Samsung Galaxy Note II for Sprint hands-on

Samsung Galaxy Note II for Sprint hands-on

All we know so far is that it's possibly coming to US shores at some point in November, but the good news is that Sprint brought along one of the world's most famous phablets to a press event in New York City and, better yet, we got to play with it for a little while. Yes, we're talking about the Galaxy Note II. Looks-wise, the Now Network's flavor of that 5.5-inch behemoth hasn't exactly changed much from the unit(s) we landed our hands on when it was first unveiled to the world, meaning there's no "Sprint" branding anywhere to be found on the plastic shell -- at least for now, and, frankly, we kind of hope it stays this way. With that being out of the picture, the oversized handset looked as shiny as ever in its Marble White attire, which is the only color Sprint was happily showing off for the night. And while this particular Jelly Bean-loaded Note II was capable of running on the carrier's new LTE network, we weren't able to test out out data speeds due to matters out of our reach.

On the software side of things, we didn't notice any major hiccups worth pointing out, with the experience being rather similar to the one during our first encounter with Sammy's second-gen Note -- or, in other words, it felt very, very snappy and overall great. That said, the carrier, as it did with the Galaxy S III, looks to be pre-loading the device with some of its own applications, including ones such as Sprint Zone and other third-party apps like Polaris Office 4. Naturally, we popped the obvious question to Sprint of when we could expect the device to legitimately become part of its lineup, to which the carrier told us that it'd be sometime "this holiday season." For now, it looks like the hands-on gallery below will have to suffice, but you can be sure we'll let you know as soon as we find out the official release date.

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Samsung Galaxy Note II for Sprint hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Android Jelly Bean factory images now available for Nexus S models

New Android Jelly Bean factory images now available for Nexus S models

It's been nearly two months since Google quietly posted that initial batch of Jelly Bean images for its ever-growing family of Nexus handsets. And while today a few members of the pack are being left out, those with a Nexus S (save for the Korean version) or its 4G flavor can now grab the refreshed Android 4.1.1 images (JRO03L, JRO03R) straight from Mountain View's developer site. You'll find all the necessary download links at the source below, and you can be sure we'll let you know as soon as the rest become available.

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New Android Jelly Bean factory images now available for Nexus S models originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colors! Samsung’s Galaxy Camera pops at Photokina with vibrant orange and magenta paint jobs

Colors! Samsung's Galaxy Camera pops at Photokina with vibrant orange and magenta paint jobs

Another Photokina star is Samsung's Galaxy Camera, which launched to much fanfare several weeks ago at IFA, but dominates the company's photo-themed booth at the biennial photography show in Cologne, Germany. There's not much more to report on the hardware side, apart from confirmation that certain versions of the Android snapper will pack LTE, but there are indeed some very shiny new finishes to gawk at. First up is a bright orange flavor -- if you feared that the Galaxy point-and-shoot's rather large footprint wouldn't attract enough attention on its own in the field, you shouldn't have any such concerns with an orange model. Also of the neon persuasion is a flashy pink version, which like the aforementioned color, should draw many an eye. We were quite pleased with the black and white models we saw at IFA, and while Samsung clearly has a few colorful prototypes in circulation, the company says they're only being considered at this point, with your feedback determining the final options. So, what do you think? Would you buy an orange or pink Galaxy Camera? Let us know in the comments after the break.

Continue reading Colors! Samsung's Galaxy Camera pops at Photokina with vibrant orange and magenta paint jobs

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Colors! Samsung's Galaxy Camera pops at Photokina with vibrant orange and magenta paint jobs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola’s rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean

Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean

During Motorola's keynote on Wednesday, the company announced a nice little bonus for loyal fans -- should your 2011-or-later handset not receive a Jelly Bean update, you'll get $100 if you upgrade to one of its new models. Well, a website for the deal has gone live and the initial Ts&Cs don't make it sound like an immediate discount, but that the Benjamin will instead be reimbursed as a gift card, carrier credit or a cash equivalent of Motorola's choice. We're still in the dark about which specific phones will be denied a taste of Android 4.1, although the list is expected "very soon." In the meantime, you can sign up at the source link below to receive details of how to update, or how to claim the rebate once the fate of your old handset has been decided.

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Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Sprint Galaxy Nexus getting Jelly Bean update today (update: Nexus S 4G, too)

Official Sprint Galaxy Nexus getting Jelly Bean update today

Well, well, would you look at that? Staying true to what we'd heard yesterday, it appears that long-awaited Android 4.1 refresh is finally making its way to Sprint's own flavor of the Galaxy Nexus. As expected, the Jelly Bean update brings a slew of familiar, but rather marvelous features to the Now Network's GNex, including Google Now, an improved notification and voice search system, offline dictation and, of course, a smoother UI that's made possible by Mountain View's now-famed Project Butter. Unfortunately, we can't say the same about the Nexus S 4G, as the 4.1.x goods are still MIA for this device -- however, we'll be sure to let you know if that changes any time soon. In the meantime, those lucky Sprint Galaxy Nexus owners can eagerly "check now" for updates on their handset, and don't forget to tell us how much you're liking it so far.

Update: We're receiving tips that Android 4.1 is now available to Nexus S 4G users, too. Word is that it's a phased rollout, so check now and then check often. [Thanks, Jesse]

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Official: Sprint Galaxy Nexus getting Jelly Bean update today (update: Nexus S 4G, too) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editorial: Android cameras — could Samsung’s Galaxy gamble save the point-and-shoot industry?

WiFi in a camera. No matter the practicality or the cost of adding wireless functionality, it's become a must for high-end point-and-shoots, and if they don't pack it now, they soon will. But access hasn't become as prolific as protocol prophets once preached -- we're at the mercy of pay gates, passwords and bandwidth limitations, even today. Our smartphones, on the other hand, are always connected. There's no need to fuss with hexadecimals or other cryptic keys -- assuming we haven't crossed an international border, getting online is as convenient as taking a breath. As the world's most prolific smartphone maker, Samsung is very much invested in cellular. Sure, there were gasps from the crowd at last week's Unpacked, but built-in 4G makes perfect sense, and while WiFi and a Micro SIM may make the Galaxy Camera an instant winner, it's Android that completes the package, as the glue that cements this latest category's promise. Samsung may be the pioneer, but should other manufacturers be scrambling to shift roadmaps, ready to embrace this new digital direction? Tap past the break for our take.

Continue reading Editorial: Android cameras -- could Samsung's Galaxy gamble save the point-and-shoot industry?

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Editorial: Android cameras -- could Samsung's Galaxy gamble save the point-and-shoot industry? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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S Cloud spotted on Galaxy Note II, reveals Dropbox integration (video)

S Cloud spotted on Galaxy Note II, reveals Dropbox integration (video)

We're still recovering from the onslaught of goodies shown off at IFA 2012, but there's one thing we didn't notice while perusing Samsung's gadgetry. The team at German site BestBoyZ discovered S Cloud in the settings menu of the Note II, which included the option to sync user data with Dropbox. Apparently, Samsung reps didn't have much to say on the matter, and BestBoyZ believe that's because it's not quite working yet (we're willing to agree, given the various delays). It's looking like the feature might be ready in time for the Note II's launch, which ties in nicely with the 50GB of free Dropbox storage you'll snag if you pick one up. Owners of other Samsung gear needn't be disappointed though, as it's suggested that S Cloud integration will be part of the Jelly Bean upgrades expected soon. We've embedded the reveal vid below, and don't worry if you can't speak German -- you'll still get the gist.

Continue reading S Cloud spotted on Galaxy Note II, reveals Dropbox integration (video)

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S Cloud spotted on Galaxy Note II, reveals Dropbox integration (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jelly Bean makes a surprise appearance on Vodafone’s Samsung Galaxy S III LTE

Blink and you might have missed it -- we almost did. It's Android Jelly Bean (4.1.1), running on a German Samsung Galaxy S III LTE -- what seems to be a plum colored model, to be exact. It's not the first time we've seen it in some official form, but playing with the handset on display at Vodafone's IFA booth certainly made the inevitability of the upgrade all that much more real. Using the handset next to one running ICS, the differences in the buttery smoothness weren't too apparent, though the OS certainly felt quick. Video evidence after the break.

Continue reading Jelly Bean makes a surprise appearance on Vodafone's Samsung Galaxy S III LTE

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Jelly Bean makes a surprise appearance on Vodafone's Samsung Galaxy S III LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Unpacked at IFA 2012: watch it online now

Samsung Unpacked at IFA 2012 watch it online now

Couldn't make it out to Berlin for Samsung's Unpacked event? No worries -- Sammy has re-packed its deluge of tablets, phones and Android-powered cameras for your viewing pleasure. Go ahead and relive Sammy's self-proclaimed magic at the outfit's Facebook page or with the embedded video after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Unpacked at IFA 2012: watch it online now

Samsung Unpacked at IFA 2012: watch it online now originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung announces EK-GC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 4.8-inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity (hands-on)

Samsung announces EKGC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 48inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity handson video

During a visit to Samsung's headquarters in Korea earlier this year, we had a chance to talk shop with company execs. The electronics maker's existing mirrorless and point-and-shoot lineups were the primary topic of discussion, but we did catch wind of a Galaxy product possibly to come, from the camera division. A Galaxy camera? That could only mean Android, and a heavy heaping of touch and connectivity. At the time, reps admitted only that they were "considering" such a device, and declined to provide any hint as to design or functionality. And we haven't heard a further peep, until today. As you may have gathered from recent rumors, Samsung's Galaxy Note II is not the only product to be Unpacked this afternoon. Sure enough, the anticipated Galaxy Camera is also on order, and we have all the juicy details just past the break.

Continue reading Samsung announces EK-GC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 4.8-inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity (hands-on)

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Samsung announces EK-GC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 4.8-inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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