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Samsung Is Cutting the Note 7's Access To Mobile Networks In New Zealand (techcrunch.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: No one can claim there hasn't been ample warning. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 saga dragged out over multiple months, encompassing two recalls, several travel bans and then, ultimately, the untimely end for the troubled handset. Even still, some people just have trouble letting go. Starting November 18, Note 7 owners will not be able to connect to mobile networks in New Zealand, courtesy of a joint effort by Samsung and the The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) to "blacklist" the device. No calls, no texts, no mobile data. Users will still be able to access WiFi, but the device will essentially be turned into a big Samsung iPod Touch. Samsung New Zealand added that it will work to contact all remaining Note 7 owners twice prior to the shut down, "to ensure they have received adequate notice." It remains to be seen whether the company will take similar action in other markets. "Numerous attempts by all providers have been made to contact owners and ask them to bring the phones in for replacement or refund, this action should further aid the return of the remaining handsets," TCF's CEO said in a statement issued today.
Its sort of concerning that Samsung can just reach out and kill your phone, in effect at their whim.
stop the FUD. samsung won't do anything. The carrier will just flag all Note 7 IMEI's so they won't get service. Quite simple and don't need a backdoor to do that
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Reach out and kill your phone? As if having a ticking time bomb of an exploding battery in your pocket is any less concerning?
First of all, the device is recalled: the manufacturer and consumer product regulators have determined it is not acceptably safe to use, even if most users have not experienced any malfunctions. Second, Samsung is refunding the purchase cost of the phone and giving owners a discount on a future phone. Third, Samsung worked with the relevant telecommunications company to "kill" the Note 7. It's not as if Samsung itself has a switch somewhere to disable mobile network access. The telecoms have that power, but it's not any more exceptional or prone to abuse than any wireless provider being able to cut off network access to your device for any reason, such as failing to pay your phone bill.
I PAID for the device - it's MINE and not a threat to the telecommunications infrastructure
Yes but Samsung first responsibility is to ensure the device is not a threat to the user, you. If despite all the publicity around the burning Note 7s you still want to use it, you are not only a threat to yourself but to Samsung as well (who then has to cover trial/injury/... expenses).
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
Gees dude wake up to yourself. There are similar rules for things like hot water services (most people don't know that because big kaboom if pressurised vessel explode due to defective pressure release valve, heating water makes it expand) or cars or planes. Basically recall goes out, you are bound by law to be a part of that recall or the device can no longer be used. They tie those rules to provision of service. You can not hook up a recalled hot water service to the water supply, you can not drive a defective vehicle on public roads and you can not fly a defective plane over public or over other people's land, there are also rules for hooking up appliances to the electrical grid. As such you can no longer hook Note7 to the mobile network because of the mobile risk you present. Grow the fuck up, you are not God, you are just another mud monkey and no matter how stupid you might want to be you are not allowed to put the other mud monkeys at risk, even should they want to be just as idiotic as you. So good move my the New Zealand government, New Zealand telecoms and Samsung.
Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
The company with the most explosive product of the year. The will no doubt sear the competition.