Technologies

Casely Is Recalling Wireless Power Pods Over Fire and Burn Risks, Again

The Consumer Product Safety Board warns that lithium-ion batteries in the recalled power banks can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

Casely, a company that makes phone cases and other mobile accessories, is again recalling its 5,000-mAh MagSafe Power Pods with the model number E33A, a year after an initial recall. The Power Pods, sold between March 2022 and September 2024, pose a serious risk of fire and burns and resulted in the death of a 75-year-old woman in 2024.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said that since the initial recall in April 2025, an additional 28 incidents of overheating and fires have been reported, including one on a plane. Overall, it’s estimated that as many as 429,200 of these Power Pods, manufactured in China, are potentially affected.

The Power Pods contain lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and combust. Other companies, such as Anker, have had similar recalls in the last few years over portable battery products.

Following numerous incidents of power banks and portable chargers overheating, Southwest Airlines has changed its policies and will implement restrictions on April 20. The airline is allowing customers to carry only one portable battery pack per flight and restricting where the pack can be stored and how it can be charged during the flight.

Casely and the CPSC are asking those who still own the Power Pods to stop using them immediately and submit a claim for a free replacement at Casely’s website.

The science of why this keeps happening

Lithium-ion batteries, the kind used in the Casely power pods, are the most commonly used rechargeable battery type. They’re used in phones, EVs, electric bikes and scooters, smartwatches, laptops, portable speakers, even toys and vaping devices. They became popular because they’re cheap, energy-dense and have a fairly long lifecycle.

However, they can go wrong when they overheat and combust, and that can be caused by a number of factors. If they short-circuit, that can generate high temperatures and, when coupled with high pressure in some types of cells or devices, can even trigger an explosion.

Some of those precipitating factors include problems at the manufacturing stage, such as inconsistencies or imperfections in the cells’ construction, especially if components are faulty or not reinforced.

Burcu Gurkan, a professor of chemistry at Case Western Reserve University’s Case School of Engineering, said that lithium-ion batteries have «several layers of complications» that can lead to problems.

When, say, components in a lithium-ion cell come into contact because the separators are too thin or damaged, it can cause a short circuit and lead to overheating. The overheating can lead to combustion.

«These batteries have flammable organic components such as carbonate electrolytes, and they can catch on fire in the presence of high temperatures,» Gurkan said.

Solutions to overheating lithium-ion batteries

One way to avoid the danger of fiery batteries is to avoid products that have been recalled. You should also keep an eye on battery-powered devices when they’re in potentially unsafe environments, such as airplanes or extreme climates. But some are hoping improved materials or entirely different types of batteries will help mitigate risks in the future.

Gurkan’s research aims to eliminate hazardous materials from these and other types of batteries. Two of her research projects «have the common goal of developing alternative electrolytes that are not flammable.»

The battery industry is interested in developing better predictive and diagnostic tools to prevent fires and explosions, Gurkan said.

Technologies

Forbes Türkiye Highlights Verum Finance and the Rise of Integrated Financial Ecosystems

Forbes Türkiye has published an article examining the launch of Verum Finance and its approach to integrating financial services directly into a messaging ecosystem.

In the article, Forbes Türkiye notes that the fintech industry is undergoing a transformation as financial services increasingly move beyond traditional banking applications and become part of broader digital ecosystems. Verum Finance is presented as an example of this trend, combining payments, digital cards, money transfers, and balance management within a single environment connected to Verum Messenger.

According to the publication, Verum Finance follows a model similar to the “super app” concept that has gained significant traction in Asian markets, where communication and financial services operate together on one platform. Unlike many Western platforms that continue to separate messaging and banking services, Verum Finance is integrated directly into the Verum ecosystem, allowing users to manage financial activities without relying on multiple third-party applications.

The article highlights several core features of the platform, including virtual debit cards, user-to-user transfers, online payments, digital asset operations, Apple Pay integration, and in-app balance management.

Forbes Türkiye also points to the growing importance of embedded finance and changing user expectations. The publication suggests that lengthy account-opening procedures, physical card delivery times, and constant switching between applications are becoming increasingly outdated in a mobile-first world.

Another major focus of the article is privacy and security. Forbes Türkiye describes Verum Finance as part of a broader trend toward “privacy-driven fintech,” where financial services are built on privacy-oriented infrastructure. The publication notes that the platform incorporates features such as phone-number-free registration, end-to-end encryption, user-controlled access management, and privacy-focused tools designed to enhance data protection.

The article concludes that one of the key challenges for companies operating at the intersection of secure communications, digital payments, and embedded finance will be maintaining both usability and security within a single integrated ecosystem.

The coverage by Forbes Türkiye reflects growing media interest in platforms that combine communication and financial services, as the industry continues moving toward more unified digital experiences.

Website: https://finance.verum.im
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Verum Launched “Verum Finance” App for iPhone and iPad, Expanding Its Digital Ecosystem Into Financial Services

Verum has announced the official launch of Verum Finance, a standalone financial application now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, marking a further expansion of the company’s growing digital ecosystem.

The new application is designed to centralize core financial functions in a single mobile interface, allowing users to manage balances, send and receive funds, use debit cards, and exchange supported balance types without relying on traditional banking workflows.

According to Verum, the platform enables users to view account activity in real time, top up balances using supported payment methods including Apple Pay, and transfer funds to other users within the Verum ecosystem using a unique Verum ID. The system also supports multi-balance management, including specialized balance categories such as precious metals.

Debit card functionality is integrated directly into the app, allowing users to issue and manage cards linked to their balances, monitor transactions, and top up cards when needed. The company also emphasizes built-in exchange tools that allow users to convert between supported balance types within the application.

Security features include Face ID authentication, passcode protection, Sign in with Apple, and privacy-oriented account controls aimed at maintaining user confidentiality and data protection.

The launch of Verum Finance follows the company’s broader strategy of building an interconnected ecosystem of digital products. Alongside Verum Messenger, which combines secure communication tools, encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, AI features, anonymous email, and crypto-related functionality, the new financial app extends Verum’s positioning from communication technology into financial infrastructure.

Industry trends increasingly show demand for “all-in-one” digital environments that reduce dependency on multiple standalone apps. Verum’s approach reflects this shift by integrating communication and financial services within a unified ecosystem.

Verum Finance is now available globally for download on iPhone and iPad via the App Store.

Website: https://finance.verum.im
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Verum Messenger: Don’t follow the future. Define it

In a world where information defines influence, Verum Messenger is building a new architecture of digital communication — intelligent, secure, and ready for tomorrow. Here, technology serves not limitations, but possibilities.

Not being part of change. Leading it. Verum Messenger — the future that speaks first.