News Munchies

Undocumented Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Feature Could Save Your Life

Originally Posted Sunday, 11 September 2016 at 06:12 PM
Updated Monday, 12 September 2016 at 11:06 AM

Have a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone? If you're a camper, you may be in luck.

Oh, sure, Samsung is recalling the phones because of batteries that explode or catch fire; but, rather than taking the company up on its offer to swap them out for new smartphones, consider keeping the phone with you when you go hiking or camping.

This particular model is not quite so consumer-unfriendly as the news stories would have you believe. Indeed, if you get hopelessly lost, the phone could save your life -- especially if you can't receive a cell signal.

Take advantage of a previously undisclosed safety feature: Use your new combustible Note 7 to start a signal fire. Then keep warm by the fire until help arrives. (Just don't burn your hands if the battery explodes.)

Lots of electronic devices have undocumented features. Aren't you glad we've told you about this one?

About The Author

Richard B. Barger, ABC, APR

Richard B. Barger, ABC, APR, is well-positioned as CornerBarPR's Chief Curmudgeon; he's our version of Andy Rooney -- loves words, particularly loves to complain about idiocy.

In his spare time, Rich runs the inventively named Barger Consulting, where he conducts strategic communications planning and research, and gives people advice whether they want it or not.

Through the years, Rich has tricked unsuspecting folks into giving him positions as managing editor of the public relations division of a 180-person agency, and as a wire service editor, an economic analyst, a federal investigator, and, bless his little muddy boots, a farmer. Really. He fancies himself a pretty fair country editor and at one time was famous among about half a dozen people as "The Voice of IABC."

At various points in what passes for a career, he's done time as a member of IABC, PRSA, and NSPRA, as well as the Gifted Association of Missouri, the University of Missouri Alumni Association, the Council of Better Business Bureaus (as a Senior Arbitrator), and a handful of church choirs.

Known as "Boom-Boom Barger" in Marching Mizzou, Rich refuses to answer the phone during University of Missouri football or basketball games, plays a hard-edged game of bridge, and is married to a woman he doesn't like to talk about much, because she's smarter and much nicer than he is.

Barger's motto: "Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once."