Galaxy Note Tips & Tricks

Android

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 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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3 fast ways to create screenshot in Galaxy Note (Note II, Note 3 and Note 8.0 as well) without using any apps

You have different ways to take screenshot on your Galaxy Note devices.

By 57 Comments · ·

Update:  you can also use these 3 methods to take screenshot on your Samsung Galaxy note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition. The methods works on all Galaxy Note family products.

Update 2: for Galaxy Note 4, the S pen method does not work. Please check this guide on how to take a screenshot on Galaxy Note 4.

Update 3: Galaxy Note 5 introduced a few nice features to make it even easier to take screenshot on Galaxy Note 5. You can even take screenshot that covers multiple screens.  Please follow this guide to take screenshot on Galaxy Note 5. 

Update 4: If you want to use the scroll capture feature (one screenshot covering multiple screens) in Galaxy Note 5, please follow this scroll capture guide.

yes, there are a lot of screenshot apps in the Android market (Play Store). But do you know you do not need any of them in your Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Note 8.0 to take a screenshot? The following 3 methods are also applicable for Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition.

With Galaxy Note, you have three different ways to take screenshot.

Method 1: use S pen

Holding the S pen button, then tap and hold to the screen. This is unique to Galaxy note. Other two methods apply to Galaxy S II and a few other Galaxy models. But this method need S pen, so it is exclusive to Galaxy Note. The best thing about this method is that  after the screenshot is captured, you are prompt to edit this screenshot (as you are holding S Pen now). Quite smart design!

Method 2: use Home Key + Power Key

Tapping and holding Home key and the Power/Lock key simultaneously. In the practical operation, you can  press and hold the Home key first, then quickly press the Power key.  This method  is mentioned in the Galaxy SII’s manual, but not in Galaxy Note’s manual. But anyway, it works. Actually it works on most Samsung Android phones.

This method does not work on …

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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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