Monday, November 28, 2011

My Samsung Galaxy Note (SGN)

My anticipated Android phone from Samsung finally launched one week ago here.

I got one with free flip cover, went to DOML for the screen protector and SLS for a 32 GB MicroSD card. Too bad, no car charger and original battery pack available yet..

Since then I've been using it for a week, simply love it, for its gorgeous big screen (5.3"). It produces beautiful graphics, clear and detail texts even when zoom in and out, that makes internet surfing quite enjoyable with its in built web browser.
Fast response speed and smooth operation… only one or two click operations a bit lag, like, press the center main home button to unlock, press the close Notification screen horizontal bar at the bottom (unless you sweep the bar up or press the right back key)…

As first time using Android OS, I discovered many "new way" to operate it:
- Press right power button for 2 sec, select the "Data network mode" to activate (on) or deactivate (off) the data connection…
- Press center main home button for 2 sec to select the recent apps used, apps can be selected and reopened, and to use Task manager to "exit" the unclosed apps…
- Use the right back key to fully close the apps, so that it will not stay in the RAM…but if apps remains in the RAM, it can then reopen much faster.
- What inside the Event title can be read out with the alert ringtone from the Calendar appointment, need to enable the Text to speech function…
- To add a shortcut for a web site, left menu key/ more/ Add shortcut to Home. A touch of that icon will then bring to that web page…
- To select difference alert and notification ringtone for Calendar, try press left menu key at the Calendar view..., Setting/ Notification settings. This alert ringtone is difference from Settings/ Sound/ Notifications/ Notification ringtone, that's for the SMS, mails incoming message alert…

The most happy thing is I put the mini Agenda at the 1st home page, I can see my appointments straight after unlock the phone..., I still can't make a small date to be displayed at the top status indicator bar, as I wanted to save some screen space to put other frequent use apps icons at 1st home page… like, My files, Task manager, Setting, Camera, etc…. To see the date, I made one appointment for every day, eg."Goood morning, please wake up" with reminder alert, such that in the mini Agenda I can see the "Today's date"…

Many applications can be installed directly from the Android's Market, really a fantastic experience, here are some interesting and workable apps:
- OCBC Bank, even come in bar code reader to scan your bill detail…
- PPTV, LeTV, good enough for internet video watching…
- Sygic navigation (Paid), nice GUI and quite easy to use, but not that updated for Singapore map. http://www.sygic.com/en/android:buy-now
- Etc…

Others:
Fast GPS, good Wi-Fi connection, good camera and HD video recording, interesting S-Pen and its apps…, able to log in to my company email…

Samsung local SGN info and support:
http://www.samsung.com/sg/consumer/mobile-devices/smartphone/android-os/GT-N7000ZBAXSP/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&returnurl=

SAR value for GT-N7000: The highest SAR value for this model phone was 0.390 W/kg.

Local forum:
http://www.mobinauts.com/forum/40-google-android-phone/

Mobile01 forum:
http://www.mobile01.com/topiclist.php?f=568

GSMARENA:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note-4135.php

Updates: 07/12/2011
My set front screen had glossy greenish stains all over it when viewed at certain angles under room lighting…
… it was due to the clear screen protector from DOML; emailed them and went down to get the refund. After that went down to Mobile Square at Far East Plaza to install a made in Korean brand, they have few brands and few types, I choose the clear type. Quite good enough, ...oil resistance, so less finger marks on the screen, no need to clean the screen that often now…

... still no original car charger available yet, but bought one extra battery from Jurong Point Samsung service centre.

Updates: 13/12/2011
... decided not to wait for the car charger for this SGN from Samsung, so use my HTC HD2 car charger instead (Output DC 5V 1A), no abnormal, 25mins will charge up 15%...