Just passing on the word for those who might not pay attention to news like this like I do.
Apple has initiated a worldwide battery exchange program for certain rechargeable batteries that were sold for use with 15-inch MacBook Pro computer systems from February 2006 through May 2006.
We recently discovered that some 15-inch MacBook Pro batteries supplied to Apple do not meet our high standards for battery performance. To give our users the best experience possible, we will replace these batteries for customers free of charge. [apple]
These exchange programs are relatively painless. Go to the Apple page, find out if you have a battery within the serial number range they are recalling, and fill out the form on the web. Apple ships you the replacement, and all you have to do is put the recalled battery in a prepaid, preaddressed shipping package of some sort. Usually this is done through FedEx, so the final step is tossing it into your nearest drop box or arranging for pick up.
I had a buddy who got bit by this once, not knowing that his power adapter was recalled until it over heated and died. It only took a few days to get the replacement, but if he would have been aware of it before hand, the lack of power for his laptop could have been avoided.