Samsung To Push Software Upgrade Which Will Cap Galaxy Note 7 Battery Charging at 60 Percent (zdnet.com) 120
As Samsung figures out how to tackle the big Note7 fiasco, it has found a temporary solution for existing users of the phone. It plans to roll out an over-the-air (OTA) update on September 20 which would limit the battery charging cap for the Note7 to 60 percent. ZDNET reports: The Over-the-Air (OTA) software upgrade will commence on September 20, 10 am in South Korea. Samsung is in talks with telcos from nine other countries where the phablet is available to deploy a similar software upgrade. Galaxy Note 7 has a battery capacity of 3,500 mAh, but the forced upgrade will enforce it to 2,100 mAh. The measure is meant to protect consumers who are still using the Note7 despite a recommendation to halt use. When the exchange starts on September 19 in South Korea, the tech giant will also offer to pay parts of the data fee.
Overblown (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
"On the news today: 110010001000 has gone missing, along with his new smart phone.
In other news, yet another mysterious explosion has occurred. What is causing them, and what will explode next!?"
Re: (Score:2)
Well... with only 1's and 0's to work with, you either love him or hate him. Apparently his Slashdot Karma had hit an unexpected low, just before we lost contact...
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
I just stocked up on duct tape and tin foil!! Bring it on!!
I just need to remember... don't put the new phone in the back pocket.
*Sits dow
Re: (Score:1)
And this, folks, is the only time you'll ever hear anyone say a slashdotter has a hot ass.
Re: (Score:2)
Sitting in a chair all day may get the hind-end warm, but hot... oh my..
rm -r \home\npslider\Pictures\mental-images
You'd rather the FRONT? (Score:2, Funny)
> don't put the new phone in the back pocket.
You'd prefer the explosion to be in your FRONT pocket?
Some day you'll get out of mom's basement and you'll finally have a use for what's in front.
Re: (Score:2)
Well... I'd prefer the explosion to not happen at all!
And my TWIN toddlers have shown me what happens when what's up front is used in accordance with the user's manual. ;)
Re: (Score:2)
40% less BANG for your buck! (Score:5, Interesting)
Samsung steals 40% of customers' battery life
TFTFY
Why does this solve the problem? (Score:4, Interesting)
The problem is battery terminals manufactured too close together. Why does having 40% less stored energy make the problem any better?
Re: (Score:1)
Instead it will just swell up like a balloon. I was just telling a co-worker earlier today that I'm surprised they didn't release an upgrade to intentionally brick all the devices and prevent any more mishaps/lawsuits.
Re: (Score:2)
Well this is a stop gap measure until you can get a replacement.
So lowering the battery charging limit is far more ethical than having them explode on you.
And if that lack of power is annoying... you should go and get the replacement.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
"He wouldn't have hit Submit if he had exploded..."
"Maybe he was dictating?"
Or maybe it was the last dying twitch of his Posting-finger...
Shouldn't customers get 40% of their money back? (Score:2)
Although I suspect that Samsung will argue that this just that Galaxy 7s will only burn 60% as hot as they would normally.
Re:Shouldn't customers get 40% of their money back (Score:5, Informative)
They're offering customers 100% of their money back, the trouble is getting people to actually return the recalled phones.
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
Re: Shouldn't customers get 40% of their money bac (Score:2)
Sounds like a phenomenal way to get users to never ever update their Android phone again. Yea, I know it's needed. No, that's not how regular users will see it.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
They're offering customers 100% of their money back, the trouble is getting people to actually return the recalled phones.
How does that work if you "bought' the phone as part of a several year long contract? Will Samsung buy out your contract?
Re: (Score:3)
So, this has worked out ok for me, but the note 7 was much better then the s7 edge, so that is a bit of a disappointment.
It also took about 3 hours to do the exchange, which is horrendous.
Re: (Score:2)
yes, you'll get your money back. I traded my wife's note7 for an s7 edge and it just changed the payment.
Then you're still under contract with the phone company. The question was whether Samsung would pay off your contract, so you can be back to where you were before.
Re: (Score:1)
They're offering customers 100% of their money back, the trouble is getting people to actually return the recalled phones.
Especially the guy with the burned-up car...
Re: (Score:2)
Can't you get 100% of your money back by returning it to the store? And Samsung also provides replacements.
Re: (Score:2)
Although I suspect that Samsung will argue that this just that Galaxy 7s will only burn 60% as hot as they would normally.
This is what is known as a Interim Containment Action (ICA). It's merely to prevent more fires before the phones are replaced. A recall has already ordered, and anyone that owns one of these phones can return them for a full refund. [cnet.com]
Re: (Score:2)
Sorry but that would be contractually unfair. Not only are people entitled to a new phone but also the cost of obtaining that new phone (time and cost of going to store), the functionality lost between replacing a phone you can not use and also the labour lost in setting up and adding data to that phone. Samsung is fully liable for all those costs as well. Those costs can be really high and Samsung is contractually liable for them in many regions (they can not legally exempt themselves from those costs tha
Re: (Score:2)
Most people aren't aware of their consumer rights, and companies take advantage of this fact on a regular basis. When i bought some hardware that was DOA a few months ago the company initially asked me to send it back at my own expense, only when i refused and asserted my rights did they organise a courier to collect (which would have cost much less because they will get preferential rates from couriers).
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
On the plus side, the battery will literally last forever. Charging to 90% doubles the life of a LiPo, charging to only 50% eliminates cycle-based aging almost completely (the cells will still degrade, but just as quick as they would if you didn't use them at all). 60% will likely last very long.
Re: (Score:2)
On the plus side, the battery will literally last forever. Charging to 90% doubles the life of a LiPo, charging to only 50% eliminates cycle-based aging almost completely (the cells will still degrade, but just as quick as they would if you didn't use them at all). 60% will likely last very long.
Normally that would be great, but I don't think extending the life of an explody phone is a positive.
Nice, can you do it for your other phones too? (Score:5, Interesting)
I'd love the option to set my various devices' charge/discharge limits to 90% / 10% or 80% / 20%.
Yes, Li-Ion chemistry has improved a lot in the past decade but batteries still degrade faster at 100%.
Re: (Score:3)
I thought most modern devices have moved beyond LiIon to LiPo and all Li devices should maintain their charge due to memory effects, even in modern batteries.
Re: (Score:2)
'Lithium Polymer' is really just a packaging technology, the cells are still lithium-ion and charge and discharge the same as metal housed batteries.
The 'memory effect' in lithium-ion is generally considered negligible, or at least far less significant than the stress caused by charging batteries to capacity.
Re: (Score:2)
LiPo didn't solve the LiIon degradation issues.
The issues have nothing to do with memory effect.
Re: (Score:2)
LiPo didn't solve the LiIon degradation issues. The issues have nothing to do with memory effect.
Not when you have OEMs that could care less about your long term battery life, and sacrifice everything for fast charging times.
Re: (Score:1)
How much more than not caring at all do they care then?
Why none. None at all, as it turns out.
Re: (Score:1)
Whoooosh
No, I got it. I just decided to play along with the sophism.
So, it appears that the "Whoooosh" that you heard was from me.
Re: (Score:2)
Not when you have OEMs that could care less about your long term battery life, and sacrifice everything for fast charging times.
hahahahahah
Okay now that this is done, mobile phones and laptops are no where near the point of sacrificing battery life for charging speed. They are however at the point of melting connectors, providing power in a package the size of a small stack of 50c pieces, and at the upper limit of the USB PD1 specification.
Please put on your thinking cap, not your tinfoil hat.
Re: (Score:1)
I thought most modern devices have moved beyond LiIon to LiPo and all Li devices should maintain their charge due to memory effects, even in modern batteries.
Li-ion and Li-Po batteries have a MUCH reduced "memory effect", relative to earlier Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh batteries. But they DO have the effect to some degree. That 's why Apple encourages users to do a full discharge-recharge cycle at least once a month.
Re: (Score:2)
Li-ion and Li-Po batteries have a MUCH reduced "memory effect", relative to earlier Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh batteries. But they DO have the effect to some degree.
The memory effect is a myth [wikipedia.org], but Lithium Ion batteries eventually go bad permanently if not kept charged, but not overcharged. The apparent memory effect was something caused by charging multiple-cell packs without balancing. You'd get overcharged cells which would result in reverse charging of some cells during the discharge process that was supposed to protect them from memory effect. Now we all have balance chargers for our RC cars and planes and quads, and the only thing we have to worry about is abuse
Re: (Score:1)
Li-ion and Li-Po batteries have a MUCH reduced "memory effect", relative to earlier Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh batteries. But they DO have the effect to some degree.
The memory effect is a myth [wikipedia.org], but Lithium Ion batteries eventually go bad permanently if not kept charged, but not overcharged. The apparent memory effect was something caused by charging multiple-cell packs without balancing. You'd get overcharged cells which would result in reverse charging of some cells during the discharge process that was supposed to protect them from memory effect. Now we all have balance chargers for our RC cars and planes and quads, and the only thing we have to worry about is abuse of battery chemistry. That is to say, damaging the electrolyte by overcharging, excessive charge rate, storing an excessive charge, permitting it to become excessively discharged, or storing it too long with too much or too little charge.
Interesting. I knew some of that, but definitely learned a thing or two.
Re: (Score:2)
Didn't we see an article about exactly that a few days ago? A company talked about not allowing Lio-Ion batteries to charge to 100% to increase their longevity?
Forcing a shutdown when the batteries are at 10% would probably help too, but there's the fact that cellphones can be used in case of emergencies so it's probably not a good idea.
Re: (Score:1)
Didn't we see an article about exactly that a few days ago? A company talked about not allowing Lio-Ion batteries to charge to 100% to increase their longevity?
Forcing a shutdown when the batteries are at 10% would probably help too, but there's the fact that cellphones can be used in case of emergencies so it's probably not a good idea.
IIRC, the magic number is around 85% max charge. 60% is just pure CYA.
But then, Slamdung never could design a decent charging circuit. My work Slamdung laptop burned its batteries to a crisp in short order. Even with using its fancy "Samsung Power" (or whatever the fuck they called it) charging profile, which supposedly stops at 80%, I can get only about 10 minutes (at best!) without having to "plug in or find another power source".
Re: (Score:2)
Forcing a shutdown when the batteries are at 10% would probably help too, but there's the fact that cellphones can be used in case of emergencies so it's probably not a good idea.
All devices which run on a rechargeable lithium battery and are more complex than a cheap vape have low voltage protection. (Even a medium-priced vape has it, too.)
Re: (Score:2)
My Lenovo laptop has an option where instead of the normal mode (if plugged in, laptop charges until 100%), you can select "Battery Longevity" mode. In this mode the laptop will start charging if batter is under 45%, and stop at 50%. So basically the battery will always be between 45 and 50%. This is supposed to greatly increase the lifespan of the battery.
Re: (Score:2)
why cant windows do something like this once a week, say 2am it should stop charging until its 40%, then charge up again. A battery constantly on trickle charge for months on end will not be good - reason for past dead batteries
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
I'd love the option to set my various devices' charge/discharge limits to 90% / 10% or 80% / 20%.
Yes, Li-Ion chemistry has improved a lot in the past decade but batteries still degrade faster at 100%.
That's why Apple has charged their Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries to around 85% for like, forever. As a result, all my various Apple gear has almost identical (and stellar) battery life as the day I got it, even my relatively ancient iPad 2, that I am typing this on. Been using it for around 4 hours continuous mail and web stuff today, and it's sitting at 91% right now.
Apple also encourages users to do a full-discharge-recharge cycle at least once per month (my iPad sees that about once or twice a week), and
Re: (Score:1)
"Apple has charged their Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries to around 85% for like, forever"? You mean, when my iPhone6 says it's 100% charged, it's really only 85% charged? So I actually don't need to worry about overcharging it? I would love to believe this!
Re: (Score:1)
"Apple has charged their Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries to around 85% for like, forever"? You mean, when my iPhone6 says it's 100% charged, it's really only 85% charged? So I actually don't need to worry about overcharging it? I would love to believe this!
I believe that is precisely the case. However, this Apple page [apple.com] explains it a little more clearly. So it appears that they have found that you can charge to 100% without damage, if you drastically change the charge-rate at around 80%.
At least (Score:3)
Re:At least (Score:5, Funny)
It's more convenient to carry around an adaptor than a fire extinguisher...
Re: (Score:1)
Your 60 percent of a phone has a headphone jack.
LOLOLOL. That's GREAT!
Since Samsung has their hands in the software (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
How about turning off TouchWiz as well.
It must be hard not knowing how to download and install software [google.com]
Samsung Representatives (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah, because there aren't any fandroids out there that constantly belittle people using iOS. None whatsoever.
Re: (Score:1)
Pity android users? Isnt the current IOS update bricking iphones? Id rather have a grenade than a brick any day.
1. Better a brick than a bomb, eh?
2. The "bricking" affected a very small number of users, was only temporary, was recoverable by the user (making the term "bricking" somewhat hyperbolic), and lasted one whole HOUR before Apple fixed the problem [wired.com].
Oh, and didn't set any iPhones or iPads on fire...
Kind of a different situation, wouldn't you say? But of course you wouldn't, Hater.
This just shows how broken Android really is. (Score:2, Insightful)
This is a great example of just how broken Android really is. If it was Apple (and MS?), everyone would get this right away, but instead it has to be dealt with carrier by carrier, and if your carrier decides not to allow for the patch ("bandwidth!"), Samsung decides not to work with your carrier, or someone misses an email you won't be getting it at all.
Telcos should have zero
This just shows how broken Telecoms really are. (Score:4, Insightful)
IMHO at this point the solution is regulation to prohibit vertical integration. Phone manufacturers make the phone and only the phone. OS vendors only make the OS. App makers only make apps. Cellular networks only own tower networks. And cellular carriers only provide service (by leasing access to towers and activating phones on their network). That maximizes competition and interoperability.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
IMHO at this point the solution is regulation to prohibit vertical integration. Phone manufacturers make the phone and only the phone. OS vendors only make the OS. App makers only make apps.
Not only is that illegal; but it flies in the face of Apple's iOS business model. And in case you haven't noticed, their's is the ONLY mobile ecosystem that DOES work, especially when it comes to handling issues like timely software fixes.
So now what, Mr. Smarty-Pants Communist?
Re: (Score:1)
Not only is that illegal; but it flies in the face of Apple's iOS business model.
So change the law, and fuck Apple's business model.
Oh, so having an EMBEDDED device with the Hardware and Software designed by the same party is a BAD thing?
You're nuts.
Mr. Smarty-Pants Communist?
That's a comedy reference, you dolt. Look it up.
Meanwhile, your fanatical and slavish devotion to Apple blinds you to the fact that the new IPhone is completely broken for a common use case: listen to music for more than five hours (so you can't use wireless earbuds) and charge phone while listening to music (on train etc.).
Belkin has already fixed that [ubergizmo.com].
Re: This just shows how broken Android really is. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
"Samsung is in talks with telcos from nine other countries where the phablet is available to deploy a similar software upgrade." This is a great example of just how broken Android really is. If it was Apple (and MS?), everyone would get this right away, but instead it has to be dealt with carrier by carrier, and if your carrier decides not to allow for the patch ("bandwidth!"), Samsung decides not to work with your carrier, or someone misses an email you won't be getting it at all.
Telcos should have zero say in when or how you update your device, or have any say in what you do with it in the first place.
Actually, I was thinking how this proves that Android actually CAN push an update in short order... When it suits THEIR purposes.
Samsung deserves every single lost sale because of this.
Meanwhile, iPhone 7 orders are FOUR TIMES of the previous model [cnn.com]. Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that, for a LOT of people, this is the last straw with Android and their shitbox... Well, EVERYTHING?
Re: (Score:1)
So, not being able to use headphones and charge the phone is a real issue for them
Fortunately, Belkin has already fixed the problem [ubergizmo.com]. And knowing China, it will be about 5 nanoseconds before that is copied and sold for 5 Ruan locally.
Total Recall: The Perfect nightmare (Score:3)
All we need to do is load up a bunch of these phones into a fleet of un-recalled Toyota's... we will have out of control racing fire bombs!
Like Boeing? (Score:2)
Isn't that the same fix Boeing used for the 787? I guess Samsung will also send every Note 7 buyer a metal fireproof container to keep the device in.
Samsung Munitions (Score:2)
Samsung really ought to go into the munitions business.
They've already had to recall one of their washing machines which set fire to dozens of houses due to a bad design fault -- now the G7 problem.
Maybe they're not a bad company, they've just missed their calling :-)
Re: (Score:2)
They actually just recently got out of the munitions business.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Sample Samsung
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
They also made fighter jets for a while.
How about being able to do this on all phones? (Score:4, Interesting)
Its interesting that Samsung cobbled together something to do it. I wonder if it is hardware specific, or can be exported to other devices.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
After the article about Sony boosting battery life ( https://hardware.slashdot.org/... [slashdot.org] ) I started looking for a way to stop my phone from charging past 80%. I was hoping to find an Xposed module that covered it, but no such luck. There don't seem to be any apps to do it, either. Its interesting that Samsung cobbled together something to do it. I wonder if it is hardware specific, or can be exported to other devices.
Apple routinely charges all batteries in all systems to around the optimal level of 85%. Has been doing that for years. Maybe that's why all of my current Apple gear, including my 2013 MacBook Pro, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 4s, and even the relatively ancient iPad 2 I'm typing this on, have virtually the same battery life as when they were new. For example, my iPad, which sees HEAVY use every single day, still gets over 10 hours of typical email, web browsing, etc.; actually probably closer to 12 hours.
With L
Re: (Score:1)
Do you spend all day every day slavishly praising Apple or do you actually have a real job?
I do this from my regular job. I'm good enough to do both.
Re: (Score:1)
So, fry cook then?
LOL. Right. You got me!
/. at work. In this particular incarnation, I am employed as a Windows Application Developer.
Sorry, no. If I were a fry cook, I wouldn't likely have a chance to surf
The ad copy writes itself (Score:2)
Understandable (Score:2)
On the face of it, this seems like a questionable move because people are just going to complain about Samsung "stealing" their battery life.
And personally, if people insist on using a device that has a much better than usual chance of killing them, I'd say no problem. We need to stop protecting people from their own stupidity.
But the amount of property damage that an exploding device can cause is pretty darn high, and there's an excellent chance that the property that is damaged doesn't belong to the devi