I kinda like that it has an auto shut off. I had a mod that did that and though annoying for use at home, it was great for out and about. No need to turn it off or remember if I did or not when I picked it up again.
Not crazy about "brick mode"Is it actually charging and the internal confusion happens when you take it off before fully charged? Do you always have to wait 10 minutes or so after charge to use the device?
Could you also explain a bit on how you think the auto shut off is a lifesaver --- what's different about the programming that makes this so? No auto sleep mode or something similar?
Since I have one coming, I'd love to know more about it.
As for "brick mode", I don't have equipment to test the power pushed/pulled and if it's charging durring the sequence.
Simply there is nothing to worry about, just make sure the screen turns off before plugging in the charger.
When you plug in the cord AS the screen is turning off, the mod does not seem to recognize you plugged it in. With the cord still in, you can press buttons, adjust setting, ect, but the screen does not indicate it is charging. ONCE you take the cord out, is when it gets confused and "bricks" itself. You can plug in a cord but the screen won't light up, you can click the button 5 times but the screen will not light up, you can even try to fire an atomizer but it just wont. At this point to have to wait till the "auto off" feature kicks in after what I beleive is 15 mins, before you can click it 5x and turn it on.
You can use the device while it charges or right off the charger.
As for auto off being a life saver, when the system glitches into "brick mode", if it didn't "auto shut off" your device would just sit there completely useless because you cannot manually reset the device (remove battery and reinsert).

