Samsung stops production of ‘flaming’ Galaxy Note 7

ITRealms:

The South Korean Information and Communication Technology (ICT) giant, Samsung Electronics, has finally put a stop on the production of its high-end Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, following incidences of devices catching fire, reports ITRealms.

Initially, ITRealms gathered that Samsung had stopped selling Galaxy Note 7 since the flaming of its battery, across the globe.

But on Monday, Samsung Electronics announced its stopping the production of Galaxy Note 7 permanently, probably to manage the damage caused by the fire-catching device.

ITRealms recalls that mid-September, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) had issued a seven-day ultimatum to Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited with headquarters in Lagos, to recall its Galaxy Note 7 from the Nigerian market.

CPC also had warned Nigerians to stop using the particular Galaxy Note 7.

The Council also directed that Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited should furnish it with other measures the company had taken to safeguard the safety and interest of Nigerian consumers.

The Director-General of CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said in line with international best practices, the company should immediately issue a recall notice giving Nigerian consumers adequate information on the procedure for recall and the appropriate compensation being offered.

“While awaiting the response of Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited in order to determine the number of affected consumers in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to avert whatever dangers that may be associated with the use of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in Nigeria,” she said.

Atoki had explained that Samsung announced in the United States that consumers with Samsung Galaxy Note 7 could check whether or not their phones are affected and eligible for recall by entering the IMEI or serial number of their phone in a space provided on Samsung website, www.samsung.com/us/note/recall/ insisting that Nigerian consumers could avail themselves of that facility.

She further advised Nigerian consumers who might have purchased the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to stop using the phone forthwith as an interim measure to guide against the effect of explosion.

Stressing that the company should ensure that affected consumers either get a free replacement from Samsung, or a refund of their money, where necessary.

The Council, in a letter to the company dated September 14, 2016, signed by its Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said in part “The attention of the Council has been drawn to media reports indicating that the lithium-ion batteries for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are prone to catching fire.

“The said faulty batteries have reportedly caused the phone to explode in 35 separate incidents, sometimes bursting into flames, damaging property and leaking dangerous chemicals” CPC warned.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Galaxy Note 7: Samsung begins replacement programme in Nigeria

ITRealms:

Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited (SEWA) has commenced a replacement programme for the faulty Samsung Galaxy Note7 in Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

Just as the electronic company said its differing the official launch of the product, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in Nigeria, but is accommodating replacement of the device eventhough its yet to launch officially into the local market.

ITRealms recalls that this is coming on the heels of the device globally due to isolated battery cell problems.

On September 2, 2016, Samsung had announced an official Galaxy Note7 replacement programme due to battery cell manufacturing error which had led to a few reported incidents.

In a statement, the company stated that “since customers’ safety is top priority, all Galaxy Note7 purchased are eligible for replacement regardless of the original place of purchase.” 

"Although the Galaxy Note7 has not been released in Nigeria, the current Galaxy Note7 users are kindly advised to visit the nearest Samsung Authorized Service Centre for immediate assistance about replacement program.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience this may have caused in the market, but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to Samsung customers. Samsung is completely committed to fixing this problem and ensuring the highest level of safety and satisfaction for its customers.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Ban galore for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 by airlines

ITRealms:

In what started like a minute ban by the United Arab Emirate (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Samsung Note 7 either on carry-on bags or on check-in luggages, the mobile device is receiving more bans from airline operators globally, ITRealms reports.

As at the time of filing this report, over five major trans-continental airlines have placed ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

This is coming as Samsung Electronics has recalled some 2.7 million units of its Galaxy Note 7 discovered to be have been on sale with faulty batteries which caused some handsets to explode during charging.

The ban, ITRealms gathered was hastened by the fire-prone discovered in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 especially at the point of charging the batteries.

GCAA in the notice of ban stated it has banned operating, charging and carrying in bags the Samsung Note 7 on board national carriers’ flights.

Although it has not been formally banned in Nigeria, but since the ban commenced a ew days ago, airlines and air safety agencies around the world have cautioned both airline operators and passengers against using this particular device on flights.

ITRealms gathered that last Friday, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urged Note 7 owners to stop using them by way of powering same device down and stop charging or using the device entirely.

CPSC alleged that the Lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of power into a small package and when these batteries overheat and burst, the results could be serious.

This consumer warning, ITRealms learnt was based on recent reports involving lithium-ion batteries in certain Note7 devices that have resulted in fires. CPSC stressed that these incidents have occurred while charging and during normal use, which has led the Commission to call for consumers to power down their Note7s.

CPSC and Samsung are working cooperatively to formally announce an official recall of the devices, as soon as possible. CPSC is working quickly to determine whether a replacement Galaxy Note7 is an acceptable remedy for Samsung or their phone carriers to provide to consumers.  

“We advise all consumers to report product safety incidents involving lithium-ion batteries in smartphones to us (CPSC) via www.SaferProducts.gov,” the official statement made available to ITRealms urged.

Further, Dubai's Emirates Airline, the largest Middle East carrier, said it will comply with immediately effect with the directive of GCAA, noting that this measure was to avoid the possibility of these devices' batteries causing fires.

Similarly, the United Arab Emirates-based Etihad Airways, has momentarily placed a ban on the use of the Galaxy Note 7 phones on board its flights, and the UAE also has two low-cost airlines, flydubai and Air Arabia that fly international routes.

In addition, the Australia's Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia have raised redflags on Samsung Galaxy Note 7s on their flights.

This is coming as the US and Japanese aviation authorities have urged passengers not to turn on or charge the large-screen phones on aircraft, whereas the US Federal Aviation Administration warned passengers not to stow the device in checked-in baggage.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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