Samsung Galaxy Note 2

[dougp]

As in it feels like a kids toy small. Really is funny how fast you get used to the size.

TWSS.

Sorry, had to - I've noticed the same thing though when the wife has asked me to do something on her phone, or a coworker. My boss just got a new car and my phone is bigger than the onboard dash monitor.

 

[vi edit]

It's funny how much attention this thing draws. I was playing basketball last night with a bunch of friends and this was the first time I had it around that group. I pull it out of my gym bag between games to check the MNF score and had about half a dozen guys look at that with a couple going "WTF *is* that thing?".

I get that almost daily around people that haven't seen it before. It's a ginormous phone. But there is no way I could *ever* go back to a smaller screen now. I'm still slowly changing the way I use the device and it's actually probably for the better. My old phone was nimble enough I could fumble around with it while driving. Which I shouldn't be doing. Can't really do that with this one. That's not a bad thing, it's the safer choice truthfully. But for all other uses I can text faster, browse the web much more comfortably. Gaming is incredible. It's actually a viable option for letting my kids watch movies on it. Being able to hammer on it for about 14 hours and still have 40% of battery life left is great. And I have no issues using it a phone.

It's a great device.

 

[SandEagle]

^ yep, i get a lot of questions on it too. especially when i pull out the pen to take notes. it really is an impressive device. i had a lot of doubts about going to a bigger screen. now i cant see myself going back to anything smaller. i also have an iphone 4s which looks like a toy next to this beast.

 

[snikt]

But there is no way I could *ever* go back to a smaller screen now. I'm still slowly changing the way I use the device and it's actually probably for the better. My old phone was nimble enough I could fumble around with it while driving. Which I shouldn't be doing. Can't really do that with this one. That's not a bad thing, it's the safer choice truthfully. But for all other uses I can text faster, browse the web much more comfortably. Gaming is incredible. It's actually a viable option for letting my kids watch movies on it. Being able to hammer on it for about 14 hours and still have 40% of battery life left is great. And I have no issues using it a phone.

It's a great device.

This pretty much sums it up for me as well; except the kids part, no rings, no strings, no offspring...

 

[dlock13]

The problem I'm having with this phone now is that I like to work out with my device, and that means I like using RunKeeper! With this, I'll no longer be able to use any of the fitness apps I have unless the Note 2 is sitting in the cup holder at the gym! :/ I didn't even think of this till today!

 

[snikt]

The problem I'm having with this phone now is that I like to work out with my device, and that means I like using RunKeeper! With this, I'll no longer be able to use any of the fitness apps I have unless the Note 2 is sitting in the cup holder at the gym! :/ I didn't even think of this till today!

I use a black fanny pack when I go to the gym. Among my keys, wallet, etc., I put my Note 2 in it. Concealed, and out of the way, although I don't use any of the cardio apps available so running with it isn't a problem.

 

[Phobic9]

The problem I'm having with this phone now is that I like to work out with my device, and that means I like using RunKeeper! With this, I'll no longer be able to use any of the fitness apps I have unless the Note 2 is sitting in the cup holder at the gym! :/ I didn't even think of this till today!

This is my main issue with the Note 2. I haven't found a solution yet.

 

[TerryMathews]

This is my main issue with the Note 2. I haven't found a solution yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009VOISGY

 

[vi edit]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009VOISGY

http://mymovietime.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/tech-self-destruct-predator.jpg

 

[gorcorps]

Went to best buy to play with one a bit again. I fear it really it just too big for me. I'm used to texting with one hand via swype or equivalent, and I really can't tap-type much anymore because of it. I physically can't get my thumb across the screen to use such a thing properly. It's a gorgeous screen with a big battery which would be nice, but I just think usability for me would be hampered too much by the sheer size of it.

 

[iahk]

If you get a chance to play with it, you can try the one hand operation feature. The Note II actually caters to people like you. The keyboard, dialer, calculator, etc shifts to one side of the screen.

 

[dlock13]

This is my main issue with the Note 2. I haven't found a solution yet.

Do you have the Note 2?

Also, what do you think about the DNA for fitness applications?

 

[gorcorps]

If you get a chance to play with it, you can try the one hand operation feature. The Note II actually caters to people like you. The keyboard, dialer, calculator, etc shifts to one side of the screen.

Well damn, I had no idea it had such a thing. The demo wasn't really set up well anyway. The phone was dead and there was no USB cable plugged in. I had to borrow the one from the GS3 next door just to turn it on.

Maybe next time I'll try it then How do I enable such features? Is it in the settings somewhere or is it a shortcut on the keyboard?

edit: I googled it, it's in the settings I see. Does it force ANY keyboard that you have applied to the side like that or is it specific to the stock Samsung keyboard? If I can still use swype or swiftkey in one hand mode then that'll go a long way to convincing me.

 

[dougp]

edit: I googled it, it's in the settings I see. Does it force ANY keyboard that you have applied to the side like that or is it specific to the stock Samsung keyboard? If I can still use swype or swiftkey in one hand mode then that'll go a long way to convincing me.

You have to use the Samsung keyboard but it has a feature like Swiftkey/Swype - I think it's Swiftkey based, though.

 

[pakotlar]

Based on other threads he seems like he may have an issue with Korean stuff as a whole and not just Samsung. He always goes out of his way to push the superiority of Japanese products and even point out that his HTC One S was purchased in Japan as if that absolves it from being a Taiwanese phone with a pentile Samsung qHD Super Amoled display.

Haha. Well, I read a few posts since then, he doesn't like admitting defeat.

I should be getting my note 2 tomorrow. Very excited. Moving from an iPhone, nervous about the change. I had maintained my distance from Android due to my experiences with UI performance, until I tried a Galaxy Nexus. That was the first Android device I felt could compete, and I know it had to do with the optimizations in ICS and Jelly Bean. I'm a bit concerned about TouchWiz decreasing UI performance, but as I've read, I can not only remove much of the background-running bloat apps, but also overclock this beat without losing battery life. Looking forward to 1800mhz/733.

Can anyone recommend a screen protector? I had a Zagg HD installed on the front and back, but have come to understand the Zagg is easily deformed by the Spen.

 

[Phobic9]

Do you have the Note 2?

Also, what do you think about the DNA for fitness applications?

I do. I've seen a few of those armband holders for the Note 2 and well... the jury is still out on those. My coworkers all say I should just use my backpack since my phone is "so big". LOL?

The Droid DNA is probably less cumbersome to use when doing exercise since it isn't as wide as the Note 2.

 

[kache]

Just get a sansa clip+, rockbox it and use that for exercize.

 

[dlock13]

Just get a sansa clip+, rockbox it and use that for exercize.

The thing is I use RunKeeper and Zombies, Run! when it's nice out so I can track myself. I love being able to see how far I've went and where I've been, etc..

Using a simple MP3 player makes me a sad panda.

I'm wondering if I get a used phone such as a Nexus for cheap, can I just swap SIM cards from the DNA/Note 2 and toss it in the Nexus and use that? Kind of how GSM cellular devices are that is.

 

[TerryMathews]

The thing is I use RunKeeper and Zombies, Run! when it's nice out so I can track myself. I love being able to see how far I've went and where I've been, etc..

Using a simple MP3 player makes me a sad panda.

I'm wondering if I get a used phone such as a Nexus for cheap, can I just swap SIM cards from the DNA/Note 2 and toss it in the Nexus and use that? Kind of how GSM cellular devices are that is.

What about a MOTOACTV?

 

[iahk]

Well damn, I had no idea it had such a thing. The demo wasn't really set up well anyway. The phone was dead and there was no USB cable plugged in. I had to borrow the one from the GS3 next door just to turn it on.

Maybe next time I'll try it then How do I enable such features? Is it in the settings somewhere or is it a shortcut on the keyboard?

edit: I googled it, it's in the settings I see. Does it force ANY keyboard that you have applied to the side like that or is it specific to the stock Samsung keyboard? If I can still use swype or swiftkey in one hand mode then that'll go a long way to convincing me.

If you go into the system settings, scroll down and you'll notice One Hand Operation. And yes, you have to stick with the stock samsung keyboard. I've been an avid swiftkey user my entire android life and I'm forcing myself to get used to the samsung keyboard now since it's actually feature-filled with the Note 2 software. You'll have to also use it if you want it to quick swap to handwriting recognition for when you pull out the s-pen and also for the floating keyboard when you use multiview.

One big thing that is killing me about the samsung keyboard is that it doesn't have autocorrect when I'm tapping away. Pretty frustrating for now.

 

[kache]

I am using GO keyboard without any writing aid, and I am liking it.

 

[gorcorps]

If you go into the system settings, scroll down and you'll notice One Hand Operation. And yes, you have to stick with the stock samsung keyboard. I've been an avid swiftkey user my entire android life and I'm forcing myself to get used to the samsung keyboard now since it's actually feature-filled with the Note 2 software. You'll have to also use it if you want it to quick swap to handwriting recognition for when you pull out the s-pen and also for the floating keyboard when you use multiview.

One big thing that is killing me about the samsung keyboard is that it doesn't have autocorrect when I'm tapping away. Pretty frustrating for now.

Hmmm... those are kind of deal breakers. Love being able to use different keyboards to suit my typing style. That's the beauty of Android! Might have to stick with a GS3.

 

[dlock13]

What about a MOTOACTV?

Honestly, that would be good except for the fact that it's an added expense, and I don't know if any of those apps can even work on that thing.

 

[Nintendesert]

Well my mom likes the Note 2 much more than all the broken Nokia 822s. She likes how big the screen is so her poor eyes can see stuff and likes the stylus. So great phone for old folks!

 

[dlock13]

Bootloader has been unlocked! D: