Samsung Galaxy Note II S Pen, Split Screen Features, Sub $100 Price Tag Explored

The Galaxy Note II is the second iteration of the original phablet that introduced the smart stylus S Pen to the smartphone marketplace. The original Galaxy Note was both praised and chastised for its large 5.30 inch display, but the handset went on to become a bestseller and flagship device for the wireless carriers that offered it. This second generation Galaxy Note smartphone/tablet provides an even larger display, measuring 5.55 inches, and offers a Multi-Window split screen feature to enhance productivity and multitasking.

The split screen allows you to separate the large display into two equal parts. You can then carry on entirely independent operations on each of the two screen halves. Watch a movie in one of the windows, while surfing the web or checking your e-mail in another, or carry on any number of other operations. But the real magic of this split window feature is when you move from one split screen to the other, and integrate the two. You can drop and drag applications, data, links and other info from one side of the split screen to the other, increasing your productivity and multitasking abilities.

The smart stylus S Pen has also been redesigned, and is longer and thicker than the original stylus on the first Galaxy Note. The result is a stylus which feels more natural when you are writing, doodling, taking notes or creating original artwork on the handset’s display. The same native handwriting recognition technology is integrated into the display and stylus, and recognizes your unique handwriting style. The Galaxy Note II has also been given contextual awareness, giving you the ability to interact with your display without touching it directly.

You can simply hover just above the screen, and you will be offered pop-ups that preview links, website information and other pertinent data. The handset also offers a great way to keep track of your stylus, allowing you to set visual and audible alarms which alert you when the S Pen and the Galaxy Note II move too far apart from each other. Also, as soon as you remove the stylus from its cradle, a pop-up appears that lists S Pen related applications. This includes the S Pen, S Memo & Zen Brush applications, as well as third-party apps.

The Galaxy Note II arrived on the Sprint 4G LTE system in late October of 2012, and was recently spotted at select online retailers starting at $99 on contract. The large 5.55 inch Super AMOLED screen is aligned in a 16 to 9 aspect ratio, generally thought to be the best format for True HD viewing. Resolution runs 720 x 1,280 pixels, and the processor is an Exynos Quad core model clocked at 1.6 GHz. 2.0 GB of RAM is on board, a microSD slot is provided, and video capture runs 1,080P HD with the rear facing 8.0 megapixel camcorder.