It's Note Time: Samsung Galaxy Note

AT&T announced that the Samsung Galaxy Note will be available in the US for $300 on February 19 with pre-orders set to arrive on February 17. The Galaxy Note is perhaps the most talked about smartphone at CES this year. Samsung has blended the best qualities of a smartphone with the functionality and screen real estate of a tablet. Some are saying that it may usher in a new phone/tablet mobile device category simply called "phablet".

The Galaxy Note touts Android 2.3.6 with a dual core 1.5 Ghz processor, a stunning true HD 5.3 inch Super AMOLED screen (1280 x 800 resolution) and AT&T 4G LTE connectivity. It features a stylus like instrument that Samsung calls the S Pen that is designed to measure 256 levels of pressure sensitivity that delivers an experience differing from any other mobile device to date. Users will be able to write, sketch, scribble and jot notes down in free form handwriting throughout many different on-screen functions. Most impressive is the Galaxy Note has the ability to decipher handwriting and convert it to standard text. Oh, and did I mention that it also makes phone calls!

What do you think about the Galaxy Note? Is it a smaller sized tablet or a really big phone? The specs are undeniably impressive for a smartphone, but do you think that it merits creating another category of mobile technology? Please share you thoughts and comments below.



 

It's Cool To Be SQUARE!

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A lot of people have seen these little squares but many don't realize how powerful this little gadget really is. It's simply called the Square credit card system. The idea for the bite sized card reader was helmed by Jack Dorsey, one of the founders of Twitter and has drawn quite a buzz for its clever size and functionality. Square is a fast growing way for individuals and businesses to except all major credit cards in a quick, secure and very compact way. The Square application and card reader are free when you sign up for a new account and its compatible with iPhone, Android smartphones and iPad.

The terms of  the Square credit card system are quite simple. One flat charge of 2.75% per card swipe and 3.5% for card numbers entered manually. Square automatically deposits funds directly to your account the next day. Simply download the app, plug in the card reader and you are ready for business. The Square system is commitment free and it eliminates the complex monthly fees and hidden costs of many other credit card payment services. The Square app keeps a real-time log of all card payment history and allows you to send receipts instantly to your customers by e-mail or text.

Mobile credit card payment services are still a new concept today and many like Square have a challenging road towards profitability. The New York Times reported that the young company was thought to be valued around 1.6 billion in June of 2011. Square has also attracted heavy financial backing from the likes of Khosla Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Despite less than stellar financial projections so far, they are on track to reach profitability in 2012.

What do you think of the latest offerings in mobile payment services? Is this technology something that you currently employ or is it something that you might consider using in the future. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Please share weather or not you think this type of service will continue to grow or phase out.

Via: IB Times and New York Times

4G LTE LG Optimus 2x w/ Unlimited Talk Text & Web $45 per Month NO Contract?

Yes, your eyes are just fine. You are reading that correctly! It appears that Straight Talk Wireless (Walmart's exclusive offering by TracFone Wireless) is getting in on the 4G LTE game with a little help from an unnamed network provider to offer its customers an UNLIMITED talk, text and 4G LTE web plan. They are offering  this plan  for $45 per month, NO Contract on an LG Optimus 2x Android smartphone.

The Straight Talk website reserve.straighttalkandroid.com is live and is taking information for customers to reserve their device order or get notification as soon as it is available to buy online or in Walmart stores. The company has traditionally  offered low-end feature phones over the last two years with a $30 plan that includes 1000 talk minutes, 1000 text messages and 30 Mb of data or a $45 unlimited plan with unlimited talk, text and data. This is the first time that a pre-paid carrier has offered a 4G LTE phone and service.

What do you think about Straight Talk offering 4G LTE phones and service? Do you think that this will be a game changer or another failed attempt to appeal to and lure post paid contract customers to a smaller carrier offering? I guess we will have to wait and see how this all works out. Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Via: Straight Talk

ITC Says Motorola Does Not Violate Apple Patents

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In a preliminary ruling today by the U.S. ITC (International Trade Commission) has stated that Motorola does not violate Apple patents. Apple filed an ITC complaint in October of 2011, saying that Motorola's line of DROID phones and other Motorola smartphones violated several of Apples patent properties. Although this is a preliminary ruling that will have to approved by the full ITC commission, it definitely knocks the wind out of Apples legal offence against the entire Google Android ecosystem.

This is a case that falls in line with a recent spike in technology companies turning to the ITC to settle their legal disputes. An Apple win in this case could have a large affect on other Android manufacturers in ITC patent dispute cases. The outcome of this case would be felt mostly by companies like Samsung and HTC which are both currently involved in similar legal battles with the Cupertino tech giant.

This particular case has sent quite a buzz throughout the technology industry and a lot of eyes are intently following the outcome. What do you think about this case and the increased focus on intellectual properties legal disputes today. Does Apple really have a solid case in these disputes or are they simply bullying the competition? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. 
 

SAMSUNG Makes A Big Splash at CES 2012

As today kicks off the second official day of CES International. I want to highlight the big story of day one at CES. Thousands of technology manufacturers and vendors showed to kick off the massive trade show, but one in particular showed up with their game face on.

Samsung announced the big news of their commitment to push boundaries in HD and smart TVs on Monday. They followed that up with a jaw dropping CES showroom (practicly the size of a Best Buy store) filled with the latest gadgets from the technology giant. Samsung's showroom displayed the new Galaxy Note in all its 5.3 inch HD Super AMOLED display, 1.5 Ghz dual-core CPU, S pen stylus enhanced, 4G LTE goodness. Samsung also showed off the worlds thinnest notebook computer, their ultra-sleek Notebook Series 9. In case you are wondering, not everything was mobile or portable. Samsung dedicated a large amount of its display to in home entertainment and connected smart home technology. The Samsung ChromeBox Series 3 is Google Chrome powered desktop computer that boasts productive home computing in a compact design that is connectable to a traditional monitor. The home appliance section of the room showed people the benefits of having a Samsung washer and dryer system that you can control with your smartphone, tablet or computer even when you are away from home.

The Samsung 3D section was plentiful too! There were 3D TVs, desktop computers and notebook computers that can be enjoyed with and without 3D glasses. Just as I was about to head for the exit, I finally stumbled upon Samsung's OLED HD TV display. They were amazing in both color richness and picture clarity, but most impressive was how sleek and thin these sets are, not to mention that they can be controlled using only your voice.

There was so much to see and interact with in Samsung's showroom that I didn't make it to a few of the other manufacturer booths that I planed to visit on day one, but I don't regret it one bit. Samsung wowed everyone at CES and I'm glad that I was one of the lucky people here to see it first hand. Please share you thoughts and comments on what Samsung and others have showed at CES this year. What do you think we will see going forward? Post your take on CES 2012 in the comments below.

CES Buzz

We are 1 day away from the start of the largest consumer electronics event of the year, CES International in Vegas. Already there are a few gadgets and manufacturers that are creating quite a buzz even before the official start of the trade show. CES is the one time of year when everyone brings their best and this years trade show is sure to deliver some firsts.

Toshiba is showing off the worlds thinnest tablet dubbed as the REGZA and a groundbreaking glasses-free 3D Smart TV. The Toshiba REGZA is 7.7mm thin (substantialy thinner than the iPad 2) and sports a 5 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front facing camera, a Texas Instrument OMAP dual-core chip, impressive.

Lenovo is releasing a 55 inch LED TV powered by Android 4.0 ice Cream Sandwich. The set features perks like a dual-core processor, facial recognition security, voice commands and a 5megapixel webcam and 8 GB of storage. This Google TV will initially launch only be available in China with other contries to follow later in the year.

Verizon and OnStar are revealing a future ready, fully connected 4G LTE Chevy VOLT. The vehicle features multiple connections for gaming and media devices and OnStar RemoteLink mobile control through smartphones. This vehicle also sports home and smart grid connectivity, with the ability to manage home energy and real-time vehicle diagnostics.

This is only a small peek at what will be discovered over CES week which excites me even more about what the tech elite have in store. What are you looking forward to most about CES. Do you have a favorite gadget category of do you just like to take it all in? Please share in the comments below.

Via CES and CNET