Today in Berlin at IFA,
Samsung unveiled the successor device, the Galaxy Note 2. Larger and
more powerful, the Note 2 is a stunner in many ways, but it still
involves a big (no pun intended) adjustment for users.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Recently, Samsung gave me a sneak peek at its new Galaxy Note 2 in
action. Of course the device I saw demonstrated, and briefly handled
myself, was a top-secret engineering sample and not the full production
model. Even so, I was struck by the power and capabilities of this
ambitious gadget.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Before I get any further let me explain that my hands-on time with the
Galaxy Note 2 was brief. Also, the cadre of intense Samsung product
managers and marketing folks surrounding me insisted I not play with the
apps too much since the phone had software that was not final.
Additionally, I was forbidden from snapping photos or shooting video
during my meeting and Samsung didn't announce pricing information.
Luckily CNET's Stephen Shankland was able to grab pictures direct from
IFA in Berlin.
Design
When the Samsung marketing executive sitting to my left slowly produced the Galaxy Note 2 by carefully unwrapping a felt cloth, I pursed my lips and whistled. Wow, I said to myself, I really thought the first Galaxy Note was massive, but now there's this monster. If the Incredible Hulk or The Thing perhaps needed a proportionally sized handset, here it is.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
That's not to say the Galaxy Note 2 is bigger exactly, but more
specifically longer. The device's 5.55-inch AMOLED screen (1,280x720
pixels) is diagonally wider than the Galaxy Note at 5.3 inches. That
translates into a display with a wide-screen 16:9 aspect ratio, which
is, as Samsung puts it, "optimized for today's visually oriented apps."
Indeed the vast screen is as lovely as ever, with deep blacks and vibrant colors viewable from very wide angles. Some people may question the need for this capability, but I wholeheartedly disagree as someone who views Netflix content daily while blowing through household chores. Washing dishes and screening "Deep Space Nine" is a perfect combination.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
During my briefing, Samsung didn't provide details about the Galaxy Note
2's dimensions. Still, the device looked just as thin as the original
Galaxy Note and Galaxy S III (S3).
I was also shown models in two colors, white and gray, similar to
Samsung's Galaxy S3 devices. A large home button sits below each
device's screen, flanked by two capacitive buttons on either side.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
A better S Pen
Just like the Galaxy Note 10.1, the Galaxy Note 2 serves up a host of new S Pen tricks. Samsung made it clear to me that the styluslike input device now enables a higher level of mobile multitasking. For instance, I was shown how the S Pen will create a virtual pointer/cursor on the Galaxy Note 2's screen. This happens without the stylus touching the screen and functions almost as a physical laser pointer would.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Hovering over items such as photos and videos will open windows to see
more details or even begin playback. Samsung also demonstrated the Note 2
playing video while viewing Web pages or other documents at the same
time, giving the device an almost PC-level of functionality.
I saw other tricks, too, like "flipping over" photos to their virtual back sides. From there the S Pen was used to scribble handwritten notes for personal reminders. It's an interesting capability, but since it only works with the Galaxy Note 2 and other Note devices, I doubt it'll take the world by storm.
One feature that may appeal to bloggers and other technophiles, though, is Screen Record. Essentially this function will record everything that happens on the screen, including stereo audio and pen markings, then save it as a video file. Just think of all the custom Android ROM installation demos you could do!
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Performance
Harnessing the full power of a 1.6GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor, a large 2GB helping of RAM, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Galaxy Note 2 was certainly fast when operated by its Samsung handlers. The product also felt nimble and lithe in my hands, and pushed its apps and menus around with agility.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
It's powered by a 3,100mAh battery, but I hope battery life can keep up
with the Galaxy Note 2's fire-breathing list of components. Of course
the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 device I saw was the global unit that lacked
LTE 4G data hardware. Most likely a U.S. model will feature a dual-core
Snapdragon S4 processor, which plays nicer with LTE modems. Though the
S4 isn't bursting with cores, it is plenty fast, very efficient, and a
power miser.
The Galaxy Note 2 comes with an 8MP main camera and 2MP front-facing image sensor. It's not as high-res as other sensors on competing products but if it's as good as the shooter on the Galaxy S3 then I doubt many will complain.
Outlook
I see the future of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 really hinging on how many people would like to ditch either their tablet or their phone in favor of one device serving both purposes. Actually, big-screened Android phones such as Samsung's own Galaxy S3 and HTC One X already do this.
Samsung also reiterated that it sold more than 10 million first-gen Galaxy Notes globally. I wonder how much of that consists of U.S. sales. The real question, however, is if users can find value in a high-tech notepad. Until devices like this emulate the feel of real pen and paper, it's a hard bargain. Perhaps this new Note can convince us. Be sure to check back soon for our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and judge for yourself.
Source : reviews.cnet.com
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Design
When the Samsung marketing executive sitting to my left slowly produced the Galaxy Note 2 by carefully unwrapping a felt cloth, I pursed my lips and whistled. Wow, I said to myself, I really thought the first Galaxy Note was massive, but now there's this monster. If the Incredible Hulk or The Thing perhaps needed a proportionally sized handset, here it is.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Indeed the vast screen is as lovely as ever, with deep blacks and vibrant colors viewable from very wide angles. Some people may question the need for this capability, but I wholeheartedly disagree as someone who views Netflix content daily while blowing through household chores. Washing dishes and screening "Deep Space Nine" is a perfect combination.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Just like the Galaxy Note 10.1, the Galaxy Note 2 serves up a host of new S Pen tricks. Samsung made it clear to me that the styluslike input device now enables a higher level of mobile multitasking. For instance, I was shown how the S Pen will create a virtual pointer/cursor on the Galaxy Note 2's screen. This happens without the stylus touching the screen and functions almost as a physical laser pointer would.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
I saw other tricks, too, like "flipping over" photos to their virtual back sides. From there the S Pen was used to scribble handwritten notes for personal reminders. It's an interesting capability, but since it only works with the Galaxy Note 2 and other Note devices, I doubt it'll take the world by storm.
One feature that may appeal to bloggers and other technophiles, though, is Screen Record. Essentially this function will record everything that happens on the screen, including stereo audio and pen markings, then save it as a video file. Just think of all the custom Android ROM installation demos you could do!
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Harnessing the full power of a 1.6GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor, a large 2GB helping of RAM, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Galaxy Note 2 was certainly fast when operated by its Samsung handlers. The product also felt nimble and lithe in my hands, and pushed its apps and menus around with agility.
(Credit:
Stephen Shankland/CNET)
The Galaxy Note 2 comes with an 8MP main camera and 2MP front-facing image sensor. It's not as high-res as other sensors on competing products but if it's as good as the shooter on the Galaxy S3 then I doubt many will complain.
Outlook
I see the future of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 really hinging on how many people would like to ditch either their tablet or their phone in favor of one device serving both purposes. Actually, big-screened Android phones such as Samsung's own Galaxy S3 and HTC One X already do this.
Samsung also reiterated that it sold more than 10 million first-gen Galaxy Notes globally. I wonder how much of that consists of U.S. sales. The real question, however, is if users can find value in a high-tech notepad. Until devices like this emulate the feel of real pen and paper, it's a hard bargain. Perhaps this new Note can convince us. Be sure to check back soon for our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and judge for yourself.
Source : reviews.cnet.com
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