Screen sizes are not significantly different (especially after the lost pixels due to the Honey bar), IMO, plus the Note will get ICS in the near future. Also, having experienced with both Wacom and N-trig digitizers, I generally favor Wacom (which is what the Note has). Of course there is a huge price difference between these two at this time, but the Note is also a phone right out of the box (unlocked version is about $650, and AT&T version with two year plan is $300).
So what do you think? Worth shelling out the extra money for the Note? Or remain faithful to the Flyer/View?
Get both! Its what I'm doing! BTW If you get a new two year contract you can take another $100 off the Note price, link through retailmenot
I guess it depends on whether you actually use the stylus for writing BC if you do, I think that the apparently small screen difference will probably be quite apparent. I've never tried out the note, so I could be wrong....but looking at the engadget review writing sample, it looks like I may be correct.
I use the stylus quite a bit. Honestly, for serious inking/annotating for professional purposes (I am a college professor), anything less than a 10-inch screen just looks too small to me, so I use my ThinkPad Tablet. For lighter inking/note-taking, the Flyer is better, also because it is significantly less bulky than the TPT. In this regard, I think the Galaxy Note may be a good substitute.
I'm intrigued by the idea of having both. But personally still on the fence about whether the Note is too big to be practical as a phone.
On a side note, I think its ironic that the stylus is coming back to smartphones (LG is copying the idea also). Everyone was all like "its so cool that the iPhone came out and you don't need the stupid stylus to poke the screen". Now people are realizing that they have some really useful and cool applications, and never should have gotten rid of them. Sure the stylus concept is updated, but the basic idea is the same.
redpoint73 said:
I'm intrigued by the idea of having both. But personally still on the fence about whether the Note is too big to be practical as a phone.
On a side note, I think its ironic that the stylus is coming back to smartphones (LG is copying the idea also). Everyone was all like "its so cool that the iPhone came out and you don't need the stupid stylus to poke the screen". Now people are realizing that they have some really useful and cool applications, and never should have gotten rid of them. Sure the stylus concept is updated, but the basic idea is the same.
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Yeah, I used to try so hard not to have to use the stylus on my Windows Mobile phones. Now I am like, huh...really...styluses are cool now.
Since I haven't touched either yet I don't have much to add. But I was just debating this before I recently ordered the Flyer. With the Note around $600 (no contracts for me) and the flyer at $200 it was just easier to take a chance on the Flyer. If the Note fails at taking notes then what did I just buy? If the Flyer fails my kids get a new toy. And I am hoping to do more writing than I think I'd want to do on 5".
The review of the Note on The Verge says that the Note has the better pen then the Flyer, accuracy etc. fwiw.
ive only had my note for two days, and i havent used the stylus much yet, but if im making a call id peg the flyer pen as more accurate
Pressure sensitive stylus are useful. The plastic stick palm pilots had allowed poor ui choices
I've been using both. The Note has far better accuracy in writing than the Flyer in my opinion. In addition, the ability to zoom in in portrait mode is much better for fine details. I still can't understand why the Flyer doesn't have this.
That being said, the Flyer's Evernote integration is still hands-down better. The fact that it seamlessly integrates with meetings and reminders as well as automatically syncs with Evernote makes it a lot easier to move between devices with. Also, having the erase button on the stylus is really convenient.
In the end, I'll probably end up replacing my Flyer with the Note just because the Note is a lot more convenient and I only have to carry around one device, but there are still some nice features to the Flyer that you can't find on the Note. Hopefully, Samsung can replicate some of the great functionality HTC worked into the Flyer.
I did take some comparison shots in case anyone was looking at it from a size standpoint. You can find them on my Google album -https://plus.google.com/photos/101248606811583627981/albums/5711273582828842705
Wow, those are great comparison shots. Thank you so much for posting them. I am receiving my Note tomorrow to replace my trusty old Nexus One. I am really pumped-up now!
I have both the Note and the Evo View. I use the Note as my main driver and a phone. My Evo View is used for times I need bigger screen to watch movies or surf the net or play games... I guess I can do all those on my Note but I baby my Note so it doesn't get abuse while my View gets toss around. My kids watch videos on the go on it. It's nice to have the 7" screen for kids to play on as well so that they don't touch my Note.
I do like the pen input better on the View since it's got a bigger screen to draw on and ink as well as better intergration of selecting options for the pen. As far as accuracy and lag... I think they are pretty similar... slight lag and okay accuracy.
Oh..and battery on the View last a lot longer since I have it in airplane mode and wifi on only. It last about a week with about 6 to 7 hour screen on time. During standby.. it only drops about 1% in 24 hours.
If I had to choose just only one device, then it would be the Note though since it can do everything that the View can do. But it is also a lot more expensive as well. My Note was $500 more than the View unless you get the Note on contract then it's only about $100 difference then. But if you just want a tablet with stylus input ability, then I would get the Flyer/View while they are on clearance.
I just tried the Note yesterday and here are my impressions:
1) TAKING NOTES: C-
The thing that struck me the most odd about the Note is that they call it the "Note" and yet have engineered it in such a way as actually taking "notes" on it is almost impossible.
If you are like me and like to rest your fat old palm on the screen as you are writing, the Note simply will not work for you. I assumed that the Engineers at Samsung would have done something clever like disabling the hard buttons at the bottom of the screen anytime the s-pen was within an inch of the screen. But no, they didn't. If you attempt to write notes and your palm hits the hard buttons at the bottom, literally all hell will break loose on the screen. You simply cannot take notes. It is impossible. With the View, after a while you sort of get the hang of resting your palm on the screen in such a way to not trigger the keyboard or menus, but with the Note this is simply not possible.
One HUGE benefit of using the View to take notes is the ability of the pen to quickly highlight typed text. I LOVE this. The s-pen on the Note does not have this ability (that I could tell anyway).
Horrible, horrible implementation by Samsung.
2) SPEED: B
The thing is slow. This REALLY shocked me given the specs but there is no way the Note I tried was nearly as quick as my View. When I scrolled webpages I even saw the dreaded checkerboard pattern occasionally. I was shocked.
3) FORM FACTOR: A+
The size is nice and it's light and thin. I use a bluetooth headset anyway so would never be holding it up to my face and looking like a dork.
Conclusion:
Overall nice device but needs some serious software tweaks to be a contender.
P.S., Guess, what? The Sprint Rep told me that he heard from TPTB that Sprint will be getting the Note this summer.
Did you try the Unlocked International version? Or the AT&T version?
Flaco05 said:
Did you try the Unlocked International version? Or the AT&T version?
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AT&T Version.
I have both the note and flyer. I use the two Devices interchangeably.
Aside from the clicks noise the pen makes on the flyer screen, it's pen is still better IMO. it has eraser on it - v convenient. Taking screenshots is more straightforward. When. Taking notes, u can just continue to write, page extends to accommodate writing. On the Note however, u must open up a new page after first is full. you must also save the first full page separately...as separate document. Being able to just continue writing on the Flyer is an advantage for note-taking at meetings. But, you need somewhere to put your pen, on the flyer, there's no stylus slot option..
Screen and camera - in some respects is leaps and bounds ahead on Note; brighter images. Although, flyer is still v good for brightened. Flyers have advantage though with regard to current quality control. In snore forums you will notice several concerns about pixilated dark images on stills and videos. Also, concerns about artifacts on some Note screens - visible on dark grey backgrounds.
Calendar - Note has more functionality and pen can be used to arrange calendar appointments - I don't think this can be done on flyer.
Seven screens on Note vs 5 on Honeycombed HTC flyer. However, the note will never be able to touch the Flyer for screen transition animation and weather animation. If you like your bling, it's got to be the flyer, no competition.
Battery...I have been finding the note battery much much better than my flyer battery. With note on low to moderate use, I can go for 2 days. With the flyer, it's only a day. Difference is really apparent when upping use to moderate.
They are both good in own ways. If u can get flyer dirt cheap, buy it alongside the note. If not, stick with Note. Note wins as it easily works as multifunction device. But Flyer is more of a Web-surfing, video and brief note device. Even for the 32GB 3g flyer, phone functionality is difficult (pls correct me if I've got this wrong - as I have wifi-only Flyer but have read moans on 3g threads). So if phone accessibility and quality is important, go for Note. But of you're floored by minor quality control flaws, go for the HTC.
Sent from my 32GB GT-N 7000 using xda premium
whmcal said:
But Flyer is more of a Web-surfing, video and brief note device
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I've had my note for a couple of days, and the above review is pretty much spot on. I'd like to also add that the Note, despite its size, still feels like a phone, with additional note-taking capabilities and a nice screen. The Flyer, on the other hand, feels more like a small tablet (which is exactly what it is!)
Since I had them both, I would prefer using view than note. I bought note when it first released in my town. And I became so frustated after several days using it due to its form factor isn't note taking friendly. So I gave my note to my wife, and I bought the view. and yes, I am very satisfied with the view.
Related
Anyone crazy like me & would like a bigger "SCREEN" in the next G.Note 2?
Soooo.... After owning the phone for a few days and as crazy as it sounds the phone is becoming very "normal" sized to me . Now i think alot of people mis-judge this phone from Youtube comparison vids and such. I said in another post out of the 5 people i let hold it have either said wow its so light and thin or its a very nice device. I am no giant either i am about 6 foot tall lean build.
But back on topic. Now getting used to the extra real estate has been easy for me and been a pleasure to use on the go. So i was looking at my Note last night and thinking man they could prob easily expand a extra 1/4 to 1/2" if they either dropped the touch buttons at the bottom being the next generation note would run on ICS out of the box or maybe even Jelly Bean hopefully and use on screen home/back etc buttons. There is a good 1/4" worth of space up top if they removed that butt ugly At&t logo. And a good 1/2" towards the bottom.
So basically the phone wouldn't get bigger but the actual display would. I know i am on board for that. What do you guys think?
I've said for a long time that I'd like a tablet that I could make phone calls from. That is the only way I would pay for cell service for a tablet when I can just pop a wifi from my phone. I would love a full size 7-10" tablet that I simply had to use a BT or wired earpiece with since I use the phone part of my phone the absolute least of all primary features. I have a feeling that may fall into that catogory also.
Chief Geek said:
I've said for a long time that I'd like a tablet that I could make phone calls from. That is the only way I would pay for cell service for a tablet when I can just pop a wifi from my phone. I would love a full size 7-10" tablet that I simply had to use a BT or wired earpiece with since I use the phone part of my phone the absolute least of all primary features. I have a feeling that may fall into that catogory also.
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Have you seen the new & upcoming ASUS Padfone smartphone/tablet? That seems right up your alley! Not sure when or if if will be coming to the US market anytime soon.
Vcolassi said:
Have you seen the new & upcoming ASUS Padfone smartphone/tablet? That seems right up your alley! Not sure when or if if will be coming to the US market anytime soon.
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Yea there's been rumors of such devices for years and the only thing I've seen come to fruitition is generic no name devices from hong kong. Companies like to keep the dividing line drawn in the sand to keep it two different markets, but it's only a matter of time before the lynch pin breaks by one company doing it then the rest will follow to avoid losing buisness to the one that gives the consumers what they want. I love the idea of one device to do everything, and android is the ideal platform to do it with (for me atleast) as I already use it for so many things from multiple emails, work, play, travel, even as a TV remote for my GTV. So yea, that would be right up my alley, I just need someone to offer it up at a decent price and a decent data package. If T-Mobile can do unlimited everything for $50/month, why can't someone offer this up for unlimited everything $100/month, I'd gladly fork over the cash, even if it did come with a BS datacap w/ data throttle (not fees).
I am for a bigger screen.
I'm also for a thicker phone if that meant a bigger battery. ie 5000 Mah battery to power my device.
To answer the OP, yes and no. While I usually grab the phone by the edges there are times when I grip the area where the AT&T logo is, so having an otherwise non-functional edge can be useful. That said, if they lengthened the screen a little more to take up some of the logo + button areas I wouldn't complain because...
I came from the Advantage, which has a 5" screen but a 4:3 aspect ratio. That made it wider and shorter than the Note. The 16:9 aspect ratio of the Note makes it much more useable as a phone AND for web browsing (narrower so easier to hold as a phone, longer for more screen room in landscape mode). So I definintely wouldn't want the Note's body any wider than it is - and I don't think I would want it any longer either. A longer screen would be fine.
Chief Geek said:
I've said for a long time that I'd like a tablet that I could make phone calls from. That is the only way I would pay for cell service for a tablet when I can just pop a wifi from my phone. I would love a full size 7-10" tablet that I simply had to use a BT or wired earpiece with since I use the phone part of my phone the absolute least of all primary features. I have a feeling that may fall into that catogory also.
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My Galaxy Tab 7.7 international (6800) version has a regular dialer/phone receiver. It's really awkward to use it like a normal phone, though. Combine it with something like Samsung's HM5000 Bluetooth "pen" receiver, and you have something.
The Verizon version of the 7.7 doesn't have voice calling enabled, though I suppose you could get away with using GrooveIP and Google Voice over LTE.
Vcolassi said:
Have you seen the new & upcoming ASUS Padfone smartphone/tablet? That seems right up your alley! Not sure when or if if will be coming to the US market anytime soon.
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yup I need that padfone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
I think the maximum size for a phone would be 6 inches screen size. I hope the Note 2 increases the screen size to that
5.7" should be perfect to me.
bigger screen with a bigger battery, same size though. I wouldn't care if they did a non-removable battery if they give it like a 5000 mAh battery. oh man. that would be so sweet
I would like a biggger screen in the same form factor because this phone is almost unusable with 1 hand as it is.
burhanistan said:
My Galaxy Tab 7.7 international (6800) version has a regular dialer/phone receiver. It's really awkward to use it like a normal phone, though. Combine it with something like Samsung's HM5000 Bluetooth "pen" receiver, and you have something.
The Verizon version of the 7.7 doesn't have voice calling enabled, though I suppose you could get away with using GrooveIP and Google Voice over LTE.
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I wasnt aware that the international version had this enabled. This is very appealing. In a year or so I may look into the this or the aforementioned device as an alternative as the new price of these are around the price of a full blown cell/wifi tablet or close to it. Thanks for the tip.
sailador said:
I think the maximum size for a phone would be 6 inches screen size. I hope the Note 2 increases the screen size to that
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I agree...........
a bigger screen size with basically the same device and bigger battery is what i would love to see as well i think that would be my perfect Note
Id like to see a 5.5" edge to edge display and a physical home button for the US version on the next NOTE.
-On another NOTE, Samsung goes 5.3"
swipe pad replaces the need for physical button
When i first got my hd2,i thought this is the best n max for a phone, then came my s2, now note, yes bigger is better, when you like to do all things on a single device, provided the battery is good enough for non stop 24hrs performance, yes you can surely do away with the edges because even on my s2 i hardly use home button, Coz i use swipe pad,i even turn off the phone with swipe pad,by placing screen off on the pad
I agree with the OP. If the next Note has a 5.5" - 6.0" screen AND dual front-facing speakers (like the BlackBerry PlayBook), it would be the perfect device.
I'm fine with the current size- more realestate is always cool, but any bigger and it becomes too hard to pocket it quickly...
Sent from my SGH-I717M using XDA
If battery technology would ever catch up to the battery demands of today's devices then i would like to see a 6" edge to edge screen.
I know I'm posting this in the AT&T Note forums, so the responses might be a bit biased, but here goes anyways. I was very interested in the Note from the first time I heard about it. Today I finally got around to going to an AT&T store and comparing a few phones. I was very impressed by the Note's screen, but I found it to be just slightly too big. It almost seemed like it would be perfect if it were 5.0 inches, not 5.3. Anyways, I was also very impressed by two other phones: the LG Nitro HD and the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. I've compiled a list of pros, cons, and prices, focusing directly on comparisons between the three phones. Pros are "+" and cons are "-".
Samsung Galaxy Note ($299)
+ Dat screen! Beautiful large Super Amoled display
+ Great battery life
+ Good development support
- Slightly awkward to type with
- Pen not as accurate as I hoped (perhaps problem with it being a worn out display unit)
- Phone was just too big for my hands.
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket ($199)
+ Much nicer screen than expected, I was worried the low resolution would be a negative but it was hard to tell to my naked eye
+ Great development support
- Slightly too small
- HD Version coming soon
LG Nitro HD ($99)
+ Very nice sharp, colorful 720P IPS screen
+ $200 cheaper than the Galaxy Note
- Slightly too small
- Poor battery life
- Poor development
I dismissed the HTC One XL because it lacked a removable battery and SD card slot, but I might reconsider it because it seems like it would fit the screen size I'm looking for. I've just been waiting for so long before I was eligible for an upgrade, and the waiting is getting annoying. Is the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the extra cost and getting over the awkwardness? I was convinced I would fall in love with it when I finally got to use it, but that wasn't really the case, so I'm a bit hesitant. Let me know what you think.
Put it this way I paid 650 full price, so I'd say yes lol. Deff worth the extra "upgrade" price compared to those others you listed.
I had the skyrocket, it was a great device, but still prefer the galaxy note. So yes its worth the extra money. The battery life is longer, the screen is just goregous, you can definately notice the difference in screen quality from the 2 especially after using the skyrocket for a few months. My s-pen is accurate as long as i dont have it leaned too far sideways. also got use to the screen size in a day or 2, i can actually 1 hand text with ics keyboard
Wait for the HTC one x if you can. Sounds like that screen size will fit you perfect
I got the note and I m waiting got the one x
Personally, price for me wasn't even a thought. Not that I'm rolling in money... actually the note broke the bank for me. But this is something I use all day every single day. With something like that I don't consider price. It's more a matter of which phone you will enjoy the most and which will be most useful to you.
I am torn as well. I owned the skyrocker prior...the nitro is on sale for 49.99 and you can get the skyrocket refurbs for that price.. .hell the vivid refurb is a penny.
I have a ton of obligations i could put the money towards if I take the note back
I really like it but is it worth it....decissions decissions
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
100 bucks extra over the lifetime of the phone comes to $4.16 a month. But for me, it was worth 100 just to play with it in the last month. Love this phone!
jpeg42 said:
100 bucks extra over the lifetime of the phone comes to $4.16 a month. But for me, it was worth 100 just to play with it in the last month. Love this phone!
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I thought I was slow to upgrade. Don't remember the last phone I kept active for two years. Lol.
Disclaimer: This is not advice. It is just something that fell from between my ears.
Thats the other thing i keep telling myself....i have more upgrades coming up lol
biglittlegato said:
I thought I was slow to upgrade. Don't remember the last phone I kept active for two years. Lol.
Disclaimer: This is not advice. It is just something that fell from between my ears.
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA App
One word yes!
Sent from the TermiNOTEr! ;-)
Similar to what JPEG is alluding to, the answer to "Is $100 worth it?" is heavily dependent on how you evaluate the situation. I use my phone so frequently and for so many things that $100 is well worth the increased productivity and avoided frustration. Those other phones may be cheaper up front but the cost of the frustration and decreased satisfaction from a cheaper phone every time you use it for the next two years is far larger than the $100 you pay. This is a top shelf phone with a top shelf price.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Is the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the extra price?
Absolutely to me
Is it worth it.....Hell yeah..... Besides all the great functions other memebers have listed, the ease of quickly pulling up the S note app has gotten me 2 really sexy ladies numbers....LOL.... I love this phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA Premium App
I got the phone for $150, but I think it'd definitely be worth full price as well. The screen is amazing and you adjust to the large size in just a few days.
tdude51 said:
Samsung Galaxy Note ($299)
+ Dat screen! Beautiful large Super Amoled display
+ Great battery life
+ Good development support
- Slightly awkward to type with
- Pen not as accurate as I hoped (perhaps problem with it being a worn out display unit)
- Phone was just too big for my hands.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Note worth the extra cost and getting over the awkwardness? I was convinced I would fall in love with it when I finally got to use it, but that wasn't really the case, so I'm a bit hesitant. Let me know what you think.
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I don't work for AT&T - and your money is your money so I can't tell you how to spend it. But I can address your cons from my perspective.
I agree that it seems slightly awkward to type with... or it did. I tried a bunch of keyboards and settled on Smart Keyboard Pro. I'm now just as fast on the Note as I was in the iPhone 4S. Spend a little time and you'll find the right fit for you and the screen (which may not be the same keyboard you used to use).
Pen accuracy - it'll improve as you adjust to the device. My first couple days with the phone I thought the pen was a gimmick. Now I've come to find it's a great tool and I take a ton of notes with it.
In the store the phone felt stupid big to me. And like you I felt it was just too big for my hand size. Reality is (and many here will tell you) - you adjust to the size and it takes on an almost normal feel. I think your hands are accustomed to the size of your current phone and so anything larger feels, well larger and out of place. Sure no matter what (unless you have Shaq hands) the far side of the screen is going to take an adjustment to reach, but the act of holding and interacting with the device will normalize in a short period of time. For me it was about a week and it stopped feeling awkward. Now after about 2 and half other phones just feel (and look) foolishly tiny.
The short period of time (even if it was an hour or two) in the store with the phone is (for me) - not enough to really get used to the Note or determine how you're going to feel about it. Its a fabulous device that's worth getting to know. Take the 30 days and if you don't like it pay the restocking fee. But I know for me - there's very little chance mine's going back to AT&T to get put back on the shelf.
Now, for one other recommendation: If you get the white - get a case or order the black back from Samsung fulfillment. The white back is slick as snot. I put the black one on and the grip is excellent.
netsyd said:
I don't work for AT&T - and your money is your money so I can't tell you how to spend it. But I can address your cons from my perspective.
I agree that it seems slightly awkward to type with... or it did. I tried a bunch of keyboards and settled on Smart Keyboard Pro. I'm now just as fast on the Note as I was in the iPhone 4S. Spend a little time and you'll find the right fit for you and the screen (which may not be the same keyboard you used to use).
Pen accuracy - it'll improve as you adjust to the device. My first couple days with the phone I thought the pen was a gimmick. Now I've come to find it's a great tool and I take a ton of notes with it.
In the store the phone felt stupid big to me. And like you I felt it was just too big for my hand size. Reality is (and many here will tell you) - you adjust to the size and it takes on an almost normal feel. I think your hands are accustomed to the size of your current phone and so anything larger feels, well larger and out of place. Sure no matter what (unless you have Shaq hands) the far side of the screen is going to take an adjustment to reach, but the act of holding and interacting with the device will normalize in a short period of time. For me it was about a week and it stopped feeling awkward. Now after about 2 and half other phones just feel (and look) foolishly tiny.
The short period of time (even if it was an hour or two) in the store with the phone is (for me) - not enough to really get used to the Note or determine how you're going to feel about it. Its a fabulous device that's worth getting to know. Take the 30 days and if you don't like it pay the restocking fee. But I know for me - there's very little chance mine's going back to AT&T to get put back on the shelf.
Now, for one other recommendation: If you get the white - get a case or order the black back from Samsung fulfillment. The white back is slick as snot. I put the black one on and the grip is excellent.
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Thanks for your advice! I'm glad to know that it just takes a little bit of getting used to. I'm very excited about this device, I was just surprised once I finally got my hands on it. I don't really have much to lose with the 30 day return window so I think I'm going to go for it. The development seems to be getting better every day, and I love tweaking my devices and getting the most out of them. I also am in big need of a new device for watching movies, listening to music and playing games (mostly on emulators). I think I will really enjoy doing that with the Note.
I was struggling with the same problem as the OP, just wasn't sure which to go with. I ended up deciding, mostly because I'm signing a 3 year contract, that I would go with the device with the best hardware, being the Note. I was worried about the size possibly making it awkward, but what I've found after owning it for just about a month now is that It's actually perfect.. My hands aren't small, but they're not huge either, and I can use it one handed for 90% of what I use it for, but I love tilting it on it's side and typing with two hands. I owned an HTC Touch Diamond prior to this, it has a stylus as well, and I found I'd always use the stylus for some of the smaller icons, well on the Note I hardly ever have to use the Stylus, just use it for editing photos really. The stylus is hardly noticable, if you use it great, if not then hey it's just an extra.
I think you'll get used to the size very quickly, and once you do, you'll have a super hard time going back to any other phone. I still have my Diamond Touch, use it as an alarm clock hah, and I get SO frustrated trying to manage it's tiny screen, and I remember when I first got it thinking it was perfectly sized haha... Oh how times change.
Imo phones like the Note are the future. I have a samsung laptop as well, 17" beast that I carry around a lot, and they make an awesome pair. It's kind of funny too, as they're both Samsung units, the stock back piece for the Note matches the edges of my laptop. Very esthetic combo. (RF711 laptop if anyone cares. )
( Also I type roughly 100wpm on a regular keyboard, so texting on phones has always been super tedious for me. When I tilt the Note on it's side and use the larger keyboard I can type faster then I ever have on a phone before. It's actually amazing I love it hah. )
I think the note has ruined me!!!! I've been using it for 7 days short of a month now and I have to say I loooooove it!!
I was skeptical of leaving IOS for android. I've played with android b4 setting up my GF's rooted nook color as a tablet
and its really buggy at times, I kept thinking to myself hmmm if the phones are this buggy then I'm gunna hate it!!!
But I took the plunge and haven't looked back since its very smooth and very few bugs. the size was giant to me
at first, but It has really become normal to me now. I pick up my old 3gs and I'm feel like its a tiny little toy!!!! LOL
So I say yes it is worth the price!!! I'm a photographer and I love showing off my photos on this phone!!!
I dont have a note so I cant speak on that front, but I can tell you the LG Nitro is what I would NOT go with. Played around on it a handful of times and every time it was slow and somewhat unresponsive.
If HTC one x is going to be unavailable for your network then go for Note. I moved 4s to nexus galaxy to Note and must say would not swap this device for any othrr device. Of course when One X is available that's a different story.
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I've been in several discussions with users that have come from (or previously owned) the 5 inch HTC Advantage. I see Dell Streak users have a thread to compare/contrast to the Note, so I thought I would do the same for the Advantage. This may help some to decide to move from the Advantage to the Note - or not.
For those that don't know what the Advantage is, it came out 5 years ago - the first phone with a 5" screen. It also included a detachable keyboard, stereo speakers, video port, stylus/pen, and a 8 GB hard drive when most SD cards at the time were below 2 GB. It had its problems, too. Since it was so far ahead of its time it was fairly bulky and heavy even with the keyboard removed. It didn't have a private speaker for phone calls. It had room for a vibration motor internally but it was never implemented even in later models, presumably because it caused problems with the hard drive. The other references in the thread title are the development name, and model names/numbers used by various carriers. Here is the XDA forum for the Advantage: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=351
My personal reaction, as I've told several already, is the Note is by far a better phone. Physical stats, operating system, having things like a private speaker and vibration which the Advantage should have had, all add up. Not to mention that the Note costs 1/3 of what the Advantage did so you have far less to loose. The Note/Android has its deficiencies. I've had to install a half-dozen apps to add features which were built into Windows Mobile - things like incremental ring volume, ability to get more than a single system notification for things like texts and calendar appointments (miss the first one and you've missed your appointment!), or keeping the screen from timing out when it is plugged in or for specific apps. But at least you can extend/improve the OS with apps without unlocking/rooting or flashing to a whole new OS. Which many Advantage owners did including me.
All that said, the Advantage held a special place in my heart. In the 4 1/2 years I used mine, I often told my wife it was the best gadget I had ever owned and I meant it. Which is saying a lot with all the gadgets and computers I've owned since 1984. But the Note is so good that if IT had come out 5 years ago, I'm sure I would be saying the same thing about it right now. Buy one.
I have a x7501 for a few years, but haven't been actively using it in the last few years also (went to iPhone, Android etc). I am interested in the Note, but haven't decided to get one yet.
But I think one fundamental difference is that the Athena is a keyboarded device (you can use it without, but you also loose the stand at the same time). Its stereo speakers and other positioning makes it a mainly landscape orientation device.
I really don't care about its thickness, it's not that bad. It is a bit thick w/ its leather case, but it does that to any other devices anyway.
What I don't like about the Athena: battery life, speed (I'm shocked reviews that said it's fast), photo taken with camera (rear) has off (red) colour (no ROM can fix that). Especially the last piece, it's unforgivable for a $1,500. USD product! The 8GB HDD is both slow, and battery eating, and cannot be turned off.
I just can't say I like it as much as some of you do. I don't hate it, but I don't think it was worth the $1,000. I paid for. If I had paid $1,500. then, I'd have sued them (just kidding).
I lugged the keyboard around for 1 1/2 years, but finally left it on my work desk permanently. Only used it there when I was streaming XM.
I never had a problem with battery life, it would last me much longer than the 12 hours I would go between unplugging in the morning and plugging it back in when I got home. Never had a problem with the camera, either. Good colors all around, not that the quality was that great.
I think you'll like the Note, all the advantages (pun intended) of the 7501 and none of its problems. After you add some apps to tweak the downfalls of the OS.
i'm one, see my siggie
i've had still have that gigantic heavy monstrous HTC 5" for the longest time
still trying to get Android installed on it someday
I had the x7501, then the x7510, and the note is 1/2 as thick, has a "phone" speaker, and besides all of the obvious spec advantages, is lighter and easier to hold. The screen is far more responsive than the old tft pressure technology without the inaccuracy of the iphone/android capacitive blunt-object to write/draw with issue.
all thumbs up for the note... though the Advantage was WAY ahead of its time.
I don't understand these threads. I get that the advantage was way ahead of its time, but it's 5 years old. 5! Would anyone seriously pick the advantage over the note?
I sold my x7501 long ago. Good times, lol.
nstong said:
I don't understand these threads. I get that the advantage was way ahead of its time, but it's 5 years old. 5! Would anyone seriously pick the advantage over the note?
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I guess sometimes people can't let their old devices go.
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This isn't about keeping the Advantage. Its about comparing one to the other for those that are familiar with the Advantage and loved all of its features.
I think it is not about keeping the Advantage / Athena, may be it's partly nostalgia, partly comparing what's missing on current devices (bad things are not missed, I'm talking about things that users might like or prefer):
1. Stereo speakers. How hard can that be? But so far, iPhone doesn't have it, none of my Android phones up to 4.65" have it, my Tablet P by Sony has a tiny mono speaker. Only the Playbook (once had, now sold), and the Samsung Q1 have stereo speakers and good sound.
2. The metal case has pros and cons. It can get dented and discolouring when bumped / scratched, but it made it more sturdy as it is metal. But at least it is unique, and also makes it feel more premium (until it gets dented, like mine, from dropping, that is). Now everything besides iPhones are just plastics.
3. Magnetic keyboard. Now, no more, never seen and all give way to on screen ones, except a few. But those few, including Blackberry, do not want to do a magnetic keyboard, may be it's the cost, or fear of bad contacts. But again, this is very unique and hasn't been replicated. The see thru window to mimic the status bar on it makes it even cooler.
4. External connections for: USB host (only very lately, there are USB OTG for Android devices, before this, support was very poor, mostly only HID stuff), VGA out, cellular antenna, GPS antenna. Granted, the last 3 are not as needed today, and some Android devices have HDMI outputs that replace VGA more or less.
right now, few Android phones can stand on a desk unless with a kick stand case (which is usually the kind I buy, as I want it stand similar to what Advantage can do w/ the keyboard).
I think some clamshell MIDs like UMID / Viliv had come close to the design of Advantage but physically not as cool, no magnetic keyboard etc.
I guess the problem with modern design is that nobody would make a $1,500. device unless it is for industrial or military use, so they have to save cost and won't engage in fancy design and materials. In the case for Advantage, it's HTC flagship product, so they went all out.
Looking at current HTC products now, there aren't anything really special (I'm talking strictly from the physical point of view, since operating systems are all the same across the manufacturers anyway).
People are often amazed when I tell them that the Note is my third 5" phone. I loved the Advantage and the Dell Streak I had before the Note. No way I can go to a smaller screen. Very happy that the rest of the world is catching on to the benefits of a large screen device. And there are things I miss from Windows Mobile. I found it easier to flash ROMs and change the look and feel of the device.
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So I'm getting the AT&T G Note I in a couple of days from a rep that saved me from canceling 4 lines. I haven't been really checking into anything about the device because it wasn't on my radar at all. I recently got the SII Skyrocket and I'm pretty pleased with it, well, I was before the ICS update, but that's a whole other story.
As far as the Note I was wondering how many people do really use the S Pen, I use my stylus/keyboard almost exclusively on my tablet. I will admit that I have smaller hands and I have trouble with one-hand operation with the Skyrocket at times. I'm not a power texter though, I mostly surf, and will be doing a far bit of note taking for school and I tend to jot notes frequently in a small journal I keep in my purse. For my tablet (ASUS TF300) I use a Rocketfish stylus I got out the discount bin at Best Buy, and the only thing I don't like about it is not being able to draw fine lines, and a lot of times it gets in my way. However after trying out several others, I've decided that for about as much as I want to spend I have the best that I'm going to get. That brings about the second part of my question, my stylus has the heft, weight and fits in my hand like a really expensive fountain pen, so I've been wondering if I should pull the trigger on the S Pen holder kit, 60.00 ( have 50% off promo code though) at Samsung and 40 at Amazon. Both of which are quite expensive to me for something I'd probably lose. But since my right hand is still healing from 5 fractures, and I type all day for work, I'm usually in pain at the end of the day, and if I use the Note as much as I think I will the investment may be worth it. So I'd like to hear from heavy users of the Note, do you use your stylus a lot, and do you have or would get the stylus holder kit? If you use another that will work well with the S Pen apps, especially those for note taking I'd like to hear about those as well.
Welcome and hope your fractures heal soon. I've had my note for about 4 months now and really don't use the stylus that much. Others may have a different take. I do use a swype like keyboard which really cuts down on the typing aspect of things.
As for note taking, I am more of an emailer but there is an app called floating note (I think) that is really good. Handwriting notes on it is easy and it stays on top of your screen until you cancel it. Really well done and might be of assistance to you.
All in all, I would wait to plunk down the dollars for another stylus until you have used your note for a while to see if you even need another one.
Again, welcome to the Note section of XDA.
Thanks for the warm welcome. I think I'll do as you suggested try it out first then see if I'll need the pen kit.
The healing is going slow but I'm making progress, or so they say.
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Hello geekygirl!
I got the official Samsung S Pen holder thingy and find it to be too top heavy honestly. The lower half of it is all plastic while the top half is all metal. Makes it awkward to use in my opinion.
I will tell you that since the digitizer used on the Note is of the Wacom variety I've read (but have never tested) that MOST if not ALL Wacom pens will work with the Note. So you might want to look into getting a standard Wacom pen. It should be much cheaper, easier to handle, and you can always keep your S Pen in your Note so you'll never lose it.
As far as note taking goes I would say I have medium to large hands and I still haven't found a proper way to hold the Note comfortably enough to actually WRITE with it efficiently. Unless I feel like burning some time and just doodling little drawings here and there I rarely ever find myself actually using the S Pen functionality. Obviously this isn't the case for all. It's just that in my case, the 5.3" screen is amazing and sight to behold. Makes everything you do seem better and more awesome, however, I still find it too small to actually comfortably use for note taking and drawing. 7" screens are the smallest I can go to actually write and draw effectively. Considering your smaller hands though you might not find this to be the case.
Also using S Memo and S Note I've noticed that the software tends to put a "tail" on the end of the lines when drawing...doesn't seem to want to be 100% accurate with your actual input...it likes to add its own little flare.
As far as the size of the Note goes do keep in mind that it IS definitely made to be more of a two handed device, ESPECIALLY with those that have small hands. I have found that the extended battery/battery cover from Tmart (link) not only doubles the battery life of the Note (which needless to say isn't all that great to begin with) but the hump from the battery cover makes it 1000x easier to hold and handle over all. Plus it's only $10!
Overall though I LOVE my Note and honestly would not and could not go to a smaller phone anymore. Surfing the web, watching videos, reading books are all just leaps and bounds better over "other" phones. Even the Galaxy SIII seems small to me now!
Either way, I hope you learn to love your Note, it really is the best phone out there in my opinion, seconded only by the Note 2!
geekygirl74 said:
I tend to jot notes frequently in a small journal I keep in my purse.
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This is precisely how I use my Note: as a small journal. That and grocery lists, taking notes while on calls, etc.
Don't bother with the stylus holder. Just buy a stylus for a Wacom tablet. I use the one from the Fujtsu Lifebook T4220. You can turn it over and the back automatically functions as an eraser. I also replaced the plastic nib with a felt tip for a more realistic writing feel.
Hi, AndroidVageta ! Thanks for the advice, and I'm the same way about smaller screen phones/ tablets. I had the Kindle Fire 1st gen, an iPod touch (the geek in me had to check it out) that's 3 years old, and an Metro PCS LG Esteem until a couple of months ago. I made the switch to AT&T and got the Skyrocket because of the screen size, and got the ASUS TF300 tablet for school, since then, I haven't used the iPod except for an Alarm Clock and occasionally hook it up to my speakers to play music, sold the phone and I gave my techno illiterate mom the KF who thinks it's awesome . I can't go smaller any more, I need the real estate. I believe I'm going to love the phone way too much. I've been searching out all sorts of info about it since Monday when they offered it. I can't wait, should be delivered tomorrow \o/
bigmout, I was wondering about the Wacom styli, I've been wanting a drawing pad for a couple of years now, but really have never been able to justify the costs since it was just for creating custom content for a game. I've priced quite a few threw Amazon, but have never seen any with the felt tips, that does intrigue me, I like fine tips, even with physical pens. That's the only irking thing about styli IMHO. I've just popped open a tab to search Amazon for the stylus and felt tip nibs now.
OMG GEEKY!!! YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THESE HAVE YOU?!
Monoprice Graphics Tablets
Got a 8x6 inch tablet a few months ago...$40 to my door. Awesome. 1024 levels of pressure, GREAT software and drivers (much less problematic and more customization than Wacom), and GREAT build quality. They work perfectly with all drawing and design programs including Photoshop and AutoCAD among others that I've tried.
Only issues is that the pens are battery powered (but last forever, have the same Ultimate Lithium Energizer in mine that I put in when I got it, and I use it every day, and I've owned it for at least 8 months now) and they only have TWO pen styles...the standard stock pen and the Graphic Drawing Tablet Pen. The pen in the link is the one I use, really a good one. But its the only good one they have. Also there aren't any different tips...just the plastic ones. However, they last forever and it still feels good when using it.
Either way...just thought I let you know about these...just incredibly cheap for something that's basically an off brand Wacom at like 1/4 the price if not less than that.
Here's a good review if you doubt them:
http://frenden.com/the-little-monoprice-graphics-tablet-that-could/
EDIT: Just wanted to add for you and anyone else that might see this that the tablets are produced by a Taiwanese company called UC-Logic. They have different styles of stylus that Monoprice doesn't carry. Actually glad I found this!
Awesome info indeed, 40 bucks I can afford. Btw got the Note and it rocks, the text input is pretty cool, and I believe with time I'll perfect it. I honestly don't think I'll use it much for taking notes for school. I'd be way too tempted. And a quick bench mark test scored this darling right under the TF201. I'd say that's pretty impressive. All smiles over here.
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I need more excuses to get this phone.. I mainly want it because of the screen size, the S-Pen also looks like (although sort of gimmicky) and the processor/RAM combo.
What do you use the phone most for? What are you most impressed/disappointed with?
Thanks!
So I would stop carrying (and losing) small rite in the rain notebooks around.
I had the DNA. Great phone in its own right. Went to the AT&T store to play with the Note 2 before it came out on Verizon. The only advantage the DNA had was the 1080p screen and it wasn't even that noticeable.. you would really have to try hard to notice the difference.
The larger screen, larger battery, and the better accessory/dev support made it almost a no-brainier to switch. I don't have a large music collection or listen to it much but I know the SD card was a just plus for this phone too vs the DNA.
The S-pen is cool I guess but it really is kind of a gimmick in my mind. Its fun to doodle on sometimes though.
Haloman800 said:
I need more excuses to get this phone.. I mainly want it because of the screen size, the S-Pen also looks like (although sort of gimmicky) and the processor/RAM combo.
What do you use the phone most for? What are you most impressed/disappointed with?
Thanks!
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The s pen, to me, is not a gimmick. I use it for taking notes at work, games, and many other things. The screen and size as you mentioned are good but the antenna is was better than the s3. This phone is screaming fast. The battery is amazing.
I am most impressed with the factions of the s pen. I never thought I would use it as much as I do.
I'm seriously not dissapointed about anything with this phone.
Sent from my SCH-I605
I bought it for the screen size, battery, and spen...best smart phone ever hands down....GN2>GS3>DNA
droidstyle said:
I bought it for the screen size, battery, and spen...best smart phone ever hands down....GN2>GS3>DNA
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That sums it up. Battery was a huge factor for me. I wanted something that would last me through an entire busy day, without having to have a backup battery. The screen is awesome, and the s-pen is finding more and more use everyday.
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Mostly the screen size, but if it had a bad battery or processor I would have gone with the DNA.
I will be getting this phone because it has a purpose. I'm not just getting a great phone, I'm getting a phone that I can draw with. I'm getting a phone I can multitask with. I'm getting a phone I can be productive with.
This is why I prefer the Note 2 over the DNA. The DNA looks sleeker and performs a little better, plus the size is more suited to me. But there's just something... lacking about it. It doesn't have a purpose. It's really a phone designed to be a phone (albeit a good one). Samsung had something more in mind with the Note 2. It's packed with features which, overall, aim towards making you more efficient at getting things done on the go. The DNA is not like that. It was inspired by Ferraris, says HTC, and that's basically what it is. It's a Ferrari, where the Note 2 is more like a pickup. The DNA looks good and performs well, where the Note 2 is just about getting stuff done.
I don't know about you guys, but I like getting stuff done. Note 2, I choose you!
If you call the note 2 a pickup then its a pickup and the motor as a couple of turbos and a shot of nitrous.
I wanted my S3, just more so, and this is it I also noticed once I had a larger phone I was using it more as my de facto tablet when it wasn't handy to have my ipad around. Also, I loved using Android more and more but no android tablet was nearly as good as the phones. Add in an actual digitizer and things really took off.
When the phone was announced I didn't think I'd bother, I thought the screen would be worse and the locked bootloader sucked. The 2nd part is true, but everything else is better than I imagined.
The s-pen is much more than a gimmick. I love it! The "air view" feature is really mouse hover-over functionality.
You can access drop-down menus on websites, get info on all kinds of things You hover the cursor over, not just within Samsung apps but I even just noticed it works in Titanium Backup.
I setup remote desktop to control my PC from anywhere and the s-pen is perfect for this, feels just like using the mouse in the way it behaves and the button works to right-click!
Your Samsung account also gives you Allshare Play which will stream music and video from your computer at home without lag (tried using RDP for this but very laggy)
..and after setting up and messing with all that stuff for hours today and also using multi-view to simultaneously watch YouTube and browse XDA, still 49% battery left!
This thing is a beast. I'm coming from a HTC Thunderbolt though so that may explain my enthusiasm
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I got it for the "my phone is bigger and can beat up your phone" status. haha
Just got the phone today, all I can say is Wow. It's pretty much just a bigger, better version of every other Android phone I've ever owned. it only froze up twice (my fault both times) and everything is just amazing, the screen, the battery (I was coming from a Razr MAXX so this was a concern), I can even see the potential for the S-Pen. This phone is a beast, I have absolutely no compaints.
I had always liked the Note original because of the size. In addition, I can't seem to own a phone for more than a year. I was fast approaching that. But the fact there was multiview, the S-pen, screen size, and processing power trumped my Galaxy Nexus.
nosit1 said:
I had always liked the Note original because of the size. In addition, I can't seem to own a phone for more than a year. I was fast approaching that. But the fact there was multiview, the S-pen, screen size, and processing power trumped my Galaxy Nexus.
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Same here. I am a vzw user and droooled over the note. So when I heard this was coming out, I was interested but not sold. I was however sold when I saw how powerful this thing was, and how it is very close to the s3. However, because I do like a new phone every so often, to appease the wife (and because I have to pay retail due to my grandfathered unlimited data plan) I need an AT LEAST 1 year phone, 1.5-2 would be splended. I love bigger screens, dont mind the weight, since my phone is usually docked, and I dont talk for hours on end. The pen, Im not sold on because its real sensitive and seems like a burden but may use it more often if I can get it resolved.
Now hopefully we can unlock the bootloader, and I am yet again, gambling with the fact that I hope updates and custom roms will keep this thing afloat for a while, I know the hardware will keep up.
#1 reason: Battery size. (Life)
#2 reason: The main raw stats; quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM.
I was basically sick of my iPhone and it's little screen and locked OS. I will say it was reliable but too vanilla. I chose the Note 2 because it was faster, bigger screen, expandable memory and customizable. I've had I for about 2 weeks now and though it was a bit of culture shock for the first few days I can tell ya t is an outstanding device...stock. I 've been lurking in the dev forums watching the progress of the root for my VZW n2. Probably gonna root this thing and get even more satisfaction out it.
When I first laid my eyes on the original Note I knew I wanted this style of phone. I was was a big stylus user back in the windows mobile days and the idea of having a precision pointing device was a dream come true within Android. And the people that tell you otherwise are the same folks that prefer a game pad over a mouse and keyboard in a first person shooter; the s-pen is more accurate than my fat fingers. Combine that with the huge beautiful display, speed and Samsung's software enhancements over stock Android it's a winner.
My next option would have been the DNA but that device is just a phone. I want more than a phone with a pretty face.
I was satified with my GS3 until i walked into a Verizon store this week & saw the Note 2 & GS3 sitting side by side & i was like !! Long story short the GS3 is going back this week & the Note 2 is on the way. Plus the battery life is way better on the Note 2.
I haven't decided to buy just yet. I'm waiting to see what happens with the bootloader, and what effect porting cyanogenmod to this device will have on the SPen.
I've been using my Droid X for almost 2 and a half years, and I'm ready to upgrade. Reasons are the specs, the screen size, and the stylus.
I'm not sure I understand all of the comments from people who say the stylus is a gimmick; that's like saying a Wacom tablet is a gimmick. Some of the features that Samsung has built into the device that use the stylus might be gimmicky, but the stylus itself is quite useful for those of us who want a precision pointing device for drawing, note taking, etc.