Samsung Galaxy Note II review

Samsung Galaxy Note II review:

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• Samsung Galaxy Note II unveiled
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Samsung's first crack at a smartphone larger than five inches came last year in the form of the Galaxy Note. It was wildly different than most phones we'd seen before: it was massive, for one, and involved the use of a stylus pen, a sorely outdated concept at the time. Who would be willing to buy this thing? Yet, despite its enormous size, this tablet / phone (forgive us: phablet) captured more hearts and wallets than even Sammy had probably expected. The S Pen showed that it was more than just a simple stylus, artists and tech enthusiasts alike loved it and a successful marketing campaign helped push millions of units. The Note was an undeniable hit.

Did Samsung realize at the time that it was sitting on a gold mine? It's hard to know for sure, but its success meant only one thing: an inevitable sequel. The Galaxy Note II, introduced a year after its parent, has some big shoes to fill. We believe it's up to the task, though: it boasts a quad-core Exynos processor, twice the RAM, an even larger display and a whole new bag of S Pen tricks. It sounds compelling, but does the new version truly trump the old? Is it worth another sound investment (pricing varies, but it starts around £530 for a SIM-free version) just a year down the road? We'll satisfy your curiosity after the break.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Note II (N7100) review

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Note II review
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note II review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nano-SIMs reportedly popping up at T-Mobile stores, ready to welcome your iPhone 5

Nano-SIMs reportedly popping up at T-Mobile stores, ready to welcome your iPhone 5:

The iPhone 5 may not be ready for sale unlocked officially just yet, but that doesn't mean T-Mobile isn't ready to be your service provider. As evidenced by the photo above, the folks at TmoNews and YouTuber BigRicksChannel have confirmed that the service provider is now selling iPhone 5-compatible Nano-SIMs. Of course, these'll work just fine with the Verizon-variant of the the 4-inch device, as it's technically unlocked out of the box. Need proof beyond a photo? Catch the video after the break to see it connecting to T-Mobile's network for yourself.
Continue reading Nano-SIMs reportedly popping up at T-Mobile stores, ready to welcome your iPhone 5
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, T-Mobile

Nano-SIMs reportedly popping up at T-Mobile stores, ready to welcome your iPhone 5 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG's Smart TV platform starts renting out Disney 3D movies, offers new buyers $50 worth

LG's Smart TV platform starts renting out Disney 3D movies, offers new buyers $50 worth:

Although these have been accomplished by two different branch entities, there's no doubt the folks over at Disney are in a deal-making mood as of late. Having recently announced a deal bringing new content to Cablevision subscribers, Disney has also partnered up with LG to bring an array of 3D films over to its Smart TV platform -- so long as the units are 3D-ready and you are in the US, of course. This means movies from studios such as Disney Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel and Touchstone Pictures will available to rent in three-dee directly from LG's 3D World, including The Avengers, Toy Story, Alice in Wonderland and, later next year, Finding Nemo. Better yet, LG's currently offering a deal which hands you $50 in credit (which expires December 31st) to spend on 3D rentals -- naturally, however, you'll have to shell out some cash on one of its qualifying TVs in order to take advantage of this promo. To learn more about that, check out the press release after the break.
Continue reading LG's Smart TV platform starts renting out Disney 3D movies, offers new buyers $50 worth
Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, HD, LG

LG's Smart TV platform starts renting out Disney 3D movies, offers new buyers $50 worth originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McAfee shows how major Android scamware ticks, prevents us from learning first-hand

McAfee shows how major Android scamware ticks, prevents us from learning first-hand:

Most Android malware lives in the margins, away from Google Play and the more reliable app shops. It's nonetheless a good idea to be on the lookout for rogue code, and McAfee has stepped in with thorough explanations of how one of the most common scamware strains, Android.FakeInstaller, works its sinister ways. The bait is typically a search-optimized fake app market or website; the apps themselves not only present a legitimate-looking front but include dynamic code to stymie any reverse engineering. Woe be to anyone who's tricked long enough to finish the installation, as the malware often sends text messages to expensive premium phone numbers or links target devices to botnets. The safeguard? McAfee would like you to sign up for its antivirus suite, but you can also keep a good head on your shoulders -- stick to trustworthy shops and look for dodgy behavior before anything reaches your device.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

McAfee shows how major Android scamware ticks, prevents us from learning first-hand originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 06:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video)

Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video):

Lockitron has just outed a new cellphone-controlled keyless entry system, sporting a raft of new bells and wireless whistles. The WiFi-connected product mounts over your existing deadbolt "in seconds," according to the company, and lets you or those you trust control your lock from anywhere in the world by SMS or the internet. You can also unlock your door in person without lifting a finger if you have an iPhone 4S or 5, as the Lockitron will sense your approach using Bluetooth 4.0 -- a feature that may extend to NFC and Android devices in the future, too. To top it off, the system can notify you when a friend or relative returns home, and it has a knock sensor to let you know if someone's come by to visit. Lockitron exceeded its self-imposed minimum order limit by 250 percent in less than a day, so if you'd like to pre-order one at the current $149 price and get it for March 2013, hit the source.
Continue reading Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video)
Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Mobile

Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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