Hands On With S-Pen: A Truly Unique Selling Point Of The Galaxy Note 2
So the Galaxy Note 2 has finally been unveiled, and if you saw my brief hands on with the device at IFA, you probably already know that I’m very impressed with the device. Samsung was nice enough to give me a bit more hands on time with the Note 2 at IFA on Friday, and after spending some time with the S-Pen, I wanted to show you guys a few of the very cool things that you can do with the stylus. The features aren’t just cool, but also practical, and I’m honestly debating on making this my next Android purchase. Let me show you what I mean.
For those who didn’t see the original hands on, the Galaxy Note 2 is bigger (although slimmer), faster, more powerful, and feels much better in the hands than the original Note. With it’s Exynos 1.6Ghz quad core processor, 2GB of RAM, and Android Jelly Bean right out of the box, it is safe to say that it is, at this point, the most powerful Android device ever created, and quite possibly the most powerful mobile phone/tablet on the market. As cool as it is to use as a phone, the added S-Pen functions are definetely a unique selling point of the device, and in this short hands on video below, I walk you through just a few things that you can use the stylus for.
The video can be viewed below (Youtube link here). Apologies for the sound quality, as we were not able to use our external microphone for recording:
As you can see from this video, the S-Pen certainly has its share of features. Using it to hover over picture galleries or videos to get previews, gestures, cutting, ect are all features that work surprisingly well, and when you couple these features with the power of the device and the sleek design, it really makes the device unique...and insanely tempting to buy.
What do you guys think of the Note 2 and the S-Pen? Will you be picking up a Note 2 in October when it’s released (will reportedly retail for 640 Euros)?
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Well, in terms of hardware, the Note 2 is the most powerful mobile phone on the planet. A faster Exynos 4412 processor clocked at 1.6GHZ per core (Galaxy S3 has 1.4), 2GB RAM, and Jelly Bean. Spec wise, nothing can touch this device. The only thing that wasn't improved with the screen, as the Note 1 still has a slightly better screen on paper (for me, the Note 2 screen looks better).
As far as size, it's weird, as its bigger than the original Note, but feels smaller due to the Galaxy S3-ish design.
I understand the "Note 2" will retail in the UK for somewhere around 550 pounds mid Oct 12 without a contract. So it would need to have some killer hardware feature to persuade anyone to upgrade from a "Note 1" as they got it configured so right first time. Hopefully Jelly Bean will be out for the "Note 1" around the same time. To anyone who does not have a "Note" today - I would strongly advise checking them out as once you get past the initial reaction to the size of the phone & have used it for a few days you will never want to go back to a smaller screen phone.
@Roy -Ahhhh ok. Sorry about that Roy. I misunderstood you.
We will get a Note 2 in the office in a few week, which will allow me to do an extensive hands on. If there's anything in particular you would like me to discuss in the video that would help you out, please let me know!
Eric
Yes I realised they were "Note" specific - my point was it was not clear in the video which if anything was new to the "Note 2" & which were features of Jelly Bean over ICS. My Note 1 has an S-Pen - so most of those features are there already.
@Tom- True that. As of right now, it's the most powerful Android device ever made, and it's TEMPTING THE HELL OUT OF ME! :-D
@Kathy - Haha! Nice to see you're happy with your Note. You will LOVE the Note 2. Sooooo much sleeker than the original.
@Roy - Everything I just showed in this video are Note specific features. Sure, you don't have to use the S-Pen for all of the features, but for many. For me personally, the design overhaul is enough of a reason for me to buy one :-D
@Peter - LOL. Can your palm run Playstation 1 games without a hitch, or record high definition video? Can it multitask as good as an Android device? Can it beam to another device with a simple touch? Can you draw and watch movies while talking on it at the same time?
If yes, then I need to buy me a Palm :-D
Nice, so finally you can do something I could´ve done on my Palm Pilot some 15 years ago albeit with less noticeable lag (on the Palm I mean). Now that's progress!
My wife and I both have a Galaxy Note 1 running Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 and we are extremely pleased with them - I would say it is the best Android phone on the market - but it was almost impossible to tell from this video what were features of the new phone and what were features of Jelly Bean. I did not see enough to be worth paying to upgrade for.
I just got the Galaxy Note and it turns heads whenever I use it in public.....AT&T has already let me know that the Note 2 is my next upgrade.....I can wait but only just barely!!!!!!!!
I bought the Galaxy Note the day it came out in the US and I have milked it of it's features, The Galaxy Note 2 will be in my hand the day it comes out in the US. These are the most impressive Android devices to hit the market.
I am also VERY impressed with the Note 2. I just don't know if I should sell my Galaxy Nexus and buy this, or wait for the next Nexus phone.
Decisions decisions.
nice 1
I have the original, and now the Note 10.1, and love them both, but the moment this 2nd generation comes on my main carrier (Sprint) i am dropping AT&T like a hot potatoe and switching back. Love the new features and look.
TS
640 Euros in Germany...but no price confirmation for the US yet :-(
Do we have a price on this monster yet?
I know what you mean. I am also soooo tempted by this device. It will take us a few weeks to get one in the office for a deeper hands on...in terms of S3 features, its pretty safe to say that if you have a Note 2, you have an S3 plus tons more.
I'm trying to be patient waiting for a more in-depth hands on video but it's hard.... so hard. I'm especially interested to find out which Slll features are carried over to this model.
Verizon would be pretty silly not too.
Fingers crossed!
Plz Verizon, carry this product..
good