No matter how many times Samsung tells its users to take advantage of the exchange program for the Galaxy Note 7 in order to prevent further “damage”, people apparently still use the phablet. This is despite worldwide reports of the battery overheating and even catching on fire, which forced the global recall of the once promising device. Now the OEM is considering bricking the device so that people would stop using it and return it once and for all. Well, at least in South Korea.
Samsung has said that they will be releasing a software update for the Galaxy Note 7 which will brick the device so you won’t be able to use. Currently, you won’t be able to charge the battery beyond 60% in South Korea and you cannot charge it at all in the global market, including the US and Europe. A spokesperson said that while they’re 90% in the exchange rate in Korea, they still want to give chance to the other 10% to finally return their faulty device.
They will be extending the exchange program until the end of January and they already have the support of SK Telecom, the largest mobile carrier in the country, with KT and LG UPlus to follow. There are still around 100,000 Galaxy S7 units that have still not be returned by this time. They’ve even come up with incentives to get people to return their units, like giving credits that can be used when the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 are already available for purchase next year. But these rewards will only be offered until the end of December.
It’s funny how some users would rather risk their batteries catching on fire, all for the “joy” of still using the Galaxy Note 7. Or maybe they’re not yet convinced that this is a real danger and that those were just isolated incidents. If you’re one of those, you better listen to the manufacturer themselves and return your device.
VIA: The Investor
Why do sites keep running fake news like this? Samsung can’t force anyone to accept the ridiculous “system update” any user of any smartphone device knows you can forever reject/delay any update you don’t want to install. Now that the word is out on what this “update” does, namely disable your phone, why would anyone who intends to keep running their Note 7 accept the damn “update”? Makes no sense. Who is going to physically force owners to accept the “update”, the Samsung Phone Police? Come on, get real! Dumb.
I dont see this as fake news, and why would anyone keep the note 7? It is a dangerous device and pose risks not only to the user but someone else. Imagine getting into a plane with someone using Note 7…. yeah
Headline says “Samsung may brick Note 7 to force return…” being that the way all Android devices are programed to prevent any form of program (“system upgrades” included) from being force installed or otherwise installed without the owner manually accepting said program it is therefore impossible for Samsung to force anything. Thus the headline is literally false, the definition of fake news. Your acceptance of what is hard cold reality has zero impact on those facts The pros and cons of using said device also have zero impact on the physical impossibly of Samsung or anyone else forcing users to accept manually an “upgrade” that would go contrary to their personal preferences. You appear to confuse emotionalism with literally reality. If you feel you have secret Intel on how something like this could be technically possible to force on users as the headline falsely suggests please do present the particulars.
I work in computer programming and know that is impossible baring a specialized virus who’s introduction to the Android network would violate numerous FCC regulations and Electronic Frontier laws. Basic Android security programing is designed to prevent just what this article is suggesting because such a virus program could be used to insert or remove remotely from devices any number of secure system data and compromise the entire network.