Nokia adds anti-counterfeiting features to batteries

Add cellphone batteries to the list of products manufacturers are trying to brand more aggressively. Stung by an exploding growing market for counterfeit batteries, Nokia has announced that they will begin branding their batteries with a holographic logo and a hidden serial number that customers can verify either online or via a text message. (At least they're still letting consumers use third-party batteries, unlike NEC, which actually locks them out.) Low-quality aftermarket batteries have been blamed for calamities from poor power levels to exploding phones. But the real issue for companies like Nokia may just be that third-party batteries are a lot cheaper than branded ones.