Hasta La Gadget!

This week we’ve gotten an invitation to an event that’ll take place on the 15th of August right here in the United States well before the IFA 2012 event that’ll take place later in the month. What the invite appears to tease is a whole new form factor for the Samsung Galaxy Note lineup – perhaps the 10.1 Galaxy Note tablet, perhaps a new larger 5.5-inch Galaxy Note phablet – or perhaps something altogether new. Clues include the ever-so-thin lines around the device shown in the invite which make for a mobile device, a pen of some sort, and maybe even a built-in cover.

The device – or devices – that’ll be revealed at this August 15th event will include an S-Pen as past Galaxy Note devices have, and will likely be rather thin. With the styling around the edge of the device we expect there will be an amazingly thin edge around the device’s display, and the extra flourishes around the left and the right more than likely simply signify the playfulness of the whole unit. On the other hand, the bend in the upper right (or just the right, however you look at it) may be a clue on how the device will have a cover of some sort.

The Galaxy S III had (and has) an official cover made by Samsung which connects to the device with a full battery cover replacement. Such a cover may be ready to roll with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 or it might be that they’ve decided to build it right in and make it non-removable. Unlike earlier iterations of the Galaxy Note 10.1 we’ve seen, this version will likely enter the states with a built-in holder for the S-Pen like the Galaxy Note device already on the market.

Later in the month at IFA 2012 in Berlin we’re expecting the Galaxy Note 2 to be revealed with a 5.5-inch display. This device has also been tipped as having essentially the same dimensions as the first Galaxy Note, but with a much thinner border around the display so that it might expand across the device freely. Have a peek at the timeline below on Galaxy Note devices to see what you can figure from all the clues and tips!

Samsung August 15th event teases new Galaxy Note form factor is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung has backtracked on apparent confirmation that its IFA 2012 “Unpacked” event will see the official launch of the Galaxy Note 2, despite a spokesperson’s previous “phablet” promises. Announced yesterday, the event on August 29 will mark a year since the launch of the original Galaxy Note, so it came as little surprise when an unnamed Samsung spokesperson revealed the second-gen model would indeed take the spotlight. However, “we cannot disclose information on what will be unveiled” a subsequent company rep told AllThingsD when questioned.

Nonetheless, that Samsung’s big reveal will be pen-related is clear. One of the company’s two invitations – different versions were seemingly sent to European and North American press – clearly featured a stylus along with the now-familiar opening box motif.

Whether it’s on August 29 or some other time, that the Note 2 is on the way is difficult to deny. Benchmarking results for the smartphone, leaked earlier, confirmed the 1.6GHz quadcore Exynos processor and 1280 x 720 display, which will presumably use the same active digitizer technology as the existing Note. However, the screen itself is expected to have grown, up to 5.5-inches compared to the current 5.3-inches.

That increase is believed to be accompanied by a slimming on the bezel and other elements of the Galaxy Note 2′s design, meaning the Samsung has managed to fit in a larger screen while keeping the actual size of the phone the same – or even smaller – than today’s Note. We’ll know for sure when SlashGear heads to IFA at the end of the month.

Samsung backtracks on Aug 29 Galaxy Note 2 confirmation is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s time to bring on the next generation of Samsung devices with “Pushing Boundaries” in the pipeline as the manufacturer of smartphones, tablets, televisions, cameras, and everything in between heads to IFA 2012. This event will take place on Thursday, August 30th at 11AM local time in Berlin, with “Samsung’s full product lineup” ready for display immediately following. We’ll be there with bells on, ladies and gentlemen, as we expect nothing less than mobile and much more giant devices to be revealed as it is at each Germany-based Unpacked event of the past.

This event will likely bring on a new Samsung Galaxy Note device as well as a final worldwide release of the Samsung Galaxy Note tablet – that being 10.1 inches of slate with an S-Pen to go along with it. Last year was home to not only the Samsung Galaxy Note‘s first appearance, but to the events that lead up to the newest in new from Samsung – the Galaxy S III. Berlin is quite often the place where some of the most fantastic Samsung devices are revealed, so we’ll certainly be bringing it all to you live in effect as it all comes down the chute.

For those of you looking to check out any early reveals, head to our Samsung portal as well as SamsungIFA.com if you do so expect them to reveal anything early themselves. Samsung is preparing to continue their dominance of the Android-based environment across the earth, but they may very well be bringing on more of their own software and hardware solutions to go along with it. There’s also ultrabooks, touchscreen devices, and even camera solutions to look forward to as well.

Check out the timeline below to see what Samsung’s been up to lately – aside from court battles, of course, and check back with us on the 30th of this month for more fun than you can shake a phablet at! We’ll be presenting most if not all of our reveals and hands-on posts via our main news feed, right down at SlashGear.com – don’t miss it!

Samsung Mobile Unpacked invites unleashed for IFA 2012 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This week we’ve got our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note as carried by T-Mobile in the USA – and with it we’ve got another home-run for the unique device team. Samsung took the time to create something unique in the Galaxy Note when it was first revealed for an international audience, and now the T-Mobile user base has the opportunity to use it on their favorite carrier. Is that the beginning and the end of it? Let’s have a peek!

Hardware

You’ve got a massive 5.3-inch screen here with 800 x 1280 pixel resolution (285 pixels per inch) across its face. Without a doubt, this is the largest smartphone you’ll ever have come across – as it is the largest smartphone on the market. Samsung would have you believe that this is not a smartphone, but a unique device that’s not a smartphone and not a tablet – but when it comes down to it, it’s completely up to you on how you define it.

The size of this device along with the width of it makes it so using the S-Pen docked within it is almost a necessity, but not quite. You’ve got a hearty collection of abilities with the device’s pen, many of which you’ll see with the Premium Suite upgrade that comes standard with this device (right out of the box.) Have a peek in the software section below to get a better handle at what the pen can do for you.

This Galaxy Note has a removable back panel so you’ve got access to your sim card as well as your microSD card, and your battery is removable, and therefor replaceable, as well. The exterior of the device is plastic on the back and around the rim while the front is one giant smooth flat reinforced glass panel. While the international edition of this device has a single physical home button, this version, as it is with the AT&T version, has a set of four capacitive buttons which work with both taps and long-presses to bring on your Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades such as multi-tasking with recent app selections.

The device is certainly something you’re going to want to hold in your own hands before you purchase – it’s something you’ve got to get used to if you’ve always used palm-sized devices in the past. Once you do get used to it, you’ll have a tough time going back to a smaller screen as well as going without a pen.

Software

With this release of the Samsung Galaxy Note you’ll get Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich right out of the box. This device has the Premium Suite as we detailed recently on the AT&T Galaxy Note – this device has the same software save the carrier-specific bits. That means you’ve got T-Mobile’s collection of data watchers and content devourers, otherwise the whole experience is the same as the AT&T device.

Have a peek at some hands-on time we had with the AT&T Galaxy Note with Premium Suite here:

Note that you’ve got the hook up with a variety of Samsung-specific sharing abilities as well as the Media Hub for movies and television shows as well. T-Mobile also provides live TV (for a fee) and some other gems that will make you glad you’re on the big pink carrier. Benchmark tests on this device have turned up, on the whole, to be the same as they’ve been with the AT&T Galaxy Note with Premium Upgrade. Have a peek at Quadrant Standard here:

Battery Time and Signal Strength

We’ve collected several speed tests here both in Minnesota and in Southern California so you get a double dose of signal strength data. You should really take the time to check if you’re in an optimal environment for your T-Mobile 4G data to come through with the ultimate speed for yourself, as you do live in your own unique area wherever you make your home, but what you see here will give you two ideas of what you might see.

The battery on this device is massive and, like the original Galaxy Note as well as the rest of the smart device on this planet, the amount of time you’ve got with your device without battery charging completely depends on the amount you use it. If you’re a heavy user, this meaning you stream video with the Samsung Media Hub (or download it) and Tweet and snap photos and chat all day long, the possibility exists that you’ll need to charge after about 10 hours.

As for those of you that are light or average users – like myself if I’m not out traveling – you’ll not need to worry about charging all day long. Make sure you’ve got the device hooked up to a charge when you sleep at night and you’ll be fine throughout the day.

Camera

The camera here on the Galaxy Note is exactly the same as we’ve experienced with the original Galaxy Note as well as the AT&T Galaxy Note. This is not a bad thing. Check out a few 8 megapixel photos and a 1080p video shot with the device for good measure.

Wrap-Up

This is your time, T-Mobile loyal fans, to finally attain the massive handheld device known as the Galaxy Note for your own. You’ve had the opportunity to pick up the international version for one gigantic wad of cash before, as it did (and does) work on T-Mobile bands, but now is the time when you can actually purchase an affordable version right from the T-Mobile store with 2-year contract. The decision you’ve got to make now is whether you want a Galaxy Note or a Galaxy S III – both are available on T-Mobile right this minute.

Lucky you, we’ve got a Samsung Galaxy Note vs Galaxy S III on T-Mobile post prepared for you to have your sweet time with, and an international comparison if you need another look. Of course there’s also a selection of other devices on the carrier as well, but when you’re addicted to Samsung, you’re addicted to Samsung. Let us know in the comments below whether or not you’re going to latch on!

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note Review is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Ready for the latest bout of XDA Recognized goodness? If you own a Nexus 7 or global Galaxy Note (oh yeah) then you’ll find official preview builds of CyanogenMod 10 for each device at the source links below. They’ll bring some added sparkle, like an almost-buttery version of Jelly Bean on the Note and USB storage on the Nexus 7, but neither build is ready for daily dependence — so tread carefully or just consider them proof that the CM and Team Hacksung folks are almost there.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs

CM10 preview builds out for Nexus 7 and Galaxy Note: official but experimental originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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