Thousands of Note 7 Phones Still in Use On Verizon, All Non-911 Calls To Be Rerouted To Customer Service (cnet.com) 139
Thousands of Verizon customers continue to use the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, the carrier said. This despite the widely publicized recalls spurred by battery fire concerns and a software upgrade designed to kill the phone by preventing it from recharging. From a report: "In spite of our best efforts, there are still customers using the recalled phones who have not returned or exchanged their Note 7 to the point of purchase," a Verizon spokeswoman said. "The recalled Note 7s pose a safety risk to our customers and those around them." So now Verizon is fighting fire with fire, so to speak. The carrier plans to reroute all non-911 outgoing calls to its customer service line, and it might bill the holdouts for the full retail cost of the phone.
Phone Calls? (Score:2)
Who uses their cell phones for phone calls anyway?
Re:Phone Calls? (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:1)
I also use my Note 7 to call my wife at work. Since she works in Verizon customer service, now I never need to remember the hotline number!
Re: (Score:2)
If you work at Verizon customer service (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
But what happens if you like that sort of thing?
Hardware store - >Hose Clamps...
Large zip ties if you're really ballsy...
and don't care if you stay that way...
Re: (Score:3)
They use them for LTE. All 3G/CDMA traffic is identified by hardware EMEI.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
There must be some sort of data protocol where the phone sends the info over LTE to register it. This is news to me, but that definitely simplifies things. CDMA still has no way of using SIM cards as far as I'm aware.
Re: (Score:2)
HYPER BOWL much?! (Score:2)
yeah, I know that wrecks your quote. This is slashdot, where technically correct is the best kind of correct.
Re: (Score:2)
Depends on which part of the world you live.
Re: (Score:2)
protip: thousands < millions yeah, I know that wrecks your quote. This is slashdot, where technically correct is the best kind of correct.
What part of "as if" escaped your attention, young padawan? You see, the phrase "as if" implies an hypothetical scenario and should not be confused with a declarative statement like, "Millions of voices dialed out...". I know that wrecks your attempt at pendantry. Maybe you should stick with the blaster.
Re: (Score:2)
The work is dead. The automation is the work. Long live the work.
Re: (Score:2)
If you didn't turn it in, you didn't get a refund. Those that have them have paid for them (though some may have been at subsidized prices).
Re: (Score:2)
federally mandated recall
The recall notice [cpsc.gov] says clearly that consumers should stop using and power down.
The device related problems are an issue between the end-user and Samsung, not Verizon. Verizon has no business interfering in the legal use of a legally purchased device. To Verizon's network, it is irrelevant what device I would use, and therefore Verizon would be in breach of contract for turning of services I am paying for. Unless of course, Verizon can demonstrate how the use of a Samsung Note 7 device is interfering with
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Verizon's lawyers would cross-claim Samsung's, and besides having to pay their own attorneys to make required court appearances and monitor the case, that would pretty much be the limit of Verizon's liability. Sure, in theory, Verizon could be held liable for the full amount under the doctrine of joint & several liability... but that really only matters when the company with primary responsibility is judgment-proof (bankrupt, out of business, etc). Samsung is one of the largest conglomerates on Earth, a
Verizon is going to get in trouble (Score:5, Interesting)
I have a coworker who's holding on to his Note 7. He's been staying on top of all of this. It appears that after a recall, a company cannot require nor continue requiring payment for a recalled device. Some may argue that he has a loan he still owes Verizon, but it appears also that Samsung bought out all those loans.
There has been no word from Verizon that they will prorate service contracts since they are effectively disabling service...that's gotta be some kind of illegal.
I haven't confirmed any of the above, as I don't care, but I do find it interesting.
I think Verizon and the other carriers have done all they should do for the recall; my coworker even got the fire-proof box shipped to his house for the return. He likes the phone, he knows about the (extremely minor) risk, and wants to keep the phone. All Verizon is doing with this is pissing off those few thousand customers.
Re:Verizon is going to get in trouble (Score:5, Insightful)
And when your coworker's house burns down, and his insurance company refuses to pay because he knowingly kept using a device that was a fire risk, maybe he'll grow up and decide that "I know better than the engineers at the manufacturer" is a stupid fucking game to play.
Re: (Score:2)
The phone is banned from airplanes.
If he's willing to ignore a recall order from the manufacturer, and proactively block an update that would disable the device he has, how likely do you think he is to heed a sign hanging in an airport?
Re: (Score:2)
There is none. (Score:2)
Right now, the closest device is a downgrade.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
IF he keeps the phone at home, AND he can guarantee that any fire damage will be confined to his own property AND he doesn't have guests come over without warning them of the risk, then yes.
He will also need to be prepared to continue making his mortgage payments on the burned out shell.
Re: (Score:2)
Meh. Anything can be insured, including a dwelling with a closet full of firey hoverboards and a Note 7 with the factory-standard autoignition feature.
It's just an additional risk that needs to be accounted for.
Re: (Score:3)
Do you think the guy is actually going to call his insurance company and tell them that he has that phone and to please raise his rates?
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Verizon is going to get in trouble (Score:4, Funny)
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:1)
Then the apartment building was not built to code and the engineer should be in jail. Have a look at the Ronan Point explosion to see how this works. The gas company and the company making the gas appliances were not at fault, the engineers were for making an unsafe building.
The size of fire a phone battery explosion can create should not be able to do more than inconvenience other apartment dewellers into exiting the building for a day. Otherwise we would have entire apartment buildings burning down eve
Re:Verizon is going to get in trouble (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Then the apartment building was not built to code and the engineer should be in jail. Have a look at the Ronan Point explosion to see how this works. The gas company and the company making the gas appliances were not at fault, the engineers were for making an unsafe building.
The size of fire a phone battery explosion can create should not be able to do more than inconvenience other apartment dewellers into exiting the building for a day. Otherwise we would have entire apartment buildings burning down every time some dumbass forgot to turn off the stove.
Some low rise (3 level) apartment buildings are made of wood construction. There's enough potential there for a fire in one unit to burn the place down. Everyone should make it out alive, but at great inconvenience.
I've also seen a 12 story building where a sprinkler line went off on the 12th floor. The residents of that entire wing of that building was removed for 6 months to rebuild after the water damage.
Re: (Score:2)
As a collector's item, it might eventually be worth something. But probably never more than it is now.
Re: (Score:3)
Did you know that, in the US alone, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss [fema.gov]?
By comparison, only 96 credible reports of Note 7 fires exist, causing 13 burns and damaging property 47 times, making the known-defective Note 7 roughly 30 times safer than a non-defective clothes dryer.
Are you willing to accept the responsibility in case you
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Do you have your clothes dryer vent professionally cleaned every six months? Did you know that, in the US alone, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss [fema.gov]? By comparison, only 96 credible reports of Note 7 fires exist, causing 13 burns and damaging property 47 times, making the known-defective Note 7 roughly 30 times safer than a non-defective clothes dryer. Are you willing to accept the responsibility in case your clothes dryer results in injuries and death to others? Just to avoid a MINOR inconvenience?
Oh, I should stop taking my clothes dryer on planes?
Re: (Score:3)
So many issues to take a stand on, and he picks this? Man, pick your battles. His time, his money - just don't look for sympathy or understanding as this wound is self-inflicted.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
I am sitting next to him at the bar. His phone explodes, I have burns now. Does he have enough to cover all that? He is aware that now he is liable for everything, right?
He forgot it at a friends house. The house burns down. They find the phone and it looks as if that might have been the cause. Paytime.
He is alone in his car. It burst into flames. He pulls at the steering wheel and drives over a kid. Nice one.
He's at the gas station filling his tank texting on his Note 7 and you're at the pump adjacent in your brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom... a large yet currently unknown NEO (Near Earth Object) impacts in the South China Sea killing millions instantly and throwing earth into another global extinction event. Meanwhile, he rushes over wearing his new wool sweater to inform you, trips, and in the process and discharges static that ignites the fumes nearby, causing a massive fire and destroying both your vehicles a
Re:Verizon is going to get in trouble (Score:4, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
So, what you're saying is: you'd like him to give up liberty so that you can have the illusion of security?
Re:Verizon is going to get in trouble (Score:5, Insightful)
I have a coworker who's holding on to his Note 7. He's been staying on top of all of this. It appears that after a recall, a company cannot require nor continue requiring payment for a recalled device. Some may argue that he has a loan he still owes Verizon, but it appears also that Samsung bought out all those loans.
Verizon doesn't want the liability of your coworker suing them after his house burns down. Or to be sued by someone else after he burns someone elses house down, or a bus, or a plane.
If they completely discontinue service to the phones, they have a justifiable legal basis for saying that they did all that they could to prevent the phone fmor being used. They have likely decided that alienating a small portion of their customer base is worth avoiding such liability.
Also, your colleague sounds a bit daft.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
" They have likely decided that alienating a small portion of their customer base is worth avoiding such liability."
I have never seen evidence that Verizon cares about alienating all it customer base.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Only if you're completely retarded and can find other completely retarded people who consider a standard off the shelf device with a random design defect "collectors" item.
Re: (Score:1)
In other words, you didn't read the post at all...
Calls to 911 are still allowed, all OTHERS will be directed to Veri$on customer service.
Re: (Score:2)
Then they get a fine, or a visit from the cops. Their problem.
OMG, WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE! (Score:2)
OMG! I hope the government and corporations can save us all from the threat that is exploding cell phones!
Seriously though, we are all going to die. But none of us from a cell phone exploding.
Re: (Score:2)
How can you be so sure? I am thinking based on such actions that Samsung will not reimburse Verizon at all until the phones are retrieved from their customers.
HA HA HA HA HA! (Score:1)
Re: They need to do more. (Score:1)
Don't call me Shirley.
Re: (Score:2)
You don't understand the problem. The battery isn't too big, it's too thin. The protective sheath between the layers is too easily punctured. And no, you can't replace it with a thicker battery.
Re: (Score:1)
People at the customer service are bored... (Score:2)
Repeal and replace (Score:2)
Your Samsung Product Isn't Really Yours. (Score:1)
I learned back with my Galaxy S4 that no one owns any Samsung product. Samsung really retains control. The so-called customer just has a license to use it for a while.
I wanted to put on a different version of Android, and Samsung's Knox software prevents modifying the bootloader, so I'm stuck with all the Verizon bloatware and limited functions from their stock software, such as no tethering.
That's why I went with the more open ZTE as my current phone since it's made by the more open Communist Chinese.
Re: (Score:3)
Knox doesn't prevent you from modifying the bootloader... Verizon had Samsung protect the bootloader in ways that are totally independent of Knox.
Knox will REFUSE TO RUN if the bootloader has ever been modified, but even THAT was a policy decision forced on Samsung by customers (like large banks) who refused to license Knox unless Samsung did their bidding. Knox was ACTUALLY designed with the assumption that the phone would have two bootloaders... an immutable stage-1 bootloader, and a modifiable stage-2 bo
Is that constitutional? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
This sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me.
I think those people have already proven their masochistic side by signing up for Verizon.
Re: (Score:2)
This sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me.
I think those people have already proven their masochistic side by signing up for Verizon.
I'll play devil's advocate on this part and say that I have lived in places where there were dead spots that were only penetrated by Verizon. T-mobile, AT&T, and Sprint all failed where Verizon did not. You pay for that additional coverage, but it is available.