Archive for the ‘Note’ Category

Preview: Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear S & Gear Circle

Thursday, September 18th, 2014

Samsung Singapore showcased in Singapore today a few of the devices unveiled during IFA 2014 – namely the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge.

Also available for hands-on were the Gear S smartwatch and Gear Circle Bluetooth wireless earphones.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge with its innovative curved-edged screen, with Montblanc leather flip covers for the Note 4 in the background.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge with its innovative curved-edged screen, with Montblanc leather flip covers for the Note 4 in the background.

Both the Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge now have the same Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) as the LG G3 but on a larger 5.7-inch screen, and the S Pen and S Note have been improved to enhance their functionality and productivity.

Samsung Gear Circle, with the ear buds

Samsung Gear Circle, with the ear buds “stuck” together magnetically, can be worn around the neck like a necklace when not in use.

The rear camera now has 16 megapixels and the front has 3.7 megapixels with an f1.9 lens.

By the way, the processor that’s going to ship to Singapore is the Snapdragon with 3GB RAM.

The Note Edge really does look novel with the sharp display on the curved screen that wraps around the thin right edge of the phablet.

The Gear S smartphone runs on the Tizen OS and has its own nano-SIM slot so you can place and receive calls independently of a smartphone.

It can also store and play music directly and be paired with the Gear Circle.

First Impressions:

Having used the Galaxy S4, Note 3 and now using the S5, I find the Note 4 and Note Edge exciting new additions to the Galaxy flagship devices.

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Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge, Gear VR, Gear S and Gear Circle

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Samsung has announced the new Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge smartphone, the Gear VR mobile VR headset, as well as the Gear S smartwatch and Gear Circle earphones at the Unpacked Episode 2 press conference in Berlin, Germany.

Update (18 September, 2014):

Samsung showcased in Singapore today most of the new devices it unveiled during IFA 2014 in a media preview.

It also displayed accessories that Montblanc has specially designed for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in “Charcoal Black,” “Frost White,” “Bronze Gold,” and “Blossom Pink” in global markets starting in October.

The Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge are the latest additions to the Galaxy Note family.

Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge Android smartphones

The Galaxy Note 4 has a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display and sports the Multi Window feature for multi-tasking.

The Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

It ships with a 16-megapixel rear camera with Smart Optical Image Stabilizer, and a 3.7-megapixel front camera with f1.9 lens with 120 degrees wide angle.

The Note 4 also has a Fingerprint Scanner and a UV sensor.

The Galaxy Note Edge has a 5.6-inch screen that wraps around the right side of the device.

The Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.

Gear VR mobile headset

Samsung and Oculus has collaborated to create the mobile VR headset optimised for the Galaxy Note 4.

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POTD: Good Friday

Saturday, April 19th, 2014

Good Friday is observed primarily by Christians to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Cavalry. 

For Christians, Good Friday is a time for reflection. Photo taken with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3 smartphone at Pasir Ris Beach, Singapore. Photo credit: John Tan.

For Christians, Good Friday is a time for reflection. Photo taken with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3 smartphone at Pasir Ris Beach, Singapore. Photo credit: John Tan.

The year of the crucifixion is estimated to have occurred in AD 33.

A Christian friend of mine says that Good Friday is a time of reflection on what his saviour had done for him.

Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries, including Singapore.

SAP data analytics empowers teams in Extreme Sailing Series

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

The Extreme Sailing Series is in Singapore as the first of 8 international venues for some 260 races this year. 12 teams will be vying to be leaders over four days from today till 23 February, at the Marina Bay.

I joined the SAP Extreme Sailing Team as a guest in their 40 Catamaran during one of the races on the opening day to experience the thrills and challenges of extreme sailing.

The participating multihulls racing against the backdrop of the Singapore skyline at Marina Bay, as the sun sets at the end of a successful first day. Taken with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3. Photo credit: John Tan.

The participating multihulls racing against the backdrop of the Singapore skyline at Marina Bay, as the sun sets at the end of a successful first day. Taken with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3. Photo credit: John Tan.

With things happening so fast and with so many variables changing at the same time, it is easy to see how SAP’s data analytics is an invaluable tool in helping the teams and the coaches squeeze as much performance as possible out of every race.

As in other complex competitive sports such as Formula One racing, a multitude of factors contribute to the success of a participating team.

These variables can also make it confusing and daunting for the spectator to follow and fully appreciate how the race is unfolding.

This is because there is simply too much information assaulting the brain of anyone trying to fully understand why a team they support is falling behind or why a rival is pulling ahead.

The SAP Extreme Sailing Team, with the Singapore Marina Bay Sands hotel in the background. Taken with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3. Photo credit: John Tan.

The SAP Extreme Sailing Team, with the Singapore Marina Bay Sands hotel in the background. Taken with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3. Photo credit: John Tan.

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Samsung KNOX commercially available in Singapore

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

The secure Android platform for Enterprise customers is offered by all telecommunication carriers in Singapore, and offers a comprehensive enterprise mobility platform for work and play.

The Samsung KNOX is now commercially available in Singapore.

The Samsung KNOX is now commercially available in Singapore.

Key mobile operators and partners in Singapore that offer Samsung KNOX are SingTel, StarHub, M1, Qool Labs, M.Tech, Malifax and Trusted Source.

Samsung KNOX is available on Samsung GALAXY S4, GALAXY Note 3, GALAXY Note 10.1 2014 Edition (LTE version) devices, as well as the upcoming GALAXY NotePRO and TabPRO line of tablets.

The Samsung KNOX license and technical support options are now available via key mobile operators and partners in Singapore.

Samsung KNOX is an end-to-end Android security platform for companies that require a secure and robust mobility solution by striking a fine balance between enterprise control and employees’ personal data privacy.

An integrated security platform, KNOX provides security hardening from the hardware through to the operating system (OS) and application layer, making KNOX a strong security proposition.

What Samsung KNOX offers

  • Offers high level of integrated mobile device security from hardware to application and operating system layers.
  • Addresses security requirements for enterprise mobile applications and data protection without invading personal privacy.
  • Provides better control and ease of manageability for IT departments to implement secure Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategies.

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Holiday greetings: Happy Lunar New Year 2014

Friday, January 31st, 2014

It’s the first day of the Lunar New Year. Happy New Year to all the people from cultures that celebrate this traditional festival! And to all Chinese around the world, Happy Chinese New Year!

Auspicious red horse bringing good tidings as the Year of the Horse arrives in Chinatown in Singapore. Taken with Samsung Note 3 phablet camera. Cropped and captions added in Photoshop CC.

Auspicious red horse bringing good tidings as the Year of the Horse arrives in Chinatown in Singapore. Taken with Samsung GALAXY Note 3 phablet camera. Cropped and captions added in Photoshop CC.

It’s customary for Chinese to give out Ang Pows during the Lunar New Year.

These are red paper envelopes containing money that’s given to relatives and children.

"车水马龙" - 正好形容本地牛"车水"迎接"马"年新春的盛景(包括这些灯"笼"及马路上的交通长"龙")。上星期与家人一同闲逛牛车水,到处人山人海,车水马龙,洋溢着迎春的气氛。这枚照片, 利用Samsung Note 3 手机手持拍摄。

“车水马龙” – 正好形容本地牛”车水”迎接”马”年新春的盛景(包括这些灯”笼”及马路上的交通长”龙”)。上星期与家人一同闲逛牛车水,到处人山人海,车水马龙,洋溢着迎春的气氛。这枚照片, 利用 Samsung GALAXY Note 3 手机手持拍摄。

It being the new year, you’re supposed to use crispy new notes in these red packets.

“今天是大年初一,在此恭祝大家:新年快乐,万事如意,身体健康,龙马精神!” – 科技点心(微薄)

I had to go on a little round-the-island this year to exchange for new notes, because I found that – unlike some past years – the ATM machines were dispensing old notes.

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Samsung GALAXY Note 3 With LTE (Blush Pink) arrives in Singapore

Friday, January 3rd, 2014

Three months after the GALAXY Note 3 phablet was launched in Singapore, Samsung will be selling the Blush Pink version of the GALAXY Note 3 With LTE tomorrow (4 January) at a lowered price of S$998.

Update (22 February, 2014):

The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 with LTE is now available in Rose Gold Black in Singapore at S$998 without line contract.

The phablet will be available at S$998 without line contract, at major consumer electronics stores, telecommunications operators and Samsung Experience Stores.

The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 phablet is available at S$998 at major consumer electronics stores, telecommunications operators and Samsung Experience Stores.

Samsung GALAXY Note 3 With LTE (Blush Pink) arrives in Singapore on Saturday, 4 Jaunary 2014 at S$998.

Samsung GALAXY Note 3 With LTE (Blush Pink) arrives in Singapore on Saturday, 4 Jaunary 2014 at S$998.

Samsung first launched the GALAXY Note 3 back in end September at S$1,048 without contract.

The phablet comes with a 5.7-inch Full HD SUPER AMOLED screen with a soft and stitched and textured back cover.

The GALAXY Note 3 comes with a textured back that resembles leather the appearance and touch-and-feel of leather.

The GALAXY Note 3 comes with a textured back that resembles leather the appearance and touch-and-feel of leather.

The GALAXY Note 3 With LTE comes with enhanced privacy and security protection provided by Samsung KNOX to run and store security-sensitive applications and data.

With the Multi Window, users can toggle seamlessly between applications without first closing the window of the current app or opening a new page for the other app – allowing for enhanced productivity and collaboration across programs.

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Travel: Wat Saket – Temple of the Golden Mount in Bangkok

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

The Golden Mount temple in Bangkok is a landmark of the city and a popular tourist sight.

Located roughly between Khaosan and Siam Square, the temple has a chedi (stupa) built on a small artificial hill, affording a panoramic view of the entire city.

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, or Wat Saket - more commonly known as the Golden Mount Temple, sits atop a steep artificial hill in Bangkok. Taken with a Samsung NX 2000.

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan, or Wat Saket – more commonly known as the Golden Mount Temple, sits atop a steep artificial hill in Bangkok. Taken with a Samsung NX 2000.

We got to the Golden Mount temple by taking the local Khlong Saen Saep canal express boat from our hotel in Sukhumvit.

The Khlong Saen Saep canal express boat is a very useful boat ferry taxi to visit many of the tourist sights in Bangkok - if you can stomach the murky water and the thrills of hopping on and off the boat before it pushes off from its very momentary stop at each pier. Taken with a Samsung NX 2000.

The Khlong Saen Saep canal express boat is a very useful boat ferry taxi to visit many of the tourist sights in Bangkok – if you can stomach the murky water and the thrills of hopping on and off the boat before it pushes off from its very momentary stop at each pier. Taken with a Samsung NX 2000.

That ride in itself is a little adventure and a good way to sit among the locals and get a taste of how they actually commute.

It was also the most direct, cheapest and effortless way for us to get to the temple.

Panoramic view of Bangkok city from the top of Golden Mount. Taken using Panorama mode with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3.

Panoramic view of Bangkok city from the top of Golden Mount. Taken using Panorama mode with a Samsung GALAXY Note 3.

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Travel: Family vacation in Bangkok, Thailand

Monday, November 18th, 2013

A temple with a panoramic view, safari of wild animals, shopping every step of the way, massages and perennially congested traffic.

End of year is a good time to visit Bangkok, when it’s not so hot and it doesn’t rain so much or at all.

End of year is a good time to visit Bangkok, when it’s not so hot and it doesn’t rain so much or at all. Taken with Samsung GALAXY Note 3.

Thailand used to be a frequent destination for our year-end break, being so near to Singapore, and the friendliness of its people.

Our whole family had a whale of a time, “interacting” with the wax figurines. Visitors are allowed to touch and pose with wax replicas of Justin Bieber, Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities.

Our whole family had a whale of a time, “interacting” with the wax figurines. Visitors are allowed to touch and pose with wax replicas of Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities. Taken with Samsung NX2000.

What we liked most was how doting they were to little children – wherever we went with our young children, you could see the face of the locals brighten up with a smile, some going out of their way to chat with them and pat them.

Water fountain outside Siam Center.

Water fountain outside Siam Center. Taken with Samsung NX2000.

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Samsung GALAXY Note 3 launched in Singapore with GALAXY Gear

Friday, September 27th, 2013

Customers swarmed the three Telcos – SingTel, StarHub and M1 – as the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 became available in Singapore. The phablet was also available at Samsung Experience Stores in Singapore.

Aesel James, 27, was the first customer who got the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 at the SingTel roadshow at Marina Bay Sands.

Aesel James, 27, was the first customer who got the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 at the SingTel roadshow at Marina Bay Sands.

The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear was first unveiled at Times Square in New York on 4 September. Here’s the livecast of the global event.

“I have a Mac and an iPad, and I was seriously considering between the iPhone 5S and the Note 3. I thought it was easier to be in the same eco system with the 5S, but the Note 3 won me over with the new S Pen and its big screen, which is perfect for me when watching videos and playing games,” said James.

“I have a Mac and an iPad, and I was seriously considering between the iPhone 5S and the Note 3. I thought it was easier to be in the same eco system with the 5S, but the Note 3 won me over with the new S Pen and its big screen, which is perfect for me when watching videos and playing games,” said Aesel James.

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