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Tag: Samsung Galaxy Note

  • 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.

  • Galaxy Note III to Have Full HD Screen [RUMOR]

    Galaxy Note III to Have Full HD Screen [RUMOR]

    With the success of its Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note II products, Samsung proved that there are consumers hungering for ever-bigger screens. With the announcement of the Galaxy Note III expected soon, rumors about the device’s hardware have been flying for weeks now. Today’s Galaxy Note III rumor actually seems more plausible than most, and that’s because it comes from Samsung itself. Sort of.

    Sam Mobile has uncovered references to models of the Galaxy Note III in Samsung WAP files on the company’s website. The code refers to the models SM-N900T and SM-N900, which have been linked to the Galaxy Note III. In the reference, it seems to be confirmed that the device will have an ARM11-based processor and a 1080 x 1920 screen. Neither of these specs were be unexpected, but the seeming confirmation means the Galaxy Note III will be a full-HD smartphone.

    Previous rumors about the Galaxy Note III include it having a massive 5.7″ sAMOLED screen and a quad-core processor. In addition, the device could have a 13-megapixel camera. Since the next Galaxy Note III did not make an appearance at Samsung’s “Premiere 2013” event back in June, current speculation is centered on the IFA show in Berlin in September as the site of the smartphone’s announcement.

    (via Sam Mobile)

  • Magna Carta Holy Grail: Jay-Z’s New Album Coming to Galaxy Phones

    Magna Carta Holy Grail: Jay-Z’s New Album Coming to Galaxy Phones

    Since making a name for himself in rap, Jay-Z has gone on to become one of the most successful entertainers in history, making millions as a producer, investor, and, most recently, a sports agent. That doesn’t mean he’s given up on his musical aspirations, however.

    Jay-Z this week announced his latest album, titled Magna Carta Holy Grail. The rap star revealed the release date of the album in a post to his Twitter account:

    That isn’t quite the whole story, though.

    Jay-Z has partnered with Samsung to offer the album for free to owners of Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones. A mobile app will be released in the Google Play store on June 24th. The first million Galaxy S III, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy Note II users to download the app will receive Magna Carta Holy Grail for free on July 4th. The album’s worldwide release date is July 7th.

  • 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.

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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 Announces Smart App Challenge 2012

    Samsung has announced its Smart App Challenge of 2012, a contest with prizes totalling $4.8 million, in an effort to facilitate the development of new Android applications.

    This contest also offers broad marketing support for promotion of the best 80 apps, divided into 60 Samsung Super Apps and 20 Best S Pen Apps, which incorporate the most creative Galaxy Note Stylus Pen (S Pen) functionality. Galaxy Tab and Note apps are judged based on download popularity, with prizes ranging from $30K to $200K, and S Pen apps are judged by a panel, with the same potential for reward.

    Samsung’s “mega marketing support” will encompass press releases, social media channels, and even television and print advertisements. The Smart App Challenge ends on September 30th.

    In related news, Samsung just released the specs of its new Galaxy S III smartphone, which is set to be released in Europe on may 29th.

  • CES 2012: Samsung Galaxy Note Coming To America

    CES 2012: Samsung Galaxy Note Coming To America

    At their CES conference today, AT&T announced that Samsung’s Galaxy Note, which has been available overseas for some time, is coming to the US. For the time being, at least, the phone will be exclusively on AT&T’s 4G LTE network. There is currently no information on pricing or release date.

    With the Galaxy Note, Samsung is trying to split the difference between the smartphone and the tablet. The HD Super AMOLED display measures 5.3 inches – right in the middle of the 3.5-4-inch screens of most smartphones and the 7-inch screens of many tablets. It also comes with an S Pen (i.e., a stylus), that promises somewhat finer control than users can get with a finger alone. The device also sports a 1.4 GHz dual core processor, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and 8 megapixel rear-facing camera, HD video recording, and 16 GB of internal memory along with a microSD card slot.

    While 7-inch tablets have generally done fairly well, Steve Jobs famously said that 10 inches was the bottom limit for an iPad. Anything smaller, he said, would suffer from an identity crisis – too small to be a tablet, too big to be a phone. With the Galaxy Note, Samsung has deliberately created a device with the very identity crisis Jobs worried about, and used that as a selling point. It will be interesting to see how well the device does (at least Samsung is immune to charges of copying Apple on this one). Look for more information as the reviews start to roll in. Meanwhile, check out the video below, then let us know what you think in the comments.