Could Galaxy Note 7 prove more explosive than Trump?
JK Rowling claims, in the Harry Potter series, that "7" is the most magically powerful number there is. And while it may be the most powerful, it doesn't have to be an exclusively good thing. As the world basked in the metallic glow of the jack-less iPhone 7, there was a different 7 that seemed to be spreading evil across the globe.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7, whether in a fit of misplaced rage of Apple's superiority - or because of faulty hardware - has started catching fire and even exploding. The Korean company that launched its new flagship gadget in August has been facing numerous complaints about the phone spontaneously bursting into flames.
Samsung tried to do the prudent thing and called the product back. They asked the phone owners to get their phones replaced at official outlets. The funny thing, however, is that the replacements too slipped into auto-ignition in no time.
Dangers of a burning phone, abundant enough already, have managed to pose a new threat to a select group of people. As if US Presidential candidate Donald Trump was not enough, the Note 7 is well on its way to ignite a fresh spell of Islamophobia.
Rami Ismail, the co-founder of Dutch game development studio "Vlambeer" tweeted this hypothetical, yet rather scary scenario:
Can you imagine what my chances of survival are if my phone starts smoking in an airport security queue, or an airplane? Probably not good.
— Rami Ismail (@tha_rami) October 9, 2016
I (sadly) hadn't even considered the inherent danger of owning a Samsung Note 7 and being of middle eastern descent. Ugh. Sorry Rami ?? https://t.co/rQwUJaTJ2o
— Cabel Sasser (@cabel) October 9, 2016
Anyone with a slightly racist bent of mind and a bit of paranoia would most definitely put two and two together and decide it's a possible terrorist attack.
Maybe this is why Samsung, recognising a kindred spirit in the motormouth Republican candidate, decided to dump its press release amid Trump's "Muslim's have to report themselves" rant at the second presidential debate.
Samsung exec: "did donald trump just say some insane shit?" PR guy: "yes sir"Exec: "ok push out the release" https://t.co/4uqQpP7Hof
— ?_? (@MikeIsaac) October 10, 2016
A racist millionaire as the US President we can probably handle, but a riot-inciting Korean smartphone? Maybe the world isn't ready yet.