Monday, 31 December 2012

Galaxy Note 2 Review: Great, but Awkward to Hold

When showing the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 to people over the past two weeks, the most common question was, ?Isn?t the Galaxy Note 2 too big??

The Galaxy Note 2 is one of the largest phones we?ve reviewed, measuring in at 151 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm, with a 5.5-inch display which earn the device the phablet moniker. A phablet�is a cross between a phone and a tablet.

While the Galaxy Note 2 is a large device, that can be awkward to hold with one hand for long periods it isn?t too big to be a phone. Check out our full Galaxy Note 2 review for a deep dive into everything the Galaxy Note 2 can do.

Here we?re taking a look at the size of the Galaxy Note 2 and how it works for one-handed use.

Galaxy Note 2 Review - 6

The Galaxy Note 2 next to the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini.

Can You Use the Galaxy Note 2 One-Handed?

It?s possible to use the Galaxy note 2 with one hand, but it is awkward at times. After a day or two of use, we found it?s easier to hold if you choke�up on the phone a bit. By holding it higher your thumb can reach more of the screen.

Galaxy Note 2 Review - 3

Holding the Galaxy Note 2 a bit higher to reach the top corner of the screen.

This is troublesome for some users with smaller hands, but not impossible for most users we handed the phone to. To reach the full screen while using the Galaxy Note 2 we found it?s best to cradle the phone, rather than grip it.

There are multiple grips needed to use the Galaxy Note 2�with�one hand, which can make things awkward from time-to-time, but it?s still possible.

Samsung includes a number of small tweaks that makes it easier to use the Galaxy Note 2 one-handed. Tap on Settings -> One -handed operation and check the boxes that help you use the Note 2 with one hand.

Galaxy Note 2 Review - One Handed

Samsung includes small tweaks to make one-handed Galaxy Note 2 use easier.

The Galaxy Note 2 offers the following adjustments that shift buttons to the left or the right so it is easier to use the phablet with one hand.

  • Phone keys and in call buttons
  • Keyboard in portrait mode
  • Calculator
  • Unlock pattern

These small tweaks make it easier to use the Note 2 one-handed, but it can still be awkward, especially if you are walking and trying to use the Note 2 with one hand.

It is easy to hold the Note 2 in one hand and watch movies or read books without accidentally touching the screen, and it is easy to turn pages in the Kindle app.

Can the�Galaxy�Note 2 Fit in a Pocket?

The Galaxy Note 2 is a large phone, but it?s not too large to fit in a a pocket. The Note 2 fits in most jeans and dress pants pockets we tried. Ladies may not be able to fit the Note 2 in a pants pocket, but it will slide into a purse or a small clutch.

While using the Galaxy Note 2 we carried it in a pocket with a wallet or with car keys without any trouble.

Galaxy Note 2 Uses the Big Screen Well

A big screen is not enough to make a phone a hit, just look at the LG Intuition, it also takes software that makes use of the big screen. The Galaxy Note 2 includes several features that allow users to get more out of the large 5.5-inch display and the S Pen to make two-handed use feel more natural.

The Multi-Window View on the Galaxy Note 2 lets users put two apps on the screen at once so it?s possible to take notes and watch a video, or check email while surfing the web. The different models offer�different�Multi-Window Apps, but in all it?s a great feature. We wish the Verizon model allowed users to use Google Play videos and Gmail at the same time. The video below shows off Multi-Window View.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/10/24/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-review/

The Galaxy Note 2 also offer a pop up video player and a pop up browser that lets users watch video or surf the web on top of another app. This is another handy way to do more on the�large screen, beating the multitasking found on most other phones.

Galaxy Note 2 review - S Pen

The Galaxy Note 2?s S Pen and features take advantage of the large screen.

The Galaxy Note 2 includes an S Pen, a small stylus that controls the phone with special apps and features. The S Pen is handy for taking notes and makes two-handed Galaxy Note 2 operation feel more natural. The S Pen stores in the Note 2 and when taken out activates a special page of apps for taking notes. The pen also allows users to see more of a message or notification thanks to Air View. By hovering over a message with the S pen slightly above the screen it?s possible to see more of the message.

While the Galaxy Note 2 is a large phone, it isn?t too big to be a phone. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is slim enough to hold with one hand and software tweaks make one-handed operation possible, but most users will default to using the Galaxy Note 2 with two-hands to take advantage of the S Pen.

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Facebook Pulls New Year?s Eve Midnight Delivery Service Feature

Facebook Pulls New Year’s Eve Midnight Delivery Service Feature

If you?re a heavy user of the social network Facebook, you may know that Facebook is offering a special Midnight Delivery feature that would place special messages into your friends? in boxes on Facebook at the stroke of midnight. The idea was to allow users to wish their friends a happy new year. Facebook has now admitted that there was a security flaw with the service and has pulled the service off-line.

mid-del

Facebook has admitted that there was a flaw that allowed messages to be viewed and deleted by anyone who had the URL syntax. After you entered a message with the service, you were given a confirmation page to view that had a URL. All a user had to do to view any other message left for the system was change the last six-digit number.

By changing that last six-digit number, users could read the messages and delete them. At least the flaw didn?t allow the messages to be changed, that could have been very awkward indeed. It?s unclear at this point, if the system will come back online, so if you have anything important tell your friends, you might want to seek alternative means.

via The Next Web

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Happy New Year: A Wish List for 2013

A Wish List for 2013

Happy New Year! Many of our GBM readers are already celebrating the arrival of 2013 while the clock ticks down on 2012 here in the states. Each new year brings hope of things new, or different, or changed, but if you?ve lived long enough, you know that much will stay the same whether that?s good or bad. Here?s hoping we gets lots of new beginnings in 2013. I know I could certainly use a few myself after a crazy year. Here?s some things I?d like to see in the coming year. Don?t look at this post for predictions. I already made those here. Instead think of this as a wish list of things I?d like to see and some things I hope I don?t see. Feel free to add your own in comments.

Things I?d Like to See in 2013

  • father.timeI?d like to see Google finally take control off the update cycles for Android. Tell the carriers to shove it. The current system is an outrage and the folks at Google should be ashamed. I know the carriers aren?t. But then they have no shame.
  • I?d like to see all companies slow down their update and new feature cycles until they get what they currently are selling working properly. Best example, GMail. Used by millions, its turning into Outlook, which is what it promised to take us away from.
  • I?d like to see Twitter collapse under its own weight or rather under the weighty ideas of its brain trust who don?t seem to be able to figure out a business model that doesn?t screw over its users, and doesn?t recognize that they have one of the worst team of App builders on the planet.
  • I?d like to see Microsoft make some changes to its marketing machine. Lop of some heads. Find some new directions. What a waste of money and what a waste in general.
  • I?d like to see Apple get over itself when it comes to the patent game. That entire fracas has done nothing but hurt innovation. I know big bucks are at stake, but seriously folks, do we really need to innovate by litigation?
  • I?d like to see carriers be forced to live up to their own advertising and marketing. These guys make political advertising folk look like angels.
  • I?d like to see Google change the game when it comes to Tablets. Add some sort of incentive for developers to create Apps designed for Tablets.
  • I?d like to see Apple realize that it doesn?t understand the cloud or iCloud and actually hire some folks who do. If you want me in your silo, you better at least build a silo that makes sense.
  • I?d like to see Apple realize that folks actually want to store and access their photos in its iCloud and not just in some quasi-endless Photo Stream.
  • I?d like to see the Surface Pro bring about a resurgence of Ink-Enabled computing.
  • I?d like to see every blog or publication that publishes ?XX Company is working on the new version of XX? include ?This is Not News? in the headline.
  • I?d like to see Apple address Sharing across Apps in the way that Google or some iOS Apps do. It?s way past time for this to happen.
  • I?d like to see the media giants acknowledge that all the money they spend on anti-piracy efforts could be better spent making their content accessible online in ways that don?t force users to pirate the stuff in the first place.
  • I?d like to see advertisers recognize that their pop over ads, which have always been an annoyance, are absolute turn offs to whatever product they are advertising when they appear on a Tablet screen.
  • I?d like to see the folks who program video to run automatically run when we open a web site remember that we went through this trend a few year?s ago, ended the obnoxiousness, and that all they do when the start a pre-roll add on launching a website is piss us off.
  • I?d like to see Facebook recognize that it is now an adult company and quit changing things around like a precocious child.
  • I?d like to see Amazon keep doing what it is doing with Tablets. It?s placing real pressure on the area that counts the most, price.
  • I?d like to see some company create an online business that gives each of us a single sign-on that is accepted globally across all platforms. We?d pay for the service yearly. This would cut down on so much hassle that it would be worth whatever the price was.
  • I?d like to see the media and blogs force CEOs to unbox any new product, live, and on video. This would be the end of stupid, wasteful, and dangerous packing.
  • Following that unboxing, I?d like to see the CEOs have to set up their new device live and on video.
  • I?d like to see the media and bloggers refuse to cover any new device, service, or gadget that a company isn?t ready to put in their hands on announcing it.
  • And as always, here?s hoping for whirled peas. :)

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Pictures of the new BlackBerry X10 with QWERTY appear

Pictures of the new BlackBerry X10 with QWERTY appear

A few days back, some pictures of what is widely believed to be the BlackBerry Z10 made the rounds. It was an all-touch device that will rely on a virtual QWERTY keyboard. But many users would never give up the feeling of typing on a BlackBerry physical QWERTY. That?s what the BlackBerry N-Series is all about.
BlackBerry-X10-N-Series
It is no longer called the N series however. The BlackBerry 10 models with a physical QWERTY will be known as the BlackBerry X10. The lock screen on the phone has a link to the camera, and shows you the number of received messages as well as the number of upcoming events. The screen can show up to 8 applications at a time with the bottom of the panel becoming a launcher for the phone, search and camera.

The BlackBerry X10 should launch after the BlackBerry Z10 arrives in the first quarter of 2013. The BlackBerry X10 is rumored to be 720 x 720 with an OLED display.

Source Phone Arena

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Sunday, 30 December 2012

Dock Minimal is a versatile dock stand for tablets

by Janet Cloninger on December 29, 20120 comments

in News, Tablets, Ultra Portables

dock-minimal-tablet-standThe Dock Minimal tablet stand is an indiegogo project. �It has a bow tie shape, and it?s made of ABS plastic with a rubber coating in Arctic White, Black Onyx, Glacial Blue, or Lava Red. �It comes with a kickstand that can be used to adjust the stand to 20 different viewing angles. �It also has four connector fittings and three side fittings to adjust the Dock Minimal for use with iPad,�iPad mini, Kindle, Samsung, and Nexus tablets/e-book readers. �You?ll also receive a color-matched stylus. �The funding period ends January 31, 2013, so there is still time to support this project. �An early-bid pledge of $25 gets you a black Dock Minimal ($29 after early-birds are all claimed) or $35 for your choice of one of the other colors (goes to $39 after the early-bird pledges are claimed). �You should be aware that indiegogo, unlike Kickstarter, apparently awards all the pledges to the project, even if they haven?t met their funding goal.


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New York Mayor Says iPhone, iPad The Cause For Rising Theft Numbers

The rate of major crimes in New York City was up for 2012, and Mayor Bloomberg blames Apple device theft according to a New York Times report.

In 2012 New York City saw an increase of 3,484 major crime incidents throughout all five boroughs. The increase in the number of stolen Apple devices increased by 3,890 incidents throughout the year. Without the increase in Apple device thefts major crime numbers would actually be down from 2011.

Mayor Bloomberg specifically mentioned iPhones and iPads as devices that thieves regularly target. Competing Android devices weren?t mentioned by name.

iPhone-5-review best of

To help stem the rate of device theft Mayor Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to put their iPhones in pockets of body-fitting or tighter clothes in case a thief tries to steal the phone from a pocket. It?s easier to feel a hand in a pants pocket than a coat pocket.

Thieves often targeted iPhones and iPads on the subway where the MTA encourages riders�to not show their devices. That advice isn?t always followed, however.

Earlier this year the New York Police Department started a program to register iPhones and other smartphones in the event that a thief steals them. The program makes it easier for the police to return stolen iPhones to their owners and to track them if necessary.

The easiest way to track down a stolen iPhone is with Find my iPhone which Apple prompts users to enable when they first set up their iPhone. Through the service users can track their stolen devices from any other device using either the iCloud.com website or the Find my iPhone app on another iOS device.

Users should also use a passcode on their iPhones as a precaution if a thief does steal them. With a passcode there?s a lower chance that any thief can use a stolen iPhone. Thieves can still guess at passcodes, but at least there?s some security so they can?t get to any personal information easily.

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Five Most Affordable Music Streaming Apps

The way users listen to music has changed. And with advancements in mobile technology, streaming music has become particularly more commonplace. Streaming music can be cheaper for listeners than buying music from iTunes, and also offer more variety. With an audio stream the user can change what they are listening to, as opposed sticking to only what?s on their device, where their options are limited.

Below are the 5 best music apps for listening to the latest tunes, and at the lowest cost.

Pandora

Pandora

The Pandora iPhone app is extremely well rounded. It offers music streaming based on Artist, Song or Composer. The user also has the option to like or dislike tracks that appear on the station to help tailor the listening experience. Tracks can be paused and skipped, but not started from the beginning, which is a slight disappointment. In terms of pricing Pandora allows free, ad supported, listening but also has tiered pricing. Users can pay $36/year or $3.99/month for ad-free listening, unlimited skips and higher quality audio.

Pandora for iPhone.

Spotify

Spotify

Spotify is a music service that is a lot like Pandora, but it also has some additional features. With Spotify users can listen to their favorite individual tracks and artists, as opposed to just a station based off of them as Pandora offers. Spotify also allows users with a paid subscription to download the tracks they listen to.

You can listen to radio stations for free. For $9.99/month users get unlimited streaming, downloads and mobile access.

Spotify for iPhone.

Rhapsody

Rhapsody

Rhapsody is another option users have when choosing a music streaming service. Rhapsody is a lot like Spotify, letting a user choose the individual tracks and artists to listen to. The Rhapsody music store has a decent content selection, and it is competitively priced. Depending on if the user chooses a monthly, quarterly or annual contract, Rhapsody is a little cheaper than Spotify. The costs: a monthly rate is $9.99, if you pay quarterly the rate comes out to $9.33/month, and if you pay annually the monthly cost ends up at $9.17/month.

Rhapsody for iPhone.

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio is an app that allows users to stream their favorite music, much like how Pandora operates. There are over 1,500 channels to choose from by default, plus the option to create a station from a particular song or artist. A neat option of iHeartRadio is that the user can select if they want to listen to music related to a certain artist, or less�familiar music and even a mix of both. iHeartRadio is free when you sign up by email or through�Facebook.

iHeartRadio for iPhone.

Rdio

Rdio

Last, but not least, on this list of streaming applications is Rdio. Rdio is similar to Spotify, but it differs in a few areas. Rdio focuses more on social integration. Users are prompted to share what they are listening to with friends and family. Rdio also has a lot of music to choose from, with over 18 million tracks. A subscription to Rdio costs $9.99/month for unlimited streaming, downloads and ad-free listening.

Rdio for iPhone.

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Saturday, 29 December 2012

Best Tech of 2012

Here?s a look at the best gadgets and services of 2012. �We still haven?t found the perfect gadget, but the following 21 items are as close as we saw in the past 12 months. �While we saw thousands of gadgets, apps and services in 2012, these are the ones we recommend to our friends, family and readers without hesitation

A lot of the gadgets in our Best of 2012 list are more expensive than category averages. When it comes to technology, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. �We recommend spending as much as you can afford on gadgets you plan to use on a daily basis.

There were dozens of smartphones�launched�in 2012, but there are just a handful of standouts that we recommend above all others. If you?re going to saddle yourself or a loved one with an expensive 4G wireless contract, you may as well enjoy one of our top picks instead of a device with last year?s technology.�The year 2012 also brought several viable tablets and the best pocket camera we?ve seen to date.

Not everything on our list is expensive. One of our favorite 4G plans made the list, offering 5GB of 4G speed for just $30 per month with no contract.

GottaBeMobile staff use and own most of the gadgets in this Best of 2012. Which ones have you purchased or have on your wish list?

Samsung Galaxy S3

The Galaxy S3 is the top Android smartphone of 2012, giving the iPhone 5 competition previously unseen in the smartphone market. Samsung dropped the ridiculous add-on names and models that hampered the Galaxy S2, putting the flagship Galaxy S3 on every major U.S. carrier.

The Galaxy S4 features a beautiful, large 4.8-inch display, and thanks to smart design choices the phone is still thin enough to comfortably use one-handed. The Galaxy S3 camera is good enough to compete with the iPhone 5, and Samsung's camera features like Best Photo deliver a great picture taking experience on a smartphone.

The nature inspired interface of the Galaxy S3 brings a host of smart features from the ability to keep the screen on when the GalaxY S3 detects eyes looking at it to the motion gestures that make calling a contact from a text message as easy as putting the phone up to your ear.

Rounding out the Galaxy S3 is the speedy 4G LTE and HSPA+�connectivity. It doesn't hurt that this flagship phone can be found from�$59.99 to a penny at Amazon Wireless.

1 / 21
Samsung Galaxy S3
1 / 21

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Orbiting Rings Watch

by Edwin - on December 28th, 2012

I am a firm believer that every person should have at the very least one timepiece that they can be proud of to wear around their wrist. Of course, if you were to dive into the high end world of Rolex, Piaget and Patek, that would burn more than just a huge hole in your pocket, you could in fact be wearing a car on your wrist, with some cash to spare to boot. With the $199.95 Orbiting Rings Watch, this is one timepiece that allows you to make a serious fashion statement without ending up in serious debt.

It will also add to your intellectual look, considering how time is shown via a couple of orbiting rings. There are no hour, minute, or second hands, and neither is there a numerical dial for you to fall back on, but thankfully, learning how to tell the time with this puppy is not too difficult, and with a little bit of practice, it will end up as second nature to you. A pair of concentric rings will create an ever-changing pattern of contrasting gradient color as time progresses, and the entire timepiece features a mineral crystal face and encircled by a bezel with marks for each hour. The outer ring will display the minutes while the inner ring displays the hours, where the leading edge of each will then advance in a clockwise motion in order to indicate the passage of time. It comes enclosed by a 316L stainless steel case that offers water resistance down to 100?.

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LG Display looks to take Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 off the market with ban

What, you thought Apple was the only problem Samsung had to deal with in the mobile realm? It looks like two South Korean companies will get ready to battle in court over display patents. LG Display is claiming Samsung?s Galaxy Note 10.1 infringes on display technology that makes it easier to view the tablet?s display at many different viewing angles.

The goal for LG Display is to get the tablet banned at all levels, including importation, retail and even manufacturing. While such a ban likely won?t phase Samsung it?s a strong first punch to throw at the manufacturer?s biggest slate. Samsung Display?s vice president ? Shim Jaeboo ? has already responded, saying LG Display?s claims are unjustified. He didn?t go into much detail as to how, but to release a statement so swiftly and boldly suggests Samsung has confidence that this case won?t go far.

Should LG get its way, it will also look to rake in around $933,000 per day for each day of ?continued non-compliance.? We?re not sure if they?re counting the days since the tablet has been on sale as ?non-compliance,? but in that case a bit of quick, dirty math tells me that would be about $130 million to date.

Samsung has been hit with much harder, of course, as they once faced a possible $1.1 billion penalty for its scuffle with Apple, though it looks as though Samsung will successfully ward that one off. That seems like pocket change for such a big electronics company that has been breaking sales records all year, but we?re sure they?d still hate to take the loss. We?ll keep half an eye on this one, folks.

[via Taipei Times]


About The Author
Quentyn Kennemer is a Contributing Editor for Phandroid.com and has posted 6519 articles. Connect with him on G+.

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Sony Warns Against Microwaving Your PS3

Sony Warns Against Microwaving Your PS3

Some people just need to be told things that you and I already know. You should never put any device into a microwave to dry it. Not everyone has this much common sense. So Sony made a public announcement that you should not put your PS3 console in the microwave.
sony microwave
Can you believe that some people actually thought this was a good idea? Sony made the announcement based on the evidence of some PS3s which were sent back to Sony for repair, saying, ?Of the defective products received by Sony, we have detected on some rare occasions evident changes in the shape of the unit and even burn marks that can only be assumed to have been brought about by the use of an electrical appliance such as a hairdryer or microwave. Heating up your game console leads not only to a defective unit but also creates the risk of a fire or even serious injury?.

Source Ubergizmo

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Friday, 28 December 2012

GameStop Sells Porn Packed 3DS Console

GameStop Sells Porn Packed 3DS Console

A man named Mark Giles went into a local GameStop location and purchased a refurbished Nintendo 3DS game console for his five-year-old son. Expecting that the console was refurbished as promised, he wrapped it up and gave it to his son as a Christmas gift. What the man didn?t know was that the console hadn?t been refurbished at all.

pikachu-3ds

When the man?s son open the console to play with it, the boy found nine different pornographic images stored on the portable device. According to GameStop, it has rules in place specifying how products are to be refurbished, but sometimes devices slip through. Clearly this was one of those times.

GameStop gave Giles a brand-new Nintendo 3DS console and a bunch of video games. However, that doesn?t make things right in Giles? mind. What?s been seen can?t be unseen.

via Huffington Post

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Deal of the Day ? Netgear NeoTV Max NTV300SL1080p Wireless Media Player

by Janet Cloninger on December 28, 20120 comments

in News

netgear-deal-2012-12-28Friday?s LogicBUY Deal is the�Netgear NeoTV Max NTV300SL 1080p HD Wireless Media Player (model no. NTV300SL-100NAS) for $59.99. �Features:

  • Wireless N
  • Intel WiDi mirrors your laptop screen on your HDTV in 1080p HD
  • Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Hulu Plus

$79.99 ? $20 discount = $59.99 with free shipping.

This deal expires January 3, 2013 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals


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Sony adds DVR feature to PS Vita in Japan

Sony adds DVR feature to PS Vita in Japan

There was a delay, but Sony?s PS3-compatible DVR system was released in Japan a few months ago. The system is called Nasne and it lets you record both satellite and terrestrial TV programs onto the device?s 500GB hard drive.
dvr
Nasne has its own hard drive so you can record TV without using up your PS3 storage. We all know how precious space can be on our PS3 system. But it is also possible just to buy the software that allows you to do the exact same thing on your PS3, without a Nasne purchase. The software is called Torne, and it comes with a digital tuner allowing you to record programs directly onto your PS3. Once you?re movies or TV shows are stored on either a PS3 or Nasne, they can be transferred to other Sony devices.

Well, now Torne is available to downloaded for the PlayStation Vita , but only for those in Japan. The app is free, but after February 27 it will cost about $9.

Source Geek

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