Galaxy Note II blends tablet and smartphone technology

PHOTO | FILE Galaxy Note II has a variety of apps that suit both business-oriented and casual users.

What you need to know:

  • Whichever way a user will see it, the first impression of the Galaxy Note II is that it is an all-in-one product
  • The Galaxy Note II has a big screen — 5.5 inches and stands out among phones as a giant smartphone. Its front part is almost similar to what is available on the design of the Galaxy SIII
  • The hardware of the Galaxy Note II includes, a Quad Core processor crafted to give the device extra power and a longer lasting battery of 3,100mAh capacity. The RAM is 2GB and there is provision of expansion of storage memory space up-to 64GB
  • Its multitasking is outstanding, it is possible to switch swiftly from one function to another or allow several to run simultaneously. However, to enjoy such features, a user has to get acquainted with the gestures and movements of the stylus and finger as well
  • In either the phablet range of devices or the big phone class, the Galaxy note is strong contender

The Galaxy Note II is one gadget that might as well belong to a class of its own. Some users view it as a giant smartphone. Others see the Samsung product as a small-size tablet.

To gadget geeks, it belongs to a new category of smart devices called phablets.

Whichever way a user will see it, the first impression is that it is an all-in-one product. Let us have a closer look at this gadget which is now available locally.

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The Galaxy Note II has a big screen — 5.5 inches and stands out among phones as a giant smartphone. Its front part is almost similar to what is available on the design of the Galaxy SIII. There is a camera, the ambient light sensor and the physical home button.

The display is HD Super AMOLED capacitive touch screen with a resolution ideal for viewing multimedia content. There is a front camera for video calling and also a rear camera of 8MP.

The hardware of the Galaxy Note II includes, a Quad Core processor crafted to give the device extra power and a longer lasting battery of 3,100mAh capacity. The RAM is 2GB and there is provision of expansion of storage memory space up-to 64GB.

Software and features

The Galaxy Note II is Samsung’s flagship gadget that runs on Android’s latest software — Jelly Bean or Android 4.1. Jelly Bean OS has an enriched serving of APIs that enhance, among other features, media access, Android Beam, gesture mode, network bandwidth management and fast data connectivity.

The Android OS is open source unlike iOS and BlackBerry’s RIM OS which are closed. The devices that use Android software can access to thousands of apps in the Android store.

With the Android software, Samsung has created admirable user experience on the Galaxy Note II. There is a horde of features and an intuitive TouchWiz user interface. Users are able to navigate on the screen by both touch and the S-Pen.

In a bid to compete with iPhone’s digital voice assistant, the gadget spots the S-Voice. Users have third party Apps on the gadget that boosts the trendy use of voice-controlled assistant/search.

Its multitasking is outstanding, it is possible to switch swiftly from one function to another or allow several to run simultaneously. However, to enjoy such features, a user has to get acquainted with the gestures and movements of the stylus and finger as well.

Once you get used to a stylus, navigating the gadget with the S-Pen can be fun and another means of opening up a whole new user experience.

Given the TuochWiz UI and the hovering functionality, the phone simply senses the stylus even when it is just a few millimetres above the screen.

The gadget has a handwriting recognition capability for on-screen physical taking of notes, text input and utilisation of productivity apps.

For users who might find the S-Pen a bit frustrating, there is an option of using the finger on the responsive capacitive touch screen.

Talking about apps and features on the Galaxy Note II, there is a variety which suit both business-oriented users and casual people. We might not explore all of them on this page.

But, I am sure that every user who comes across the Galaxy Note II will find something suitable for the palate.

In Kenya, the gadgets are doing well on 3G networks, HSPA data connectivity and EDGE. Apart from a few issues some people might have with the stylus, the general performance of the Galaxy Note II is fantastic.

In fact, this is as a result of the combination of Google’s latest Android software and a powerful processor chip.

The gadget relies on an enhanced battery power giving it longer period of use unlike some Android phones. The hardware finishing and creative approach to user experience are a plus.

Bottom line

In either the phablet range of devices or the big phone class, the Galaxy note is strong contender.

In August, Samsung said it has sold 10 million Galaxy Notes since the model hit the global markets. Mobile computing users who like big screens and multitasking will find it irresistible.

The author is an ICT analyst and a telecommunication engineer.

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