Samsung Note 7 – Lessons to be Learnt
Whether you follow the news or not, there is no doubt that you will have heard of the issues following Samsung’s latest release. The Galaxy Note 7 has hit the headlines in an explosive way – but not in the way that the company hoped for. In fact, the phone has been dubbed as a major safety hazard. We know how important it is to have reliable technology here at Q2Q, so such an issue raises questions.
What exactly were the issues surrounding the release of the phone and what are the implications for business?
The Controversy
It started with a few outliers, easily explained by a faulty battery. However, with hundreds reportedly suing the company over the issue – even with replaced batteries – it seems to be a problem with the model itself. Some have claimed that the device outright caught on fire, others that it has caused burns to themselves and their properties. Either way, there seems to have been a serious hardware problem.
Following the issues that consumers have faced with the Samsung Note 7, the decision has been made to permanently discontinue the line. Luckily, for those that have purchased this ill-fated phone, trade-ins have come with a promise of the Samsung Note 8. So, despite this small hiccup, the customer service of Samsung prevails. Hopefully, the issue of this model can be resolved and learnt from in the next generation.
Choosing a Reliable Business Phone
Most businesses have a second phone for employees in today’s business world. It helps monitor and track business costs, whilst acting as a reliable link between employer and employee. Phones – both landlines and mobiles – are at the heart of communication in a business. So, choosing the right one is important. There are a few steps you can take to sift out the hero from the zeroes.
The first step is incredibly similar to choosing a PC. It involves choosing an OS; typically, the choice lies between the Google Android and Apple’s iOS. One thing to remember is that the Apple OS is the same across devices as they are a single manufacturer. However, Android’s often receive additions or changes by third party manufacturers (such as Samsung) that might make one device more attractive than another.
The choice, therefore, largely lands on the business needs of the device. If your workers are developing apps for the App Store, for example, then there is no question of which to purchase. The OS that meets your business requirements is often easy to deduce when comparing the two.
Of course, there are other factors that you must consider. Size is one of them, though you may not think so at first. If the primary purpose of the phone is to make business calls then the size is largely irrelevant. But, if the phone is to be used for screen-intensive tasks then a larger size is much more beneficial for your employee – both for their health and easy usability.
Security is also an important consideration when business phones are involved. Sensitive data or information may be passed on it, the likes of which you do not want to be easily accessible by any old John Doe. Fingerprint readers have become a reality in the latest phone releases, so only your employee can access the phone at a hardware level. However, a phone capable of data encryption can make it impossible for attackers to read your information. Some phones offer this as a feature, but there are a number of apps that also make this possible if not.
Ultimately, the choice is fully dependent on the needs of your company and what the phone will actually be used for. There is no point spending a small fortune on thirty devices that will only make the occasional phone calls. Whatever your decision, always remember to buy a model that has been tried and tested in order to be confident in your investment. You never know what little – or not so little – bugs a brand-new model will have after all!
Of course, nothing will be as fireproof or indestructible as that ancient Nokia with nothing but Snake 2 installed. Retro is in right now, right?
Are you worried about the technology your business relies upon, or any other IT-related issue, feel free to talk to us on 01524 581690 and we’ll be more than happy to help you with anything you require.
