When the original version of the Samsung Galaxy Note was unveiled by the Korean smartphone and tablet manufacturer last year, it was met with a mixed reaction from our smartphone-crazed brethren. Obviously, the handset was a niche device because of its massive screen, and consequently massive size. Nobody expected though that the phablet will become as popular as it is now. In fact, Samsung claims that it already managed to sell 7 million units of the Samsung Galaxy Note since the phablet hit the shelves last year – a testament to the seeming popularity of the handset.
The Samsung Galaxy Note was not supposed to make it to US shelves but AT&T was able to work with Samsung in getting the phablet released to the US market. The device also made it to Canadian shores where it was offered by Telus and other wireless providers north of our border.
We all know that the ICS update for the Samsung Galaxy Note got postponed but has finally landed on the original version of the device and the Android 4.0 refresh for the phablet included a Premium Suite of applications designed to let you take advantage of the handset’s S-Pen stylus. The carrier-branded versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note are still waiting for it though as to be expected.
As for the Telus variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note, the carrier released its updated ICS list a couple of weeks ago where it specified that the phablet will get upgraded to ICS in early July. This was expected because carriers rarely announce the actual date of release of any major update such as the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for that matter. More recently, Telus released its updated ICS update schedule and this time around, we already have a date on when we can expect the Telus version of the Samsung Galaxy Note to finally get its tasty treat of Ice Cream Sandwich. Based on the document, the ICS update will finally land on the Telus phablet on July 13 and will also bring the Premium Suite of applications to the fold. In the same document, Telus confirmed that its version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will get ICS in late July while its Galaxy Tab 8.9 will get the update in August.
The Telus version of the Samsung Galaxy Note includes the circuitry that revolves around its QualComm MSM8660 SnapDragon chipset. Its snappy and smooth operation on the other hand is courtesy of its dual-core Scorpion processor clocked at 1.5 GHz and 1GB of RAM. The internal memory onboard the device is pegged at 16GB but its memory expansion slot can support microSD cards of up to 32GB. Its massive display on the other hand measures 5.3 inches and is of the SuperAMOLED variety and has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It also comes with a dual-shooter configuration with its rear 8MP shooter and front 2MP webcam.
The AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy Note is available starting at $199.
June 20, 2012 at 8:52 am
Ugh…Stop saying “phablet.” Only a few idiots are using this ugly non-word, and now it the time to kill it.