SGNote ICS Update: Beware of Battery Drainage

I have heard all over Internet that ICS Update for Samsung, whether it is for SGNote or SGS2 may cause further battery drainage. I can tell you know that on certain condition it is correct.

I have been using SGNote ICS 4.03 Update for awhile. First thing I noticed is that the multitasking went overboard. I consistently close apps by using ICS Task Manager manually, but it doesn't help. So I have installed Easy Task Killer at 15-minute apps killing interval. It helps a little. So I installed Trust Go Security for further apps killing and security, it helped with 4-hour interval. It did better, but to be safe I turned on System Power feature.

However, now I have found a new problem. The system sometimes freezes that the battery status from ICS failed to be updated. So, I have a choice of Rooting the SGNote to install Power On/Off Scheduler or find alternative method. So far I haven't found the right remedy. Rooting is not necessary the best solution since it might brick my SGNote if I set it up wrong. Plus, it void my warranty.

Anyway, I need advice or suggestion on this matter. Don't get me wrong. This battery power update failure doesn't happen often, only once in 2 or 3 weeks, but annoying nonetheless.

Oh yeah, here are the signs if your SGNote:
1. Data network failure. This means your battery has reached 20%, that is why ICS turned off data connectivity.

2. All apps go slower. That means the processor is working overtime and most likely power drainage is underway.

So there, I hope this one is helpful since you don't want your favorite phone suddenly goes off while the battery status said 60% but actually almost drained. I will update you for further development on the comment area of this article. Cheers

posted from Bloggeroid

ICS Productivity: Cloud Storage

The birth of Tablet Computer marked the climatic rise of Cloud Computing and Storage, especially for smartphones. Being relatively small in storage capacity, having additional Cloud Storage becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. With the decreasing and more affordable data plan from network provider, more and more smartphone and tablet users use Cloud Storage whether they realize it or not.

Android operating system was designed to utilize the Cloud Storage system. Once you log in to Google network, most of your data, contacts, calendars, emails, and photos are immediately synchronized (or in lamen language: stored) with the Google Cloud Storage via Gmail. This is useful when you use the data on other equipments, such as laptops or other phones you have. Even iPhone and iPad use similar system via MobileMe or Google.

The benefits of Cloud Storage:
- saving, backing up, synchronizing and sharing data across platforms (gadgets and OS)
- simplifying the process of smartphones or tablet replacement, such as buying a new phones
- enabling teamwork on documents across locations and platforms
- acting as emergency back up should your smartphones or tablets suddenly "died"
- and last but not least, simplifying data transfer, such as sending or sharing large documents.

Several Cloud services are.available in the Internet and the market place, most of them are free to a certain degree. The most popular, and notably useful, are: Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft LiveDrive, Evernote, and the Soonr. Each comes with different features that set them aside from each other.

Except for Microsoft's, I have used them all. This is my opinion based my experience in using them. Feel free to add, comment or object.

1. Dropbox

It is kinda an MLM based cloud storage. It also probably the simplest of them all. Just sync all files and folders within Dropbox Folder. So simple that you cannot go wrong with it. It has newer additional feature that benefits smartphone users: Camera backup via 3G, wifi or usb connections. I use Wifi since I meed to save my bandwidth quota. So, Dropbox in my SGNote immediately sync all photos in my Camera storage, microSD or phone, to my Dropbox and Dropbox download it to my Macbook.
Available in all OS platforms: smartphones, tablets, desktops, and laptops as long as you have Dropbox app. Starts with 1GB and growing with referral program.ine has reached 3.5GB.

2. Evernote

As the title says, it is originally a Note app that sync to the Internet and directly updates your computer(s). You can take picture with Evernote app on your phone and the photo immediately updated to whatever equipment linked to Evernote. Evernote has just updated their UI so it is more uptodate. The developers recently added modular app called Skitch to enable you to make handwritten notation.
The problem that I experienced that stopped me for using Evernote is the multiplication of documents when using Blackberry, especially for photos. Somehow Blackberry connection multiply The documents again and agian.
Available in all OS platforms: smartphones, tablet, desktop PC, and laptops. Starts with 1 GB storage.

3. Goodle Drive

Google finally joined in the Cloud Storage race by revamping Google Docs with extra storage. Probably the most compatible Cloud Storage with Android. It has the ability to share documents across Google network and even team project updates by multiple users. Also it is integrated with Gmail, Google Contacts, Picasa, etc. It will be interesting to how Google expand the GDrive.
Available in almost all OS platforms and growing. Starts with 5GB storage.

4. Soonr Workplace and Soonr Scribble

There are 2 versions:
- Soonr Workplace is pretty much similar to Dropbox with teM project sharing features
- Soonr Scribble is originally exclussive free app for SGNote. Now it is also available for other smartphones and tablets, but not for free.
The best feature of Soonr Scribble is its ability to annotate in all Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint by using S Pen. The annotated documents will be saved in PDF format.
Availble in all OS Platforms. Starts at 1 GB storage.

Note: I have an article specifically for Soonr Scribble in this blog, check it out.

So decide which is the best for you and start cutting away your dependency on your computer harddisk. Enjoy.

posted from Bloggeroid

Interlude: Why Does Samsung Galaxy Note Become A 'Cult' Hit?

Okay, most of you who has not use Samsung Galaxy Note must wonder why people like me and others like me chose to use Samsung Galaxy Note?

First of all, let's see what is wrong with Samsung Galaxy Note:

- Not yet a tablet, but a gigantic phone. Some even call it a 'phablet'. It is way too big as a phone and way too small as a tablet. The size is just wrong.

- Stylus? So yester-decade. Why would anybody wants to use a stylus pen while uaing finger is more accessible and you can never lose your finger, under normal circumstances.

- Android = battery hog. It has one.of the biggest battery in smartphones category but with 5.3" screen, 2500MAh barely last a day.


So there, those are the top 3 reasons most people thinls when they see Samsung Galaxy Note (SGNote).

So let's see why I decided to buy SGNote straight from the launching world tour:

1. 5.3" screen is the smallest and acceptable screen for multimedia enjoyment. Good enough to watch movies on leisure time.

2. It has a stylus. That means I have the fastest method of note taking. Just use the S Memo Lite (press.and hold the S Pen button and double tap on the screen) for quick note taking, simple sketching and annotation on pictures/photos/documents.

3. It's an Android. I love the freedom Android system provides.

4. It's a phone. For those who buy phone by contract, you might not consider this as an important point. However, I live in a country where prepaid SIM card is preferable to postpaid (contract based). So it is important for me to have a smartphone or a table that can make calls and SMS to renew Data Package monthly.

5. Notepad replacement. No more motepad or agenda book or diary. For those who thinks SGNote is tablet replacement, I must say It Is Never a Tablet replacement. It is a Notepad replacement, regardless what Samsung said.


Then when I have bought, explored and been using it daily, I have found several more benefits that despite being personal to me, I think you might find it useful:

+ My thumb size vs screen size. Being a + size person, my thumbs are fatter compared to others. With SGNote, due to its screen size, I can type in Portrait mode with less mistypes. By this reason, drawing and writing with my fingers are also less attractive to me.

+ Better cloud integration and data sync. I have upgraded my SGNote to ICS and I found some improvement in cloud data sync and integration. I am not worried that my MicroSD Card broke apart since all my photos are.backed up by Dropbox, my Contacs with Google Contacts, etc.

+ Turn SGNote sideways and have a better web browser for smartphones. In this case the screen size shines.

+ Some will argue tablet is better to browse webs, here's my answer. SGNote is lighter. I had iPad as my first tablet and then the original Samsung Galaxy Tab later. The weight of those tablets became uncomfortable after awhile. SGNote being a giant phone is still light at weight that you still feel comfortable using it over extended.period of time.

+ Helpful at work. I work as a Marketing person. Meaning I work with a lot of graphic materials. The utilization and integration of SGNote and S Pen is excellent to cope with graphic and documents annotation. Additional apps like Soonr Scribbler truly helps a lot.

I don't change gadget a lot. I only buy what I consider useful tools/gadgets. I think Samsung hit the jackpot with SGNote, although it is far from perfect. I do hope Samsung keeps developing the Galaxy Note product line and more creative ways of using a Smartphone that either newer or forgotten.

Feel free.to comment if you don't agree with my opinions and experience in this article. Or if you want to, feel free to add your own experience. Have a good weekend.

SGNote ICS Updates: S Note

Okay, this one update is a bit confusing at first since I mistaken it for just an upgrade of S Memo. Apparently, Samsung gives their Galaxy Note users easier access for creativity in business as well as fun.



As you can see, the first screen pretty much describe how S Note provides easy access with templates for your creativity. There are some help guides that you can read for introduction.

In the provided template folder, you will find 7 templates that you can use immediately. You can access it by click/touching the '+' sign on the top right corner of the S Note.



So let's see those templates closer.

The most useful template I use is Meeting Note template because I have too mmny meetings.



You can use 3 methods of input, which are very easy to use:
- typing on soft keyboard on screen
- write using S Pen and keep it as image note



- and the third method is handwriting recognition, basically this method SGNote will recognize your handwriting and convert it to typed letter.



So the handwritten word 'What' will be saved as the typed word 'What'.


Then there is Note and Idea Note. This one is basically an enhancement of S Memo. In Idea Note you will be able to use explore the shapes and formula recognition with the handwriting recognition features.



In this template you can make anything.


Then Magazine template. As you can see, this one is more on the web-based magazine format. You can add video and pictures along in here.




If you travel a lot, you will appreciate the Travel Note template. You can get more than just photos, you can add your own comments and experience.




For those who likea to cook, Recipe template is a handy one.



And you will appreciate to keep your diary in more colorful format with Diary template.





So S Note is an app where you can express your own creativity without limitation. The provided templates are only an exercise to give you an idea how far you can go.

Be creative and be expressive.

SGNote ICS Updates: The Premium Pack

Okay, some of us got ICS updates on our SGNote but ended up with SNote as new app along with SMemo updates like me.

I would like to tell you how to get the other lost apps: My Story.

You need Samsung Account to be activated so if you have not activated it, please do.

All you have to do is to get it in Samsung Apps.



Sear for My Story, and you will be able to download it for free.

What My Story is for actually it is almost similar to MMS but in a SGNote style. You will have templates you can use immediately and you can also start something from scratch and send them to your contact in multimedia style.



It only works between My Story apps for the multimedia function as far as I know. However you can convert it to pdf or jpg format if you wish so.

Enjoy the ICS.

Side Note: Samsung Galaxy S3 Launching

In Jakarta today, 2 June 2012, Samsung launched the buzzed smartphone of the year: Samsung Galaxy SIII. The long awaited and much rumored phone since the success of the Samsung Galaxy SII.

My comment: Samsung Galaxy SIII is an impressive phone with tons of features and capability that makes other brands hide in shame.

However, as SGNote user I found thw combination of SGNote and SGS2 in SGS3 is an overkill. It's like shouting a challenge to all other competitors to try compete with Samsung mighty technology. This unit has SNote similar to SGNote. It has high resolution screen and very bright like iPhone. Superb camera with 8MP and Burst Mode to makw sure you get the right picture to challenge HTC OneX. The body is quite thin, although thicker than SGNote. The use of PolyCarbonate as the side body is a wise decision to make the too large-to-be-a-phone lighter.

All in all, for anybody who decides to switch to a new smartphone, try this phone. SGS3 won't disappoint you. For SGNote users, SGS3 is not worth it since the functionality of graphic manipulation with ICS upgrade on SGNote makes SGS3 only gets 75-80% of SGNote capability. For SGS2 users, only a little bit bigger but still not as slick and sexy as SGS2. For iPhone and Blackberry users, are you still using those ancient technology of smartphones?

There you go. I hope this is useful for you.

SGNote ICS Update: Task Manager

Here is something new and more user friendly, the Task Manager. For those who has used or try Samsung Galaxy Nexus, you have ttried it before.

Task Manager shortcut is using Home button press and hold. In Gingerbrwad version, a smal popup windows will appear and let you know what apps you have opened before and if you press the Task Manager icon, it will bring you to Task Manager Service apps. It is useful hut I cannot say that it doesn't make me want to use it often.

Anyway, in ICS

In ICS, I must say it makes, Google makes it much more useful and easier to manage. Just look at the picture below.




After you press and hold the Home Button, that screen will appear, in Honeycomb style. Once you have that screen, you can:
- open previously opened apps by selecting (touch) the app you want to access
- end or close previously opened apps to free.memory. This action is, probably the best feature added to ICS, very accessible. All you need is to touch and slide the app left or right to end its operation, thus free some memory.

Now isn't that makes this Task Manager function becomes the most accessed apps in ICS? Enjoy the tips and wait for more.

SGNote ICS Update: Power Button

Here is a small update that makes life easier:
1. Restart.
We all know once Android smartphpne has been running for several days, the memory ran out since some applications hog memory like there's no tomorrow. It is part of the risk of having multitasking smartphones. Now woth ICS update, they gave a Restart option when you press and hold power button. That makes my life easier.



Now, if only someone can make a reliable Restart Scheduler app, my life will be more complete.

2. Notification of Power Off

Regardless how good Gingerbread is, small things like how do you know when the phone is really off after you Power it down, do bugs me from time to time reqiiring me to rely on the LED light from the soft buttons to go off. Now, once the phone almost go off, it vibrates. That's it. How easy can that small, itsy bitsy, little thing makes life easier.

Enjoy the upgrade.

Samsung GNote ICS Update News

From all the gadget news sites, everyone has been renewing their news on ICS update for SGNote. For those not familiar with Android, ICS is Ice Cream Sandwich, the code name of Android OS 4.0.

Apparently Samsung Executives announced it formally since they have been promising SGNote ICS woyld be released sometimes at the end of March. Now, they said it will be sometimes in Q2. It blows, yes. So to lessen the blow, Samsung also announced there will S Pen Premium updates along with the ICS update. This package is promised to enhance the S Pen functionality of SGNote.

I hope it is worth the wait.