Samsung Stops Airing Galaxy Note 7 Commercials, Preps Early Launch of Galaxy S8 (sammobile.com) 86
An anonymous reader writes: Given the bad press surrounding Samsung in regard to the faulty Galaxy Note 7 batteries, the company appears to have stopped airing Galaxy Note 7 commercials on TV. You know it's bad when they have reportedly stopped airing commercials in their home country, South Korea. One of the reasons behind the move is because sales of the Galaxy Note 7 have been suspended for over a week now, and will not be resuming until there is enough inventory to replace all Galaxy Note 7 units that have already been shipped. Some analysts believe sales might not be resumed until next month. Samsung will be using the ad space to market their other products like TVs and refrigerators. In addition, the company may be looking to launch the successor to the Galaxy S7 ahead of schedule. Kim Sang-pyo, an analyst for KB Investment and Securities said in a report: "If Samsung's flagship smartphone launch is delayed to the end of the first quarter of next year, the profitability of the mobile business division could be worsened next year," states the analyst. SamMobile also recently revealed the new model numbers for the Galaxy S8: the SM-G950 and the SM-G955. One model will feature a smaller screen, the other larger -- similar to the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, though both phones might have a curved display this time around.
Living on the edge (Score:2)
What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?
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What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?
If Samsung has any kind of sense they are fairly slim. Heads will roll at Samsung and whatever subcontractors are responsible for this FUBAR and this mistake will not be made again. I think we are more likely to see the Galaxy 8 rushed to market followed by a fresh dose of bad publicity due to it being bug-ridden as a result of the rush to get it to market.
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subcontractors are responsible
Supplier. Not subcontractor. Remember this is a supply chain issue.
Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma (Score:5, Insightful)
One good thing here is it underscores what a poor choice it is to create a design with non-replaceable batteries.
If Samsung hadn't been in such a hurry to design planned obsolescence into the phone via non-replaceable batteries, all they would have had to do is send out new batteries, instead of ENTIRE NEW PHONES. You listening, Samsung? .... of course not. :)
Well, all I can describe it as, is as having all the appearance of a particularly apt form of karma. They intentionally fucked the customer; the universe fucked them back. Harder. [gentle smile]
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Unless the fault lies not in the battery, but in the charging circuitry and/or algorithms controlling said circuitry.
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"Based on our investigation, Samsung learned that there was an issue with the battery cell. An overheating of the battery cell occurred when the anode-to-cathode came into contact which is a very rare manufacturing process error.
There were three specific contributing issues: The anode-to-cathode, squashed plate and shrinking insulating tape within the battery cell."
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It shouldn't matter. LiON battery packs are supposed to have a fail-safe circuit built into the battery itself, that disables the battery entirely if certain charging parameters are met that are known to be dangerous. In theory a faulty charging system should result in a dead battery, not a fire.
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False. That depends entirely on the purpose of the battery, the design, and the amount of intelligence that goes into it. It's nothing more than a design decision.
A LiIon battery can be a flexible wet cell that bursts into flames if you look at it funny.
A LiIon battery can have a limited amount of of control circuitry that disconnects it on over current.
A LiIon battery can have a lot of control circuitry that ensures correct charging characteristics.
A LiIon battery can have a self contained charging circuit
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In other words, although non-replaceable batteries are a pain, and although Samsung in this instance has somehow managed to incorporat
Fire hazards of various types (Score:2)
I agree that battery replacement is dangerous - I have ordered several replacement batteries for my Note 2 from ebay. They all had Samsung labeling, but exhibited wildly erratic discharge (dropping from 50% to 10% within a few minutes).
I have since replaced them with Anker [anker.com] batteries, which appear to have a good reputation for quality and safety, and are really not much more expensive than the Chinese low-end. People should be encouraged to avoid batteries made in China for safety reasons, unless they are ve
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Look for the "UL" symbol for Underwriters Laboratories on any USB chargers.
Unfortunately, this is not a good indicator anymore. Chinese companies have no problem forging certification labels on products they manufacture.
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One good thing here is it underscores what a poor choice it is to create a design with non-replaceable batteries.
Because the ability to swap a controlled battery out by a cheap Chinese ebay knock-off would reduce the number of fires?
Sorry but no.
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What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?
Bound by what timeline? In the first 3 weeks? It's quite low. What about in 1 year? Or do you honestly think devices get recalled if all devices that explode do so within the first week? The answer could be 100%. Who knows.
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A single cell phone would be way too small to be practical.
Removable batteries (Score:5, Insightful)
Samsung, the electronics will last far longer than the lithium battery. Had the note 7 battery been removable, users could have swapped a $10 replacement and kept their phones. Aesthetics/styling are the only benefits to an embedded battery, but this really accelerates product obsolescence and forces your customers to spend more. This is unacceptable.
Bring back removable batteries. If you don't, then I wish more million-unit recalls upon you until you build the product that we want.
Maybe you'll be a penny stock by then.
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I do not buy any phones with non-removable batteries. Limits some possibilities but eliminates burn-ups
new phones (Score:2)
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For the Note9 we're going nuclear!
The stylus also works as a control rod.
Re: new phones (Score:2)
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Re: new phones (Score:2)
My S7 Edge is waterproof, sd card and a headphone jack.
Oh and also dual sim which I didn't realise before buying.
No compromises. :)
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Samsung Customer Support wants to gently remind you that it's water RESISTANT, not water proof.
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... just let me add in an SD card, sim. have a headphone jack, keep up the "waterproof" bit. user-replaceable battery ...
My Kyocera Hydro VIBE [kyoceramobile.com] (released in 2014) is certified water-proof to 3m for 30min, has an exposed headphone jack, user-removable battery, SIM and SD card (back cover has a gasket) as well as wireless charging, bluetooth, etc...
So that all isn't hard to achieve, just takes a little courage. :-)
Re:Samsung appliances (Score:5, Funny)
...my dishwasher and icemaker (yes, JUST the icemaker, not the freezer) now have Bluetooth
The icemaker probably detects if a Note 7 is in the room and generates extra ice in case it is needed to treat your burns.
Removable battery? Nah... (Score:1)
Nah....
Soldered battery, "Edge" curved shape, no sd card, appalling battery life due to 4K screen and as a bonus: constant Google location tracking that is impossible to turn off (welcome to Android 7). You know, what users asked for...
Between this and Apple's "courage" no headphone jack iphones, the An
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Yeah. This. I was just going to chime in on this. This idiotic war against serviceable components, expandable flash and replaceable / expandable memory is really tiresome. And with every generations of phone ifixit and the like give out instructions and OEM and 3rd party batteries and repair items become available.
And when something like this happens - it could have been : go to this special link to amazon, put your samsung serial number in and get an overnight package with the a new battery. But no. Now w
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Yes, but that's not the only reason. Making batteries replaceable means designing the phones around that to some degree. They can't be jammed behind something else or a tight fit, they would need to be accessible. If they aren't easily accessible, then replacing the batteries is a nightmare not only for the company, but for you, which then makes you hate them anyway. And you breaking your phone to replace a certified replaceable battery generates maintenance requests, and general bad PR for them since t
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But only Internet nerds care about "user serviceable". Most people like their ultra thin phones and don't care if the battery doesn't last for more than two years because they'll have a new phone by the time it dies.
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I think you've happened upon the wrong web site there, son.
Re: Removable battery? Nah... (Score:2)
The Note series is designed to be a serious workhorse. A lot of the people who own them need the battery to last, so they replace it when the battery life drops below an acceptable level (for them). This is likely well before the battery "dies".
The non user replaceable battery and the curved screen are keeping me off the Note 7, not the exploding battery. I need a replaceable battery for the reasons above, and flat screen so I can add a case that protects the screen adequately. Both of these are about devic
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Samsung should have quit with the NOTE 4 they really haven't improved that much since it's release. Now mine is paid off also.
They are going to have a hard time getting me to upgrade my Note 4. It may be the first phone I keep for four years. Unless someone gives me a 6"+ flagship phone and/or stop going thinner and give us a 6000+ mAh battery, I'll have this Note 4 until they no longer offer a replacement plan for the next time I break it.
Unusable screen space (Score:2)
The curved screen looks cool on a store shelf but, like glossy displays, is utterly useless and, like glossy displays, will be the norm before you know it.
Because fuck usability; it's sellability that counts.
Thinking outside the box (Score:3)
I've been seeing a LOT of commercials for Samsung refrigerators and (I think) washing machines while watching MLB.tv the past week or so. They're pretty standard fare... I wish they'd have a little fun with them. Like when the couple is standing there marveling at the refrigerator, suddenly it should catch on fire. It'd be even better with a washing machine.
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But then the FAA would have to issue a warning against bringing washing machines onto a plane with your carry-ons.
They stopped me from bringing my own food on-board. I told them I hadn't had barbecue in quite a while and the hibachi would fit under the seat, but noooo .... (apologies to Steven Wright)
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I've been seeing a LOT of commercials for Samsung refrigerators and (I think) washing machines while watching MLB.tv the past week or so. They're pretty standard fare... I wish they'd have a little fun with them.
While sitting in a restaurant one day recently I got treated to a fucking Samsung infomercial hawking their new Roomba. To be fair, that looks like a pretty cool product, but a) I'm not buying one anyway because my house has split levels and I would need three of them and b) how fucking desperate is Samsung that they're doing infomercials now?
Video (Score:2)
Can't believe I'm posting a link to the Sun newspaper (ick!), but they have a video of a S7 going up in smoke [thesun.co.uk] on a table whilst the owner appears to be ordering food.
It wasn't even being charged at the time.
reminds me of this scene (Score:2)
Software Update for S. Korean Note 7s (Score:1)
Samsung to limit battery charging on Galaxy Note 7 phones to prevent fires [cnn.com]
Basically, they're updating software in their home market to only charge up to 60% until everyone stops using them.
The software update is due to be introduced early the following day [next Tuesday] for phones that haven't been exchanged, according to the newspaper ad.
The ad didn't say whether the update would be automatic or require users' agreement. Samsung didn't respond to a request for more information on the software patch.
In the U.S., the company is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to figure out how a formal recall of the phones will work.
Asked about the software update, a Samsung spokesperson in the U.S. said that "no action will be taken without the approval of the CPSC."
WTF (Score:2)
Second: Hell Yeah, it's always a good idea to ship something earlier than you planned, because that will sure iron out the bugs before release. That's obviously the best way to stop the bad press.
Well... (Score:4, Informative)
Ahead of schedule (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, how did it work out for them last time they tried to rush a phone to market (ahead of the iPhone 7)? You'd think they would have learned a lesson from this.
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This weekend, advertising in the US (Score:2)
During American football (background noise for me, I call it handegg).
I was thinking, rather than advertising the features of the phone, they should push it as an "exciting" purchase, with the key question being: Will it explode?
One would think, after a total recall, that all product related activities would stop immediately. I understand advertising contracts and such, but swap out the content with a warning and notice of the recall, rather than continuing to push the product.
I hope they go back to removable batteries (Score:2)
One of the nicest features of the Galaxy S line of smartphones was user-replaceable batteries. I hope they go back to that model.
No biggie (Score:1)
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I don't see why they're acting like they have to replace a whole bunch of phones when all they have to do is replace the batteries.
Because it will cost them just as much to replace the batteries as it will to put a new device in your hands, maybe more when you consider logistics. And given the inefficiency of the shipping involved as everyone puts their device in the mail — whoops, this is a defective battery-powered device, it's illegal to mail it in some places — the most efficient thing would probably be to just recycle them. There's already a relatively efficient network in place for that. Ideally this would be a servic
Question (Score:5, Funny)
Before or after ignition?
This should be good... (Score:2)
Die, Samsung, die (Score:1)
Note 7 is a disaster (Score:2)
I've whined about this across multiple sites in the hopes some fuckwit from Samsung reads it, (chances 0.01%) but if they are going to up the pace on the S8 then for goodness sakes make an S8+ edition in 5.7" or larger.
Some of "Note fans" myself included, like the big phone, I couldn't give a shit about the stylus. I know some people do, great, let them keep the Note series. For me though, give me that cubic half an inch (??) more battery please or processing speed. The Pen in my Note 2 and Note 5 is e
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Hello. As someone who works for Samsung (betcha didn't expect that, huh! also fairly low down the chain. I'm hoping to also not be a fuckwit, but I can't make any promises) I'm hoping to shed a little light on the lack of a Plus size model for the 7 lines.
It's rather silly, but the actual reason we were given as to why there wouldn't be a S7 Edge Plus was simply for stockkeeping - having retailers stock the S7 Flat, S7 Edge AND S7 Edge Plus, in multiple colors of each, was simply not viable - we ran into th
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Fair call, makes sense, how hard is a Note 7 flat edition then? Seriously. Bastard decision by some goon. Reminds me of the gloss finish laptop displays, it's bloody awful but it's the cool new fad.
They might consider changing the Galaxy name (Score:2)
The new Samsung (Score:2)