From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch
Way back in April of 2010, I wrote in this column about how I was finally giving up my IPAQ pocket computer (PPC) for a newfangled kind of PPC that happened to also make phone calls. Now that I look back on what I’ve just written, I’m wondering if Hewlett-Packard could sue Apple for copyright infringement. On third thought, I guess not. Apple uses a lower case I.
Last June, I told you about how my trusty TP2 finally gave up the ghost. Microsoft lost a customer due to their lousy updating of their mobile operating systems. I changed to an Android phone that my grandson had quit using. Three months later, I bought an android tablet.
In November, I finally used my upgrade and bought a Samsung Galaxy Note II. This is by far the best pocket computer I have ever owned. (I still can’t get myself to call it a telephone).
The Note II is a big machine. It measures 5.949” x 3.17” x 0.37” and weighs 6.349 oz. Some of the tech writers are calling this machine a “phablet” (from the two words phone and tablet). For me it is a perfect size. It fits in my pocket and the large screen is easy for my old eyes to read. The screen resolution is 1280 x 720.
The processor is a Exynos 1.6GHz Quad-core and it is fast. I haven’t experienced any screen lag. The operating system is Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and is a joy to use. Android has finally come into its own. There is 16GB of internal memory and a slot for up to a 64GB micro SD card. Powering it is a 3,100 mAh battery. I have yet to get a message telling me the battery is getting low. As a matter of routine, I’ve always bought a second battery for my pocket computers. I haven’t had to use my stand-by battery with the Note II.
The camera resolution is 8.0 Megapixels. The front facing camera is 1.9 Megapixels. The camera features include Auto Focus, Best Face, Best Photo, Beauty, Buddy Photo Share, Burst Shot, Face Detection, HDR, Low Light, Panorama, Share Shot, Single Shot, Smile Shot and Geo-tagging.
One of my favorite features is the multitasking in split screen windows. I can watch a movie in one window while I’m playing a game in the other window. The possibilities are endless. Messaging in one window, take pictures in the other. Map in one window, take notes in the other. This is an awesome feature.
Of course, all of the standard features are included: WI-FI, Bluetooth, GPS, Messaging, Web Browsing, Social Networking, etc. Also included are some new apps designed specially for the fancy stylus, named the S-Pen. The stylus is touch sensitive. The harder you press on the screen, the darker the line. It also works without touching the screen at all. One of the cool features is when you pull the S-Pen out of its holder, all of the apps automatically load. Reinsert the S-Pen and they close. You won’t easily lose your stylus, because the machine will sound an alarm if you walk away without it.
There are a couple of things that I don’t like about the machine. There is only one button on the front. Pressing it opens the home screen. Long pressing brings up the recently used apps screen. Double pressing the button opens Samsung’s S-Voice app, which I don’t use. Maybe future hackers will make some useful applications for the button.
The power button is on the upper right side of the computer, which is an an awkward position for me. I often accidentally bump the volume control when I’m turning the machine on or off. I wish they had put it on the top of the device.
Lastly is a pain in the whatchamacallit when using the camera. You cannot turn the sound off. This doesn’t bother me anymore though. I’ve rooted my phone and have a quiet camera now.
If you’re in the market for a new phone and you want a large screen, a smooth operating system and superb battery life, I recommend you test drive the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It’s an excellent pocket computer that happens to also make telephone calls.