Samsung Galaxy Note - the total package? - Page 4

Kumabjorn · 05-25-2012, 11:31 AM

Thanks for the link. Seems a bit exorbiant for pleather when you can get real leather for half the price. But I'm sure it is a perfectly good case. Basically it can have three functions, 1) protecting the GN /they all do) 2) holding credit cards and bills (some do) 3) function as a stand when you want to do some serious input or watch video (some do). But it is har to find a cas that do all three and have a nice luxury leather construction.

Filark · 05-29-2012, 03:28 PM

Congratulations on getting your Galaxy Note, Kumabjorn!

Fortte has some nice leather cases. The "Lander" has a good stand, but none have it all: http://www.fortte.com/543/Samsung-GA...-leather-case/

So, how difficult is it to get back to an earlier note? How do you like it overall??

Kumabjorn · 05-30-2012, 04:02 AM

Had it for a couple of days now. I've used a HTC Desire for a couple of years before that. Some reflections:

a) Browser; The HTC actually has a better browser. When you zoom out or in the window will resize text to fit the window, with the GN you have to fiddle around before you get the size you like. This off course is off set by the larger screen.

b) Size: GN is almost double the size. I would probably not use it for extended conversations, my BT headset will get more mileage. But, the size was also what attracted me in the first place, you just don't stand in the store and have a pretend phone conversation for ten minutes.

c) Screen: It supposedly has a higher resolution, I just don't see it outside the larger real estate. That real estate is mighty handy though. I've been watching podcasts something I would rarely do on the Desire.

d) UI or Sense vs. TouchWiz: TW lets you scroll through the various screens something Sense doesn't, on the other hand Sense comes with a nice collection of Widgets. There is only one World Clock and that is fairly large. I like a small world clock on top of some home screens where I have apps related to a certain time zone. So I have opted for a different setup on GN and still need to make changes before it it optimized.

e) Input: Galaxy Note is hands down winner. HTC doesn't support external BT keyboards and Swype (I installed SlideIT on the Desire) is very efficient, not touch type efficient but a close cigarillo. I can see myself doing some serious note writing on it.

f) S-Pen: On a Desire you can only use a capacitive stylus with their rubber tips, the S-Pen is a lot more versatile. I feel like I may need to press a little hard and that creates some concerns for scratching the screen.

g) Bundled software: Samsung has a nicer collection including photo editing, just don't know that is something I will actually be using, it is a nice touch though. The King though is obviously the always available S-Memo, the ability to take a note while on the phone makes it into a productivity tool that reaches a different level.

h) S-Memo: As good as it is, it still has some annoying limitations. I would like to be able to recall the latest Note. Say you take a note in one conversation and then you need to use the content of that note in your next conversation, but then you will need to go out of Phone, back to home screen open S-Memo, find the note and then open it. A triple click with S-Pen should do all that.

i) Reading eBooks: Whoaw!! It is a very, very good container for the Kindle app (still haven't had the time to get around to epub, I can't download the Sony Reader app). I am able to set it to the smallest font with the most lines and smallest margins and my old eyes are still capable of reading without a problem. In bed this beats my Kindle hands down by the ankles.

wodin · 05-30-2012, 02:23 PM

Thanks Kumabjorn for the mini review, I was struck by the cons you posted; nothing there that can't be solved by free apps from Google Play.

Kumabjorn · 05-30-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

Thanks Kumabjorn for the mini review, I was struck by the cons you posted; nothing there that can't be solved by free apps from Google Play.

The questions is; Which ones?

a) MiniOpera or Chrome Beta?
d) Beautiful Widgets? Still not as good as HTC Sense.
h) Don't know any Memo app outside Color Notes.
i) Sony doesn't make their Reader app available for Europe.

Did I miss something?

Cdesja5 · 05-30-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

The questions is; Which ones?

a) MiniOpera or Chrome Beta?
d) Beautiful Widgets? Still not as good as HTC Sense.
h) Don't know any Memo app outside Color Notes.
i) Sony doesn't make their Reader app available for Europe.

Did I miss something?

i) get aldiko (free) to try as a reading app for all epubs
See this thread for how to use with calibre server/libraries/adobe digital edition
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=178123

wodin · 05-30-2012, 05:12 PM

The questions is; Which ones?

a) MiniOpera or Chrome Beta?
Take your choice, there are many free browsers, and if you don't like one just delete it.

d) Beautiful Widgets? Still not as good as HTC Sense.
Yup! But lots of launchers have widgets. I haven't tried them all, but...

h) Don't know any Memo app outside Color Notes.
Jotter is getting good reviews, but it's not free so I'm waiting for the ICS upgrade with the premium package. Same goes for browsers and launchers.

i) Sony doesn't make their Reader app available for Europe.
I'm not sure about that one, but there are lots of readers for EPUBs out there. Aldiko is one that comes to mind.

AnemicOak · 05-30-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

i) Sony doesn't make their Reader app available for Europe.

Not missing much IMO. I suppose if you've purchased a lot of books from their store it might be nice, but it's not a great reading app. Mantano would be my choice for a DRM'd ePub reader (Aldiko & BlueFire aren't bad either) or if DRM isn't an issue there is also Moon+ or a bunch of others.

Quelch · 05-30-2012, 07:22 PM

"Samsung Galaxy Note, a 5.3in beast that's part smartphone, part tablet"

Does Samsung make this without the phone function ?

graycyn · 05-31-2012, 12:30 AM

I also recommend Mantano Reader Pro for a great epub reader app.

Samsung does not make it without the phone part, but there is no rule that says you have to use the phone. Just put the device in airplane mode, then turn WiFi on as desired. I don't use the phone on mine, I didn't even own a SIM card when I got it. I did unlock mine in case I ever want to use it as a phone, but you don't have to do that to use it as a WiFi only device.

Otherwise, the closest non-phone device to it would be the Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0, but it is really no contest between the two, except for battery life.

Canuck_in_Japan · 05-31-2012, 05:47 AM

I just ordered an unlocked Galaxy note to replace my ageing iPhone 3GS. Looking forward to it!

Kumabjorn · 05-31-2012, 06:05 AM

Google's Japanese Input works very well with the S-Pen. Hopefully they'll come out with direct input as well.

Kumabjorn · 05-31-2012, 08:46 AM

Soo, today I got a few extras I found at various sites. First an extra Samsung battery. I do have some extra external chargers but in reality an extra battery really doesn't take up too much space and you don't have to wait for it to charge once you discover you are out of juice.
I also got a table stand/dock charger. Turns out that this is a great stand for the K3 as well. You can put it in there if you want to have your hands free while reading, and you get it charged while reading as well. Two stones a bird, ant all that.

I also got a nice case for it, a leather case that can also function as a stand for landscape mode and it even has room for two credit cards and some bills. In essence i can leave home with just one little thing in my pocket now.

Canuck_in_Japan · 06-01-2012, 03:04 AM

Got a link for the case? I've seen a few cases like that but they're not real leather and I think that anything that has a cover might be a little difficult to type with as you would need to hands for such a large screen. I'm also leery of increasing the already large size. Still, I like the idea of something like that

Kumabjorn · 06-01-2012, 04:34 AM

Leather case but it is black on the inside as well, not red as in the pictures. Amzon.jp might have it as well.

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05-25-2012, 11:31 AM	#46
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Thanks for the link. Seems a bit exorbiant for pleather when you can get real leather for half the price. But I'm sure it is a perfectly good case. Basically it can have three functions, 1) protecting the GN /they all do) 2) holding credit cards and bills (some do) 3) function as a stand when you want to do some serious input or watch video (some do). But it is har to find a cas that do all three and have a nice luxury leather construction.

05-29-2012, 03:28 PM	#47
Filark Armed with a smile :) Posts: 1,421 Karma: 2463560 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California, USA Device: enTourage eDGe & Pocket eDGe, Samsung Galaxy Note II	Congratulations on getting your Galaxy Note, Kumabjorn! Fortte has some nice leather cases. The "Lander" has a good stand, but none have it all: http://www.fortte.com/543/Samsung-GA...-leather-case/ So, how difficult is it to get back to an earlier note? How do you like it overall??

05-30-2012, 04:02 AM	#48
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Had it for a couple of days now. I've used a HTC Desire for a couple of years before that. Some reflections: a) Browser; The HTC actually has a better browser. When you zoom out or in the window will resize text to fit the window, with the GN you have to fiddle around before you get the size you like. This off course is off set by the larger screen. b) Size: GN is almost double the size. I would probably not use it for extended conversations, my BT headset will get more mileage. But, the size was also what attracted me in the first place, you just don't stand in the store and have a pretend phone conversation for ten minutes. c) Screen: It supposedly has a higher resolution, I just don't see it outside the larger real estate. That real estate is mighty handy though. I've been watching podcasts something I would rarely do on the Desire. d) UI or Sense vs. TouchWiz: TW lets you scroll through the various screens something Sense doesn't, on the other hand Sense comes with a nice collection of Widgets. There is only one World Clock and that is fairly large. I like a small world clock on top of some home screens where I have apps related to a certain time zone. So I have opted for a different setup on GN and still need to make changes before it it optimized. e) Input: Galaxy Note is hands down winner. HTC doesn't support external BT keyboards and Swype (I installed SlideIT on the Desire) is very efficient, not touch type efficient but a close cigarillo. I can see myself doing some serious note writing on it. f) S-Pen: On a Desire you can only use a capacitive stylus with their rubber tips, the S-Pen is a lot more versatile. I feel like I may need to press a little hard and that creates some concerns for scratching the screen. g) Bundled software: Samsung has a nicer collection including photo editing, just don't know that is something I will actually be using, it is a nice touch though. The King though is obviously the always available S-Memo, the ability to take a note while on the phone makes it into a productivity tool that reaches a different level. h) S-Memo: As good as it is, it still has some annoying limitations. I would like to be able to recall the latest Note. Say you take a note in one conversation and then you need to use the content of that note in your next conversation, but then you will need to go out of Phone, back to home screen open S-Memo, find the note and then open it. A triple click with S-Pen should do all that. i) Reading eBooks: Whoaw!! It is a very, very good container for the Kindle app (still haven't had the time to get around to epub, I can't download the Sony Reader app). I am able to set it to the smallest font with the most lines and smallest margins and my old eyes are still capable of reading without a problem. In bed this beats my Kindle hands down by the ankles.

05-30-2012, 02:23 PM	#49
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Thanks Kumabjorn for the mini review, I was struck by the cons you posted; nothing there that can't be solved by free apps from Google Play.

05-30-2012, 05:12 PM	#52
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	The questions is; Which ones? a) MiniOpera or Chrome Beta? Take your choice, there are many free browsers, and if you don't like one just delete it. d) Beautiful Widgets? Still not as good as HTC Sense. Yup! But lots of launchers have widgets. I haven't tried them all, but... h) Don't know any Memo app outside Color Notes. Jotter is getting good reviews, but it's not free so I'm waiting for the ICS upgrade with the premium package. Same goes for browsers and launchers. i) Sony doesn't make their Reader app available for Europe. I'm not sure about that one, but there are lots of readers for EPUBs out there. Aldiko is one that comes to mind.

05-30-2012, 07:22 PM	#54
Quelch Groupie Posts: 177 Karma: 1656608 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Kobo Touch and iPad 4 hers, Samsung Galaxy S 8.4 mine !	"Samsung Galaxy Note, a 5.3in beast that's part smartphone, part tablet" Does Samsung make this without the phone function ?

05-31-2012, 12:30 AM	#55
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,581 Karma: 11380098 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma, Kindle Oasis 2	I also recommend Mantano Reader Pro for a great epub reader app. Samsung does not make it without the phone part, but there is no rule that says you have to use the phone. Just put the device in airplane mode, then turn WiFi on as desired. I don't use the phone on mine, I didn't even own a SIM card when I got it. I did unlock mine in case I ever want to use it as a phone, but you don't have to do that to use it as a WiFi only device. Otherwise, the closest non-phone device to it would be the Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0, but it is really no contest between the two, except for battery life.

05-31-2012, 05:47 AM	#56
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	I just ordered an unlocked Galaxy note to replace my ageing iPhone 3GS. Looking forward to it!

05-31-2012, 06:05 AM	#57
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Google's Japanese Input works very well with the S-Pen. Hopefully they'll come out with direct input as well.

05-31-2012, 08:46 AM	#58
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Soo, today I got a few extras I found at various sites. First an extra Samsung battery. I do have some extra external chargers but in reality an extra battery really doesn't take up too much space and you don't have to wait for it to charge once you discover you are out of juice. I also got a table stand/dock charger. Turns out that this is a great stand for the K3 as well. You can put it in there if you want to have your hands free while reading, and you get it charged while reading as well. Two stones a bird, ant all that. I also got a nice case for it, a leather case that can also function as a stand for landscape mode and it even has room for two credit cards and some bills. In essence i can leave home with just one little thing in my pocket now.

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06-01-2012, 03:04 AM	#59
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	Got a link for the case? I've seen a few cases like that but they're not real leather and I think that anything that has a cover might be a little difficult to type with as you would need to hands for such a large screen. I'm also leery of increasing the already large size. Still, I like the idea of something like that

06-01-2012, 04:34 AM	#60
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Leather case but it is black on the inside as well, not red as in the pictures. Amzon.jp might have it as well.