It’s fair to say that Samsung didn’t necessarily have a great year especially given its Note 7 fiasco that forced the company to issue a recall. This later resulted in the device being banned altogether. The company since then has been opting for ways to revive its lost glory. On one hand, reports marked the end of the line for the company’s Galaxy Note range, there were already rumours suggesting that the company’s Galaxy S8 was already shaping up for a launch next year.
While fans anticipated and thrived on rumours regarding the speculated device’s information, Samsung decided to eliminate existing Note 7’s ability to function. “Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we’ve had overwhelming participating in the US Note 7 Refund and Exchange Program so far, with more than 93 per cent of all recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices returned,” Samsung said in a statement. “To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19 that will prevent US Galaxy Note 7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices,” the company added.
This move however, has not been taken well by US Carrier, Verison. Jeffery Nelson, VP of Global Communications explained, “Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note 7 users that do not have another device to switch to. We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 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.”
Samsung’s decision to bring Galaxy Note 7 handsets has undeniably brought the Note 7 issue back in the lime-light. The question of whether this will impact the company’s future moves regarding any of their devices remains unanswered. “The news that Samsung would simply switch off the phones it wants back is harsh, brutal and opens up questions about the company’s competency and compassion,” Forbes reported.
