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Tag: Galaxy Note

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 3 AT&T Pre-Orders Begin, Not Yet For Gear

    Samsung Galaxy Note 3 AT&T Pre-Orders Begin, Not Yet For Gear

    Yesterday, Verizon announced that their customers could begin pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on Friday. Samsung had announced the new smartphone earlier this week at the IFA conference. In addition to the phone, Verizon is also allowing customers to pre-order the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch starting today.

    This morning, AT&T announced that it will be matching Verizon, allowing its customers to pre-order the Galaxy Note 3 starting today. The device will cost consumers $300 with a two-year contract, or $35 a month under the new AT&T Next service, which allows customers to pay their devices off gradually and upgrade them sooner. Unfortunately for early adopters using AT&T, the Galaxy Gear is not yet available for pre-order. AT&T stated that the smart watch will become available “in the coming weeks.”

    The launch date for the Galaxy Note 3 has been announced as September 25, though that only applies to Europe. In the U.S., customers are beholden to mobile providers that often take the time to place their own software and branding on smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is expected to appear in the U.S. starting in October, and a simultaneous launch across carriers is highly unlikely. By allowing pre-orders, AT&T and Verizon (the largest carriers in the U.S.) are signaling that Samsung has provided them with, at the very least, some early estimates for initial U.S. shipments.

    (Image courtesy Samsung)

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Sales Predicted to be Slow

    Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Sales Predicted to be Slow

    Earlier this week, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet. The device is Samsung’s direct competitor to the iPad, and comes with impressive specs and software. However, the tablet industry is currently in a shift toward smaller tablets. The less-expensive 7-inch tablet category is already taking a bite out of the sales of larger tablets, a trend that seems likely to continue even as mini-tablets edge up toward 8-inch screens.

    Today DigiTimes is reporting that even the tech supply chain isn’t bullish on the Galaxy Note 10.1’s prospects. The report cites unnamed “industry sources” as saying ititial sales of the Note 10.1 are expected to be only 400,000 to 600,000 units per month. That’s an estimate for worldwide unit sales. These same sources expect Samsung to cut component orders for the Note 10.1 shortly after its September 25 release.

    The report blames the low expectations squarely on the popularity of 7-inch tablets. Smaller tablets now account for a clear majority of tablet sales, and even Apple is rumored to have lowered its orders for its full-sized iPad. DigiTimes’ sources even put forth the theory that even Samsung has low expectations for the Note 10.1, and that the company is releasing the tablet simply to defend its market share of the premium tablet market.

    (Image courtesy Samsung)

  • Galaxy Note 3 Verizon Pre-Orders Start Tomorrow, New Demo Video Released

    Galaxy Note 3 Verizon Pre-Orders Start Tomorrow, New Demo Video Released

    Yesterday at the IFA conference, Samsung unveiled the long-awaited Galaxy Note 3 smartphone. Leaks in the weeks leading up to the announcement had already revealed the device’s hardware, but now customers are actually close to getting their hands on the device.

    Unlike in Europe, where manufacturers can actually provide a launch date, the U.S. is still caught in the grip of mobile provider subsidies. The Note 3 will be launching on different dates for each of the carriers in the U.S. beginning in October. Though specific dates are not available, customers can at least begin to pre-order their device.

    Verizon has announced that it will begin taking pre-orders for the Note 3 starting tomorrow, September 6 at 9 am EDT. In addition to Note 3 pre-orders, customers can also put down money for the new Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch.

    With the official announcement out of the way, Samsung has also begun to detail all the new features of the Note 3 and the Gear. A trailer for the smartphone released earlier this week showed off the new “S-Pen” stylus and accompanying features. Today, a new video is out showing off the device in even more detail.

    The 18-minute video goes through every detail of the Note 3 and the Gear, starting with their design and delving into minute details about the new software Samsung has packed in on top of the Android operating system:

  • Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Galaxy Note 3

    Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Galaxy Note 3

    At IFA 2013, Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy Note 3. Just like the Galaxy Note 2 smartphone before it, the Galaxy Note 3 sports an impossibly huge display powered by some of the best hardware in the mobile industry.

    Of course, reading about the Galaxy Note 3 only gives you part of the story. For the rest, here’s a 6-minute video tour of everything new in the Galaxy Note 3 courtesy of Samsung:

    The trademark S Pen is back with the Galaxy Note 3, and it can do even more this time around. Samsung brought the Galaxy S 4’s Air View feature to the Note 3 for a new feature called Air Command that allows users to effortlessly select from a list of commands by simply bringing the S Pen close to the screen.

    I would still argue that the Galaxy Note is too big for a smartphone, but that’s kind of the point of a phablet. Unlike its competitors, Samsung at least understands that most users will be using the Note 3 for tablet functions. In that regard, the Note 3 makes more sense than even Samsung’s own Galaxy Mega.

    The Galaxy Note 3 will be released on September 25 in Europe, but there’s no U.S. release date just yet. All we have is an AT&T announcement saying they will carry both the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear.

    [Image: Samsungmobile/YouTube]

  • New Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Announced

    New Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Announced

    In addition to the new Galaxy Note 3 and the newly revealed Galaxy Gear smart watch, Samsung today announced a refreshed version of its Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.

    The Galaxy Note 10.1 will have the same 10.1-inch screen as its predecessor, but with an improved 2560 x 1600 resolution. The 3G and Wi-Fi version of the tablet will come with a 1.9GHz 8-core processor, while the LTE version will have a 2.3GHz quad-core. The device will come with 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of internal memory and has a microSD card slot for expansion. The rear camera on the Note 10.1 is 8MP and the front-facing one is 2MP. The tablet’s hardware is similar to that of the Galaxy Note 3, though the tablet will have a much larger 8,220mAh battery.

    Like the Galaxy Note 3, the Note 10.1 will come running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The tablet will also come with a full suite of Samsung mobile software, including “Multi Window” support. The device’s “S-Pen” stylus will also feature the button seen on the Galaxy Note 3’s stylus. The button enables quick access to apps such as a search function, screen capture, and “Pen Window,” which allows users to draw boxes of any size and run apps in them.

    “The new GALAXY Note 10.1 is the most progressive 10-inch tablet, delivering the best viewing and multitasking experiences,” said JK Shin, CEO of Samsung mobile. “It is the most recent demonstration of Samsung Mobile’s focus on constant product innovation to stay aligned with shifting consumer interests.”

    The announcement of the new Galaxy 10.1 comes as Samsung is reported to have recently seen lowered demand for its 10-inch tablets. Samsung’s 7-inch Galaxy Tab tablets currently make up a majority of the company’s tablet sales this year.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Officially Announced

    Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Officially Announced

    After weeks of speculation and leaks, Samsung today officially announced its Galaxy Note 3 smartphone during its IFA presentation. The device is larger than its Galaxy S line of phones and comes with slightly better hardware.

    The Galaxy Note 3 will have a 5.7-inch 1920 x 1080 resolution screen. For markets needing 4G LTE, the new Note will have a 2.3GHz quad-core processor. For those with just 3G, the Note will come with a 1.9 GHz 8-core processor. The smartphone will come with either 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage, with a microSD slot for expansion. It also carries a 3,200mAh battery and comes with Samsung’s “S-Pen” branded stylus.

    While both Nokia and Sony are packing ever-better cameras into their flagship smartphones, Samsung has opted for an incremental upgrade. The front camera on the Galaxy Note 3 is 13MP, while the rear camera is 2MP.

    As for software, the Note 3 will come running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (no Kit Kat yet). The device will also come with Samsung’s entire suite of proprietary smartphone software, including “Multi Window” viewing, personalized news feeds, and the “Group Play” sharing feature. In addition, the new S-Pen now has a button that, when pressed, activates a special “Air Command” mode offering access to five different apps. The apps include a screen capture mode, a memo writer, a search function, and “Pen Window,” which allows users to open apps in windows of any size they draw.

    “With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3’s larger screen,” said JK Shin, CEO of Samsung Mobile.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Mini-Tablet Announced

    Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Mini-Tablet Announced

    Samsung this week officially announced its newest tablet device, the Galaxy Note 8.

    The 8-inch mini-tablet is the Korean manufacturer’s answer to the popularity of Apple’s iPad mini. The Note 8 features a similar size and hardware to Apple’s latest offering.

    The Note’s screen features a 1280 x 800 resolution with 189 pixels per inch – slightly more than seen in the iPad mini.

    On the inside, the Note 8 has a 1.6GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. Different amounts of internal storage will be available, up to 32GB, and the device also has a microSD card slot. The front camera is 1.3 MP, while the back is 5 MP. The battery is 4,600mAh. There will be a Wi-Fi-only version of the Note 8 available, and a more expensive version with wireless data capabilities.

    Since the hardware is so similar to the iPad Mini, Samsung is trying to differentiate the Note 8 by highlighting the difference in software. The Note 8 will, of course, come running a Google’s Android 4.1.2 mobile OS and come packed with all of Samsung’s proprietary software, such as the ChatOn app and Dual View, which allows users to use multiple apps simultaneously.

    The Galaxy Note 8 will also ship with Samsung’s “S Pen” stylus. The tablet will feature heavy integration with the stylus using software that can detect the S Pen and offer contextual menus. The stylus can also be used to hover over different screen options to activate mouse-over-like capabilities.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note II Finally Arrives In America Via T-Mobile

    Samsung Galaxy Note II Finally Arrives In America Via T-Mobile

    Samsung’s Galaxy Note, its interesting phone/tablet hybrid, met with mild success. Now it’s time for its successor to make an impact on the American smartphone market. Too bad it’s launching at a ridiculously high price on one of the smaller US carriers.

    The Galaxy Note II goes on sale today via T-Mobile for $369.99. Of course, that’s only if you subsidize it with a two-year contract. The unlocked price is $649.99. The device will be cheaper on Sprint as it launches tomorrow for $299 under contract on their network. Cult of Android reports that AT&T is just starting to take pre-orders while Verizon is MIA.

    If you have the money to throw at the device, you’ll be getting a pretty fantastic smartphone. The Galaxy Note II’s obvious main selling point is its large screen. It features a 5.5-inch AMOLED HD that blurs the line between smartphones and tablets. It’s powered by a quad-core 1.6GHz processor that runs Android 4.1. It also features 16GB of built-in memory with a MicroSD slot for further expansion.

    Consumers who do decide to go with T-Mobile will get a few exclusive perks. All T-Mobile Galaxy Note II devices will have access to an exclusive racing game. The title of the game is not listed, but free games are always nice. It also features support for T-Mobile’s AllShare Cast Wireless Hub accessory that allows users to stream content including movies and games to any HDMI-capable television.

    The Galaxy Note II is available in two colors – Marble White and Titanium Gray. Either way, you’re sure to be the envy of all your Apple loving friends.

  • Galaxy Note Chosen for American Airlines Flight Attendants

    Apple may have won the fight for the cockpit, but Samsung has gotten its devices into the hands of flight attendants.

    American Airlines this week announced that their flight attendants will begin using the Samsung Galaxy Note later this year to keep tabs on passengers. Using the devices, flight attendants will be able to access a customer’s name, seat number, and loyalty program status. The Galaxy Note will also be used to record the meal preferences of premium class flyers, and identify “high-value” passengers or those who need special assistance. Pending U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval, the devices will also provide information on flight connections, delays, and weather.

    “This is a huge step towards a new, modern American Airlines, as our tablet program is the first of its kind in the airline industry, where our flight attendants will have the most up-to-date customer information in the palms of their hands, allowing them to better serve our customers from boarding to deplaning,” said Lauri Curtis, vice president of flight service for American. “By giving a device to all of our active flight attendants we are better enabling our people to deliver an exceptional customer experience.”

    American also intends to use the Galaxy Note for in-flight purchases, pending FAA approval. American cited the device’s enterprise-ready features and security as the reason for its choice.

    This announcement comes just one week after American announced that it had received approval from the FAA to use Apple iPads during all phases of flights. The company hopes to use the tablets to replace the heavy, bulky paper kitbag manuals that pilots carry onto their flights. It estimates the move will save $1.2 million on fuel costs annually.

  • Galaxy Note II Sales to Top 20 Million, Says Samsung Mobile Head

    While Apple continues to believe that the width of the new (and old) iPhone is perfect for human hands, there are customers who have clearly taken the view that “bigger is better” when it comes to the size of smartphone screens. Case in point: Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone, with its massive 5.3-inch screen, was an unexpected hit.

    The next version of the Galaxy Note will be even larger – 5.5-inches. With the launch date of the device creeping nearer, it appears Samsung is confident in their behemoth. This week J.K. Shin, head of mobile at Samsung, told a Korean news agency that the Galaxy Note II is likely to sell twice as well as the previous model. With the original Galaxy Note having sold, according to Shin, more than 10 million units, it appears Samsung thinks it will sell more than 20 million of the new devices.

    That’s quite impressive, considering that Samsung’s current flagship Android smartphone, the Galaxy S III, has already sold 20 million units since its debut on May 29. Even so, these numbers seem paltry compared to the expected 250 million iPhone 5s that Apple is expected to sell. In order to keep up with Apple the way they have, Samsung has had to put out a plethora of Android devices, none of which can individually compete with the iPhone in terms of sales.

    Shin also confirmed that an October release for the Galaxy Note II is still on track, denying rumors that Samsung would change the date because of Apple’s iPhone 5 announcement.

    (via BGR)

  • Galaxy Note II to Launch on Verizon, Every Other Major U.S. Carrier

    It appears that Samsung is on a roll that can’t be stopped. BriefMobile this weekend reported that an anonymous “reputable source” told them Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note II will be sold through Verizon. That means the Galaxy Note II will be the second Samsung phone to be released across all major U.S. carriers this year, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular.

    Earlier this year, Samsung was able to release its current flagship Android smartphone, the Galaxy S III, on all the major U.S. carriers. Having this type of broad reach no doubt helped that smartphone sell more than 20 million units since the end of May.

    Even so, the Galaxy S III launch was still a confusing mess, with the different carriers offering different release dates, color options, and memory sizes. Sadly, this is common for smartphones in the U.S. Though HTC’s One X might have had the features and hardware to compete with Samsung’s hit, it was only released through AT&T (where it received a hardware downgrade from the European version) and Sprint (where it was heavily rebranded as an EVO product).

    BriefMobile’s source claims that Verizon’s version of the Galaxy Note 2 will have a quad-core processor and LTE capabilities. It will also, of course, have Verizon branding on the phone itself – even on the home button. The report claims that an announcement is imminent, but that each carrier will have their own release date, meaning the Galaxy Note 2’s launch will likely be as messy as the Galaxy S III’s was.

  • Samsung Announces A Variety Of Mobile Devices At IFA

    Samsung had a huge showing yesterday at IFA. The company showed off a number of new products that take advantage of all the major new developments in mobile and desktop computing. Due to time differences, you may have missed Samsung’s big unveiling in Berlin. Worry not, it’s now available via streaming from Samsung’s Facebook page.

    The event was dubbed “Mobile Unpacked 2012” and it focused on all the major hardware releases that Samsung has planned for the rest of the year. The big news was the official announcement of the Galaxy Note II smartphone. The specs were leaked ahead of the show, but it doesn’t make it any less impressive. The phone features a massive 5.5-inch screen and it comes equipped with Jelly Bean.

    Samsung also announced another impressive Android product at the show, but it’s not a phone. The company will be releasing the Galaxy Camera this fall. It’s a 16MP point-and-shoot camera with a 4.8-inch display that’s powered by Android 4.1.

    The company also announced a number of Windows 8 devices including phones and tablets at the event. The company dubs their new Windows 8 line “ATIV” and they’re all fairly impressive. The first two devices are the ATIV Smart PC and Smart PC Pro. They will be similar to Microsoft’s own Surface tablet in that they combine the portability of tablets with the power of an Ultrabook.

    The company announced the ATIV Tab, a new tablet that’s similar to the company’s Galaxy Tab. It features a 10.1-inch screen. The ATIV S smartphone is similar to the company’s popular Galaxy S III, but will launch with Windows Phone 8. It features a 4.8 screen, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and HSPA+ capabilities.

    All these announcements and more can be seen below in Samsung’s official show at IFA. These devices won’t be in store for a while longer, but you can get your first look at Samsung’s new line of devices below.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note II Specs Leaked

    Apple may have just handed Samsung it’s rear in a U.S. court, and recent attention may have been on the Galaxy Note 10.1 and other Samsung tablets, but the Korean company is still plugging away at the smartphone market.

    Today a Korean publication got hold of a list of leaked specs for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note II smartphone. With its 5.3-inch screen, the original Galaxy Note is one of the largest smartphones on the market. The smartphone sold surprisingly well and features a stylus, much to the dismay of Apple fans. The sequel to the Galaxy Note is expected to be announced very soon and could spell a hit for Samsung.

    The leak specifies that the smartphone will have a Super AMOLED screen and a 1.4GHz quad-core processor. Incredibly, the phone will have an even bigger screen than the original Galaxy Note, with a 5.5-inch screen. The camera will be 8-megapixels and the phone will be available in either a 16GB or 32GB version – same as the Galaxy S III. That the Galaxy Note II will have 4G LTE connectivity is a given, but Android fans will be happy to hear that the phone will ship running a version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google’s latest mobile OS.

    If you happen to read Korean, feel free to check out the leaked spec list below. For everyone else, the specs will soon be confirmed, as the Galaxy Note II is expected to debut on August 29 at the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Berlin.

    Galaxy Note II leaked specs

    (Picture courtesy seoul.co.kr)
    (via BGR)

  • James Franco Multitasks With His Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 In This New Ad

    Samsung has put out a new, nearly three-minute commercial for the Galaxy Note 10.1, featuring (and apparently directed by) James Franco, showing us how James Franco uses the device.

    Franco is presented as “the ultimate multitasker”. He engages in numerous activities while using his tablet, including a pillow fight with young girls and making breakfast.

    As Samsung notes in the description, “James Franco, the ultimate multitasker, reveals how he’s able to do so much with his time and how the GALAXY Note 10.1 helps him accomplish it all.”

  • Galaxy Note Tablet Launch Accompanied by Verizon Galaxy Tab 2 7.0

    Tomorrow will be the day that Android (or Samsung) fans can get their hands on the new Galaxy Note 10.1. The Note will launch in two versions: a $499 16GB model and a $549 32GB version. Both versions of the new Note are 10.1-inches across, but if you are looking for something smaller, Verizon has you covered.

    Tomorrow will also be the day that Verizon begins selling an LTE version of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. The mini-tablet will have a 7-inch display and will be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The tablet has support for Verizon’s 4G LTE data network, a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, and only comes in an 8GB version, though the device does support microSD cards of up to 64GB. It has a 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera and a VGA front-facing camera. Also, the device will come pre-loaded with apps that Samsung and Verizon think customers will want, such as Netflix, Amazon Kindle, Peel Smart Remote, and Samsung’s Media Hub.

    Verizon and Samsung are marketing the Tab 2 to businesses as well. The Galaxy Tab 2 features on-device AES-256 bit encryption, has support for VPN and MDM solutions, and comes with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.

    The Verizon Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 will cost $349.99, and can be bought in Verizon stores or through the Verizon website. That price is $100 more than the Wi-Fi only version of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, which retails for $249. Customers purchasing the Tab 2 from Verizon will be required to subscribe to a Verizon wireless data plan. Current Verizon customers will be able to add the device to their existing Share Everything plan for $10 a month.

  • Galaxy Note 10.1 Release Date, Price Announced

    While the competition in the mini-tablet market won’t truly heat up until the iPad Mini is released this fall, the competition in the full-size tablet market is already hot (and has already come to blows), and Samsung has just taken the wraps off its new tablet, the Galaxy Note 10.1.

    At a press conference today in New York, Samsung pushed its marketing slogan “meet the new way” as it demonstrated the capabilities of the device. More importantly, the company finally announced a release date and price for the new Galaxy Note. It will be available starting August 16th in the U.S. There will be two models of the device sold: a 16 GB version for $499 and a 32 GB version for $549.

    The design of the Galaxy Note 10.1 appears to be Samsung’s answer to allegations from Apple that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 was a copy of Apple’s iPad design. The new Galaxy Note is white, has a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 10.1-inch screen. It also utilizes a stylus, or what Samsung calls the “S-Pen.” While Samsung’s new device still features “rounded edges” the tablet’s design looks far different than, and will not be mistaken for, an iPad.

    A version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will run on the Galaxy Note 10.1 when it is shipped. Samsung did not mention during its presentation whether the device might get an update to the new Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Google’s own mini-tablet, the Nexus 7, launched last month alongside it’s latest Android OS.

  • Galaxy Note 10.1 Launching Globally this Month

    Samsung announced today that its latest tablet, the 10.1-inch Galaxy Note 10.1, will launch globally sometime in August. The Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi/3G versions of the tablet will be available soon, with the Wi-Fi/4G LTE version coming “later this year.”

    The hardware inside the Galaxy Note 10.1 has been much improved since its reveal earlier this year. The tablet now has a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. It also features a 5 megapixel camera and a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera.

    Samsung is touting the tablet as more than the consumption device that tablets normally are. The company states that the tablet will have productivity features that no other tablets on the market have. “As well as being able to consume content such as videos, photos, document, and the Internet, the Galaxy Note 10.1 also gives [customers] the power to produce, create, and customise that same content – something they won’t get from any other product on the market.” said Simon Stanford, Vice President in the telecommunications and network division of Samsung UK and Ireland.

    Much of what Samsung is highlighting about the tablet is software the company has developed to differentiate itself from other hardware manufacturers who use Android. This focus has led to speculation in the past that Samsung might split off from Android and develop its own operating system for its smartphones and tablets.

    Samsung today also provided a video demonstration of how interacting with the Galaxy Note 10.1 will work, highlighting its multitasking and business-related functionality. The screen images and almost the entirety of the video, however, are “simulated,” meaning animated. The actual experience of using a Galaxy Note 10.1 will no doubt differ from what can be seen below. Still, the video is interesting in that it demonstrates the features that Samsung believes users will want, including the stylus, dubbed the “S-Pen.” You might want to mute the cheesy music accompanying the video, though.

  • Samsung Bricks Galaxy Notes With Ice Cream Sandwich Update

    Carriers and device manufacturers have been messing up Android since the beginning. Not simply content with a free operating system good enough to immediately allow them to compete with Apple, they have abused Android’s open source nature and adapted the OS, and mostly for the worse. In the U.S., smartphones routinely come packed with crapware and have some features of the Android operating system, such as tethering or mobile hotspot, disabled.

    All of this meddling not only hurts the Android brand, it also fractures the Android operating system. Manufacturers are slow to upgrade Android software on phones that have already been released, meaning frustration. While Google has just announced that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will be launched later this month on the Nexus 7 tablet, most smartphones don’t yet have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

    One of those smartphones is Samsung’s Galaxy Note. Samsung has promised an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich for owners of the ultra-large Note smartphone, but have delayed the release for months, though the international version of the phone has it. Many of the features Samsung has dangled in front of Galaxy Note owners are features that owners of Samsung’s Galaxy S III got with their purchase.

    This week, just when it finally looked as if Galaxy Note owners were going to get Android 4.0, Samsung dropped the ball. According to a Gizmodo report, some Note owners in France are having their smartphone crash or even become completely bricked by the update.

    France was one of the first places to receive the Galaxy Note Ice Cream Sandwich update. Samsung has acknowledged the problem through its Facebook page, where the company is urging its customers to fill out a detailed form on the problem so that it can do some much-needed debugging.

    Take a look at the video below to see all of the features Samsung is promising its customers, then ponder whether the software is worth waiting countless months for an upgrade to the newest version of Android:

  • Samsung Hits Success With Its Galaxy Note and S Devices

    Apple is really good at what they do. Just looking at sales numbers for the iPad and iPhone prove that. You know who else is really good at what they do? Samsung, with its Galaxy Note and S devices, has been on a roll lately.

    That roll ended up with Samsung selling 7 million Galaxy Note devices worldwide since the device’s introduction. I was one of those skeptics who didn’t think a phone/tablet hybrid could do well on the market. Samsung has proven me wrong and their success could be what’s driving Apple to create the rumored mini-iPad.

    The Galaxy Note may be doing well, but it’s nowhere near the success that the company has seen with its Galaxy S line of phones. The Galaxy S has now reached 24 million in worldwide sales. Despite being released after, the Galaxy S II has now reached 28 million in worldwide sales. Samsung also pointed out that it sold eight million Galaxy S II and two million Galaxy S devices since last February.

    So, what’s next for Samsung? The Galaxy S III, of course, which has already launched across Europe. Over nine million pre-orders have been taken for the device as well so it’s pretty obvious that Samsung has another hit on their hands.

    The Galaxy series sales news must have Samsung patting themselves on the back and for good reason. The company is moving on up and becoming one of, if not the most, important players in the Android scene. Google’s acquisition of Motorola may put a little dent in their plans as Motorola starts to roll out specially designed Android phones straight from Google.

    Samsung may not have the advantage from a software standpoint, but they obviously know what they’re doing when it comes to hardware. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the most important thing. Android is so flexible that you can change the software if it bothers you that much. You can’t change the hardware of your phone yet. That’s where Samsung needs to apply itself to gain the advantage.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note Gets Ice Cream Sandwich Update

    If you’re an owner of Samsung’s Galaxy Note phone (tablet?) who’s been eagerly awaiting Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, it looks like today is your lucky day. It looks like Samsung has started rolling out the update globally. It began in Europe this morning and should proceed around the globe throughout the day.

    In addition to the standard upgrades that come with Ice Cream Sandwich, the Galaxy Note-specific version adds a few new features to the tablet (phone?). It includes new versions of S Memo, S Note, and other apps that make use of the Galaxy Note’s stylus S-Pen.

    The folks over at Android Geeks got their hands on the new update and have posted a video of Ice Cream Sandwich in action on their Galaxy Note phablet (??):

    Those of you with an unlocked Galaxy Note can download the update manually from the device’s settings. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait until you get the notification that the update is ready.

    Do you have Ice Cream Sandwich on your Galaxy Note yet? If so, what do you think of it? Was it worth the wait? Let us know in the comments.

  • Samsung to Report $39 Billion for Q1 2012

    It seems Samsung is continuing their outstanding progress in gadget sales and is said to be reporting sales in the $39 billion range for the first quarter of 2012. Last they were controlling almost a fifth of the smartphone market and are presently considered Asia’s most valuable tech brand. Their profit from last quarter’s sales should come in around $4.5 billion.

    While the giant will have to continue to introduce new technology to keep their share of the market, a little help can be counted on from one of their biggest competitors. According to Reuters, Apple purchases vast number of microchips and displays from Samsung for their iPad and iPhone devices.

    But I don’t think we have to worry about Samsung, their Galaxy Note seems to be selling quite well and may even be a viable competitor for other tablets including the iPad. We can look forward to the official Q1 2012 earning from Samsung in late April, until then we can just watch the technology market and try to predict what 2012 will bring.