Samsung's Galaxy Note is a handset that is a combination of a smartphone and a tablet.
Q&A:What to Note with the Samsung
What is the memory capacity of the Note?The data of all images, memos and notes taken with this device can be stored on its 16GB of internal memory. If you plan on taking videos in 1080p high definition using the Note, it is recommended that you increase its memory capacity.
How much can the memory expand to? This memory is expandable to up to 32GB if you are willing to buy an additional slot-in microSD card. The device also has a micro-USB port that lets you connect it to your laptop or desktop to transfer any files between devices.
What networks is the phone valid on?It works on existing 3G, EDGE and GPRS networks. It is also compatible with 4G networks, which offer faster mobile internet access and are available in the UAE with operators such as Etisalat.
How long does the battery lifeon this device last?The Note's large screen and powerful processor may raise concerns about it needing to use a lot of battery power. Yet, it has a battery life more similar to that of a smartphone than a tablet. On a full charge, Samsung's product can last 9 hours with continuous use. This means that it competes well with tablets such as Apple's iPad.
More from The Life
The 14cm gadget, which costs Dh2,500, (US$680.61) is larger than the average smartphone but smaller than Apple's iPad.
It acts as a mobile phone while having a 13cm screen that is large enough to comfortably read ebooks on.
It comes with a stylus called the S-pen, which can be used with the S Memo application to write memos or longer notes.
Although such tools had their heyday a few years ago when smartphones typically came with a stylus, the S-pen feature on the Note is particularly useful thanks to its larger than average screen.
The Note also sports an active-matrix organic LED screen providing high-quality graphic display, a 1.4GHz dual-core Samsung Exynos processor and Google's Android operating system.
Although the Note can be awkward to use when making phone calls as it does not sit comfortably in the hand next to one's ear, it does come with an bluetooth ear piece that makes things easier.
And while the camera has an 8-megapixel camera and a large screen to view images, it feels too big in the hand when taking pictures compared with today's smaller digital products and even other smartphone brands.
Top 5: Stylus pens for the iPad
2010 MORE/REAL StylusUS$20 (Dh73.46).
2009 Nomad Brush $24.
2008 Pogo Sketch $14.95.
2007 Mini Capacitive iPad Stylus$12.95.
2006 Griffin Stylus$19.99.
Source: Thenextweb.com
Taking all these features into consideration though, the Note is a product that could be appealing to people wanting to splash out on something different.
The Quote: "He listens well who takes notes." Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet (1265 – 1321)
gvanzyl@thenational.ae
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
