TechLore - Caffeinated Pixels

CES 2013 Provides No Answers to My Tablet Dilemma

Peter Redmer — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:06:59 GMT

From the safe, somewhat chilly confines of my Chicagoland abode, I have been remotely watching the goings-on at CES in sunny Las Vegas. So far, I've seen some pretty sweet gadgets: Window cleaning robots! Nanocoating for cellphones! Roving game balls!

However, the news I'm seeing on the tablet/cellphone front is, for lack of a better word, boring. Sure, there's the Windows 8 all-in-one laptops/tablets and the Surface Pro, but we've known about those for some time... plus, the Surface Pro is more laptop than tablet IMO (with battery life to match, I'm guessing.) The Ubuntu mobile OS is exciting, but way too far off, and may very well be dead/outdated before it even hits. BlackBerry 10 looks promising, but will it get the developer and consumer support it needs after being asleep at the wheel for so long? Who knows.

This serves as a reminder of how difficult it is to get one device that does all the things I want well, which is partly due to hardware, partly due to software, and largely due to limitations of said software. This is part of the reason I recently acquired a Microsoft Surface, a tablet I've fallen in love with, but still can't replace both my Nexus 7 and my iPad mini. I figured it was a good time to break down what I'd really like to see in a tablet, by discussing who's ahead and who's behind for each feature.

Gaming: iPad mini

Due to its perfect size, low weight, and HUGE selection of apps, iPad mini is the clear winner for gaming by a long shot. Both the Nexus 7 and Microsoft Surface have a powerful gaming chip, but fall short on selection. Plus, the Surface is a terrible form factor for mobile gaming.

Emulation: Nexus 7

If you're into emulation at all, I won't have to go into too much detail here, but Android by far has the best support for the emulation crowd, plus the best selection of apps. Apple doesn't even allow "emulators" on the App Store in the classic sense.

Reading: iPad mini

The iPad wins once again in the reading department due to its shape and low weight, although the Nexus 7 isn't far behind.

Browsing: Microsoft Surface

So far, I have enjoyed Internet browsing the most on the Surface, due to the gorgeous widescreen display, clean view of Metro's version of Internet Explorer, and the additional benefit of touchpad support with the Smart Cover.

Sharing: Nexus 7

The Nexus 7, or any Android device really, is vastly ahead in the sharing department due to the integrated share widget. I can send a link anywhere from the share function, whether it be to Twitter, Buffer, Google+, Evernote, email, Gmail, Pinterest, Pinboard, the list goes on. You name it, Android can share it there. Not so with iOS, where sharing has to be built into the app, and on Windows RT, which can do it but simply doesn't have the developer support available for every app.

Audio: Nexus 7

I take my music listening somewhat seriously, and as such a dedicated equalizer is crucial for me. The Nexus wins simply because Android allows for a custom EQ program to run in the background and be active for any app. I haven't found anything on Windows RT that allows me to do this, and iOS simply won't let you, unless the app has a built in EQ. This does me no good, as the uPnP sharing apps I've tried don't allow this, which brings me to my next point...

Media Streaming: Nexus 7

I store all my media on a uPnP/DLNA server which is accessible by any network device in my home... screw iTunes. As such, music streaming on the iPad is largely broken, requiring me to use either a bare bones, crap-app or a paid app. Several apps on the Surface do support uPnP playback, including Microsoft's own, but they're clunky and slow -- plus, the EQ issue still exists. However, on the Nexus 7, I can stream music with uPnPlay (an unfortunately named, but fantastic app) with an EQ running in the background. Problem solved.

Video Streaming: Microsoft Surface

Simply due to the screen, the Surface wins out. Its widescreen format may be unique, but is perfect for watching movies.

Doing Actual Work: Microsoft Surface

One of the main reasons I bought the Surface was for performing "real work," that meaning spreadsheets, professional documents, and so on. The smart keyboard cover is brilliant, and I can type at near full speed on it with ease, plus it takes up no extra space in my bag. I can run native Word and Excel as well as have access to Microsoft's Lync client. Yes, the other tablets have programs that can do this, but the Surface combines a "real" keyboard, a "real" touchpad, and "real" Windows all in a very convenient package, plus Remote Desktop.

Switching Between Apps: Microsoft Surface

The "multitasking" features of Windows RT are fantastic. I love the Charms and the ability to quickly and effortlessly swipe between apps, as well as the dual-pane interface. iOS's app switching sucks, to put it bluntly, and Android's is solid, but nowhere near as fluid.

Maybe next CES I'll see the perfect tablet.

Or perhaps not -- it seems that in today's landscape, you simply can't have it all. Of course, the gadget geek's solution is to simply own all three. (Thanks Craigslist!)

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I Found The Perfect iPad Mini / Nexus 7 Tablet Stand...

Peter Redmer — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:19:04 GMT

...and it was only 12 stinkin' bucks.

My whole life, I've zealously protected my gadgets with cases and screen protectors, and in recent times, cases with built-in stands for my tablets.

However, the current crop of svelte, super-sexy tablets like my iPad mini and Asus Nexus 7 demand to be used "naked." The iPad mini feels positively industrial, almost alien, due to its cool metal backing and extreme thinness. The Nexus 7 feels familiar yet sporty with its "perforated" rubberized back, which resembles (not coincidentally, I imagine) a leather-wrapped sports car steering wheel.

I don't want to experience these devices with "protection." I want to raw dog these gorgeous gadgets.

Do you know how hard that is to do without getting a full case with built in stand? Do you? Try going to your local Awesome Buy or Office Shmaxx and getting just a stand that can be used to prop your tablet up without wrapping it up in some stupid overpriced sheath. I finally found one, of the Rocketfish variety, but it had several fatal flaws. First was that in landscape mode, the top of the stand would awkwardly stick out over the top. Lame. Second was that it was made of metal. Yes, there was a little rubber Rocketfish logo on the back to (presumably) stop the tablet from scraping the metal, but it was thin and useless. It would have scratched the living daylights out of my shiny new iPad mini. No thanks.

I had almost given up when I found this little gem on Amazon: the AmazonBasics fold-up travel stand. This thing is seriously boss, I tell you. Only the U.S. Gymnastics team is more flexible, plus it does a great job securing both tablets, which are different sizes and form factors.

Each contact surface is covered with a soft, grippy material that not only holds the tablet in place but prevents damage. Plus, the bottom surfaces are covered with this as well, allowing the stand to stay firmly planted whether on a table, desk, or even a pillow while you're sitting on the couch. It even feels pretty sturdy and well made.

In short -- this ended my search for a sensible, reasonably-priced way to prop my tablets up during use while retaining the ability to experience them case free.

It's a no brainer for under $12 on Amazon.

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From PC to Mac and Back: For Me, Apple Isn't As Fun Anymore

Peter Redmer — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:32:20 GMT

I can't hold it in any longer. I'm experiencing some serious cognitive dissonance here with some of my recent choices regarding technology. Back in the day, I was a hardcore dedicated DOS guy. Between running my own BBS (it was called The Laughing Dog. I need to dig up some of my ANSI/ASCII art one of these days) playing Doom over 2400 baud modem and watching demoscene intros, I couldn't imagine using a Mac. I ridiculed the PowerMacs we had at my high school -- they simply felt sluggish and limited to me.

When OS X was first introduced, however, Mac was going through a huge renaissance. I was intrigued, and was slowly introduced to the world of Apple through a co-worker. A year later, I pulled the trigger on an iBook G3, and for many years, I could easily have been labeled a "fanboy." Yes, the annoying kind that recommended Apple to hapless, frustrated Windows XP and Vista users, stating that "you should just get a Mac, X thing would be so much easier, blah blah blah." Several iPods and and upgraded MacBook later, I found myself spending the big bucks on the first iPhone after a brief stint with a Treo 650 (running Palm OS before that went all to hell) and a Samsung BlackJack with Windows Mobile (ugh.)

The iPhone and iOS in general completely changed the way I viewed mobile technology. Saying it was a game changer was an understatement of colossal proportions. It really did feel magical -- there was simply nothing else even remotely like it on the market, limitations aside. I could safely say that it was WAY better than the alternatives. I happily upgraded to an iPhone 3G after saying I wouldn't. I was overjoyed with the speed and finesse of the iPhone 4, with a to-die-for Retina Display.

I eagerly waited in line to buy the first iPad, which once again completely changed my perspective on what a computer can be, and I now cannot imagine living without multiple tablets in my home. I even wrote a short piece chronicling this journey, and I stick to mostly everything I said then. (Exception being that I am more productive on a PC now, more just because of usage time.)

Things for me are completely different now. It started with the release of Windows 7 -- an OS I have never had problems with. It's fast, stable, and simply just great, and vastly superior for gaming. I stopped telling people to just "get a Mac," and instead offered up some quick tips to keep Windows running smoothly. (Mac needs maintenance too.) I grew bored with iPhone (and its usually terrible call quality). I longed for something to tweak, something to hack, something to overclock, leading me to purchase my first Android phone. The advent of Steam as a integrated gaming platform and the rise of indie games into the mainstream spurned me on to build a new gaming PC with Windows 7.

Now, I do most of my work on my Windows PC or laptop, and some work on my Mac Mini, but not as much. I no longer have an iPhone and am sporting a Galaxy Note instead, which I view to be far superior as a tool. I use my Nexus 7 tablet for almost everything except for games, given that the library for iPad is so massive and I have so much invested there.

This move to the "other side" has gradually introduced a love of "openness" in me, producing questions like this:

Why can't I sideload an app on my iPad?
Why is it so damn hard to use an equalizer with any audio app on my iPad?
Why is my Mac Mini trying to look like a tablet OS?
Why did iTunes screw up all my ID3 tags so they only work in iTunes but aren't recognized anywhere else?
Why won't Home Sharing communicate with uPnP or DLNA devices instead of only iDevices and iTunes clients?
Why can't I easily overclock or tweak my iPhone?
Why does Apple fight "jailbreakers?"

The list goes on and on, but I don't want this to be a rant. (I mean we all DO know why they do these things.)

Using Apple products used to feel like something special -- things were changing and evolving rapidly, the product was vastly superior in so many ways, and it didn't feel like Apple was the big evil or anything like that. Now, it seems that perhaps they have become a victim of their own success in every way but profitability. iOS is largely stagnant. The new iPad and iPad Mini are hardly innovative; the Mini is a reaction to the popularity of smaller Android tablets (as well as technologically outdated with a lower resolution display and old processor) and the "new new" iPad is yet another incremental upgrade.

However, they don't dare change the mobile platform. It would be like butchering just the udders from a glorious, glowing, massive, beautiful cash cow whose milk was cast of the purest liquid cocaine-laced gold. While teens and hipsters are busily suckling away at that precious teat, geeks like me crave something with a bit more substance and flexibility.

Every decision they make seems to focus on the following:

Dumbing things down as much as possible.
Encouraging interoperability with other Apple devices only.
Locking things down as much as possible to ensure a consistent, worry-free experience. (Examples: no side loading of apps, no overclocking or underclocking, no jailbreaking, limited interaction between apps on iOS, and so on)
Making sure your experience is exactly the one they want you to have.
Leveraging #'s 1-4 to make as much money as possible.

I think that Andrew Nusca said it best:"An accessible Apple is a pleasant Apple but a more tedious one."

Apple will still be part of my technology life for the time being -- I still enjoy my Mac Mini and iPad 2 -- but rather than the star of the show, it's more of an extra at this point. I'm curious to see if others feel the same way, and why.

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Yet Another Branded Headphone? Review of SOUL by Ludacris SL150's

Peter Redmer — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:21:17 GMT

Before you dismiss me as a slave to the marketing machine--I discovered a long time ago that when it comes to headphones, I'm definitely not the "audiophile" type. My taste in music gravitates to hardcore electronic music, bass-heavy deep house, and virtually all types of metal ranging from brutal death to Viking, and butt-bouncing, stanky funk--with a sprinkle of chillout, classic rock, and bluegrass, but I digress. The point is that I want a headphone with presence, punch, killer bass, and a powerful sound.

This is what drew me to the Beats by Dre Solo's, which certainly provided the bass punch I was looking for. I was very happy with them, but alas, they recently experienced a snap in the plastic headband, rendering them effectively uselsss. Of course, I used this as an excuse to upgrade to a nicer pair. Why not the Beats by Dre Studios, you ask? Too damn expensive. So I looked elsewhere, and given the positive reviews I was finding, I went with the SOUL by Ludacris SL150's (which are made by Signeo USA). And I have not been disappointed.

Build Quality of the SOUL by Ludacris SL150

The SOUL's seem higher quality than the Beats by Dre Solos--I was happy with the construction of the Solo's, but the SL150's feel more solid, especially in the construction of the headband. The ear cups are sturdier with less "play" and the head cushion is nicely stitched and padded.

They fit nicely on my (large) head, although they are a bit snug. I've since gotten used to them, and can imagine that anyone with anything but the most massive of domes will be fine with these cans.

Look & Feel of the SL150

As far as how they look... they're a bit flashy for me. Mine are the "CB," or Chrome and Black model. The aforementioned black finish is of the very shiny, very glossy, very fingerprint-y variety and practically begs to be noticed. Nobody will ever not see you wearing these futuristic, flashy head-mounted speakers. Plus, they stick out quote a bit, making me feel like I might be able to communicate with extraterrestrials or intercept signals from a distant galaxy with them donned.

However, I don't care if I look like a space cadet, since I won't be going out in public with them, ever. Be warned that you'll need to be able to really pull off the look if you plan on sporting these anywhere but plopped down on your couch.

How do the SOUL by Ludacris SL150's Sound?

In a word, awesome. That doesn't mean anything though, and here we get into the difficult part of reviewing headphones--it's largely subjective. My opinion is that the SL150's are an improvement on my old Solos in every single possible way.

For my listening preferences, the SL150's are a perfect fit. They provide pounding, rumbling bass that never clips or becomes muddy, which the Solos did on occasion. Noise isolation is excellent, considering they are not active noise canceling cans. I noticed they may not isolate outside sounds quite as well as the Solos, but it's a very minor difference. The midrange is excellent--while the Solos did well here, the SL150's sound fuller and more natural. This applies to the high frequencies as well--no ear-splitting harshness to be found.

The main difference between the SL150's and the Solos are that the SL150's are much, much more balanced. The sound is not only powerful, but far more natural sounding than the Solos.

Conclusions

Should you buy the SOUL by Ludacris SL150's? i think it depends largely on how you like your music to sound, and what types of music you listen to. If you gravitate to classical, jazz, country, vocal, world, easy listening, or any other type of music where balance and accuracy in sound is crucial, these may not be for you.

On the other hand, if you listen to hip-hop, rap, classic rock, heavy metal, electronica, or any other in-your-face musical style where power and punch are important, the SL150's really fit the bill--and accomplish the task with more finesse and balance than their Dr. Dre-backed competitors. Even the pro at InnerFidelity (whose review inspired me to buy these) gives them a stamp of approval. (Note that review was written by someone who HATED the Beats by Dre Solos.)

Pros of the SOUL by Ludacris SL150's:

High quality construction
Excellent packaging
Comes with two connection cables (one with phone support) and a case
Balanced, powerful sound
Decent value when compared to competing products
Flashy appearance may appeal to some

Cons of the SOUL by Ludacris SL150's:

Not necessarily well suited for all types of music
Flashy appearance may be too much for some, may cause interstellar communications to be disrupted when worn
Noise isolation not as good as some other options
A bit snug for those in possession of a large cranium
Size makes them perhaps less portable, although they do fold

Right now, you can snag these from Amazon.com for under $160.

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First Step Into Fitness Gadgets: Review of the MOTOACTV GPS Android-Powered Smartwatch

Peter Redmer — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:29:52 GMT

Years ago, I blogged about what was probably my first ever fitness "gadget," or more accurately, fitness game--DDR. DDR, also known as Dance Dance Revolution, was my first step (pun intended) into utilizing technology to help further my fitness.

Since then, my primary gadgets for sweating off all that Thai food and beer have been MP3 players of some variety. I started with an Apple iPod Classic but found it too bulky, then switched to a Sansa Clip, which was later upgraded to a Sansa Clip+. Those little players have accompanied me on thousands of workouts, whether a simple elliptical session, a run through the weight circuit, kettlebell training, or even just a quick walk.

Recently though, partially inspired by my better half, who will be running a half marathon in September, I've taken up "running." I put running in quotes because I'm just a beginner and some may refer to it as jogging, but I digress. I like data, and therefore I like tracking, and one way to ensure I progress in my workouts is to log my performance each time--which I do religiously for my shovelglove and kettlebell sessions... and also wanted to apply to my runs.

I originally tried using my beloved Samsung Galaxy Note with the Google Tracks app and Bluetooth headphones. The Google Tracks app is pretty slick, and offers some interesting stats and a usable interface, but running with the phone in my pocket (or hip pack) was annoying and bulky. Plus, it was quite difficult to get an at-a-glance view of my current pace and distance without either dropping the phone or falling flat on my face while fiddling--not to mention the screen was very hard to see in bright sunlight (even when cranked to 11).

After several frustrating weeks of diddling around with this half-functional setup, I decided to purchase a device that would more accurately track my runs, eliminate the need to carry my phone with me, and function as an MP2 player--the MOTOACTV fitness watch. The MOTOACTV, as far as I can tell, seems to be flying somewhat under the radar. I don't hear much about it. There's a lot of squawking on the Internet about the Pebble watch, the Nike+ GPS watch, Garmin Forerunner products, and others--but not about the MOTOACTV. The device is so awesome, I'm surprised by that.

MOTOACTV Does It All

Considering that the MOTOACTV is built on Android, it's a pretty flexbile device, and has a lot of functionality built in. It can function as:

A digital watch with multiple dials to choose from
A pedometer
Workout tracker, including separate settings for walking, running, elliptical training, etc.
Golf tracker
Stopwatch
GPS tracker with dynamic moving map
Phone notification device via Bluetooth
MP3 Player
FM Radio

Motorola just added the golf features, so I imagine (hope) that even more functionality is on its way in future updates.

MOTOACTV Has Great GPS Tracking

Something the MOTOACTV does that my wife's Garmin Forerunner model does not is display a dynamic moving map of my route right on front of the device, complete with a moving cursor representing the wearer and the direction the wearer is headed. Pretty cool stuff if you ask me, and it's readable on the small screen, too. Plus, it's incredibly accurate (as good GPS should be)

MOTOACTV Has Awesome, Flexible On-The-Fly Workout Stats

The MOTOACTV is configurable and can display the statistics of your choice on the screen while you are working out. For me, I opt to have it display my current pace, my overall average pace, current time, and distance traveled. This makes it very simple for me to work on my pacing and to consistently determine my progress every time I go out. However, other users may want to see different statistics, such as heart rate (you need an external monitor for this, which I don't have), steps taken, calories burned, or other metrics.

MOTOACTV Has A Great Online Website, Plus a Mobile App, to Track Your Activities

Like other fitness devices such as Garmin and Nike+, the MOTOACTV portal gives users access to their stats for each workout. I can easily see an overview of my performance in each workout, tell my pace at any given point, and create a custom view of only the metrics I'm looking for.

I haven't played with the other features of the portal that much, but I do know that it can do a lot more than what I use it for, such as scheduling future activities. Plus, there's an Android app. I wasn't extremely impressed with it, as it doesn't always seem to sync properly and isn't nearly as good as the web-based app, but it's nice to have. (Note: I rarely use it.)

MOTOACTV is a Nice Piece of Hardware

I dare say that it's almost, if not at, Apple-like in quality. (Fanboys and fangirls, start your engines.) The screen is protected by beveled Gorilla Glass. The included wristband is sturdy and well-made. The unit itself is constructed of a nice brushed metal case and solid metal back and resembles a current-gen iPod nano. The buttons are nicely made metal snugly tucked into slightly raised openings and have a very reassuring click action, suggesting they won't be breaking down or falling off anytime soon. The touchscreen is as sensitive as my Galaxy Note or an iPhone, and is even reflective--meaning that it can be seen SUPER easily even in the brightest of sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor activities.

MOTOACTV Can Play Your MP3's, Too

I have to listen to music when I exercise. It isn't an option. I shut down if there isn't any music fueling my fire. Nothing helps me push through pain or exhaustion better than some (warning: loud audio links and some NSFW) epic metal blasting in my ears.

I still can't believe how easy this device makes it for me to listen to music while I run. Since it's Android, all one has to do is swipe to the Music tab (or use the hotkey button press) and browse through your tunes, pick one, play it, and progress to the Workout tab to start the workout. During the run, it's no problem to switch to the tab again and select a different song, album, or playlist--your workout will continue to track in the background. Alternately, the buttons on the headset or device can be pressed multiple times to advance tracks.

And no--it's not a problem to have the cable dangling from the watch while you run. It never gets in my way. The headphones come with a clip if the wearer wants to clip it to their shirt, and of course, Bluetooth headsets are supported as well.

MOTOACTV Is Rootable and Hackable

For Android lovers and those who just can't resist seeing all that a device can do, the MOTOACTV can be rooted and flashed with custom software. I have no desire to do this myself (I get plenty of action with my Note) but it's more than fast and capable enough to do so.

MOTOACTV Is a Really, Really Good Deal

When the device launched, it was a reasonable $250, a sum I would gladly pay for the device in its current state. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS, for example, is less than $250 but doesn't do as much as the MOTOACTV (including MP3) and the Garmin Forerunner 410 is $250--while it's undoubtably a fantastic GPS fitness device, it isn't as "cool" and it doesn't offer any MP3 functionality either, plus it only has a "touch bezel" and not a full touch screen. Speaking also as a watch lover (I own over 10 mechanical watches and 2 digital watches) I personally don't prefer touch bezels, and have found them difficult to use.

This brings me to the point--the MOTOACTV is currently only $150--less than both the Garmin and Nike+ products I mentioned. In addition, it comes packed with behind-the-ear headphones (which are designed to be sweat resistant and sound pretty decent) as well as the watch band and belt clip. In fact, Amazon has it for even less.

Conclusions

Overall, for less than $150 (shipped!) the MOTOACTV is a must have for anyone who wants an easy way to simultaneously listen to music and track their walks, runs, elliptical sessions, or even golf games. I still can't believe that a device that does so much, so well, can be had for so little.

I have heard and seen from some online sources that the MOTOACTV did have some reliability problems at launch. This, combined with the fact that the app originally supported only certain Motorola phones (and not all Android phones) as well as there being no iOS support, are what I'm guessing are contributing to the device's relative obscurity.

Don't let that faze you, though--the MOTOACTV in its current state is not only a bargain but a well-made, functional, solid fitness GPS watch that is likely to please all but the most demanding and professional runners.

(A final thought--the device is somewhat large when worn as a watch, and could be considered ugly by some. Those with small wrists or excessive fashion awareness might be better off using the clip.)

Buy one at Amazon for under $150!

Overview of MOTOACTV's Features

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Fascinated By A Phablet: Is The Galaxy Note Better, or Just Bigger?

Peter Redmer — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:04:08 GMT

America's obsession with size, whether large or diminutive, is an ongoing exercise in opposites, a constant battle between "thin is in" and "fat is fabulous." Cliches aside, society's always been obsessed with the mass of virtually anything, from models to fast food portion sizes--and the tech industry is no exception.

I'm used to the notion that technology has always strived to make things smaller--more portable ultrabooks/netbooks, tiny cellphones, and mini computers abound--and that is what is desirable. The Galaxy Note by Samsung challenges that concept, pushing the form factor of a candybar, all-screen mobile device to something not a smartphone, not yet a tablet either. This has been dubbed the "phablet" by some, and its success in the marketplace has been pretty solid.

Even through I've said great things about Sprint in the past, and recently switched to change to an Android phone, some recent troubles with customer service and reception quality led me to leave them and return to AT&T. This, of course, made a new phone purchase necessary, and I decided to go with the Note. Why, you ask!? What's it like to actually own one?

Yeah, it's big.

Don't listen to anyone who says "it's really not that big." It's definitely big.

In fact, I reject the term "phablet." It's too small to be a functional tablet of any sort.

It's just a huge phone.

A Huffington Post reviewer makes no bones about pointing this out repeatedly (dead horse, anyone?) People will notice it. People will comment on how big it is. One family member of mine quipped, "Is THAT your phone?" Why yes, yes it is.

So, leave your pride at the door. I doubt the stylish David Beckham would actually use the thing, beyond getting paid to hold it for a few seconds.

However, it's not really cumbersome.

Regardless of its relative enormity, the Note is quite comfortable to hold, even with my smallish fingers (I have huge wrists, but short digits. Go figure.) As such, I imagine larger-phalange'd people would have no problem with it. It fits nicely in a pocket, and is very slim, as well as not too heavy. Jokes about the much more ridiculous N-Gage aside--disclaimer, I owned one--it's also pretty comfortable to talk on and has great audio quality. Plus, the speaker isn't on the side, and it doesn't look like a taco.

I will say that it is difficult to use one-handed, but I don't see that as a huge disadvantage.

You can never go back once you see the Galaxy Note's screen.

The screen of this thing is seriously awesome. Not only is it bright and beautiful, but it's huge, and like a 60" TV compared to a 27", it's just not the same. I picked up my wife's Windows Phone with it's 3.5" screen and laughed; it was like typing an email on a Tic-Tac.

The S-Pen is cool.

"If you see a stylus, they blew it." The famous words of the iconic, legendary, late Steve Jobs probably came to the mind of most gadget geeks when first laying hands on the Note. However, I disagree in this case, since it doesn't need a stylus at all.

It's simple an option you can invoke when desired, and it works quite well. I found writing on the screen, even pressure sensitive strokes, to be accurate. The handwriting recognition leaves something to be desired, but I have a feeling most will be using this to notate screenshots, draw immature graffiti, or play games.

Either way, while I don't think it's a go-to feature, it's neat and actually useful.

Finding a case is difficult.

Prepare to search around for a case you like. This phone is an odd size, and most of what you find will either be too big, too small, too expensive, or some combination of the three. I ended up getting a Garmin GPS sleeve that fits it almost perfectly.

It's super fast and pretty power efficient, but not out of the box.

I really like AT&T. Never had any problems and their customer service is pretty great, although I had the typical iPhone service problems of the day. However, they suck for loading up this phone with evil bloatware. The average consumer who uses this thing out of the box is likely to be disappointed with battery life and speed.

Heed my advice and follow these steps:

Check out the XDA developers' forums and learn how to root the phone (it's easy)
Install Titanium Backup and delete all the bloatware
Install Juice Defender to maximize your battery life

If you want to go further, you can install a custom ROM and firmware (I heartily recommend this) and even overclock the phone if you want, but it really doesn't need that. Once you de-bloat and optimize the phone, you'll be blown away at how responsive it is, and how much battery life you can squeeze out.

Gaming is fantastic.

Not sure how much I need to go into detail on this, but with the gorgeous screen, larger form factor, and excellent 3D performance, this thing's a screamer for games.

Conclusions

For me, in this case, bigger is indeed better.

I'm hooked on the large screen of the Note not only because of its looks, but for how it makes the phone so much more functional and pleasurable to navigate
The form factor, while pretty massive compared to other phones, isn't cumbersome to hold or use
The processor and GPU have plenty of oomph
A solid amount of developer support
The S-Pen is pretty sweet and actually useful
Official ICS update coming soon
Pretty unique compared the ubuquitousness of other phones out there

You can score a Note from Amazon Wireless for $199.99, or pick up the unlocked international version for quite a bit more. (For the record, Best Buy matched Amazon's price for me!)

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