupid things that are NOT funny. You cannot click on his name he has made it private (pussy)

I mean at least the Fernando's stalker changed up his avatar and is funny.

Waaaah, I want a better stalker.

Praise be to stalkers.

JakubK666 @ Feb 10th 2008 4:13PM

@ Fernando Rocker

The Ken is a lie.

Scotto @ Feb 10th 2008 4:14PM

FidliousWong: Every console manufacturer has that warning about using 3rd party batteries, to absolve themselves of any liability. It doesn't mean that 3rd party batteries won't and shouldn't work.

It story also doesn't even state that he was using an unofficial battery. It states that was all Sony had to say in response to the story.

Kayrazy Ken: This story "broke" 4 days ago, which is a few short of a billion. And as with many submission-based news sites, it is entirely possible that they simply didn't get to it until now.

And now for my own comment:

What gives with Sony products and lithium polymer batteries?

- Scott

JakubK666 @ Feb 10th 2008 4:17PM

@ Ken

How much of a fanboy do I need to be to get my own Stalker? Does being Polish-Born,British-based increase my chances of having one?(like in Fernando's case)

FidliousWong @ Feb 10th 2008 4:20PM

"Every console manufacturer has that warning about using 3rd party batteries, to absolve themselves of any liability. It doesn't mean that 3rd party batteries won't and shouldn't work."

Actually... that's EXACTLY what that means. First party goes through quality standards. Third party is often bought in bulk from bootleg markets. You're saving that $10 on the battery for a reason, because it's shit. All companies warn about third party accessories because they are not thoroughly tested. Trust me this, a Pelican gamecube controller shorted out my AC Adapter. In fact, to become a licensee on your acessories, you're essentially paying to have Sony, MS, or Nintendo test your product to make sure it works.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 4:27PM

@Ken

And how is your friend Phil? Is he recovered now from the ownage that Reggie gave to him?

Its still a classic!

"Waiting for the Miyamoto keynote to start, I’m sitting three rows from the front. Close enough to see Nintendo’s resident BMOC, Reggie Fils-Aime at the front of the crowd, working it with his trademark smile and good will. He poses for pictures, he signs Wiimotes, he presses the flesh with a goodnatured ease that would make even the most seasoned politician weep with envy.

"Kick his ass and take his name!" someone shouted from a few rows behind me.

"Who?" answered Reggie in mid-autograph.

"Phil Harrison, front row!" Sure enough, there was Phil Harrison, seated dead center, front row. Looks like he could show up on time for Nintendo’s keynote, but not Sony’s.

With a grin and a chuckle, Reggie replies, "Some would say we’ve already done that."

Touchdown. The crowd goes wild.

Scotto @ Feb 10th 2008 4:34PM

FidliousWong: Oh c'mon man. You save money on 3rd party peripherals, because they don't have the Sony logo on them. Same as any other "off-brand" product ever made in the history of Western society.

Products, and ESPECIALLY toxic, flammable items like batteries, have to go through rigorous testing to be certified and sold.

Just because the company doing the testing isn't Sony, doesn't automatically make the battery "shit". In fact, given Sony's unfortunate history with lithium ion battery quality, you could almost say that is a positive thing.

And once again, there is nothing indicating he was even using a 3rd party battery anyway.

- Scott

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 4:36PM

"And how is your friend Phil? Is he recovered now from the ownage that Reggie gave to him?"

Do not worry about Phil, Reggie will be crying soon enough when LBP releases this fall baby yeah....schwing Basil....groovy yeah.

You can have your GameCube in a new dress, I will take the most diverse gaming *library* with by FAR the largest pool of talent of 1st and 2nd party developers.
Not now eediots, but definitely by the end of 2008.

2008 the year the PS3 will dominate.

Praise be to exploding batteries

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2008 4:42PM

2006.- The PS3 will crush the Wii.

2007.- The Wii is fad... it will not last until the holidays... this is the year of the PS3... just wait until Lair, Heavenly, Ratchet...

2008.- The Wii is a fad... all fads last 2 years... 2008 is the year of the PS3... just wait until MGS4, Killzone 2 and LBP (buT iz fOr teH kidzz!)

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 10th 2008 5:01PM

'2006.- The PS3 will crush the Wii."

Yes s'odnanreF, I love it when you pull FUD out of your ass. From what I remember back here on planet Earth, 2006 after E3 is when all the Sony bashing began. E3 2006 also saw very long lines to play the Wii (which confirmed that the system will be popular) in fact the ONLY game for PS3 that showed any promise was Heavenly Sword.

"2007.- The Wii is fad... it will not last until the holidays... this is the year of the PS3... just wait until Lair, Heavenly, Ratchet..."

Again, more FUD from s'odnanreF. I do not remember anyone saying that 2007 was the year of the PS3, I kinda remember hearing that 2007 will be the year of the 360...but hey, what do I know.
Yes, Lair, HS and Ratchet were placed as the PS3's 2007 heavy hitters. Lair was gorgeous but fatally flawed with confusing and repetitive game play along with motion control only. As for HS and RaC? Both were awesome games that gave a peek as to what was in store for the PS3. The crown jewel of 2007 was Uncharted, which I find kinda funny you failed to mention.

"2008.- The Wii is a fad... all fads last 2 years... 2008 is the year of the PS3... just wait until MGS4, Killzone 2 and LBP (buT iz fOr teH kidzz!)"

Finally we agree. 2008 WILL BE the year of the PS3 as will 2009, and 2010 and so on. Just like when the PS2 really started to stretch it's legs in 2002 so will it be with the PS3.

I doubt you will find many people here that will say that the PS3's 2008 lineup is NOT the most impressive of the big tree companies. (except you of course)

Tootles Hair Pie....and San kyu