Earlier today Samsung confirmed that it’s going to release a new software update for the Galaxy Note 7 in the United States on December 19 which will render the device incapable of charging and functioning as a mobile device. It will cripple the handset to force the few who have not yet returned their Galaxy Note 7 to take part in the exchange and refund program. Samsung said that it would work with the country’s major networks to roll out this update within 30 days.
It turns out the nation’s top wireless carrier won’t be working with Samsung on this. Verizon’s VP of Global Corporate Communications Jeffrey Nelson has said that Big Red is not going to take part in this update because it believes the update poses an additional risk to Galaxy Note 7 users who don’t have another device to switch to.
“We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation,” he added.
Verizon has worked with Samsung in the past to communicate to Galaxy Note 7 owners that they need to immediately stop using their devices and return them to the point of purchase. It’s not going to go beyond that and cripple their devices remotely. Big Red says that a vast majority of its customers who purchased the Galaxy Note 7 have already replaced their phones with other models.
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