The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is official. And it looks pretty damn good. Coming in nine colours, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is radical re-thinking of Samsung’s traditional Note device. It’s also got a larger display, and all the usual Samsung software fluff.
Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Following the official launch on Wednesday, Samsung has now published a promo video to its YouTube channel detailing the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in all its glory.
In the video you’re treated to “real world” examples of the Note 3 in action, as well as some of its new features – Air Command, a new S-Pen attribute, is a particular favourite of ours.
Initial reactions to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 seem positive. KYM’s Paul Briden – now well into day three of his IFA 2013 saga – was very impressed by the handset, lauding Samsung’s choice of build materials and new S-Pen functionality.
“Despite having a daft name suggesting remote control of an aircraft carrier, its similar to Air Gesture in that you bring up a radial control wheel for various S-Pen functions, simply by hovering the pen and tapping the button. It works really well and I’d love to see more features like this in future iterations,” said Paul in his first look.
Check out the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 promo below, and scroll down for more details about specs, pricing and availability.
Check out the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 promo below, and scroll down for more details about specs, pricing and availability.
The 5.7-inch Full HD 1080p Super AMOLED display is larger than previous versions, but Samsung says the savings it has made with the overall proportions of the device mean that it doesn’t necessarily feel any bigger.
'Users can also run one application in two windows at the same time. For instance, users can read the news in one browser while conducting a web search in another, or send an instant message through ChatON to a friend while reading a message from another friend,' said Samsung.'Using Drag and Drop mode within the new Multi Window, you can easily drag and drop content such as a text or image from one window to the other in an instant.'
Samsung has fitted a larger 3200mAh batter (200mAh more than the Sony Xperia Z1), so battery life should be exemplarily.
Perhaps most startlingly Samsung has dropped the plastics. Instead the Samsung Galaxy Note 3’s back panel is finished in leather, complete with stitching – how very Gordon Gecko of you, Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3: It's not real leather!
But don't worry all you vegans out there, it's not real leather. Instead, Samsung has opted for a something we like to refer to as "pleather" – it's a composite material that looks like leather and feels like leather but doesn't quite smell like leather. We don't know for certain but we'd wager it is the same stuff that cheap trainers and football boots are made out of. Either way, Samsung assures us that it is perfectly suitable for vegans and that it also wipes clean very easily. Excellent stuff.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will get a release date on September 25.
Samsung has also done plenty of work to the S-Pen. The stylus is now more a part of the Galaxy Note 3 than ever before.
‘The S-Pen is now the key that unlocks all the power, functionality and features of the Galaxy Note 3.’
Air Command – hold the S-Pen on the Galaxy Note 3’s display and it brings up five Quick Commands in a fan-type menu. The idea here is to allow for quick note taking from anywhere in the Galaxy Note 3’s UX.
But it's not just Air Command. No, Samsung also detailed the following new attributes of its S-Pen at launch:
- Action Memo allows users to handwrite a note and automatically execute a function or convert that handwritten information into formatted content. Action Memo can instantly initiate a call, add to contacts, look up an address on a map, search the web, save a task to a to-do list, and more
- Scrapbook enables users to organise or track down content and information from various sources including the web, YouTube and Gallery in one place so that users can easily look back at collected content all at once. When consumers save content for future use, Scrapbook also collects source material or URLs allowing them to easily refer back to the original source
- The Screen Write feature captures the full screen image of the current page on the device and allows users to write comments or additional information onto the captured image
- S Finder allows users to expansively search for content on their device regardless of the type. By putting in keywords or filters such as date, location and content type, users can search related documents, events, communication threads, and even the Help page – all in one place. In addition, users can also search for hand-written content in their Notes and memo applications, as well as symbols and formulas
- Pen Window allows users to use the S Pen not only for drawing sketches or writing notes, but now also for opening a small application window for a true multitasking experience. Simply by drawing a window of any size, anywhere on the screen, users can easily and quickly open another application window such as YouTube, calculator or Browser without pausing current activity on the screen
“We introduced the original Galaxy Note in 2011 and launched a whole new smart device category. The undeniable success of the Galaxy Note strengthened our conviction that consumers want higher quality features for smart devices and they want those new features to make their lives better,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics.
“Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences. With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3’s larger screen”.
