Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Features
Galaxy Note® 4

16 Megapixel Camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)

3.7 MP Front Facing Camera

5.7″ Quad HD Super AMOLED® Display

Super AMOLED technology gives you a screen unlike any other mobile device. It’s bright, clear, colorful, and allows you to read even in direct sunlight. Its high-resolution screen brings graphics and movement to life.

LTE Capable

2.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor

32 GB Built-in Memory Plus MicroSD Slot

Plenty of room to store your photos, videos, movies, and more—expandable up to 128 GB with a MicroSD card.

Android 4.4

Android 4.4

Bluetooth 4.0

Bluetooth 4.0.

GPS with Navigation Capability

Get your real-time location on maps, driving directions, and more.

HD Voice

Enjoy crystal clear high-definition calling on T-Mobile’s high speed Network.

Name ID

Name ID lets you see the names and numbers of your callers, even if they’re not in your address book.

NFC

Near Field Communication allows you to share contacts, web pages, videos and more with a single tap against another NFC capable device.

S Pen

The S Pen is combined with the full touch screen to create a best-in-class mobile input experience. It is the most advanced pen input technology featuring an array of functions including pressure sensitivity, preciseness, speed and more.

T-Mobile® TV

Watch live TV, news, sports, and kids’ shows, and stream popular entertainment on demand with T-Mobile TV.

Visual Voicemail

With Visual Voicemail you can listen to your voicemail messages in any order, respond in one click and easily manage your inbox without dialing in to the network.

Wi-Fi Calling Capable

Call normally, or use Wi-Fi if you have Wi-Fi coverage but you don’t have cellular reception.

Specifications
Size and Weight
6.04 x 3.09 x 0.32 inches
6.21 ounces
Samsung Galaxy Note® 4
Operating System and Processor
Android 4.4
2.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Battery Life
Up to 20 hours talk time
Up to 26 days standby time
Camera, Photos and Video
16 Megapixel Camera
3.7 MP Front Facing Camera
Memory
3GB RAM / 32GB ROM
Connectivity
Sync methods: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
4G Capable
4G LTE Capable
Wi-Fi and Mobile Calling
Audio and Multimedia
T-Mobile TV
GPS and Apps
GPS enabled
International
Quad Band GSM; UMTS: Band I (2100), Band II (1900), Band IV (1700/2100), Band V (850); LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17
Hearing Aid Compatibility
M4 & T3
WEA Capable?
Yes
In The Box
Galaxy Note® 4
Battery
Wall charger
USB Cord
Start Guide
Terms & Conditions
Warranty & Safety Information
Recycle Label

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Yes, I am waiting for my next device to be available on T-Mobile October 2, luckily I work graveyard so I’ll be at the store with cash in hand saying “open, open, open”!

With the specs released on the Note 3 there’s no doubt this is going to be a powerhouse of a device. Currently I’m using a Samsung Galaxy S4 and love it but something is missing…the S-Pen.

Coming from a Note 2 and jumping on the S4 was not much of a transition however I do miss the ability and functions of the S-Pen.

With the new functions of the S-Pen on the Note 3 will allow anyone to be more productive without have to switch to the main menu or even having to resort to multi-view to get tasks done. According to Samsung Action Memo can initiate a call, add to contacts, look up an address on a map, search the Web, and save a task to a to-do list.

Scrapbook: this feature is meant to allow users to organize or track down content and information from various sources including the web YouTube and gallery in one place.

Screen Write: this allows one to capture the full screen image of the current page on the device one can then write comments or additional information on to the captured image.

S Note: this feature allows users to write, organize, edit and browse notes. The S Note can also be sync with Evernote or a Samsung Account and be enabled for accessing and viewing from different devices.

Micro USB 3.0

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 introduces a new charging standard with Micro USB 3.0. Equipped with the updated USB 3.0 micro B port, the Note 3 should see faster file transfer speeds than those seen with smartphones on the current Micro USB 2.0 standard. USB 3.0 notably provides up to 900mA current in comparison to the 500mA current provided by USB 2.0 ports. USB 3.0 essentially brings laptop charging to the same level as wall charging.

With Micro USB 3.0 we see an updated connector, which is much different than the Micro USB 2.0 connector. Luckily, it remains backwards-compatible and is able to plug in to the USB side of the port, which plugs into computers, wall chargers and other power sources. Due to the strange design, many expect Micro USB 3.0 will not be used across the market and may be reserved for new high-end handsets, which require more power for charging and file transfer.

While I didn’t like the feel of the plastic backing of the Note 2 of the Galaxy S4 I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked it on the Note 3. While it gave a nice shiny slippery feeling I’m sure I’m going to love the faux-leather that this device is coming with.

Samsung Knox

Samsung Knox to be Available for High-end Samsung Android Phones

Samsung KNOX is a solution that hardens the security of the hardware through the application layer, and this end-to-end solution was earlier available only to the Enterprises, but Samsung announced at the Unpacked event yesterday at IFA 2013, that the Knox would now be commercially available to the consumers with the high-end Android devices, and that would initially include the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition and the support would be extended later on, to the devices such as Galaxy S3, S4 and Note II later on. According to its makers, Samsung KNOX implements a concept called “container” that is a separate secure execution environment for a set of pre-screened applications to run and store data.

The Applications that are running outside the container will not be getting a full access and it would be a limited one, because the security in it would be enforced by the system-level protection of the Samsung Knox. The main help is provided when the device is lost or stolen, and when the user data is tried to be accessed by the various hacking attempts, and the protection from the malware phishing attacks is also done.

Samsung has recently extended this support from just the enterprise level to the consumer level, where the users can now take an advantage of it, and store content like personal pictures in that container which is at such a level of security where one cannot breach and steal the content even through hacking as the data from there doesn’t get leaked. In addition, users may choose to store enterprise applications and data such as corporate email, contacts and calendar allowing the IT department to manage the container through EAS (Exchange ActiveSync Server). These features make Samsung KNOX an ideal platform for BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device to work). The main issue for most of the employees to bring their devices to work is the security and the data breach, and the Knox does the right job in protecting that. The level of security in the Knox is such that it is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), to be used in the DoD networks, and the company is pushing the Knox in the devices with no extra cost, but right now the availability is limited, with the Note 3 and Note 10.1 2014 edition to be getting it all around the world, and the three other high-end devices Note II, S3 and S4 would be getting it very soon after this.

More to come once the device is in my hands!

HTC Thunderbolt for Sale $220 Shipped

I have a mint HTC Thunderbolt for sale sans sd card. Everything is in mint condition as well as a clean ESN. It will include a aftermarket extended battery with a cover. The phone also has a stock screen protector on it so the actual screen is flawless. Below are some photos to view the actual phone. The phone is currently unlocked and unrooted.

Welcome home HTC Thunderbolt!

Well I picked up a HTC Thunderbolt and I have to say that I am impressed with it and have not found any faults in it yet. The 4.3″ display is pretty sweet and being the same screen size as the Droid X this Thunderbolt is one sexy beast in form, fit and function.

Here are some quick specs for you:

HTC Thunderbolt Specifications:

• Dimensions: 4.8 x 2.6 x 0.52 inches (122 x 66 x 13.2 mm)
• Weight: 5.78 oz (164 g)
• Display: 4.3 inch WVGA TFT capacitive touchscreen display, 480 x 800 pixels
• Memory: 8 GB + 32 GB MicroSD
• OS: Android OS 2.2
• Processor: 1GHz MSM8655 Snapdragon
• Camera: 8 megapixel camera, 720p video recording, front facing 1.3 megapixel camera
• Connectivity: CDMA Dual Band (800/1900 Mhz)
• Data: 1xEV-DO rev.A, LTE
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.1, Stereo Bluetooth
• GPS: GPS with A-GPS
• Battery: Li-Ion 1400 mAh

Design and Display

Starting off the HTC Thunderbolt has a 4.3 inch WVGA TFT capacitive touchscreen display covering the front of the phone. Below the display are the usual set of Android shortcuts for menu, home, back and search. Up above is a small 1.3 inch megapixel front facing camera used for video chatting. Placed on the right is the volume rocker, opposite resides the microUSB, and on top the 3.5 mm headphone jack and power / lock button. The HTC Thunderbolt is rounded out on the back with an 8 megapixel camera and dual LED flash. Underneath, the camera on the back, is a small kickstand that can be lifted up from the back. It’s nicely designed and adds functionality to the HTC Thunderbolt.

User Interface

The HTC Thunderbolt, like all other Android powered handsets, is very easy to pick up and use. The touch interface is not daunting and as it is touch, very easy to understand. HTC Sense is a third party proprietary overlay made by HTC to enhance the user experience for Android. Similar to Motorola’s MotoBLUR and Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, the HTC Sense UI is a nice addition, but ultimately hurts the end user as these third party overlays delay over the air updates of the latest and greatest version of Android.

The 1 GHz Snapdragon processor runs Android 2.2 with Sense UI smoothly and it feels very much like the user experience for most other HTC smartphones. Nothing earth shattering to make the HTC Thunderbolt stand out. Overall, the user interface is simplistic, easy to learn and easy to master. Everything has been kept simple, changing themes is also as simple as going into your settings and swiping around to select the theme you want.

Features

The HTC Thunderbolt has the familiar Android feature set of games and applications, along with Verizon specific applications such as VCast. Currently, it looks as though the HTC Thunderbolt has Google defaulted, unlike some of their smartphones that have been defaulted to Bing, and Microsoft counterparts to Google applications. Hopefully the HTC Thunderbolt continues with this default. Since the HTC Thunderbolt is powered by Android 2.2, it can access Flash based websites and can use Adobe Flash player. In addition, it also has access to the Android Market, the gateway to over 100,000 applications and games.

The front facing camera has also not been skimped on, offering an impressive 1.3 megapixels. This means your video chatting over the HTC Thunderbolt will be a little clearer for those on the other end. The 8 megapixel camera on the back with dual LED flash is also a welcome addition to a world of 5 megapixel camera phones. The kickstand is also an interesting little feature that HTC seems to be pursuing on their entire line up of smartphones. It’s a nice subtle addition to the HTC Thunderbolt, and allows it to be used as a media player for long trips where you want to keep the phone hands free.

Now if only we can get this powerhouse rooted.

Android is Taking Over…

Well it looks like Android is taking over as my personal choice of OS to use on a daily basis. I still use my trusty BB 9700, however I seem to forget to check it quite often. As you can see from the photo above the 4 front devices are mine and the others are family members.

I am currently using a Droid Incredible and ever since I installed Swype I love it even more. I also have a Droid X (for sale) and a Samsung Fascinate that I switch between often.

Unlike the BlackBerry where you are very limited on the OS selection (ie. carrier version, leak or hybrid) Android has a wide variety of types of ROMs you can choose from. Of course you still have the carriers release but you also have hybrid types of ROMs that gives you custom features from launchers to over clocking.

If you want to read about what is going on in the world of Android visit AndroidDoes for the latest news.

Backing up BlackBerry 3rd party applications with DM6

This is a tutorial of how to back up your 3rd party applications using DM6 (leaked by @ssjason) using Win7 via Parallels Desktop.

Open DM6 and connect your device, once it recognizes your device select “Switch devices…” from the Device drop down box.

Click the device that you have attached to DM6

Check the box next to “Third-party applications” and click next.

The next two screen shots are of the processes that it will go through while backing up the 3rd party applications.

Once the back up has completed select cancel.

Next go to your C: drive and in the search bar type in your PIN to the device that you just backed up the 3rd party applications and hit enter. You want to copy the file from C:\Users\your name\AppData\Local\Temp and save it where you want.

The screen shot is from the file that was saved and you can see all the cod’s to your applications. You can use this same file to restore your 3rd party applications.

I hope this has helped at least one person. Any questions or thoughts please leave a comment.

When I get time I will do a tutorial on how to restore your 3rd party applications using DM6.

Android and the Nexus One

Well I’ve been using a Nexus One for a few weeks now and being on a BlackBerry forever it’s a breath of fresh air. Believe it or not I did wait in line to get the G1 for my wife and I but Android was in it’s infancy. Now they have blown up and I’m pretty happy with the Nexus one as far as hardware and especially software.

Nexus One

BlackBerry Shortcuts

Here are some BlackBerry shortcuts that I have used and I hope you find them useful as well.

Shift and space – to enter a ‘/’ in the web address field
Space – to enter a period in the web address field
a – to add a bookmark
Enter – to follow a link
g – to bring up the Start/Go to… page
h – to load the home page
i – to zoom in on a web page
j – to turn on support for JavaScript
k – to open the bookmark list
l – to view the web page address for a link
o – to zoom out on a web page
p – to view the web page address for the current page
r – to refresh a web page
s – to open the browser options
shift and space – to move up a screen
u – to hide/view the banner
y – to view a list of recently visited web pages
z – to switch between Column view and Page view
b – to move to the bottom of the web page
f – to find keywords in the current page
space – to move down a screen
t – to move to the top of the web page

If you have any other shortcuts please feel free to let me know.

.586 Leaked for the BlackBerry 9700

Well .586 was just leaked for the 9700 so if you want copy and paste the link provided to download you the latest leaked OS.

Copy and paste this link into your browser > http://rapidshare.com/files/369740301/9700M_PBr5.0.0_rel994_PL5.1.0.146_A5.0.0.586.exe

9700 OS Updated to 5.0.0.566 and BBM to 5.0.0.65

Well I haven’t had to time to play with either update but i will amend this post when I do to let you know what I find different on both leaks.

I also included a link to download the .566 os (just copy and place in your browser) below.

http://rapidshare.com/files/367314426/9700M_PBr5.0.0_rel965_PL5.1.0.145_A5.0.0.566.exe