If you haven’t already turned in your potentially explosive, recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7, now is the time: Samsung plans to disconnect the phones from cellular networks — at least in New Zealand.
While New Zealand certainly isn’t the U.S., the move signals Samsung’s desire to ensure that owners of the recalled smartphones can’t simply just hang onto them, Mashable reports.
Samsung Electronics America did not return comment on whether the move will be extended to other countries.
According to a notice posted on Samsung’s New Zealand website, starting on Nov. 18 phones will not be able to “make calls, use data, or send SMS messages.”
The phones, however, will still be able to connect to networks in other countries and connect to WiFi networks. They will still also be able to act as cameras and music players, meaning customers might not actually stop using them altogether.
Customers will be notified of the change directly by Samsung before the disconnection occurs.
The idea of disconnecting the phones from wireless networks was first floated last month. However, former executive director of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Pamela Gilbert, expressed concern over the possibility.
“It’s a terrible idea because people really do need to use their phones,” she told our sibling publication Consumer Reports. “You don’t want to turn off people to the recall system.”
Still, the recall of the Galaxy Note 7 hasn’t exactly been quiet, making it surprising if anyone connected enough to own a smartphone didn’t now about the recall, but some people are defiantly refusing to relinquish their phones, preferring to play the odds.
Samsung Note7 phones won’t connect to New Zealand cell networks [Mashable]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist
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