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Samsung to Brick Unreturned Galaxy Note7 Devices With Software Update
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Now if it played the Mission Impossible theme, and showed a countdown, and spewed smoke all over the place - that would be COOL!
They are bricking them to prevent lawsuits, thier are not concerned about people holding onto them as collectibles . And given the nature of the fault, they are doing the right thing. You get a full refund , but yeah you can be upset you don't make money from selling on a dangerous device
Not sure if it has been posted yet, but Verizon plans to block the update:
http://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-statement-regarding-samsung-galaxy-note7
http://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-statement-regarding-samsung-galaxy-note7
Today, Samsung announced an update to the Galaxy Note7 that would stop the smartphone from charging, rendering it useless unless attached to a power charger. Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note7 users that do not have another device to switch to. We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation. (Source: VZW).
If it were my family member and they had one of these phones I'd be more concerned they weren't responding because of the fire risk not because of a software update to protect them.
Fires
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They raise a good point. Have to balance the risk between someone being stuck in a dangerous situation without a working phone when they need it, vs. the likelihood the phone will burst into flames.
I agree. But I bet from Samsung's perspective this will force the remaining owners to get a refund or a newer phone. So Samsub probably believes, no loss will actually be incurred.
I thought the same thing... But at the end of the day, I think the carrier needs to honor the firmware updates the manufacturer wants to deploy. The carrier is just the delivery system in all of this. I don't think it's their job to second-guess what the manufacturer wants to do.
If Verizon leaves one of these phones working and it does go up in flames over the holidays, Samsung will still be the "go to" that has to deal with the resulting lawsuit for damages. Except NOW, Samsung can turn around and put all the blame back on Verizon for failing to push the update they tried to push to prevent the problem.
The risk of someone being stuck in a dangerous situation without a working phone? Well, let's face it. That could happen to almost ALL cellular users at any given time and place, given the uncertainty of getting a good signal and not getting a dropped call! These days, I'm sure a Galaxy Note 7 owner who found their device "bricked" by surprise could find SOMEBODY else in the vicinity with a working phone to call out on.
If Verizon leaves one of these phones working and it does go up in flames over the holidays, Samsung will still be the "go to" that has to deal with the resulting lawsuit for damages. Except NOW, Samsung can turn around and put all the blame back on Verizon for failing to push the update they tried to push to prevent the problem.
The risk of someone being stuck in a dangerous situation without a working phone? Well, let's face it. That could happen to almost ALL cellular users at any given time and place, given the uncertainty of getting a good signal and not getting a dropped call! These days, I'm sure a Galaxy Note 7 owner who found their device "bricked" by surprise could find SOMEBODY else in the vicinity with a working phone to call out on.
My friend and his wife bought two Note7 by direct purchase using credit card...
They've been trying for months to return but their calls were put on hold for hours everytime.
They emailed Samsung and the reply told them to call. But the call always get put on hold indefinitely.
So my friend is holding about $2K worth of equipment knowing he can't use them.
They've been trying for months to return but their calls were put on hold for hours everytime.
They emailed Samsung and the reply told them to call. But the call always get put on hold indefinitely.
So my friend is holding about $2K worth of equipment knowing he can't use them.
But if they take the affirmative step of dispatching Samsung's update, and someone dies because their phone stopped working and they could not call an ambulance or the police, then verizon is on the hook.
Some total ignorant guy I follow on Twitter (he's a YouTuber) was being all "SAMSUNG CAN'T BRICK MY NOTE 7. I'VE STRESSED TESTED IT AND IT DIDN'T BLOW UP WHY CAN'T I KEEP IT". Never heard anything so ridiculous. Why would you even want that device in your house if you can't trust it not to blow up in your face?
Wasn't the failure rate something like 1 in 40,000?
Maybe they figured their odds were pretty good.
I read some comments from owners who kept them. They quite simply didn't think there was any other device that met their needs.
According to recent surveys, most Note owners are apparently extremely loyal. They'll buy another the moment Samsung comes out with a new model.
(I think the same thing would happen if an iPhone model had major problems. People also still buy Fords and Chevys and Hondas and Toyotas even after major problems.)
It's only 1 type of phone. Although it happened in the past as well, but not like this current model.
What if someone wasn't aware of the battery issues, went camping, needed a phone but there's became bricked?They are bricking them to prevent lawsuits, thier are not concerned about people holding onto them as collectibles . And given the nature of the fault, they are doing the right thing. You get a full refund , but yeah you can be upset you don't make money from selling on a dangerous device
To be honest, if they have heard nothing have the Note 7 after all the news and hype thaat is going around, then they don't know how to use a Smart Phone at all. Haha. Samsung e-mailed customers about it, also, carriers sent out notices. It was hard to miss. So if they own a Note 7 and have no idea what is going on, then I personally don't think they are using there Samsun right...Haha. I
I disagree with Verizon on this one
Samsung has given people plenty of time and opportunity to exchange or refund their phone
If anything at all were to happen moving forward it'd be on Verizon at that time and not Samsung. Whether Samsung is doing it for lawsuits or not, it's not an easy decision to make and at least they are cleaning up their own mess
Samsung has given people plenty of time and opportunity to exchange or refund their phone
If anything at all were to happen moving forward it'd be on Verizon at that time and not Samsung. Whether Samsung is doing it for lawsuits or not, it's not an easy decision to make and at least they are cleaning up their own mess
First with a buttonless (home) phone?
You mean like every Google Nexus phone since 2011?
I heard it was because of the thin design of the phone, the battery was too close to the components.
You have been camping for a very long time, and if you were using it everyday and charging it since launch, very good change it caught fire by now
it's quite a serious flaw....Would you prefer the use a device that can burst into fire or have it bricked, I'll choose brick and refund.
