First Impression: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

It's here, the new update on Samsung Galaxy Tab series, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0.



With the success of Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, the Korean manufacturer continues the streak with GalTab 3 at 8.0 inch screen.

Quick specification:

- Dual core 1.5GHz, MALI 400M GPU
- Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
- 1.5GB RAM, external memory microSD upto 32GB
- 1280 x 800 pixels TFT Capacitive Screen
- Phone function
- Stereo Speakers
- 5 MP back camera and 1.3 MP front camera
- 209.8 x 123.8 x 7.4 mm
- 4450mAh battery

It is thinner than 1cm for easy holding. This tablet is definitely for home use and gaming, if not entertainment.

The tab is always the preferred tablet of students, housewives and elders. Tab 3 will strengthen that position by improving the specification and capabilities.

Weakness:
- as always, not bright enough under direct sunlight
- 1.5GB RAM? it's neither here nor there
- 8.0" screen means heavier when used to read for long period
- new tablet accessories needed.

At around US$ 440 (Rp. 4,450,000) unlocked at launching next week at Samsung Experiential stores throughout Indonesia, Samsung will continue to rule the position of no. 1 tablet manufacturer in Indonesia.

Recommendations who should buy:
- for game players
- students
- young executives
- films and YouTube lovers

Quick Review: Samsung Galaxy Note Jelly Bean Upgrade

I finally has my Samsung Galaxy Note repaired. The cost was around $160. Samsung Service Center replaced a whole power board to repair it. Plus, they gave me the Jelly Bean android in return.

The Jelly Bean upgrades on SGNote :
- Multi Windows
- SmartStay
- Upgraded UI
- New AllShare
- Retirement of S Memo
- S Pen integrated S Planner
- Upgraded S Note
- Editable Multi Windows tray
- Favorite Apps widget
- Active Lock Screen
- New looks on lock screen and home screen
- Better folder management
- New and closer to vanilla android apptray

All in all, it looks like the new upgrade puts SGNote nearer to SGNote 2, but without the Quad-core capacity.

The bad news:
- Heavy operational
- Beware the RAM, almost always in the red zone
- Strangely enough better battery economy if multi windows are turned off
- Slower response on all the new features

If you enjoy the responsiveness of the original SGNote in ICS, better avoid this upgrade. If note, the upgrade is one worthy taken despite the slower processing.

Smartphone AND Tablet: The Unique Padfone 2

Up until last year, the world smartphone or tablet users are given 2 major choices: own a smartphone and/or a tablet. Asus broke those dilemma and gave us Asus Padfone. It was okay at the market, but I woouldn't categorize it as successful however it did open a great freedom of option for users to have a smartphone that can also function as a tablet at the same time.

Asus Padfone 2 has just been released and I took a big chance in buying it as a replacement of my beloved Samsung Galaxy Note N7000.  Interestingly, my main reason to purchase Asus Padfone 2 is because 3 main reasons:

1. Despite the drawback of not having replaceable battery, it combines 2 battery a 2,140 MAh and a 5,000 MAh.
2. Despite of lacking external memory expansion, it does come in 64 GB which means more than satisfactory at current needs, at least for the next 2 years.
3. It's a 4.7" phone and a 10" tablet at the same time, the dual personality that it's competitors are lacking.

Of course coming from SGNote, there are certain concerns that Asus Padfone 2 doesn't have like:

1. SMemo and SNote
2. SPen Stylus

Anyway, let's go deeper into the review, if you will, on the Asus Padfone 2.

Hardware:

- 1.5GHz quad-core processor is powerful enough for today's multi tasking 

- phone unit is thin enough with circular pattern back for easy 

- the rim of the phone unit is made of aluminum and felt easily scratched 

- tablet felt sturdy but also a bit weak construction-wise 

- excellent IPS screen, bright and clear, despite of only 1280x720 resolution 

- built in speaker  are excellent and loud, tablet is several notch louder with bigger speaker. The location of the speakers are easily covered when put on the table

Bloatware:

- only a little, webstorage, app locker, etc. The most useful feature is the floating windows apps that can be accessed from the bottom of the screen, but only has limited list of 

- power management is impressive although not the most thorough, mainly focus on power sharing and turning off network access for most apps during screen off. 

Headfi:

- for headphones users, I think Asus has put a good sound processor for enjoyment. It reproduce flatter frequency, bass are tight and clear, wonderful details for sound separation, no apparent sibilance. It is recommended to buy or download good music player to paring up the potential. 

Signal:

As usual like any other Android, standard sensitivity. 

Making calls:

Voice are clear and loud enough. It doesn't have move reduction so bear in mind when you are in busy place. My recommendation is to get a Plantronics or Jawbone bluetooth unit for comfort (check my review on some of them in this blog) 

Notable problems:

- tablet will always be 

- Beware the tablet screen is not very protected from wear and tear. It is easily cracked on 

- if you damaged either unit, it will be expensive to service it. 

- no accessories for protection, however a Samsung size tablet case will work. 

Those are my deeper review. My final recommendation is that this Asus Padfone 2 is designed for work and play and the same time, but it is not for children. 

A Story of Ralf Rottman in Gizmodo

An iPhone Lover’s Confession: I Switched To the Nexus 4. Completely. http://gizmodo.com/5973073/