According to a report by Android Authority, more people are still using the banned and discontinued Samsung Galaxy Note 7 than the likes of the HTC Bolt, OnePlus 3T and the LG V20! The data was gathered by Apteligent and is a part of their "2016 Mobile Year in Review" report. While this is embarrassing for the competitors and perhaps even good publicity for Samsung, we are not sure that this is exactly what they wanted to see at the moment, given that they have discontinued, banned and recalled each and every one of these smartphones.

It isn't the same for everyone though, because the Google Pixel phones and the Sony Xperia XZ have successfully crossed the Note 7 in terms of the number of current users. In order to deal with the headstrong customers who would rather tout a potentially dangerous device in their pocket and near their family and friends than returning it for a refund/exchange that also comes with added benefits, Samsung has decided to brick all operational Note 7s from the orbit with updates. One such update which will disable the Note 7's antennas, thereby cutting off Wi-Fi and all cellular reception, has already been launched in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In the UK, an OTA update will limit the capability of the Galaxy Note 7's battery of being charged to more than 30%. In the US, the battery will simply stop taking in any charge at all after the bricking update manages to set in.

Saikat Kar (tech-enthusiast)

If the latest report by Bloomberg turns out to be true, then Qualcomm is probably devising a strategy to put an import ban on iPhones manufactured by Apple outside the country. The United States International Trade Commission will likely be appealed by the chip manufacturer to put the ban in effect against the Cupertino giant. Whether or not they will actually try to do that remains to be seen. Also, it would be interesting to see how the Trade Commission reacts to the appeal, if Qualcomm does indeed decide to go ahead with it.

Why they would take such a step you ask? The answer isn't "to benefit the US economy," that much I can assure you! It's just a possible strategic move by the microchip manufacturer to strengthen their position in the ongoing legal battle that's currently going on in-between the two companies. Qualcomm is losing out billions of dollars because Apple has stopped paying licensing fees to Qualcomm, after citing that Qualcomm is charging exorbitant and unfair amounts of money for legacy technology. It looks like Qualcomm is trying to put some pressure back on Apple.

Saikat Kar (tech-enthusiast)