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Feb

Samsung Galaxy Note Available Today On AT&T For $299.99 With Two-Year Agreement

Posted by Cameron Summerson in AT&T, Galaxy Note, News

The day has finally come, AT&T subscribers - the monstrous Samsung Galaxy Note is now available. For the uninitiated, the G Note is the Incredible Hulk of call-capable devices, blurring the lines between phone and tablet. It's a powerhouse device, albeit targeting a niche demographic:

5.3" 800 x 1280 HD super AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass
1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
1GB of ram
16GB of internal memory, expandable via microSD
8MP camera with 1080p HD video capabilities
2MP front-facing camera
Gigantic 2,500 mAh battery
178g (6.28 ounces)
5.78" x 3.27" x 0.38"
Android 2.3.6 with Samsung's latest TouchWiz UX
4G-LTE capable
802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi

If you're on the fence about this behemoth, take a look at our initial impressions to get a better idea of how it feels in-hand.

Feb

[Initial Impressions] AT&T Galaxy Note: Is That A Brick In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Posted by Brandon Lancaster in Galaxy Note, Reviews

Nearly half a year ago, Samsung shocked the smartphone world with the unveiling of an entirely unconventional phone at IFA 2011. Why was it unconventional and shocking, you ask? Well, because it sports a massive 5.3-inch screen. That phone is none other than the mighty Samsung Galaxy Note.

The phone is scheduled to release today, February 19th, and we've seen quite a bit of banter going around on what to expect. However, the most prominent question is whether it's a tablet or a smartphone. Obviously it's meant to be a phone with tablet-like features for on-the-go productivity, but is it practical to carry this thing around on a daily basis or is it just a gimmick that is destined to flop?

Feb

AT&T's Galaxy Note Already Rooted Via Odin

Posted by Liam Spradlin in AT&T, Development, Galaxy Note, News

Today has been a busy day in the world of rooting – we've already seen root access given to the Xoom Family Edition and the LG Spectrum. The Galaxy Note, slated for official release tomorrow (but already in the hands of some eager pre-order customers) has also been granted root today, thanks to Da_G over at XDA. The method appears to be similar to the Epic 4G Touch's original root procedure, and requires just a couple of quick Odin commands.

For detailed instructions on rooting AT&T's new phablet, and to download the necessary files, just click through the source link below, and start enjoying the power of root access on your new Galaxy Note.

Feb

[Download] Leaked Android 4.0 Build FB09 For Epic 4G Touch, See It In Action In A 16-Minute Hands-On Video

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Epic 4G Touch, News, Samsung

The poor, neglected Galaxy S series of phones may have earned Samsung a reputation for being slow to update their devices, especially here in the states. Today, however, a build of Ice Cream Sandwich for the Epic 4G Touch was leaked that suggests Samsung is making decent progress on the ICS front. So, while Sammy may be a touch on the slow side, at last they're working on it! That's something, right?

QBKing77 has put together a 16-minute walkthrough video of the build demonstrating all the major ICS features running on an E4GT including continuous voice-transcription, face-unlock, the new multitasking carousel, and swipe-to-dismiss notifications and apps.

Feb

Samsung And Verizon Bring Back 2010 With Style, Roll Out Froyo Update To The Continuum

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Continuum, News, Verizon Wireless

I know what you're thinking - Continuum? Wtf is that? It's that novelty phone released back in November of '10 with two screens: the actual display, and the "ticker" underneath.

When it was release, it shipped with Android 2.1 (that's Éclair for those who haven't been in the Android game for more than a year). Guess what? That hasn't changed. Yes, those poor souls who bought the Continuum have been stuck running 2.1 for more than a year. Sadface.

Good news, though! Big Red started pushing a pair of updates that will bring black sheep of the Galaxy S family up to Android 2.2.

Feb

Paper Camera Updated To Version 2.0, Adds Video Capability, Android Beam Support

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, Droid 3, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II, News

Paper Camera, one of the most successful camera apps on the Android Market, got an update to version 2.0 today. You may remember our preview of version 2.0 earlier this month, 2.0 being the update which promised to add video capability to the already awesome app. Well, JFDP Labs LTD has made good on that promise, and thrown in a few other tweaks as well.

At the moment, only the Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy SII, Galaxy Note, Droid 3, and Transformer Prime have official video support, but JFDP advises that other devices "might have some degree of support."

Besides added video capabilities, Paper Camera has also received support for Android Beam, allowing users to transfer images seamlessly between devices powered by Ice Cream Sandwich.

Feb

Skype For Android Updated To 2.7.0.907, With Updated Call Interface, Epic 4G Touch Compatibility In Tow

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, Epic 4G Touch, News

Skype, a hugely practical video (and internet) calling solution, got an update today, bringing the app to version 2.7.0.907 and bringing a few key improvements to the table. The most noticeable improvement in this release is an updated (and enhanced) call interface, adding functionality and panache to the screen every user sees when placing or receiving a call.

Besides an updated call screen, the latest release also adds much-needed video call compatibility with Samsung's Epic 4G Touch (Sprint's version of the Galaxy SII), as well as enhanced call quality. If you haven't already, hit the Market link below and grab the update while it's hot!

Feb

Apple Still Trying To Sue The World Into Oblivion With A Fresh Suit Against 17 Samsung Devices Infringing Upon 8 Apple Patents; In Other News, Sky Blue, Water Wet

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in News, Samsung

Last week, we found out that Apple was bringing a fresh suit against Samsung - specifically, seeking a preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Nexus over four patents. Now the official complaint document has been posted by the court, and it turns out the suit is aimed at a lot more than just the beloved GNex, and involves more than the four patents initially mentioned. In fact, Apple explicitly names seventeen Samsung devices and cites eight of its patents.

The patents in question:

Or, for those of you that prefer things in text (also, so that you can copy and paste them elsewhere for the purpose of mockery):

System and method for performing an action on a structure in computer-generated data

Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system

Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image

Method, system, and graphical user interface for providing word recommendations

Missed telephone call management for a portable multifunction device

Graphical user interface using historical lists with field classes

Asynchronous data synchronization amongst devices

Universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system

The 17(+) devices in question:

Phones
- US SGSII series: Galaxy S II Skyrocket, Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy S II - T-Mobile, Galaxy S II - AT&T
- Galaxy Nexus
- Illusion
- Captivate Glide
- Exhibit II 4G
- Stratosphere
- Transform Ultra
- Admire
- Conquer 4G
- Dart
Media Players/Tablets
- Galaxy Player 4.0 and 5.0
- Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and Galaxy Tab 8.9

^{I CAN SEE THE INFRINGEMENT FROM HERE.}

Feb

[Updated] Leak: Official Sprint Nexus S 4G Ice Cream Sandwich Update Could Start Rolling Out Tomorrow, February 16th

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News, Nexus S 4G (Crespo4g), Rumors, Sprint

Last Updated: February 17th, 2012

At the end of January, a leaked Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 build IMM26 for the Sprint Nexus S 4G ended up online, indicating that a possible official release wasn't too far off. We heard this leak caused quite a bit of commotion within the companies involved, which may have had something to do with the XDA post getting wiped clean shortly after (although the poster did state he would only keep it going for a few days).

Two weeks passed without any news, but the situation changed just a few minutes ago when we received a screenshot of one of Sprint's internal systems which clearly shows that this highly desired upgrade should finally be available February 16th.

Feb

We've Had It All Wrong, TheTechBlock Reveals The True Power Of The Galaxy Note

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Galaxy Note, News

In case a CES announcement and a superfluously long Superbowl ad weren't quite enough to grab your attention, allow us to re-re-introduce you to the Galaxy Note. You might think you already know this device. You might think you know it as a gigantic phone or a tiny, tiny tablet. Either too big to be pocketable, or too small to be tablet-y. You're wrong. TheTechBlock is here to illuminate how.

The folks over at TheTechBlock do a far better and more eloquent job than we ever could at explaining just all the ways that the Galaxy Note can and will rock your world if you'll just give the phone with a little extra to love a chance.