Galaxy Note 8.0

[Bateluer]

Which is why Nexus 7 has done well. But Samsung is greedy and thinks it's on equal footing with Apple. So I don't see Note 8 being much of a value. Which rather you have? Retina iPad Mini for $329 or Note 8 for $350 or more? I'll take Retina iPad Mini. Low res of the Note 8 along with the high price will be its downfall.

I'm not going to speculate on the value of the Note 8 until there's pricing and availability for it.

The 1280x800 resolution of the Note 8 easily trumps the Mini's 1024x768 though.

 

[MrX8503]

If you use a earpiece or headset, the size doesn't matter that much.

Ehhh, I don't think of headsets much really. They're kind of annoying and the people that use them are annoying to be around.

The weight difference is pretty minor, not enough to give the Mini much of an edge at all.

Provided the Note is reasonably priced it should easily dethrone the Nexus 7 at everything other than absolute lowest price.

Its also thicker than the Mini. The Mini is some serious gadget engineering, besting the iPhone 5 IMO. There's direct contact from glass to metal on the Mini, whereas the iPhone 5 has a plastic gasket.

Depending on price, its hard to say where the Note 8 will stand.

Which is why Nexus 7 has done well. But Samsung is greedy and thinks it's on equal footing with Apple. So I don't see Note 8 being much of a value. Which rather you have? Retina iPad Mini for $329 or Note 8 for $350 or more? I'll take Retina iPad Mini. Low res of the Note 8 along with the high price will be its downfall.

There isn't a retina Mini yet. When it does release, it'll bring some tough competition.

 

[ponyo]

There isn't a retina Mini yet. When it does release, it'll bring some tough competition.

Note will be here around June. Retina Mini likely in late Oct/early Nov.

 

[Throckmorton]

I have the original Tab and have used it as a phone. It works well. Phone capability was the main reason I bought it and why I still have it. I don't see the downside of having the feature other than slight increase in cost. 7.7 S-AMOLED Tab also had phone capabilities.

Nexus 7 HSPA+ doesn't have the phone capabilities. It's a shame too. I would've upgraded if it did. Tablets like the iPad and N7 would be so much better if it could make and receive phone calls. People use FaceTime, Skype, and Google Talk to talk on tablets. Regular phone calls wouldn't be any different and would give you another option.

I'm interested in the Note 8.0 because of the S-Pen and the phone capabilities. If it didn't have the two features, it would be just another average tablet in a sea of tablets.

Well this is America so you'll have to pay $100 for a voice plan

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Well this is America so you'll have to pay $100 for a voice plan

Strait Talk ftw.

 

[aeroxmax4]

until 3 years ago people tought that talking with something like that was ridicolous...

 

[ponyo]

Well this is America so you'll have to pay $100 for a voice plan

You can just use the same SIM from your current GSM provider if you're with AT&T or T-Mobile. It doesn't cost any extra. I'm with Straight Talk AT&T so the cost to me is $0.

 

[TuxDave]

The pictures of it look ridiculous but it's probably going to be successful anyways.

 

[Chiropteran]

I'd be all over it if it was Nexus branded and therefore stock android. Yes, I realize s-pen support requires some extra software, but it could be handled through installed applications instead of a mandatory part of the OS.

As much as I love my Note 2 as a phone, I'd rather have a Nexus if it was offered in the same format. With Nexus 7 and 10 being options, I'm not as willing to settle when it comes to tablets.

Phone radio is a great feature though, my next tablet needs that.

 

[Red Storm]

Phone radio is a great feature though, my next tablet needs that.

Any tablet with GSM/LTE connectivity has already been able to make phone calls on the go for a while now.

Just one of the nifty tools of Google Voice.

 

[WelshBloke]

The pictures of it look ridiculous but it's probably going to be successful anyways.

It does look very fisher price doesn't it?

 

[Chiropteran]

Any tablet with GSM/LTE connectivity has already been able to make phone calls on the go for a while now.

Just one of the nifty tools of Google Voice.

If it doesn't work with T-mobile's $30/month unlimited data plan than it is worthless for me. Honestly I haven't done a lot of research, but I thought you couldn't use a regular phone sim in a data-only tablet, even if you can cheat out some voice call support through google voice or other programs.

If I'm wrong, good to know.

 

[Red Storm]

If it doesn't work with T-mobile's $30/month unlimited data plan than it is worthless for me. Honestly I haven't done a lot of research, but I thought you couldn't use a regular phone sim in a data-only tablet, even if you can cheat out some voice call support through google voice or other programs.

If I'm wrong, good to know.

All you need is data, calls are made over data. When I first got the Nexus 4 I had to wait a few days for my sim to come in the mail, so I would tether to my other phone's internet and use the Nexus 4 as my cell phone.

When I had the Nexus 10 I would forward my cell calls to it while I was using it. Same number, I just get to pick and choose where it rings.

 

[lopri]

Is the $350 Note 8.0 come equipped with a cellular modem?

 

[Mopetar]

Is the $350 Note 8.0 come equipped with a cellular modem?

I'm not entirely sure. The Engadget article states:

Oh, and did we mention the Note 8.0's also a phone? Well, the HSPA+ global model is, anyway. LTE and WiFi-only models are currently in the works, with that latter variant headed to US shores.

There are obviously going to be different models, but it doesn't mention of the HSPA+ version is the stock model. The say there's going to be a WiFi only model, which makes me think that you'll need to pay extra for the cellular modem.

 

[s44]

No prices have been announced yet.

 

[ponyo]

Is the $350 Note 8.0 come equipped with a cellular modem?

$350 was just my made up price for WiFi model. Samsung hasn't released the price yet. It's not entirely certain the US will get any cellular model. I wouldn't count on it. At least not without a contract.

If you're interested in a tablet with cellular modem, take a look at Asus Fonepad. http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/25/4027310/asus-fonepad-hands-on-definitely-a-tablet-just-one-that-makes-phone
http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/25/4027214/asus-fonepad-specifications-features
It's basically Nexus 7 with cellular modem starting at $250. And it has mSD slot. And unlike HSPA+ Nexus 7, Fonepad can make real phone calls using cellular just like a regular cellphone.

 

[lopri]

Well, not at this moment. I've just finished setting myself up with N4 and N7 and T-Mobile prepaid as my portable work/entertainment/communication hub. I am looking forward to enjoying this setup at least till the end of this year unless something rrrreally compelling (e.g. Android tablet designed/performs better than ipad mini and also have cellular modem w/ voice support!) comes along.

I am just curious where this type of device will land, price-wise.

Edit: Oh, wow. ASUS fonepad is going to be $250? That's a more than competitive price, I should say, if it has the battery life that's expected from a 7" tablet.

BTW, I would like to comment on ASUS' customer support. (I believe there is a member who works for ASUS and helps others' w/ its products -sorry I forgot your name) My recent RMA was pretty quick and within the expectation for a company that isn't headquartered in the U.S. BUT, ASUS reps who answer the phone calls were not pleasant to deal with. I spoke to 2 reps, one was simply lacking in knowledge and kept repeating lines, and the other one was rude and nasty, trying to play games with me. ("Oh you forgot to mention '. (dot)' in your email account. That's why I couldn't verify you! What you gave me did not match every single space on my screen!") Only after I requested his supervisor he became more cooperative b I wasted half an hour just because he had nothing better to do. I have no ill will for ASUS - I am letting them know my experience so that they can improve.

Also, it'd be nice if ASUS had an option of cross-ship RMA service. Devices like Nexus 7 (and even more so for Fonepad) are highly personal and it is difficult for one to be without for 2+ weeks. I know ASUS don't sell directly to consumers, but couldn't there be a middle ground (say, a small restocking fee w/ a proof of purchase, a la EVGA)? I mean, ASUS seem to hire 3rd parties quite willingly when it comes to mail-in-rebates.

 

[Dari]

Now that Google forced a separate notification bar even onto soft key tablets, there's no reason not to have fixed buttons. Also, the S Pen works on them this time...

Anyway, I expect another round of suprised/enraged forumites when Samsung sells a lot of these.

Yeah, you're right. Samsung has been very successful with their tablets. I mean, a new year brings a new tablet size from Samsung. They've had, 7, 7.7, 8, 8.9, 10.1, and different variations of each size, all major successes...

 

[Geekbabe]

Once you start using the s-pen, you can't go back. It really has me hooked. I will be replacing my Nexus 7 with this.
I already have the Note 2 & 10.1 & will have the 8.

I've got the Note 2 & love it, I'll be all over this when it's released here.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Hmmm Note 8.0 seems a little big compared to the Nexus 7.... wonder how it does for ergonomics.

 

[luv2liv]

i will take a wild guess that Note8 will be above $600 easily.
for $250, this Asus FonePad is truly tempting to me cause i dont need a stylus for drawing or handwritten notes

 

[Ravynmagi]

i will take a wild guess that Note8 will be above $600 easily.
for $250, this Asus FonePad is truly tempting to me cause i dont need a stylus for drawing or handwritten notes

My guess is $450. I doubt it'll be more expensive than the Note 10.1. However I doubt it'll be cheap either because of the digitizer and pen.

 

[Chiropteran]

All you need is data, calls are made over data. When I first got the Nexus 4 I had to wait a few days for my sim to come in the mail, so I would tether to my other phone's internet and use the Nexus 4 as my cell phone.

When I had the Nexus 10 I would forward my cell calls to it while I was using it. Same number, I just get to pick and choose where it rings.

You misunderstood me. The point I was making is that T-mobile's $30/month unlimited data/txt/100 minutes voice is CHEAPER than most alternative data-only plans. The problem is I don't think you can activate that plan on a tablet that doesn't have phone capability.

Being able to make phone calls over data isn't going to solve the problem of the data-only plan costing $50/month rather than the cheaper $30 phone plan.

 

[Red Storm]

You misunderstood me. The point I was making is that T-mobile's $30/month unlimited data/txt/100 minutes voice is CHEAPER than most alternative data-only plans. The problem is I don't think you can activate that plan on a tablet that doesn't have phone capability.

Being able to make phone calls over data isn't going to solve the problem of the data-only plan costing $50/month rather than the cheaper $30 phone plan.

Better to take that $30 plan and use it for your phone, then just hotspot your wifi (aka cheaper) tablet. Where are you most likely going to use a tablet where you don't have your phone on you? Other than home I can't think of any one place where that would be true, and at home I can just use wifi.