Nearly a month later after getting the chance to play with the Samsung Galaxy Note, it’s now available for pre-order through AT&T. This monster handset comes equipped with Android 2.3 and has some major specs like a 5.3 inch WXGA HD super AMOLED display, 1.4 GHz dual core processor and an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash.

Other features include:

• 4G/ LTE
• 2 megapixel front facing camera
• 1080p full HD video recording
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 16 GB internal memory (microSD up to 32 GB)
• 2500 mAh battery

Granted the Samsung Galaxy Note is going to be a beast of an Android smartphone, I’m a little let down that the handset isn’t launching with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). I’m sure an update will follow soon, but who really wants to wait for an update?

If you’re planning on getting your hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note, you can follow this link to AT&T’s website and put your pre-order in now. You can also head to Samsung Mobile for more details on the Samsung Galaxy Note.

Samsung continues to attack Apple and their long lines. This time around showing off the Galaxy Note. This commercial first aired during the Super Bowling, If you didn’t get a chance to see it just press play above.

The days of cable-less phone management are now one step closer. AirDroid allows any phone running Android 2.1 or higher to be managed over a wireless network. Everything from photos, music, apps, even your SMS messages, can all be controlled through a simple web interface.

The operation really couldn’t be any simpler. You start up AirDroid on your phone, it will give you a local IP address to enter into your browser, enter the 4 digit randomly-generated password, and you are in. AirDroid lays out everything in a desktop setting, so everything is very straightforward. Have some photos you want off your phone? Simply click the photos icon, and you are greeted with a folder view of all the photos on your phone. You can then easily export them to your desktop. Same goes for music, files, and apps. You can also completely manage your SMS messages from within AirDroid, so if you are on your computer, you no longer have to switch back and forth to and from your phone when you get a message. Another very cool thing you can do is import/export text to and from your phone’s clipboard. So if you have a website you found on your phone, but it would be a pain to find on your computer, simply copy the URL, go to the Clipboard within AirDroid on your computer, and copy it from your phone.

The best thing about AirDroid is that it is completely free. It also currently sports an amazing 4.8 of 5 star rating on the Android Market with over 7500 reviews. You can check out a video of AirDroid in action below.

Android Market-AirDroid

It’s happened to all of us. We are in a meeting, or a movie, or class, or some other place where an inopportune phone call or text message would immediately draw everyone’s attention to you, and not in a good way. Ring Dimmer is an app for Android that uses the ambient noise to intelligently adjust your phone’s ringer volume. This works both ways. If it is loud, it will crank up the volume. If it’s quiet, it will turn it down. This is also good for times where you are just by yourself at home, for instance, and full blast ringtones are way too loud.

I had the opportunity to beta test this app for the past few days, and it does what it says. The app is very bare bones, with only 2 options available. You can either enable or disable it, and enable or disable the “Smart Vibrate” feature, which goes a step beyond adjusting the volume and will use factors such as ambient noise, time of day, and the light and proximity sensors to determine if vibrating would be a better option than ringing. In use, I tended to leave Smart Vibrate off, because it would tend to decide that it was always the best time to vibrate (when it is plugged in, for example). The ring dimming though did work very well. I had imagined that this app would be a HUGE drain on the battery, seeing that it has to listen to the ambient noise to make a decision on the ringer volume. This ended up being completely the opposite. Using my best guess, I’d imagine that the app intercepts all notification sound requests, samples the ambient noise, adjusts the volume accordingly, and sends the notification request on its way. I have no idea how long a sample it uses, though.

This had some unintentional consequences of choosing to sample during a random quiet moment, or a random loud one, and would then either play the sound way too loud or way too quiet. One horrifying scenario that I imagine is my phone getting misplaced with Ring Dimming and Smart Vibrate on, and then trying to call it to locate it via the ringing. My one gripe with this app is that there is no customization. There is no way to set thresholds for volume levels, adjust the sensitivity of the mic, or anything. You are basically stuck with “On” or “Off”. Granted, out of the box it does a pretty good job, it could be much better if you could customize it.

Ring Dimmer is available in the Android Market for $0.99. You can also check out a video of it in use below.

If you having been shopping around for a low priced 3G data plan then look no further than Walmart’s new Family Mobile plan. The T-mobile powered Family Plan has just added unlimited data to its Unlimited Talk and Text plan. The pricing remains the same at $45 per month for the first line and users are given a monthly postpaid, no contract option with 3G data speeds. Each additional line cost $35 per month and works well for families hoping to pick up multiple smartphones.

To attract new customers, those who activate before March 16th will receive 5GB data per month at 3G speeds. The data plan is usually limited to 250MB per month, making this an excellent deal to consider. While this plan may not be for the high-end users, the Family Plan is a great option for people who are new to the smartphone world. The plan currently offers one Android powered handset, the Optimus One priced at $198.00.

For more information about the Walmart Family Mobile Unlimited Talk, Text and Web plan, visit www.walmartfamilymobile.com or www.myfamilymobile.com.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus has already made its way to Verizon and now it’s getting closer and closer to making a new home for itself on the shelves at Sprint. This Android powered smartphone was the first to run Android 4.0 in the United States.

The Galaxy Nexus for Sprint now has a sign-up for more information page. If you follow this link you can sign up now. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about Sprint carrying this handset as the EVO series to me is the only good Android devices they currently carry.

The Galaxy Nexus has a 4.65″ super AMOLED 720p display, 5 megapixel rear camera with LED flash, 1.3 megapixel front camera, video recording in 1080p, 1.2 GHz dual core processor, 18050 mAh battery and NFC (Near Field Communications). Sprint customers in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio will be the only ones able to take advantage of the devices 4G LTE radio at this point unless Sprint flips the switch on more LTE cities at launch.

You can learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Nexus by following this link. Let us know what you think about the Galaxy Nexus going to Sprint in the comments.

I dislike earbuds. Before the advent of the “in-ear” variety, when the world was stuck with only iPod earbuds, I literally could not wear them. They didn’t stay in my ear for more than about 10 seconds, and those 10 seconds hurt. Then came along the in-ear headphones with the changeable silicon tips. Instead of trying to sit on your ear, these snuggly fit inside the ear canal itself. This made it so they didn’t fall out, but extended listening periods became painful. Now we have a hybrid of the two which promises to be the most comfortable earbuds you ever wear, and guaranteed not to fall out.

I’d never heard of Yurbuds before, but apparently the company is the #3 headphone vendor in the US. These headphones are designed specifically for athletes, by athletes, and are made of some pretty tough stuff.

The Yay

Comfort: These headphones are comfortable. They were in my ear for the entire 5 and a half hour trip home from CES, and never once did I have to take them out due to being uncomfortable.

Strength: I can’t say specifically what the headphones are made of, but I was told that the gauge of wire used in the headphones, coupled with the sheath material, give them the highest tensile strength of any headphones on the market. This means they will last. I have given them some pretty big yanks, and so far they are going strong with no sign of damage.

Water Resistance: All Yurbuds products are moisture and sweat resistant. This doesn’t mean you can go swimming in them, but it means that sweat and rain are not going to phase them.

Sizing: While my pair only came with 2 sizes of silicon covers, Yurbuds will send you a custom fit pair if you send them a picture of your ear with a quarter next to it for reference.

Cleaning: Because of the large surface area of the silicon cover that comes into contact with your ear, you will inevitably pull them out to find wax on them. However, a simple rinse under warm water will have them back to new in no time.

3 Button Mic: Inline on this pair of Yurbuds is a 3 button mic for use with your smartphone. This turns them into a headset as well, meaning your phone can stay in your pocket. The mic is also water resistant.

The Nay:

Learning Curve: This is the first pair of headphones that I can honestly say requires you to read the instructions in order to wear them. Even with the instructions, finding out exactly how to wear them can be a chore, especially if the included sizes don’t fit your ear.

Cable Sheathing: The cable on the Inspire Pro model is sheathed in a durable rubber coating. While great for durability and water resistance, it’s not so great for friction. I’ve run into multiple instances where the cable grabs on my hoodie and starts yanking the earphones out. This is also compounded by the heavy gauge wire used inside, which has an obvious shape-memory. This means that, out of the box, the cable will retain the curves of being wrapped up in the packaging, even after twisting and stretching them out.

Sound Quality: I was slightly disappointed in the sound quality of these. Advertised as having “clinically tested” advanced acoustics, they sound for the most part like an average pair of headphones. The bass response is lacking, but I’m assuming that is partly due to the design of the silicon covers, because they are not noise-isolating.

The Verdict:

Overall, I think the Yurbuds design is a welcome attempt at crossing the in-ear and on-ear headphones. Once you figure them out, they are easily the most comfortable headphones you will ever wear, and they are very difficult to make fall out. A couple design choices could have been changed to prevent snagging on clothes, but seeing as how they look towards athletes first I guess it’s not really an issue for them. If you are tired of your old iPod buds, or can’t stand the in-ear buds that make extending listening a nightmare, definitely give Yurbuds a try.

You can see more at the Yurbuds website. Prices range from $29 to $59 depending on the model.

AT&T has released their new voice plans that will be geared toward customers who frequently visit Canda (business) or Mexico (fun personal).

AT&T has the plan broken down as follows:

50 minutes of talk time for $24.99 per month
125 minutes of talk time for $49.99 per month
275 minutes of talk time for $99.99 per month
800 minutes of talk time for $199.99 per month

In addition to the monthly rates AT&T will also be offering per-minute voice rates if the monthly plans are not for you. The per minute rates range from $0.39 to $0.79. While these prices may seem high they are nothing compared to the massive roaming rates AT&T charges.

Most frequent travelers can find cheap solutions via Google Voice and other VoIP services and avoid the extortion imposed by AT&T.

There is a new accessory that has gotten my attention and that’s the Hub PRIZM stand. Already earning brownie points for being universal, the PRIZM just looks intense. Made of aircraft aluminum, this stand is made of 2 pieces that slide into each other, making it the smallest stand I have ever seen when packed up. They come in 2 sizes, one universal phone size and 1 universal tablet size. The tablet size is also perfect for holding books open. Although not advertised for it, I’m also pretty sure that they would make adequate self-defense weapons if the need arose.

Both sizes come in a staggering array of color choices. The phone size runs $24.95, and the tablet size runs $29.95. You can take a look at the color options at Hub’s website.

Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have stepped down as co-CEOs of Research In Motion and Thorsten Heins has been named the new CEO.

While we are happy to see a potential change in attitude at the top RIM’s corporate ladder, myself and obviously investors think this is too small of a change. As of writing, RIM shares are down by about nine percent in North America at $15.52.

Not the best way to start off as a new CEO, but only time will tell if this is the right choice. Hopefully Heins makes a very bold move soon and states major changes coming and shows us all a very solid and firm attitude to changing the downward spiral of RiM. Without a move like that I think we are all going to say “New CEO, Old RIM, No Change.”

Following is the press release provided by RIM:

Waterloo, ON – The Board of Directors of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced that, acting on the recommendation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers to implement the succession plan they previously submitted to the Board, it has unanimously named Thorsten Heins as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Heins was also appointed to RIM�s Board. The Board acted after conducting its own due diligence. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Mike Lazaridis, former Co-Chair and Co-CEO, has become Vice Chair of RIM’s Board and Chair of the Board’s new Innovation Committee. As Vice Chair, he will work closely with Mr. Heins to offer strategic counsel, provide a smooth transition and continue to promote the BlackBerry brand worldwide.

Mr. Heins said he looks forward to continuing to work with Mr. Lazaridis, globally recognized as a technology pioneer. He said, “Mike created a whole new way of communicating and I look forward to continuing our close collaboration.”

On the transition to CEO by Mr. Heins, Mr. Lazaridis said, “There comes a time in the growth of every successful company when the founders recognize the need to pass the baton to new leadership. Jim and I went to the Board and told them that we thought that time was now. With BlackBerry 7 now out, PlayBook 2.0 shipping in February and BlackBerry 10 expected to ship later this year, the company is entering a new phase, and we felt it was time for a new leader to take it through that phase and beyond. Jim, the Board and I all agreed that leader should be Thorsten Heins.”

Jim Balsillie remains a member of the Board. “I agree this is the right time to pass the baton to new leadership, and I have complete confidence in Thorsten, the management team and the company,” he said. “I remain a significant shareholder and a Director and, of course, they will have my full support.”

Mr. Lazaridis said that he decided to move from Co-Chair to Vice Chair of the Board in order to return the public’s focus to what is most important: “the great company we have built, its iconic products, global brand and its talented employees.”

Mr. Lazaridis added, “Thorsten has demonstrated throughout his tenure at RIM that he has the right mix of leadership, relevant industry experience and skills to take the company forward. We have been impressed with his operational skills at both RIM and Siemens. I am so confident in RIM’s future that I intend to purchase an additional $50 million of the company�s shares, as permitted, in the open market.”

Mr. Heins said he believes that RIM has tremendous potential. He joined RIM from Siemens Communications Group in December 2007 as Senior Vice President for Hardware Engineering and became Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales in August 2011.

“Mike and Jim took a bold step 18 months ago when RIM purchased QNX to shepherd the transformation of the BlackBerry platform for the next decade,” Mr. Heins said. “We are more confident than ever that was the right path. It is Mike and Jim’s continued unwillingness to sacrifice long-term value for short-term gain which has made RIM the great company that it is today. I share that philosophy and am very excited about the company’s future.”

Mr. Heins said that RIM has a strong foundation on which to build. “We have a strong balance sheet with approximately $1.5 billion in cash at the end of the last quarter and negligible debt. We reported revenue of $5.2 billion in our last quarter, up 24% from the prior quarter, and a 35% year-to-year increase in the BlackBerry subscriber base, which is now over 75 million.

Mr. Heins said, “BlackBerry 7 has been well received. We are very excited about PlayBook 2.0 and BlackBerry 10. The reception of our products at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show was encouraging.”

He continued, “RIM earned its reputation by focusing relentlessly on the customer and delivering unique mobile communications solutions. We intend to build on this heritage to expand BlackBerry’s leadership position.”

Mr. Heins said that RIM has grown quickly. “As with any company that has grown as fast as we have, there have been inevitable growing pains,” he said. “We have learned from those challenges and, I believe, we have and will become a stronger company as a result.

“Going forward, we will continue to focus both on short-term and long-term growth, strategic planning, a customer- and market-based product approach, and flawless execution. We are in the process of recruiting a new Chief Marketing Officer to work closely with our product and sales teams to deliver the most compelling products and services.”

Barbara Stymiest, who formerly served as a member of Royal Bank of Canada�s Group Executive and has been a member of RIM’s Board since 2007, has been named the independent Board Chair. John Richardson, formerly Lead Director, will remain on the Board.� Prem Watsa, Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings, also was named to the Board, expanding it to 11 members.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Ms. Stymiest said: “We believe that Thorsten is the right executive to succeed Mike and Jim. He has 27 years of telecommunications experience, including four years at RIM in senior management positions. As a Board, we have been impressed with his outstanding management skills, his leadership and his accomplishments within the company.”

Ms. Stymiest also expressed the Board’s respect and admiration for Messrs. Lazaridis and Balsillie, the company they built, and the steps they have taken to position RIM for the future.

“They created RIM, nurtured it, and in the process not only built an iconic brand, but literally pioneered the smartphone industry;” she said.��It is Canada’s largest tech company and one of the largest in the world.”

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call and live webcast will be held beginning at 8 am ET, January 23, 2012, which can be accessed by dialing 1-800-814-4859 (North America), (+1)416-644-3414 (outside North America) or through your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet at www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 10 am ET by dialing (+1)416-640-1917 and entering passcode 4509630#. A replay of the webcast will be available on your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet by clicking the link above. This replay will be available until midnight ET, February 6, 2012.

About Thorsten Heins

Thorsten Heins, 54, is a respected business leader with 27 years of broad experience and expertise in wireless networks and consumer electronics devices. Mr. Heins has a global reputation for his organizational and leadership skills and his ability to build successful organizations that deliver on their commitments. Prior to today’ announcement, Mr. Heins was one of RIM’ two Chief Operating Officers and, before that, Senior Vice President for the Handheld Business Unit.� He played key roles in the creation of RIM�s product portfolio. Mr. Heins came to RIM in December 2007 from the industrial conglomerate Siemens AG.� He joined Siemens in 1984 after graduating from the University of Hannover in his native Germany.� At Siemens, Mr. Heins rose through the ranks of R&D customer service, sales and product management positions.� After serving as Chief Executive Officer of various business divisions in the communication business, Mr. Heins moved to Chief Technology Officer and member of the Group Board of the Siemens Communications Group. He came to RIM after being impressed by the level of innovation displayed by founders Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. Mr. Heins is married with a daughter and a son. Away from RIM, he is usually outdoors bicycling, motorcycling, skiing or hiking.

About Barbara Stymiest

Barbara Stymiest has served as a director of RIM since March 2007.� She has an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, and an FCA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.� Ms. Stymiest joined Royal Bank of Canada in 2004, where she served as a member of RBC�s Group Executive, which is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company.� Prior to that, she held positions as Chief Executive Officer at TSX Group Inc., Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer at BMO Nesbitt Burns and Partner of Ernst & Young LLP.� Ms. Stymiest is currently a Director of George Weston Limited, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Royal Ontario Museum.�

About Prem Watsa

Prem Watsa is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a financial services holding company whose corporate objective is to achieve a high rate of return on invested capital and build long-term shareholder value, since 1985. He is also Vice President of Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. since 1985. Mr. Watsa formerly served as Vice President of GW Asset Management from 1983 to 1984 and in various positions, ultimately as a Vice President, with Confederation Life Investment Counsel from 1974 to 1983.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry� solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.RIM.com or www.BlackBerry.com.