latest
Samsung's Android 9 Pie rollout has been rather swift. After beta testing it along with its new One UI on the Galaxy S9, S9+, and Note9, it began rolling it out to users of the first two models late in December. Back then, the company also released a Pie update roadmap with the months it expected to push the OTA for its remaining devices. Now, an updated roadmap has been spotted by SamMobile, pointing to quicker release dates for the Note9 and Note8.
The LineageOS custom ROM used to support just about every phone imaginable, but lately the project has been going for quality over quantity. Oreo (15.1) builds have to fulfill stricter requirements to receive official status, and now Lineage is dropping support for 30 unmaintained phones and tablets.
Samsung DeX allows your phone to project a desktop-like UI onto a larger screen, but the first generation Station that debuted last year had a rather clunky dock. There's a new version of the DeX hardware that's lighter, and you can get the "DeX Pad" free when you purchase a Galaxy S9 right now.
Since time immemorial, DisplayMate has done a review on the screen of Samsung's upcoming flagship just before launch. Well, it's that time of the year, and they're at it again with Samsung's Note8. As you'd expect, all the numbers look pretty fantastic. But the most shocking by far is the 1,200 nits of brightness that Samsung's latest can spit out. I hope everyone saved their eclipse glasses.
Over the past week, CyanogenMod 13 nightlies have been released for several Android phones and tablets, breathing new life into what can be now considered old hardware. Most of the devices had CM12.1 prior, meaning that the jump they're witnessing is just from Lollipop 5.1 to Marshmallow 6.0, but the Verizon Galaxy S5 never had CM12, it was on CM 11 (KitKat) prior to this update. That must feel like a quantum leap.
The Galaxy Note 8.0 launched in early 2013, so it has been around for over two years now. But old hardware is just the kind of thing that could benefit from a custom ROM. And a custom ROM could benefit from a great custom recovery. So it's good to see the Team Win Recovery Project roll out support for Samsung's original 8-inch Note tablet.
Samsung Announces That The AT&T Galaxy Note 8.0 Android 4.4.2 Update Is Finally Going Out To Devices
Jelly Bean seemed to stick around longer than other versions of Android. While most previous iterations were content to move along with each point release, Jelly Bean stuck around for 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3. It took quite a while for KitKat to arrive, and for some people, that wait has been longer than others.
The newer Samsung tablets like the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 might have better technical hardware than the year-old Note 8.0, but they've also got some sky-high prices. If you want a good deal on a mid-size tablet with a stylus and digitizer, Groupon has a refurbished model of the Galaxy Note 8.0 for just 9.99. The deal includes free shipping, but it's only available for another five days and change.
Samsung has been very cautious in rolling out its KitKat update thus far, with even most Galaxy S4 owners still waiting around on Jelly Bean. This doesn't even take into account all the millions of other Galaxy smartphones and tablets that often take a backseat to the company's flagship. Yet Samsung has now provided a list of all the devices it intends to bump up to Android 4.4.2 before it's all said and done.
The Galaxy Note 8.0 is a pretty capable tablet, though it does have several drawbacks. While the painfully low 1280 by 800 display can't be helped, its default software configuration is far less immutable. If TouchWiz just grinds your gears, you will be happy to know that CyanogenMod nightlies are now available for both the 3G (GT-N5100) and WiFi-only (GT-N5110) versions of the tablet. Sure, anyone who installs them now may be sacrificing stability and other functionality, but that's the price some are willing to pay for stock Android and quicker access to updates.
Christmas is coming a little early this year – Staples has a coupon that gets you $50 off any tablet over $149. That means you can get a solid deal on several great Android slates.
Samsung is already running circles around all of the other manufacturers shipping Android devices, and while we can come up with many reasons to pick up one the company's products, Sammy's steadily dishing out more. If you register your brand new Galaxy Tab or Galaxy Note tablet, Samsung will give you over 0 in perks. This is a $200 increase over their previous offer, and they've added additional products including Audible, SiriusXM, and Zinio. The Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 launched with most of these perks, but now they've been distributed across Samsung's broader range of tablets.
Reports have been circulating for the last week or so that the Android 4.2.2 bits were arriving on WiFi-only Note 8.0 devices, but now the floodgates appear to have opened. Almost all Note 8.0 units in the US should now be able to get the update in the system menu or by connecting to Samsung's Kies software.
If the new Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is too rich for your blood, you're in good company. Woot.com is here to alleviate your conflicting desires for a "premium" Samsung tablet at a not-so-premium price. The service has put various models of the older Galaxy Note 10.1, the Galaxy Note 8.0, and the Galaxy Tab 2 on sale. They're all refurbished, but come with significant discounts.
It's been nine months to the day since Android 4.2 was announced, and just under four months since Samsung's first non-Nexus 4.2 devices started hitting the shelves. But apparently it takes at least that long to make sure that every non-touch gesture and gyroscopic scrolling function works with a new version of Android. Case in point: both the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 WiFi (GT-P3110) in the UK and the Galaxy Note 8.0 3G (GT-N5100) in Germany are just now getting updated, according to SamMobile.
One of the biggest complaints about Samsung's latter tablet lines (aside from the plastic builds, outdated specifications, lack of storage, and oh yeah the freakin' smartphone buttons) is that they're too expensive when compared to similar Android tablets. Sammy is hoping to alleviate at least a few of these complaints with some pack-in deals for the Galaxy Note 8.0, Galaxy Tab 3 (all versions), and the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Student Edition. These rewards can be redeemed by registering your new tablet on Samsung's promotional perks page.
Samsung seems to be on a bit of an update spree lately, trying to get its devices up to speed on Android 4.2. This time it's the LTE Galaxy Note 8.0 and the somewhat older Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with 3G. Attacking the system update button like an enraged jungle cat won't do any good, folks. These updates are rolling out in stages.
While we were collaborating on the Galaxy Note 8.0 review, Cameron and I wondered what the "sweet spot" for pricing on this tablet would be. This is it: at $300, the Galaxy Note 8.0 becomes an easy recommendation rather than an exercise in compromises (especially if you're looking for a Goldilocks mid-sized screen). eBay has Samsung's latest stylus-oriented tablet for 9.99, assuming that you're OK with a manufacturer refurbished model. Shipping to the US is free, and you may not have to pay sales tax unless you live in New Jersey.
In the Android Police Galaxy Note 8.0 review, we mentioned that it would be a lot better with an adjusted price. The Samsung tablet has already seen some pretty significant discounts, and today eBay has the WiFi version for 5. That's $55 bucks off the US retail price, plus free shipping and zero taxes, at least if you live somewhere that isn't New York or New Jersey. This isn't one of eBay's Daily Deals - presumably the sale will end when stock runs out.
Kernel source code is an important part of a ROM developer's everyday life. It's what enables them to bring new features to your favorite device. What gives them with the opportunity to improve battery life, overclock (underclock) the processor, and so much more. For the average Joe, it's no big deal; for developers, however, it's a valuable asset.