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AllAboutGalaxyNote updated: from one-way communication to N-way

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galaxy-note-owners-communityYou may already notice this blog was updated this weekend: from a blog to a community.

Blogging is an effective to share experience, to discuss some specific issues with a small group peers. This is the original format of AllAboutGalaxyNote.com, powered by WordPress.

However, when a blog post has 100-200 discussions, the limitation is obvious: it is hard to navigate (although WordPress is really a solid platform). In addition, it is very hard for a visitor to start a new topic  due to the default security control in WordPress. So, an integrated forum is needed.

Sometimes, some people prefer private discussions. This is also hard to implement in WordPress.A private messaging system would be also helpful.

After some comparison, I chose BuddyPress, which is a social plugin for WordPress to extend the functions of WordPress.  So, all contents (posts and comments) are preserved. Now we get additional features with this update:

  • Private messaging (for registered users)
  • Forum
  • Chat room (coming soon)
  • Facebook integration (some users want to receive update from Facebook)
  • Google+ page (again, some users, like me, prefer receive update through RSS or Google +)

Now the communication is N-way.

Please give us feedback on any features, as well as your other suggestions.

What else do you want to have here?

 

 

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Top 10 questions on ICS update for your Galaxy Note

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galaxy-note-ics-update-girl-with-phonesYes, ICS update is available for about one third Galaxy Note users. To get the most current    status on the availability of ICS update in different regions, you may check this post (I will update it once new info is available).

I received some inquiries on ICS update for Galaxy Note: some are through comment of the post mentioned above; others are through Google+.  For all these questions, I tried my best to answer them, and will continue to answer them.

I noticed there are some repeated questions, so I decided to put some frequently asked ones in this post to save reader’s time. It will not be just 10, as I will always update it if it is necessary.

Question #1. Why did some users get the ICS update earlier than me? 

Normally, firmware update must go through local testing. For regions with more users (and so Samsung collected more money there), the testing usually is faster. And Samsung also may put some sorts of priority for such regions.

The second reason is that the local carrier may want to bundle more bloatware (in addition to that bundled by Samsung). This may slightly delay the update availability. If your handset is subsidized, the carrier always tries very hard to give you more bloatware.

Another possible reason is marketing scheduling. For example, if Samsung is planning to launch Galaxy S3 in your region, usually it is not a good idea to release ICS update for Galaxy Note (another flagship product) just a few days before the launching event. In this case, the update will be normally scheduled after the event.

Question #2. Why should I update to ICS?

ICS update for your Galaxy Note is just a software update. Software generally is getting better and better: more stable, more functions, more compatible apps. Android 4.0 (ICS) is a major update merging software stacks for phone (Ginger Bread) and tablet (Android 3.0, Honeycomb). So, it is almost perfect for Galaxy Note, which is somewhere between phone and tablet.

Specifically, with ICS update for your Galaxy Note, you get

  • Latest
…

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Galaxy Note Android 4.0 ICS source code is available now, why Samsung must release the source code?

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Today, Samsung finally released the Android 4.0 (ICS) source code for Galaxy Note. If you are enthusiastic developer, you can work out your own ROM now very easily. Very likely, within one month, several different flavors of Galaxy ICS ROMs will be floating around.

open-source-softwareWhy does Samsung (and all other licensed Android hardware manufactures) have to release the source code to the public?  This is simply the obligation of using Android, because Android is using Apache license 2.0 except the Linux Kernel (which uses GPL v2 license).

Under Apache 2 license, user has the right to get the source code so that they can modify as they want (although this very likely will void the product warranty). So, the manufacturer MUST make the source code available to users, but it is NOT necessary to be under Apache license. For example, Samsung has its own license on using the the Android source code released by Samsung.

The Linux Kernel is released under GPLv2 license, which requires all modified work must also be released under such a license. Sometimes, this is named as “copyleft” license. Under this license, user get more controls of the source as manufactures are NOT allowed to impose additional terms on using the source code.  But due to its copyleft obligation, manufacturers usually want to avoid such license for competition reasons.

Although there are some critics on the openness of Android project,  Android is unarguably the best open source OS for mobile phones. It gives you the freedom you deserve.

This is one of the biggest advantages of using open source software, for consumers. You are not locked in; you can check how good or how crappy the code is.

For fruity fanbois, or M$ slaves, they never understand what freedom means, as a consumer.

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Ice Cream Sandwich is coming to your Galaxy Note

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ICS update for Galaxy Note

The long-waited Ice Cream Sandwich (aka Android 4.0) is quietly rolled out to unlocked Galaxy Notes. This is firstly reported by Devin Balentina.
It seems only some users in Europe can update now, and none of users in Asia can get it up to now. The size of this update is reported at 318MB. The hyped Premium Suite is included.

Of course, this update is for international version, not the US (AT&T) version.

I will post my hands-on report once my Note get updated.

Did you get the update?

Update 1: The update is only available for Galaxy Note users in Europe up to now (8:50am GMT, May 11).

Update 2: Samsung Mobile Singapore confirmed the ICS update for Singapore Galaxy Note users is still under local testing. So, Singapore Note users have to wait at least a few weeks.

Update 3: Samsung Mobile Hong Kong confirmed the ICS update will be available for Hong Konmg users in May.

Update 4: Update for US (AT&T version) Galaxy Note users has not scheduled, although the leaked ROM seems close to release. But AT&T will decide when to roll it out.

Update 5: ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in India and Korea today (May 23).

Update 6:  ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in Singapore today (May 25).

Update 7:  ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan,the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and  Vietnam today (May 25)

Update 8: ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in UK today. (June 1)

Update 9:  ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in Baltic states,  Czech, Ireland, Russia, Spain and Trinidad and Tobago today. (June 8)

Update 10:  ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in Kuwait, Morocco, Portugal,  Slovenia,  United Arab Emirates today. (June 13)

Update 11:  ICS update for Galaxy Note has been rolled out in Iran. (June 14)

Update 12.…

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CyanogenMod 9 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for Galaxy Note

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CyanogenModCyanogenMod is an aftermarket firmware distribution and CyanogenMod 9 is for  Android 4.0 (ICS). Now, there is a mostly workable distribution for Galaxy Note with S Pen support.

According the dedicated  forum thread of CyanogenMod 9 for Galaxy Note in XDA-Developers, almost everything works  except:

The good thing is the firmware works for both international version of Galaxy Note and the AT&T version.

Of course, CyanogenMod is for geeks and nerds. For most users, we are still waiting for the official ICS update for Galaxy Note due in this quarter (within less than 2 months if Samsung can keep the words.)…

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Ice Cream Sandwich for Galaxy Note leaked (for AT&T version)

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galaxy-note-with-ice-cream-sandwich.jpgYes, about 5 million Galaxy Note users are patiently waiting for the update to the delicious Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS, aka Android 4.0) since last November. Initially, we heard the ICS update will be available together with Galaxy SII  in March. Later, Samsung officially announced the ICS update for Galaxy Note would be pushed to Q2, with Premium Suite specially for Galaxy Note.

Yesterday, another ICS ROM for Galaxy Note was leaked. According to Rootzwiki, the build is for AT &T version, not the international version. It has most functions (e.g., face unlocking) expected in ICS and almost all works flawlessly.

SlashGear/Android Community also put a 5-min video on Youtube:

If you have an AT & T version of Galaxy Note, and want to try the update, you may follow these steps (it may avoid your warranty and may damage your phone!!):

  1.  download the file from RootzWiki site to your Windows PC (it works on Windows PC only)
  2. Connect your Note to PC through USB
  3. Power off and boot to flash mode (press volume down and power buttons simultaneously ), then confirm with volume up
  4. Run the downloaded Odin OneClick file
  5. Follow the instructions to flash your ROM
Anyway, it seems the waiting for ICS on Galaxy Note will be over soon!

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5 million Galaxy Note Users cannot be wrong!

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galaxy-note-shipped-5million-unitsSamsung just announced they shipped 5,000,000 Galaxy Note. 5 months, 5 millions units shipped, it is impressive! Potentially (some are still in the vendors’s warehouse) 5 million users!

For a smartphone, whose 5.3″ size was questions by many reviewerssince its initial release 5 months ago, it is a big success.  5 million buyers proved there is a genuine market for such Phablets. I like the size as written in the Size Always Matters post.

Hope Samsung can maintain the momentum and push out Ice Cream Sandwich update to Galaxy Note earlier.

What’s your opinion?…

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Ice Cream Sandwich will goes to Galaxy Note in Q2 of 2012

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Samsung-GALAXY-Note-ics-update-android-4In February, we reported that Galaxy Note probably would get the Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS, aka, Android 4.0) update in March (together with Galaxy SII).

Obviously, Samsung missed the target. Galaxy SII users in Europe and some other regions started to receive ICS update about two weeks ago. Nothing for Galaxy Note users.

Last week, Samsung officially pushed the date to Q2. So, your waiting time should vary from one week to one week plus 3 months. Usually, when a phone manufacturer tells in Q2, it usually means June; it seldom means April.

The good news is that Samsung will bundle the S-Pen “Premium Suite” Apps together with your delicious ICS. You may watch the preview video of this  “Premium Suite” on Youtube. It is not so bad, anyway.

 

 

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Samsung pink galaxy note hit the market now, for pink nails

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Pink-Samsung-Galaxy-NoteAs speculated in February, pink Galaxy Note will hit the market this month. The day comes.

This  pink version completes the other galaxy notes: carbon blue and ceramic white. There are no changes in specifications except the color. The target consumer are women, just like pink Galaxy Note SII. I don’t think any guys will take this color.

It would have been better if Samsung had started to sell it In the valentine day.

So, geeky ladies, you finally can put your pink nail on this pink note.…

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Samsung announced the big brother of Galaxy Note: Galaxy Note 10.1

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samsung-galaxy-note-10-1For those who complaining the (over)size of Galaxy Note, Samsung listened, and will give you an even bigger Note. It is Galaxy Note 10.1.

With a 10.1″ display, Galaxy Note 10.1 is obviously in the tablet camp. Although it comes with 3G (no LTE) connectivity, you probably will not use it as a phone: you cannot put it in a pocket unless you are a bank robber.

What differs this device from other tablet is its S Pen, and associated software and apps. The press release is lengthy, but the key point is clear: S Pen and the resulted productivity and entertainment.

Comparing this device with smartphone is not relevant. But compared to the 5.3″ Galaxy Note, the major difference is size (about four time larger) and Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), which will be probably available on Galaxy Note in just a few days.

Finally, we see a really innovative tablet among Android camp, following the revolutionary phone.

If you feel the 5.3” Note is too small, you have a choice now.

If you feel the 5.3″ is too large for a phone, now Samsung makes it larger. Your only option is crawl back to 3.5″, and enjoy the fruity toy.

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Is Galaxy Note really too large? size always matters!

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Galaxy-Note-girls

Recently, I read so many reviews complaining on the size of Galaxy Note. The resentments include:  it is too large; the reviewer cannot operate it with one hand; it looks stupid when you hold it near your ear.

Before I talk anything about these reviews, maybe we can watch the a video of Steve Ballmer commenting  iPhone in 2007. In the interview, he actually was laughing at iPhone “Microsoft is selling Millions of millions of millions a year..Apple zero ” Entertaining? Here is the video:

Maybe we can watch another video of this same Steve Ballmer commenting iPad in 2010. Again, he was totally unimpressed by iPad at all. “Laptops actually are well designed for a lot of things.  I notice they are all light.  In fact, if you look around this room, they all weigh zero pounds, because they’re just sitting on the table, you are not holding them and you don’t set them up when you want to type, and they prop up — they have good attributes.”

So, when I read the complaints on the size of Galaxy Note, it reminds me about this M$ guy.

Think out of the box. The reviewers concerning the dimension of galaxy Note are just a bunch of Steve Ballmers.

Why smartphone should be operated by one-hand? You get two hands! You get used to using one hand, because the phones you are using does not need two hands.

When you strain your eyeballs on the 3.5” LCD screen, is it comfortable to get a 5.3″ Super AMOLED?

When you use your fat and dirty finger on the tiny screen (is it for Gorilla?), is it more elegant to use a S-Pen on a larger display?

Why are you so cared about others’ eyes when you hold this phone near your ear? Are you are super star? Are they really care about you? No, for sure.

I like this phone because of its size.

Advice for man: size matters! Full HD, at least!.

Advice for ladies: size really matters! Mirror is bigger, at least.

What do …

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List of latest Galaxy Note reviews

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As Samsung Galaxy Note is heading to the US market, a lot of reviews for US (AT&T) version of this phone were published last week. Here we compiled a list of such reviews from CNET, PCWorld, engadget, phandroid, Android Community, as well as a negative review (seldom get) from Los Angeles Times.

1. Review from CNET by Jessica Dolcourt

cnet-galaxy-note-reviewGalaxy Note got a quite good review on performance, phone quality, 4G LTE connectivity, 5.3″ display, and the camera. The editor’s major concerns are: 1). the S pen is too small and 2). the size of this device may be awkwardly large for some people to fit into pocket.

So, the conclusion is:

The good: The Samsung Galaxy Note’s 5.3-inch HD screen is ideal for showcasing multimedia. It has 4G LTE, a great 8-megapixel camera, and a souped-up S Pen stylus that brings new ways to interact with your phone.

The bad: The Galaxy Note’s S Pen is small, has a delayed response, and requires a little training to use. The phone will be awkwardly large for some, and it doesn’t fit easily into pockets.

The bottom line: With its huge screen and throwback stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Note is a polarizing smartphone that winks at tablet territory. Those who like their screens XL will find a top-notch device that lets multimedia shine. The S Pen adds some artistic potential, but for some, the phone will just simply be too big.

Read full review here.

2. Review from PCWordl by Ginny Mies

galaxy-note-review-from-pcworldThe review is quite positive. The reviewer dived into some aspects that other reviewers overlooked, e.g., Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, S Memo. The reviewer’s major concern is the lack of apps for S Pen. Spot on. The conclusion is unique and impressive, but not for everyone.

 

Pros

  • Large, bright display
  • Snappy performance
  • Pen works well with user interface

Cons

  • A bit too large for a phone
  • Not enough apps support the pen

Bottom Line
With its large display and stylus-like pen, the Samsung Galaxy Note is a refreshing departure from the smartphone pack, but its design

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Galaxy Note (and SII) will receive Ice Cream Sandwich in early March

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Tipster Eldar Murtazin (Editor-in-Chief of Mobile-Review.com) said Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich, ICS) will hit S II in March in a recent tweet.

In November 2011, Samsung confirmed  Ice Cream Sandwich would be coming to its Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note smartphones some time in 2012. In last December, the release date was further narrowed to the first quarter of 2012.

According to the information we received, Samsung is still testing the firmware update on selected handsets in Korea. The roll-out date has been tentatively scheduled in the first week of March through Kies first in Asia, immediately followed by Europe market.

Interested? wait another  two or three weeks.

 …

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Galaxy Note will land US on Feb. 19

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Finally, US pundits will be able to put their hands on this tablet smartphone on Feb. 19. AT&T is now accepting pre-orders for Galaxy Note, with a price of $299.99 (for 2 year contract) through its online shop.

The major appealing points for US consumers include:

  • 4G LTE network support
  • Dual core 1.5GHz CPU
  • 5.3″ (not 3.5″) Super AMOLED with a resolution of 800*1200 HD

Please note, the US version of Galaxy Note gets 4 capacitive buttons on the device. This is different from the models offered in Europe and Asia, which come with 1 physical home button and two capacitive buttons.

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