Samsung fire-proof recall boxes (+ video); Tesla-Solar City merger vote as lithium ion fires rage
Bulldog
Research Triangle Park, N.C. — In today’s Bulldog wrapup of technology news:
- Samsung sends fire-proof boxes for Galaxy Note 7 returns
- Video from CNBC: Who benefits from recall?
- Skill-based slot machines win approval
- TripAdvisor’s stand against animal exploitation
- Tesla-Solar City merger vote set
The details:
- Samsung sends fire-proof boxes for Galaxy Note 7 returns
Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it is sending fire-resistant packages to its customers in the U.S. as a precaution against possible fires or explosions from Galaxy Note 7s they return to retailers.
Samsung is offering the prepaid shipping boxes as an option for U.S. consumers who purchased the phones on its website. Consumers who purchased their Note 7 phones from mobile carriers should visit the carriers’ websites for recall instructions.
- VIDEO: Who benefits from the recall? Watch CNBC story at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVlSspFtet8
The company is discontinuing the Note 7 phones after two recalls and many reports of fires. Samsung must now deal with receiving back more than 1.5 million Galaxy Note 7 phones.
- Regulators approve skill-based slots
New Jersey gambling regulators have approved a New York firm to become the first in the United States to deploy skill-based slot machines on casino floors in which payout is determined by the player’s ability.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement gave approval late Wednesday night to GameCo, Inc. to deploy its machines at three Atlantic City casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment. The machines could start being installed as soon as Monday at Harrah’s, Caesars or Bally’s.
The machines, called VGMs, are expected to undergo several weeks of testing, and are expected to usher in a new era of gambling aimed at attracting young people who grew up playing video games.
“With this approval from the DGE, the VGM is officially the first skill-based video game gambling product approved by any U.S. gaming jurisdiction regulator,” said Blaine Graboyes, the company’s CEO and co-founder.
The company has been in a race with rival firm Gamblit, which last month announced plans to put similar machines in California and Nevada in October, also at Caesars-owned casinos. Other manufacturers working on similar products include IGT and NanoTech Gaming.
The machines are aimed squarely at millennials and those who like playing games on social media networks or on their phones, and who may be less inclined to play traditional push-button slot machines.
- Tesla, SolarCity shareholders to vote on merger next month
Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk faces a referendum next month, as shareholders decide whether to support his vision and combine Tesla with solar panel company SolarCity Corp. in light of all of the scandals over Tesla fires and Elon Musk corruption payola for government kick-backs
Tesla and SolarCity announced Wednesday that shareholders will vote on the controversial proposal Nov. 17.
It’s a proposal that would unite two companies on shaky financial ground as they plow into relatively new markets. One makes electric cars, the other installs solar panels. Neither is profitable.