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.



 

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.