S Pen Actions - Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Well after watching a few videos on the Note 8 tablet I am once again reminded how much more functional/easy the old S Pen was. I think the Note 2 style was much more user friendly. Being able to just hold the button and crop the screen or just pressing button and taping the screen to grab it. Now we wind up with 2 screens hots of the same thing. Which sometimes is OK but mostly not.
What I am after is an app or something that brings that easy function back. Has anyone found anything? Can we get enough interest in it to get something done about it?
I debated on which section to put this in but since it's more of a general inquiry I put it here.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk

Related

S-Pen and other wacom stylii slightly off

My S-Pen hovers slightly off the center of the point. when writing, its offset by different values based on where it is on the screen, very reminicent to a wacom digitizer in a convertible thats not calibrated. I've searched and searched, and apparently there isn't a real calibration utility for the note 2. Does anyone else have this issue, and is there a fix, even if it requires manually tweaking calibration coordinates in a conf file like the early linux wacom days? The pen isn't unusable for writing, but its all but useless for some design work. If anyone has an interim solution other than trying to swap the unit out, Im all ears.
Thanks,
I don't know to what degree you are talking about, but I know that the "which hand is dominant" option under s pen settings off sets it by a tiny bit. try switching this, maybe you'll see it switch sides, maybe it will fix your problem (although the amount by which it moves would make me think you have eagle vision if you were able to get bothered by it)
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Lol at eagle eyes. I do have great vision . Its set for right handed but its offset like its for a lefty. I've tried adjusting the setting in the hope it may reset itself to no avail. Its off by about a half cm to the right and down in the worst locations maybe a mm in the best.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
well there is always the warranty. return it, get a new one
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Sess said:
Lol at eagle eyes. I do have great vision . Its set for right handed but its offset like its for a lefty. I've tried adjusting the setting in the hope it may reset itself to no avail. Its off by about a half cm to the right and down in the worst locations maybe a mm in the best.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've noticed this too. It isn't off by much but I think they are all like that. Plus there is little lag.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
There is a thread regarding a fix for this. I havent had to do it personally, but it involves taking off the s-pen button cover and adjusting small screws for sensitivity and "alignment"
I will try and search it and post it.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
mad1111 said:
There is a thread regarding a fix for this. I havent had to do it personally, but it involves taking off the s-pen button cover and adjusting small screws for sensitivity and "alignment"
I will try and search it and post it.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES, I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. When I opened up the S-Note app for the first time to practice on elegant penmanship on this device (Galaxy Note 2) I started to write EVERYWHERE on the screen, in small font and without zooming in on the screen. I noticed that at the lower-right-hand-corner of the screen there is a problem. Where the stylus nib touches on the screen is NOT where I see the digital ink produced on my screen. The digital ink is 'considerably' off to the right. Even better, if you open up the S-Note and launch the MEMO app - the one with the SQUARE grids, this is an even better way to test this out, as you can ATTEMPT to trace over those vertical and horizontal lines as perfectly as you can. I can guarantee to reproduce this by attempting to trace over the lines on the lower right-hand-corner of my screen and where my stylus nib touches is NOT where the digital ink is produced. So how did I discover this? I discovered this by writing normally as I normally would - naturally - on the screen and when I got to the lower right-hand corner my letters came out extremely sloppy and way off aligned.
I called my cellular carrier's tier 2 tech support and I had them on the phone as I tried to walk him through the process on a Note 2 he had there. He said what he saw was so menial or "minoot" that he could barely notice it by a millimeter. I challenged that I wasn't trying to debate how "acceptable" this may seem to some people. I challenged that it's an identifiable technical and physical glitch none-the-less, regardless how noticeable to some or not. I THEN went into a U.S. Cellular store, looked at TWO other Note 2's, tried MY stylus on THEIR demo phones, tried THEIR stylus on THEIR demo phones, tried THEIR stylus on MY personal phone and ALL THE RESULTS WERE IDENTICAL as my initial complaint......ON THREE DIFFERENT HANDSETS WITH TWO DIFFERENT STYLUSES!
So what gives, man???
As for the previous post about taking off the S-Pen button cover and making adjustment, I think you were talking about this here:
h*t*t*p*-colon-fowardslash-fowardslash-smartphones.wonderhowto.com/how-to/adjust-your-samsung-galaxy-notes-s-pen-sensitivity-for-better-touch-response-0140084/[/url]
Anyway, so guess what I'm gonna do today? Visit random stores from T-Mobile, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, ANYONE and ANYWHERE where there is a Note 2 and do some massive comparisons. I regret that I'm alone in this effort today and that I don't have another person to video record my findings and interviews with store agents on my illustrations so I can blast it on YouTube.
I live in Chicago...who's down with me, man?
Wish you all the best. It's a MASSIVELY impressive phone, just wish that calibration/alignment issue wasn't an issue. The tech support guy tried to pass it off on me as saying that "99% of people wouldn't notice it" and that it certainly had to have passed quality inspection from Samsung. Then I challenged that "99%" would suggest then that even the quality testers over at Samsung were also guilty of "not noticing", which doesn't say that it was non-existent. Who actually writes way, way, way down in the lower right-hand corner to notice this anyway?
THIS GUY RIGHT HERE!! FOR $800, I WAN'T A DANG PEEEEERRRRRFFFEEECT FREAKIN' PHONE! IN ALL FOUR CORNERS OF MY DEVICE!! I'M ENTITLED!
I wanna bust out my Gracie Jiu-Jitsu on someone, man. lol
I just noticed this today when I seen this thread but it doesn't really bother anything.. I've been writing and drawing with it alot and had no issues
-TeaM VeNuM Like A Boss
Although this may not relate entirely with your issue, try adjusting the s pen sensitivity and maybe it will help, it worked great for mine...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1977317
A lot of folks are suggesting that. I may try it.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

what DONT you like about the note 2?

Well, I'm coming from the note 1 and the difference is like night and day! Aside from the beastly specs, the feel is just so incredible! ! But this isnt a thread about all the things you love about the phone, it's about what you don't. I'll start.
PLEASE DONT MENTION MULTIWINDOW. I'M PISSED OFF TO.
Not a fan of the amount of time it takes to turn on when you press the power button, meaning wake up time...
I'M OUT!!
My biggest issue with the Note 2 is that it keeps me from doing real work or wanting to see my family or shave or take a bath or sleep. I should be sleeping now but guess what i am doing, tweaking the layout, testing apps that never really worked on older phones. Aahhhhhhh, see my frustration?
eccoodamo said:
My biggest issue with the Note 2 is that it keeps me from doing real work or wanting to see my family or shave or take a bath or sleep. I should be sleeping now but guess what i am doing, tweaking the layout, testing apps that never really worked on older phones. Aahhhhhhh, see my frustration?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which apps do you mean if you dont mind my asking?
lol interesting thread - i've had my note for a total of 2.5 hours so far (side by side with my S3) and i've got to say (having used the original note) the overall feel is nice, very rounded, a bit slippery perhaps (nothing a skin cant fix)
the pen still feels lighter than i'd like and the button is a bit more recessed than i'd like
the home button is awesome and much more responsive than my stock s3
a similar complaint to my s3 but when grabbing the device from the bottom edge, i have a tendency to tap the menu / back buttons on accident, a bit annoying when not using a case
the glass is nice, the feel of the pen on the screen is much more controlled than the original
nfc, yay! google wallet downloaded, would message ' not compatible' on open and shut itself down... boo..
the volume and home button have a nice confident click and feel compared to the s3 and original note...
i posted my grey'd positive comments in your other thread...
teshgnex said:
lol interesting thread - i've had my note for a total of 2.5 hours so far (side by side with my S3) and i've got to say (having used the original note) the overall feel is nice, very rounded, a bit slippery perhaps (nothing a skin cant fix)
the pen still feels lighter than i'd like and the button is a bit more recessed than i'd like
the home button is awesome and much more responsive than my stock s3
a similar complaint to my s3 but when grabbing the device from the bottom edge, i have a tendency to tap the menu / back buttons on accident, a bit annoying when not using a case
the glass is nice, the feel of the pen on the screen is much more controlled than the original
nfc, yay! google wallet downloaded, would message ' not compatible' on open and shut itself down... boo..
the volume and home button have a nice confident click and feel compared to the s3 and original note...
i posted my grey'd positive comments in your other thread...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man... youre right about the home and volume buttons... i forgot
Google Wallet not working.
Lack of multi windows.
The pen feels a bit cheap still (loved the feel of the Palm Tungsten metal ones that were telescopic). Though fixable as I think I'll get a dual use pen/pointer to keep in pocket/briefcase, I'm a fairly large bloke too, so having that larger pen will help too, this current one isn't really of a decent size/thickness/weight to use for long periods of time, I think my hand would 'claw' up.
Lack of cases for a while (the official 'flap' one is good, got it at last but was making me twitchy not having it protected. Wish there was a good/cheap pouch type case to slide it in for extra protection). And/or the 'flap' phone case, the front of it, the actual flap, is wonderful to touch, but the back is the same uber slippery plastic that the default one is. Can NFC not be done through a very slightly thicker case with a built in rubberised coasting, as the Nexus7 has? This thing is still very, very slick, and I can see with slightly sweaty hands, I'll need to be extra careful.
The built in Samsung Keyboard (that is SO incredibly good with the Swype/cool T9 like swype functionalty/left/right handed), but doesn't scale to other resolutions if you tweak the lcd dpi. REALLY a great keyboard, please make it scale! No, best keyboard I've ever used, and it's keeping me from tweaking the dpi.
The knowledge that when I do inevitably flash CM on this, I'll probably end up losing TMobile wifi calling, that for me, is working wonderfully.
Touch wiz is mildly... odd. But not as bad as seen before, JB's ability to disable things is really helping. But what annoys me somewhat is the different functionality for no other reason than to do it different it appears, and needing a few extra apps (like the photo editor) downloaded when built in apps rely on it.
Oh, no 32mb NII's in TMobile, and so much of the 16GB filled with Bloatware (steady Cyanogenmod, steady... your day will come).
So, all pretty minor (hopefully constructive) criticisms. Overall, still mad impressed with this phone. All phones should have the option to have it work with a stylus as well integrated as this.
If I had the chance to order things to be fixed;
Wifi Calling for Tmobile as an installable app so I'd be less twitchy about flashing with other roms.
Rubberised back.
My personal gripe, is about how much my GN2 looks and feels like an iPhone. In everyway, from the straight lines, to the rounded corners, and don't get me started with the app drawer. The smoothness of page transitions, Google Now.
OK.. I was just kidding guys! LOL.
My real gripes -
1 the on/off button on the exact opposite side of the device as the volume rocker. They should have put it up on top.
2 No dedicated camera button.
3 I always loved scrollable wallpaper, which I feel I shouldn't need to root, and re-rom for it.
4 No auto spell correct from the stock Samsung keyboard.
5 Oh yeah, NO [email protected]#$KING MULTI-SCREEN. - sorry, had to get that one in.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
you made my morning hahahahahaha.
eccoodamo said:
My biggest issue with the Note 2 is that it keeps me from doing real work or wanting to see my family or shave or take a bath or sleep. I should be sleeping now but guess what i am doing, tweaking the layout, testing apps that never really worked on older phones. Aahhhhhhh, see my frustration?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm going to sleep now.
lawalty said:
My personal gripe, is about how much my GN2 looks and feels like an iPhone. In everyway, from the straight lines, to the rounded corners, and don't get me started with the app drawer. The smoothness of page transitions, Google Now.
OK.. I was just kidding guys! LOL.
My real gripes -
1 the on/off button on the exact opposite side of the device as the volume rocker. They should have put it up on top.
2 No dedicated camera button.
3 I always loved scrollable wallpaper, which I feel I shouldn't need to root, and re-rom for it.
4 No auto spell correct from the stock Samsung keyboard.
5 Oh yeah, NO [email protected]#$KING MULTI-SCREEN. - sorry, had to get that one in.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i wish the power button was on top too but i rarely use it.
dedicated camera button would've been cool.
having a hard time buying a case/cover, don't want it looking too enormous.
either way loving my note 2'
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
The fact that we cant flash n7100 roms lol...its crazy that it so similar to the t889 yet be so polar!!
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
The battery life is too good. The phone is too gorgeous.
Only gripe is the call volume being a bit on the low side even when maxed. Speaker is loud enough though.
I'm sure they're apks to tweak it a bit but I'm too busy enjoying the phone so i'll search for a fix later.
Somerhing for me is the screen keeps timing our evn with the option checked to see my eyes... also when it goes out and I press home button it goes home instead of waking up to the app I was on. Everyother phone did not do this. Is this just me or is there a setting?
I came from the S3, and love everything about my Note 2. I can't say one bad thing about it.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Size once in a while, I'm 5'7 so I guess that means I have smaller hands? For the most part I dont have an issue but some times my hand gets fatigued from using it too much...Not complaining but sometimes I wish they kept the 5.3 and made it narrower it'd be perfect for me.
I don't like that we can't use our S-Pen on our soft keys. It would be great to be able to hit the menu and back buttons with the pen and have them respond.
i dont like the physical home button,but not enough to keep me from buying it, i think next year it will be all cap.buttons.oh well i'll get it when its available
What do you guys mean when u say no multi windows ? I have a gs3 and really weighing if is worth getting the note 2 or sticking with the gs3 or the nexus 4 but thats another story
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
mottyengel said:
Well, I'm coming from the note 1 and the difference is like night and day! Aside from the beastly specs, the feel is just so incredible! ! But this isnt a thread about all the things you love about the phone, it's about what you don't. I'll start.
PLEASE DONT MENTION MULTIWINDOW. I'M PISSED OFF TO.
Not a fan of the amount of time it takes to turn on when you press the power button, meaning wake up time...
I'M OUT!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YeAH I WENT TO THE TMOBILE store and the three display devices all have the same issue as well..
I have to say, and I'm a phone whore to the extreme, this is the damndest near perfect phone I've ever owned. I have no complaints yet
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

Any leftys using the Note 2?

How is the experience of using the Note 2 from a left hander's perspective with regard to the S-pen, hardware buttons, etc? I've handled one at the AT&T store but couldn't get an accurate read on it due to the security tether, flip cover and huge stylus that didn't fit into the S-pen slot.
I do fine. You can go into the s pen options and set it to favor left handed. Also if you want to type one handed you can have the keyboard shifted to one side or the other
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
No complains here, everythin works fine. Only thing for us leftys is if we could have the spen on the left.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317
It's pretty effortless for me. I did notice the S Pen was a little "off" until I remembered the setting to optimize use for lefties. Now it's fairly flawless.
I'm a left hand user. My SPEN is very off. Is there like a recalibration tool or something. Its very annoying
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
I wish I could reverse the Back and Menu buttons, but other than that no problems.
I hate the location of the power button. I use the swift keyboard and have issue getting all the way over to the right side keys. I hardly have used the S pen. Always sucked when I tried. I'll go into the settings and muck around.
Not an s pen user so I can't speak to that, but getting to anything at the top right of the screen is a chore. I'm learning to hold the device differently though, and it's getting easier. So people really use the s pen?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

Cool spen trick! Tap while hovering.

So if you want to tap while hovering. Get the s pen close to the screen and put your finger under the s pen tip and press the tip in. I just found out that the screen isn't the one recognizing the taps. The s pen has a sensor that tells the phone that it is touching the screen. Maybe many of you knew this but I just found out so wanted to share!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
UrbanLagoon said:
So if you want to tap while hovering. Get the s pen close to the screen and put your finger under the s pen tip and press the tip in. I just found out that the screen isn't the one recognizing the taps. The s pen has a sensor that tells the phone that it is touching the screen. Maybe many of you knew this but I just found out so wanted to share!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neat! Even though you would have to practice to be able to do it well, since it is so tiny.
They should have added an extra button on the pen to do that action.
Ya I really wish they did. I been trying to find some kind of method to tap while hovering for a longggg time
I wish clicking the button on the S-Pen could function as a tap so I could browse like this...
UCLAKoolman said:
I wish clicking the button on the S-Pen could function as a tap so I could browse like this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be pretty cool.. It's probably just a matter of time here at XDA.
Actually I might get an extra pen & try to take this on. If the phone can register a click while hovering using your trick (which I tried and it definitely does), it should theoretically be possible to remap the hard-button to tap into the same trigger that the phone recognizes when the pen's tip is pressed. It's gonna be a ***** getting this pen apart but at least the button is close to the tip :good:.
If anyone knows where to get a note 2 pen for less than $50 let me know..
EDIT: Just discovered that if you hold your finger over the tip of the pen (keeping the tip depressed) you can scroll/tap/etc. when you're within an inch or two of the screen.. Intersting
zoso28 said:
That would be pretty cool.. It's probably just a matter of time here at XDA.
Actually I might get an extra pen & try to take this on. If the phone can register a click while hovering using your trick (which I tried and it definitely does), it should theoretically be possible to remap the hard-button to tap into the same trigger that the phone recognizes when the pen's tip is pressed. It's gonna be a ***** getting this pen apart but at least the button is close to the tip :good:.
If anyone knows where to get a note 2 pen for less than $50 let me know..
EDIT: Just discovered that if you hold your finger over the tip of the pen (keeping the tip depressed) you can scroll/tap/etc. when you're within an inch or two of the screen.. Intersting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be amazing. If you go on Samsung site, they have s-pens for $30 and there's a coupon that gives you 50% off if you register your note 2 on samsung website.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Just take a look around for any pen that works with a bamboo tablet digitizer thing (those writing pads for computers) from my understanding, as long as it works with that, then it'll work with the note 2
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 (SGH-i317)
FireBird_89 said:
Just take a look around for any pen that works with a bamboo tablet digitizer thing (those writing pads for computers) from my understanding, as long as it works with that, then it'll work with the note 2
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 (SGH-i317)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No so. Those use Wacom or N-Trig digitizers. Does not work with Samsung technology. Believe me, that is the first thing I tried with my Bamboo pen as soon as I got my device.
meatlocker said:
No so. Those use Wacom or N-Trig digitizers. Does not work with Samsung technology. Believe me, that is the first thing I tried with my Bamboo pen as soon as I got my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aw man! I was going to head over to my friends place tonight to check it out.
Phones: iPhone 4 - > iPhone 5 - > Note 2
ROM: International N7105DLLX4 by miscom
Kernal: Perseus alpha30.1
A lot of bloatware removed.
Screen on time after normal charge: 7-8 hours always.
UrbanLagoon said:
So if you want to tap while hovering. Get the s pen close to the screen and put your finger under the s pen tip and press the tip in. I just found out that the screen isn't the one recognizing the taps. The s pen has a sensor that tells the phone that it is touching the screen. Maybe many of you knew this but I just found out so wanted to share!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or you could just Tap the pen on the phone....? Not sure what this does for us?
royalh said:
Or you could just Tap the pen on the phone....? Not sure what this does for us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The idea that I was thinking of, as a spin-off to the OP's comment, was having a pen modified so that you could just wave over the screen to move around within the OS and just tap the button to interact. Obviously it's not a game-changer but it would be fun playing some games or even swyping without having to touch the screen.
There might even be a way to modify a glove or something that works in a manner similar to kinect.. of course you'd have to be pretty close to the screen but still might be a fun little project to play around with.. Anyway, extra pen is on it's way.. we'll see where this goes.
I think you could just remove the s-pen button cover and adjust the sensitivity pot and achieve the same thing?
Prety neat trick consideringi have the invisable shield and the spen destroys it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
meatlocker said:
No so. Those use Wacom or N-Trig digitizers. Does not work with Samsung technology. Believe me, that is the first thing I tried with my Bamboo pen as soon as I got my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. Maybe I misunderstood what is going on in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXSb8a_xiHA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Does appear in the comments that perhaps certain wacom pens work
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 (SGH-i317)
UrbanLagoon said:
So if you want to tap while hovering. Get the s pen close to the screen and put your finger under the s pen tip and press the tip in. I just found out that the screen isn't the one recognizing the taps. The s pen has a sensor that tells the phone that it is touching the screen. Maybe many of you knew this but I just found out so wanted to share!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but another cool spen trick that I happened upon while hovering is switching from pen to eraser by clicking the spen button.
Since it looks like we are starting a Cool S-Pen thread here it works ridiculously well in splashtop and gives you a super responsive and accurate mouse
And as for figuring out a way to click without touching the screen it would probobly be easier to swap the input events rather than physically modding the pen
mrevankyle said:
Since it looks like we are starting a Cool S-Pen thread here it works ridiculously well in splashtop and gives you a super responsive and accurate mouse
And as for figuring out a way to click without touching the screen it would probobly be easier to swap the input events rather than physically modding the pen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I been searching for something that could do that.
______________________________________
Phones: iPhone 4 - > iPhone 5 - > Note 2 (Always on AT&T)
ROM: International N7105XXDLL4 by miscom
Kernal: Perseus alpha30.1
A lot of bloatware removed.
Screen on time after normal charge: 7-8 hours always.
FireBird_89 said:
Oh ok. Maybe I misunderstood what is going on in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXSb8a_xiHA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Does appear in the comments that perhaps certain wacom pens work
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 (SGH-i317)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The pen from my think pad tablet works on my note and the spen works on the note. The laptop has a wacom digitizer in it. Anandtech says the note uses wacom.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
liveify said:
The pen from my think pad tablet works on my note and the spen works on the note. The laptop has a wacom digitizer in it. Anandtech says the note uses wacom.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is absolutely a Wacom digitizer. Dia *#0*# and there is a wacom test
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
mrevankyle said:
Since it looks like we are starting a Cool S-Pen thread here it works ridiculously well in splashtop and gives you a super responsive and accurate mouse
And as for figuring out a way to click without touching the screen it would probobly be easier to swap the input events rather than physically modding the pen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's a much better idea than the hardware mod I was thinking of.. I'm an absolute beginner at coding & hardware comes easily to me so I don't feel too stupid for not thinking of it.
Ideally I want to try & write an app that would give you the option of switching the preset input events on the fly so I could go from normal spen use to "hover" spen mode with an IME type notification or something.. Now where to begin
Sent from my Note 2

[Q] Thinking about pulling the trigger

I'm considering picking up a 32GB Black Note 10.1 2014 today using Best Buy's Cyber Monday deal. I currently have an iPad 3 and a Nook HD+ 32GB with CM10.2. Since switching from an iPhone 5 to a Galaxy S4, the iPad 3 pretty much sits on my nightstand and I use the HD+ for everything. For the price, it's a nice device, but it can be frustratingly slow as a daily use device.
I've been hoping for the Nexus 10 2 to be released, but I'm becoming increasingly doubtful that's going to happen anytime soon. That's where the Note 10.1 comes in...it's basically the same display as the Nexus 10 (at least in terms of size and resolution) and has great hardware specs. $500 is a little steep for an Android tablet in my opinion, but I should be able to get $250-350 for my iPad 3 which really knocks down the incremental cost to me.
I'm not a huge fan of Touch Wiz vs. the stock Android experience, but it's not enough to push me away from a device. I am, however, concerned about the reports of lag on what should be one of the fastest devices on the market. I have zero interest in installing a custom ROM on my next tablet as I've already spent too much time dealing with the various quirks of custom ROMs going on previous tablets (Nook Color, Touchpad, and now Nook HD+). I want a rock solid, smooth stock experience. I've seen some folks say that with all the patches applied, the lag is basically gone. It's also worth mentioning that I immediately install Nova Launcher Prime as my launcher, so I wouldn't be using the stock launcher.
Also, I've read that the power port on this thing is on the bottom when in landscape orientation?! How does that work with something like the Poetic Slimline case? I have the Poetic for my HD+ (and the Apple Smart Cover for my iPad) and pretty much keep them standing up while they're plugged in.
Anyway, the owner reviews I've seen everywhere (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.) are quite positive, but I wanted to check in with this community to ask for real-life opinions, the good and the bad, before pulling the trigger.
Thanks!
UPDATE: I just pulled the trigger. I'll pick it up on the way home tonight and post my impressions once I get it set up to my tastes.
I pulled trigger last saturday. Been thinking about ipad air, note 10.1, nexus 10 2 for long long time, and I really really love the note!
I was worried about bloat wares and lag as well as galaxy s4 owner I experience both in gs4. However, I don't have any issue with neither in note 10.1. Yes there r few bloat wares but not as much as gs 4 and most are quiet useful. altho I only used it for 3 days I never had issue with lag or stuttering. Also handwriting recognition speed and accuracy is Just off the chart. In more of type but now I tend to write with Stylus all the time.
my tablet exp include ipad 2/4, nexus 7 2012. But this is best tablet So far.
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I've got the 32GB white version, and let me tell you, this thing flies through everything I throw at it. I have had 3 games open in the background while watching YouTube in multiview along with the S-Note app and browsing the internet and there was no lag. The 8-core processor and 3 gigs of ram destroy everything I throw at. When you first power it up, you'll be hit with 3 updates that will improve stability, performance and also add the Android 4.3 multiuser feature. Trust me, you won't regret getting this tablet, especially with its added S-pen functionality. I no longer have to use paper for anything! I'm using the stock touchwiz launcher, but of course you can install another one. And in landscape mode the power button is at the top. I'm using this case for mine:
http://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Samsung-...qid=1386018274&sr=8-2&keywords=note+2014+case
NOTE: As of now not many games in the play store have been optimized to take advantage of the power of this device. Games run smoothly, just not a full graphics or full resolution on some games. Something to keep in mind if you play a lot of games.
¿Will-it-Blend? said:
And in landscape mode the power button is at the top. I'm using this case for mine:
http://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Samsung-...qid=1386018274&sr=8-2&keywords=note+2014+case
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Thanks for the info, both of you. As for my concern, it's the placement of the power charging port that concerns me, not the power button. Since it's on the bottom in landscape orientation, doesn't that preclude having the tablet propped up on a stand like in the main picture for that case and plugged in at the same time?
I am also thinking of buying 32GB Black Note 10.1 2014. To only things which makes me to hesitate is the chrome trim along the edges. Isn't that part so much prone to scratches? Is that plastic or aluminium? Won't the chrome paint peel off as time passes?
nor500 said:
I am also thinking of buying 32GB Black Note 10.1 2014. To only things which makes me to hesitate is the chrome trim along the edges. Isn't that part so much prone to scratches? Is that plastic or aluminium? Won't the chrome paint peel off as time passes?
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The sides are plastic, I would think in a case would be fine, but without a case and tossed around it might damage with hard use. Wished they would have used aluminum like Apple for the price they charge but that shows scratches over time but only dents if dropped like the one my daughter uses
I've had a 32GB version for around 3 weeks and am really pleased with it. Replaced Touchwiz with Apex launcher immediately and have had a couple of launcher crashes but nothing major - considering going to Nova as people speak highly of it.
Lag: it's a totally subjective topic but I don't notice it at all. Certainly nothing that irritates me. Not a big gamer however.
The power socket is on the 'bottom' but either buy an angled USB cable or use the device upside down.
Great advantages are: (1) the handwriting recognition is fantastic - I have reasonably good cursive writing and it rarely makes a mistake (2) multi-window for notes (LectureNotes in my case) and email (Touchdown) or for email and browser (Chrome).
Most of the Samsung bloatware is a waste of space, including the various pop-ups you can invoke with the s-pen. My wife is, however, still mystified about how I keep changing the TV channel without touching the remote (Watchon). Installing a different launcher stops the intensely annoying 'My Magazine' from popping up.
I'd like to remove this Samsung stuff but I'm not going to root until the current rash of firmware updates dries up.Once rooted I can make more apps available in multi-window (very pleased that TD and LN worked straight away)
My one niggle is the position of the home/menu/back buttons ('bottom' centre in landscape mode). On my old Tab 8.9 the soft buttons were bottom left which made them much easier to access with a thumb. I usually hold the Note upside down in landscape mode as having the buttons top centre is easier IMHO. In portrait mode they are under my right thumb which is perfect for me
The Poetic case has all the right cutouts for the Note but the hinge is on the 'bottom' edge not the top. If you want to use it the right way up in landscape mode you will be folding the cover towards you and under rather than over the top and back. If you want to prop the Note at a shallow angle for typing it will be 'upside down' but that's not a problem for me. The reason is presumably to stop the magnetic clasp on the case interfering with the home button. The 'wake on open'/'sleep on close' features of the case work perfectly and no interference with the digitizer so far.
Most annoyed that as a UK user I had to leave the country to buy a 32GB model and that the firmware updates reach us so slowly. Still Samsung's business model is all about encouraging you to dump your phone/tablet for the latest model rather than customer support (as I found out with the Tab 8.9) - buyer beware!
Well, I ended up returning it this morning. Overall it's a really nice piece of hardware, but there were a few things that bothered me about it:
1. This is purely personal, but I think a 10" tablet is bigger than what I'm wanting. Obviously I've had the iPad 3 for a while, but as I said, I've found myself using the Nook HD+ almost exclusively. As a result, the Note 10.1 felt HUGE in my hands for the way I use a tablet! I think I'm going to refine my search to include only 8-9" tablets now.
2. The placement of the hardware buttons was driving me crazy! When I held the device in landscape, it was really awkward to reach down for the buttons when I needed them, and when I held the device in portrait, I was constantly pressing either the Back or Menu buttons depending on how I held it. Additionally, when held in portrait, (intentional!) access to the buttons was even more awkward.
3. My concern about the placement of the USB charging port was legit. I basically have to lay the tablet flat to charge it, and that's pretty much the opposite of what I've always done with my previous tablets which were propped up in their stands/cases while charging.
4. Even after all the updates were applied, some services/apps disabled, and Nova Launcher installed as the default, it still seemed to lag a bit occasionally. In fact, a few times it became completely unresponsive for a number of seconds before I could resume usage. That definitely shouldn't happen on hardware of this caliber.
All in all, I couldn't keep a $500+ purchase with these concerns. I really wanted to because I thought that S Pen and the multi-window stuff was quite neat, but after sleeping on it I just did a factory reset and returned it.
I'll keep looking...in a perfect world I wish the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 hardware was matched to an AOSP ROM. Maybe that's what the Google Nexus 10 2 will be after all, or maybe someone else will fill that particular niche soon.
Thanks again for the info!
The Nexus 10 2 would feel to big too if the samsung did
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Go check out the LG GPad 8.3!
SCWells72 said:
Well, I ended up returning it this morning. Overall it's a really nice piece of hardware, but there were a few things that bothered me about it:
1. This is purely personal, but I think a 10" tablet is bigger than what I'm wanting. Obviously I've had the iPad 3 for a while, but as I said, I've found myself using the Nook HD+ almost exclusively. As a result, the Note 10.1 felt HUGE in my hands for the way I use a tablet! I think I'm going to refine my search to include only 8-9" tablets now.
2. The placement of the hardware buttons was driving me crazy! When I held the device in landscape, it was really awkward to reach down for the buttons when I needed them, and when I held the device in portrait, I was constantly pressing either the Back or Menu buttons depending on how I held it. Additionally, when held in portrait, (intentional!) access to the buttons was even more awkward.
3. My concern about the placement of the USB charging port was legit. I basically have to lay the tablet flat to charge it, and that's pretty much the opposite of what I've always done with my previous tablets which were propped up in their stands/cases while charging.
4. Even after all the updates were applied, some services/apps disabled, and Nova Launcher installed as the default, it still seemed to lag a bit occasionally. In fact, a few times it became completely unresponsive for a number of seconds before I could resume usage. That definitely shouldn't happen on hardware of this caliber.
All in all, I couldn't keep a $500+ purchase with these concerns. I really wanted to because I thought that S Pen and the multi-window stuff was quite neat, but after sleeping on it I just did a factory reset and returned it.
I'll keep looking...in a perfect world I wish the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 hardware was matched to an AOSP ROM. Maybe that's what the Google Nexus 10 2 will be after all, or maybe someone else will fill that particular niche soon.
Thanks again for the info!
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Also consider samsung galaxy note 8inch
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reubenskelly1992 said:
Also consider samsung galaxy note 8inch
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Or even the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8 if the Note prices are too steep for you. Out of all the Tab models, the 8 is the only one that has > 1GB RAM in it, so it's the only Tab model I would ever consider. I messed with the Tab 8 at Costco -- seemed like a really nice tablet, and I was tempted by the size myself.
I ended up with the Note 10.1 2014 though and very satisfied.
Thanks. Yeah, if the Nexus 10 2 is 10", you're correct that it'll feel too bulky, but the recent rumors are that it may be in the 8-9" range (probably with a designation change as well). As for the Galaxy Note 8, that's a possibility, but I'd prefer something with a higher resolution and slightly larger screen size. The LG looks interesting for sure! I'll check that out.
The LG would be your best bet , but high price to pay compared to say the Nexus 7
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reubenskelly1992 said:
The LG would be your best bet , but high price to pay compared to say the Nexus 7
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Unless you bought it on black Friday from newegg for $279-$30 coupon code which came out to $249
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