http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C561oQoJSag

As many seem to be focusing on, the Samsung Galaxy Note is quite large. It’s 5.3″ screen is one of the biggest in the mobile phone market, however this shouldn’t be the focus of the entire debate over this device.  Aptly named, the Note seems to want to bridge between a tablet and a pocket smart phone.  Of course, being on AT&T’s 4G LTE wireless network, and armed with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, it is very fast.  But the real question is, does it actually serve as the best of both worlds?

In this video, I focused on how to use the integrated stylus, and if I believe the form really matches function.

Quick Reference (all while holding the button down):

1. double-tap on-screen; launches the quick note.
2. hold stylus on-screen; takes a screenshot.
3. swipe stylus up on-screen; loads options menu on bottom.
4. swipe stylus down in any app; returns you to home screen.

And if you like what you are reading on DadsOnTech please sign-up for daily updates. Additionally, please let me know — in the comments section — how you feel about using a stylus on your smartphone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHMN4UDl4Ko

Zev and I really enjoy automotive technology. For example, Zev is driving around this week in the 2012 Ford Explorer and he really likes it. He called me last night to tell me how “freaking awesome” Ford’s Active Park Assist is. I told him “I know!” Yep, we are just a bunch of geeky dads

In any event, we think the 2012 holds allot of great tech for the automobile industry. Here is a short list:

1. We will see OnStar FMV installed in more non-GM vehicles
2. OnStar will also get more applications from 3rd party developers due to the company’s open API
3. SYNC with MyFord Touch will simply get better
4. Automatic stop/start will find it’s whay into more vehicles
5. Better/smarter restraint systems — with Ford leading the way

So check out our video for more information.

So yesterday I was invited to a co-hosted Samsung – AT&T press meeting. It was a small intimate gathering at the James New York. When I first walked in, I was quickly drawn to the QWERTY 5 by Sarah Frost, which is located on an interior wall in the foyer. It’s a custom piece created for the James. And it is made up of thousands of recycled keyboard keys. This is a must see if you are ever in the neighborhood.

Sorry, I am digressing. So getting back to the Samsung Galaxy Note — it’s big! Yep, the smartphone is sitting at a healthy 5.3″. This thing is massive and it does not care who knows because the Note flaunts its size. When I saw Philip Berne — Marketing Manager, Technical Media — of Samsung handling the Note I simply could not look away.

When I asked why did Samsung think the World was ready for a 5.3″ smartphone, Philip said, “Samsung sees a need.” And when I asked why a stylus — AKA the S-Pen — Philip explained, “Samsung sees a need.” Now before you go condemning Philip or Samsung — Steve Jobs said the exact same thing when he worked on the Lucy, iMAC and most recently the iPad. And I think Samsung might be on to something here — I am just not sure what that something is, quite yet.

I mean the phone is awkward to hold in one hand — so you feel compelled to use two hands. And then there is this stylus which Samsung has christened the S-Pen; which only works on some apps. So is Samsung taking a gamble — perhaps even a large risk that the early majority and late majority will accept the Note for what it will be?

I asked the women at the table how they found the Note and they all said they enjoy it. They mentioned being able to hold the phone between shoulder and ear (comfortably) while running after soccer kids. And conveniently being able to read an eBook while waiting for their kids. As far as storage, the women said it fits into their purse just fine. Plus they can take quick notes of school meetings, jot down phone numbers and update the never ending Honey Do List. Philip says he just drops it into his front pocket and goes about his day.

I can see the Note filling a lifestyle need. It is small enough and big enough for that subset of consumer that does not want to carry around a smart phone and tablet. Additionally, the use of the S-Pen is natural — well at least for those that were born before 2005. I would suspect that most kids and teens know little about the good old days of handwriting.

So my first impression is that I like the Samsung Galaxy Note and I would use it as my primary digital device. But the S-Pen application must be ubiquitous throughout the entire Note user experience. If Samsung fails to produce an acceptable user experience in this regard — then I fear that the Note will be nothing more than a phablet.

Zev Green will have a full review of the Note next week so keep an eye on the DadsOnTech Publishing Schedule.

Some Specs:

• Android 2.3 (with an OTA of Android 4.0)
• 5.3-inch screen (1280×800 px)
• TouchWiz UI 4.0
• 1.4 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
• 1 GB RAM
• 4G LTE-ready (this is huge)
• At AT&T Wireless – $299.99 (available for pre-order now)
• 8-megapixel camera

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Post Image Credit: Wikipedia

So tomorrow Ford will be dropping off the 2012 Ford Explorer. I think this will be the first Ford that I have driven in a very long time.

But that does not mean I have not been covering Ford. Over the past year, I have been introduced a number of times to the Ford SYNC – a technology that I am very pleased with. Additionally, last year I took a trip to the Ford headquarters in Michigan where I was given the grand tour. And I was even given some time behind the wheel of a 2012 Explorer. It’s an impressive SUV.

Why was I impressed — because we went off-roading

Now, you want to talk about a test drive – my nerves were tested every second. We went up some very steep hills and went down some even steeper hills. At times, I felt as if the Explorer was going to topple over — but the SUV took to the off-road course very well. Now, while I am not the crazy about the exterior design the interior looks very nice.

Here are some quick stats:

• Standard 3.5-liter V6 with Ti-VCT
• 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost powertrain option for front-wheel-drive models
• Offers two levels of Ford SYNC
• Voice-activated communications and entertainment system
• BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert
• Explorer’s industry-exclusive rear inflatable seat belts
• MSRP: Starting at $28,995

So, sometime tomorrow I will give you my first impressions of the Explorer so stay tuned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU

I am a relatively new parent of a 3 year old boy. I love my little guy like I have never loved anyone before — and he has me wrapped around his little finger. But one thing that I refuse to tolerate from my son is any form of disrespect. So when watching this video I asked my self :

Could I ever do that? Could I ever go that far to prove my point to my son? I was surprised when I quickly answered, Yes!

Now I am not condoning the shooting of a laptop or even the destruction of one. I would have simply put the laptop away and grounded my son. But I guess each parent deals with their children as they see fit.

In any event, Zev and I are doing to talk a bit more about this on tonight’s podcast and it will be airing on Tuesday, on our YouTube Channel.

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Post Image: Women On The Fence

So back on January 26th I explained that Chevrolet was giving us the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox for a week-long test drive. Well, we received the Equinox yesterday morning. And my wife, Jessie Nuez, surprised me by picking me up from work. What I am most interested in testing is OnStar. Now, while we tested OnStar FMV – I hear the information that the integrated OnStar gives you is rather incredible.

So, the photograph in this post is of the actual Equinox — which I took yesterday before it started snowing.  It is a really good looking car inside and out. And the list of positives and negatives is a combination of our first impressions:

Positives

• Cock pit style interior
• Information screen has lots of info and easy to navigate
• The real-time traffic messages in the information screen is a huge plus
• From the information screen home tab you can access — your phone,  XM weather, XM traffic, GPS & audio features
• Blind spot mirrors in the side mirrors are very helpful
• Easy child car seat installation — the hooks are visible for easy installation
• Getting weather notification in the dashboard is a plus

Negatives

• The breaking is slow — you have to really depress the break (almost all the way)
• It’s a heavy SUV so turns are heavy — you have to use some elbow grease when making those turns
• It doesn’t provide the music info, i.e. song title, artist — on regular radio (update: playing regular radio — now showing information on some songs) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuph9FXGGVw

So Zev and I love TV’s and yes — it must be a guy thing. We have a buddy that recently purchased a 70″ TV and I just purchased a 60″ Sharp smart TV. We also reviewed the Toshiba 47TL515U 47-inch Natural 3D. Now while we liked the TV — we felt that 3D is an over-rated feature. I think that we will see less marketing about 3D features in 2012.

This year will be all about the smart TV. Why — because of the laundry list of apps like, Twitter, Pandora, Netflix, Vudu, etc. Additionally, we will see more LED TVs and OLED TVs which will drive down the purchase price. Smart TV conversion kits will also be prevalent, in 2012. We will also see a trend in very thin TVs thanks to the OLED technology.

And super-HD will also be seen more this year. These TVs will come in three flavors — 2K, 4K and 8K. We are talking massive resolution here — from 2448×1080 on the 2K to 7680×4320 on the 8K. Unfortunately, that massive resolution comes at a rather steep price point.

My hopes are the we will see an iTV from Apple this year. And hopefully we will see more gesture-driven TVs — think Xbox Kinect built into your TV.

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Image Credit: Rantes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXCx6u235Ow

Unfortunately, I suffer from sleep apnea and I know of a number of friends that also suffer from this condition. I have read a number of  reports that indicate — Americans are not only sleep deficient but over stimulated. This stimulation comes in the form of caffeinated drinks and sugar.

So instead of getting a good nights rest we simply go for a quick fix and caffeinate or grab a chocolate bar. Instead, we should all be taking an active roll in our sleep health. Sleep, is one of the most important factors in being and staying healthy. But how do you make certain that you are sleeping well — do you tell your mom, spouse, dog, boyfriend or girlfriend to watch you as you sleep? That might not be the best option and a bit odd

So enter the Sleeptracker Elite. This is a watch that will not only keep track of how well you have slept but it will give you a nice report — showing you how well or poorly you slept. If there is an indication that there is an issue; these report can then be given to your doctor.

P.S. I am very sorry about the lip smacking — very, very annoying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIP8IsawHyg

So yesterday Verizon Wireless reached out to me about their new service – Usage Controls. The service is rather useful and it expands the features that are being introduced in the Parental Control Center and Verizon Safeguards. I commend Verizon for creating a set of services – Usage Controls, Family Locator, Content Filters, Time Restrictions and Trusted Numbers — which help parents provide a safer digital experience for our kids.

Here are a few of the new features:

• Block calls and messages to and from up to 20 numbers of your choosing
• Block calls to 411 Directory Assistance
• Block incoming calls from numbers listed as private, restricted or unavailable
• Create a list of up to 20 trusted numbers (mobile or landline)

Again all good features — but what is upsetting is the fact that Verizon’s Usage Controls is $4.95 per month per-line. Not for nothing but this is a feature aimed at families and $4.99 per line is a bit expensive. I am simply tired of mobile operators billing a family as if they were separate accounts. To add insult to the monthly injury — the actors in the commercial are delighted that the new service is only $4.99.

And to add more oil to the fire — I commented about my displeasure on Verizon’s YouTube Channel, yesterday afternoon (about 5-ish EST). Well, I would have you know that Verizon moderates their channel. Yes, in order for your comment to be posted on Verizon’s YouTube Channel — Verizon must first approve the comment.

As of this post, Verizon has 96 videos up on their YouTube Channel. I checked a random handful (about 20) of video’s and oddly enough — the comments are few and the majority are positive. Are they filtering comments — I really don’t know and I hope not.

In any event, my comment is now up on Verizon’s Channel — I am just curious why did it take 17 hours?

So Zev and I are heading to the Electronic Arts press event, tomorrow. As I mention in previously the presentation will be hosted by EA COO Peter Moore. He will be featuring product news and announcements. Then, we will be able to take a look at some EA titles, which will be available in the upcoming months. Here is that list from EA:

• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13
• Mass Effect 3
• SSX
• Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
• The Sims 3 Showtime
• Syndicate
• New titles from EA Mobile, PopCap, Playfish and Chillingo and more
• Titles on all consoles and platforms, including the latest for mobile and iPad