A Refined Note
With the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung upgrades its
stylus-packing big-screen phone with a 5.7-inch full HD screen and some
new tricks for power users. It ships Sept. 25 worldwide.
Compared with Previous Notes and Galaxy Mega
The Note 3 is the only model that is full HD
(1,920 x 1,080).
S Pen
The S Pen returns in the Note 3, with new features.
Pen Window is even better than Air Command.Just by drawing a window on the screen, you can create a new application window for, say, browsing or calling up the calculator. When you're done, closing the window simply takes a tap with the stylus, and it doesn't interrupt the apps already running on-screen.
Pen Window is even better than Air Command.Just by drawing a window on the screen, you can create a new application window for, say, browsing or calling up the calculator. When you're done, closing the window simply takes a tap with the stylus, and it doesn't interrupt the apps already running on-screen.
Air Command
One of the new features is Air Command, which calls up an S Pen-specific menu if you press the stylus button while hovering over the display.
If you hover the stylus over the screen and then press the button, the
semi-circle menu appears with options. Each one is illuminated as you
hover, and tapping will activate the command. Action Memo, which lets
you use the stylus to perform actions such as making a call, and S
Finder, which can search the phone for handwritten content, strike me as
the most useful.
Flipboard Interaction
The special Flipboard app for Samsung's Note devices, which interacts with Air View hovering of the stylus, works well with the Note 3.
Window Case
The Note 3's window case could be better -- it has trouble staying closed -- but it has a nice leather-like feel.
Capacitive Buttons
Like other Samsung phones, the capacitive "hard" buttons on the bottom light up only when you press or hover over them.
Galaxy Gear Apps
The apps that you can use with the Galaxy Gear are in a separate folder.
While the Galaxy Note 3 can perform some interesting new tricks, the thing that will matter to all users is the beautiful, full HD screen. Even if you never slip the stylus out of its slot, you'll appreciate the sharper display. For power users, features like Air Command could save a few valuable seconds while performing key tasks, and Multi Vision is an eyebrow-raising — if gimmicky — feature.
While the Galaxy Note 3 can perform some interesting new tricks, the thing that will matter to all users is the beautiful, full HD screen. Even if you never slip the stylus out of its slot, you'll appreciate the sharper display. For power users, features like Air Command could save a few valuable seconds while performing key tasks, and Multi Vision is an eyebrow-raising — if gimmicky — feature.
About the Author
0 comments: