I get a lot of questions about what I’m doing right now. I’m actually a freelance writer. I do assignments for a wide range of publications around the world.
Now, this is all well and good, but as anyone can tell you, the tools of the trade for a writer is…
(No, not a notebook and a pencil, that was 20 years ago)
It’s a tablet.
However, I’ve always found tablets a bit clunky to carry around. I have to bring a special tote bag when I interview people and cover events and it’s just a bit too unwieldy. I need something a bit smaller and yet does everything a tablet can.
Thus, I’ve been eying the new Samsung GALAXY Note with a lot of interest. I have been hearing a lot of good things about the new it and the first thing that impressed me was the size:
Samsung GALAXY Note – Portability
It fits in your pocket! The same goes for all smartphones but what differentiates the Samsung GALAXY Note is the sheer size of the screen. It’s a 5.3-inch HD WXGA resolution (1,280×800) screen!
That makes it just about perfect for work – you can slip it inside your pocket but the screen is still large enough so you don’t have to squint whenever you type.
Samsung GALAXY Note full specifications:
Network
- HSPA+ up to 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
- 4G LTE
- EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
Processor
- 1.4GHz Dual Core Processor
Display
- 5.3” WXGA (1280 x 800) screen
- HD Super AMOLED
Platform
- Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Camera
- Main(Rear) : 8 MP with LED Flash / Front : 2 MP
- Action Shot, Beauty, Panorama Shot, Smile Shot
Video
- 1080p Full HD video recording & playback
- Recording: 1080p @ 24~30fps/
- Playback: 1080p @ 30fps
- Codec: MPEG4/ H.263/ H.264/ DivX, Xvid, WMV, VC-1
Audio
- Codec : MP3, AAC, AMR, WMA, WAV, FLAC, OGG
- Music Player with SoundAlive
- 3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS
Multi Input
- Full touch
- + S Pen (Advanced smart pen)
Connectivity
- Bluetooth® technology v 3.0 + HS
- USB 2.0 HOST
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Sensor
- Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity, Barometer, Light
Memory
- 16GB Internal memory
- + microSD (up to 32GB)
Size
- 146.85 x 82.95 x 9.65 mm, 178g
Amazing right?
The Samsung GALAXY Note is the most talked about Android phone on the market right about now. I can see how the Polaris Office works for me too:
Samsung GALAXY Note – Polaris Office
It has the full range of features you’ll expect to find in an office productivity suite on the PC. It’s perfect for someone like me who writes for a living! It’s compatible with the Microsoft Office suite, has handwriting recognition and I can just send off articles to my editor right from the phone itself.
Also, for those moments when you feel a need to catch up with your friends on your social feed, there’s always the Social Hub and Reader Hub:
Samsung GALAXY Note – Social Hub & Reader Hub
It’s perfection! The Samsung GALAXY Note is just the thing I need for my work (and play) – it’s not too big, not too small, and does everything I need it to.
This feature packed pocket tablet launched on 11/11/11 in Malaysia. I looked around and the retail price for it is RM 2,299. You can get it for cheaper if you sign up with one of the telcos.
I really love what the Samsung GALAXY Note has to offer. I wish I have one so I can carry a single device instead of a tablet and a smartphone. It has an awesome 8 MP camera too so it can probably replace your digicam for everyday use.
I want! 
how much if sign on with digi,celcom,maxis? i like this phone. looks like can do a lot of things.
Hello there! It depends according to the telco but I’ve seen it go as low as 1.3k with a plan. 🙂
Yeah, it’s great isn’t it? I really want one too! It’ll be perfect for my line of work.
I don’t have to carry a tablet around and it has enough screen real estate for me to write. 😀
I want the Galaxy Note too. LOL. Pocket tablet. Nice term. 🙂
Heh! Thanks Sharon!
I didn’t coin that term though, I read it somewhere. It’s a small, pocket-able tablet.
Yup, I’m really lusting after the Samsung Galaxy Note too. It’s perfect for my needs! 🙂
the screen is surely damn massive for a phone, and tote bag for tablet just make u look like an unintended hipster, no? hehehe
Haha! Indeed! I carry this bright red The North Face sling bag just to carry my tab and it really clashes with all my outfits.
I like the Samsung Galaxy Note coz the screen is HUGE. It’s big enough for me to jot down notes and not feel cramped. 🙂
its rather big.. but awesome still the same
Yup, I like the size, played around with it during the weekend – it was a demo unit and I found it was perfect for the things that I need to do.
My smartphone is getting a bit long in the tooth and I’ll love to replace it with the Samsung Galaxy Note so I don’t have to bring a tablet on assignments. 😀
Yeah, it’s awesome eh? I’ll love one!
I also played with it this weekend together with a Galaxy Nexus. I thought I would go for the Nexus because I have a Htc Flyer with a pen. But the size of the Note is perfect for portability ( I only need one device for phone and notetaking /reading).
Yeah that’s what I reckon too. The Note is just the right size – not too big, not too small.
I’ll prefer just one device for taking notes and calling too. 🙂
HB, planing to get one but I already have a I-Pad and find it a bit too big still. Galaxy Note seem not bad in size which I been looking for a while.
Well, I would think the Galaxy Note would be more towards mobility without sacrificing much of a normal tablet’s function. It’ll be perfect for covering events and such. 🙂
No, thanks. I’m a real noob when it comes to these things. Somebody gave me a htc smartphone…and it’s still sitting there – dunno how to use it. LOL!!!
Heh! Well, I know some people who use smartphones just for calling although I don’t know why they get one in the first place. 🙂
It’s not that hard to use, all these things. 🙂
P.S. I’ll just stick to the old-school notebook and pencil… Muahahahaha!!!
You know, one problem I have with the notebook and pencil thing is that you have to transcribe it all over again when you get home…
…while with a tablet or a hybrid like the Galaxy Note, you can just sync it or email it to yourself/editor. I’ve even written entire articles on such devices. 🙂
I want too!!! But size too big cannot camwhore la… My Desire HD already considered too big for me.
Haha! Nothing is every too big for camwhoring! I know this girl who can camwhore with with a dSLR – and that’s with all the attachments like external flash etc on it. 😀
I guess it depends on what you use it for, I think the larger screen is perfect for me. I’ll love to have a Galaxy Note.
Hey man , how is it going ?
Did they give you a note for writing for them ? =P
Hey there bro! 🙂
Nope, I am still Galaxy Note-less. I don’t have one. I am interested though, very promising device for my needs.
OK, now im gonna go get me a tablet.. since i too am a writer , but don’t have one! hehe 😛
Heh! Well, some people prefer paper and pencil but the problem I have with that is I have to transcribe it back when I go home…while if you do it on a tablet or hybrid like the Galaxy Note, you can just work outside and get it done. 🙂
…and if you prefer to do your work at home, just sync or email it to yourself and you have everything ready for…cutting and pasting. Haha!
Hey HB, congrats on the nomination for ‘Best Lifestyle’ blog. 🙂
Anyway, you mentioned that you are a freelance writer, so how did you manage to score these writing jobs? 🙂
Thanks Val! 🙂
Appreciate that.
Anyway, on the freelance writing, it takes time to build up contacts and a bit of luck. I started coz I was approached to do a piece and then gradually got referrals to do stuff like corporate writing. However, most of my clients are not from Malaysia though. 🙂
Steve Jobs vowed to launched termo-nuclear class suits (LOL) against Samsung, Android stuffs for ripping off lots of Apple techs.
God Bless you Steve Jobs RIP, it’s pretty tight race now:
-Apple Iphone4S screen resolution (330 ppi pixel density) vs Samsung Galaxy S II (316 ppi pixel density)
-Samsung Galaxy Note screen resolution (285 ppi pixel density) vs Apple Ipad2 (132 ppi pixel density)
Yeah, heard about that way back, thought it was a bit ridiculous. Heh.
Indeed, very comparable, depends on what you want it for actually. 😀
Let me reveal in not too distant future….
Screen device (TVs, smartphones, tabs etc) then is obsolete and replaced by head-up display/hologram screens with fully interactive, touch-sensation, absolute 3D surreal details.
Imagine that playing latest Battlefield or Call of Duty…
Hopefully there’s a cure for blood clot disease…this thing caused people hooked up, sit down 24 hours nonstop gaming!
I’ll wager more on social – it’s headed that way anyway, so more social apps, augmented reality, stuff like that. I’m more convinced people are going to socialize more instead of going hermit with technology. 🙂