Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve already deconstructed Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 on a metaphorical level, and now it’s iFixit’s turn to go the literal route. The DIY repair outlet found the pen-friendly tablet to be one of its easier tablet teardowns in recent memory: just about everything inside that frame can be swapped out individually. It’s even possible to replace the relatively cheap glass that sits on top of the considerably pricier LCD, just in case the slate plummets face-first but leaves some chance at salvaging its screen. While largely coming back with good news, the investigation also explains Samsung’s decision to go with a modest 7,000mAh battery — stuffing all those components into a 0.35-inch thick frame doesn’t leave much room for the lithium-ion pack that gives them life. Still, if you’re itching to understand what defines a truly repairable tablet, or just want to get a peek at those Galaxy S III-derived roots, the full surgical procedure is available at the source.

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 teardown shows easy fixes, skimpy battery originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Samsung first released the Samsung Galaxy Note, it proved to be quite the sleeper hit. After all, who would have thought that a smartphone device with an unerringly huge display, would actually also double up as a pseudo tablet of sorts? Of course, this would have meant going to the tailors to make sure that your pants pockets are enlarged to accommodate the more generous size of the “phablet”, helping coin a new word in the process. Well, it had to happen – there is a new Galaxy Note in town, and this is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 would definitely be the latest addition to the Galaxy Note family of devices, where it intends to continue from where the original Galaxy Note left off. With the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, you will be able to enjoy the functionality and precision of a pen and paper through the merging of the S Pen alongside a 10.1-inch display that is definitely generous compared to its smaller brethren.

Apart from the stunning hardware, Samsung has not forgotten about the end users and consumers, which is why they have thrown into the mix Adobe’s premium creative application, Photoshop Touch that has been specially optimized for Samsung’s S Pen in order to deliver unprecedented precision and control. Not only that, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will also introduce the game changing Multiscreen feature that enables you to operate a couple of different apps side-by-side, simultaneously, on the same screen.

Underneath the hood lies a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM which should be more than sufficient to get it going, allowing the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to handle all that you can throw at it without missing a beat. Another thing to take note of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 would be its an advanced S Pen feature that has 1,024 levels of sensitivity, making it ideal for natural and intuitive content creation. You can choose from white or dark gray colors, where it will come in 16GB or 32GB memory configurations, retailing for $499 or $549, respectively.

Press Release

[ Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 arrives in the US at long last copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Hidden among the higher-profile items at Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 launch today was a device that at first seemed familiar, but turned out to be far more than your everyday S Pen. That’s right, Samsung’s already capable stylus just got a major boost — meet the BT S Pen. The device, which received no formal introduction during its host device’s launch event, first appeared in the “press kit” bag that attendees received on the way out the door. It’s similar in size and shape to the company’s Galaxy S Pen Holder Kit, which serves as a sleeve for the standard-issue Note S Pen, but Bluetooth functionality, along with a microphone and tiny speaker, enable the lightweight plastic contraption to double as a wireless headset — sure to come in handy with the SIM slot-equipped international Note 10.1 flavor.

We caught our first hint of the pen’s functionality upon discovering a bundled AC adapter — that seemed mighty odd. The box also included an unusually beefy user manual and no fewer than five replacement “nibs” (read: stylus tips). Pairing took but a few seconds, and then we were on our way answering calls with a single tap of the talk button. There’s also a built-in vibration mechanism, which serves to alert you to incoming calls. Sound quality was solid, but speaking into a pen admittedly felt a bit odd — you may not draw as many stares as you would if speaking directly into a 10.1, but the seemingly unusual action may still turn a few heads. Otherwise, the S pen functioned as expected.

The packaging is all we have to go off of at this point — Samsung reps we spoke to didn’t know to expect the device today, so there’s no pricing or availability info to share. We do know that it’s rated for three hours of talk time and 130 hours of standby, it weighs 21 grams, offers Bluetooth 3.0 compatibility and will work with Galaxy Note devices — you could use it as a headset with other gadgets, though there wouldn’t be much appeal. It also includes a micro-USB charging cable, with the port accessible just above the shirt clip. That’s all she wrote for now — apparently this accessory was available exclusively at today’s event, and may not make its way to the US, if it’s released at all. You can see it in action now though, in our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Samsung HM5100 Bluetooth S Pen makes a surprise debut in our Note 10.1 ‘press kit,’ we pencil in a chat (hands-on)

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Tablet PCs

Samsung HM5100 Bluetooth S Pen makes a surprise debut in our Note 10.1 ‘press kit,’ we pencil in a chat (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Galaxy Note 10.1 is now good and official stateside, and you know that means Samsung has some new accessories to shill. On hand at Lincoln Center were leather cases in a variety of colors (including white, orange and brown) along with versions that mimic the flip covers for the original Galaxy Note and the Galaxy S III — the difference being that they don’t replace the Note 10.1’s backing, as that’s not removable. Samsung also had a keyboard case on display, though so far we’ve yet to see more details. For now, you’ll have to settle for our eyes-on photos below.

Zach Honig contributed to this report.

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 cases and keyboard dock eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consider it the fallout from a decade-plus of reality TV, but our made-by-the-masses approach has expanded into new territory: technology R&D. Or so Samsung’s very public handling of the Galaxy Note 10.1 would have us believe. Thrust into an American Idol-like spotlight at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the still-unfinished slate, a follow-up to the pen-enabled Galaxy Note phone, was forced to perform for hordes of skeptical insiders. Sure, there was raw talent on display and we could see the promise of this 10-inch contender (we said as much in our exhaustive preview), but it was also clear the company was testing consumer waters, fishing for a vote of confidence before continuing down the development track.

Does this make Samsung’s latest flagship the Kelly Clarkson of the tablet category? It’s an apt analogy, if you think about it: Kelly wants to be country, the Note 10.1 wants to be a pro-designer tool, but neither are allowed. Why? Well, simply put, products sell better when they’re made more palatable for a wider range of tastes. Which is why the company used MWC to gauge popular opinion before molding its untested product into something wth a broader appeal. Ultimately, that meant a drastic makeover: since MWC, the Note 10.1 has received a slot for that S-Pen, streamlined software, a quad-core Exynos 4 chip and two storage configurations: 16GB / 32GB, priced at $499 and $549, respectively.

So it now has more horsepower under the hood, that much is assured, but is that chip enough to boost the Note 10.1’s mass appeal? Will savvy shoppers be able to forgive that relatively low-res 1,280 x 800 display? Will its Wacom digitizer elevate this slate past its more generic Android and iOS rivals? Or will that feature hamper its widespread appeal, attracting mainly creative professionals? Meet us after the break to see if the Note 10.1 can succeed as the multitasking everyman’s go-to tablet.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 review

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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