This is all you see in a pitch black room, with the Night Clock activated on the Note Edge panel. The lack of brightness is perfect.
To setup the night clock on the edge panel, go into the panel settings, select night clock on, then adjust the slider for the on and off times. A maximum 12 hours is permitted and if battery drops to 15% or less it is deactivated.
This is a quick update on my first 4 hours with the Samsung Note Edge.
Hardware – absolutely gorgeous, much nicer than the Note 4. The curved edge really helps add to the overall package.
Software – surprisingly it’s a polished affair. In fact, it feels better finished than the Note 4.
Installation – having 2 step on everything really slows down the setup of a new device but most apps and services are now running. I restored my Samsung account which pulled back my texts messages, bookmarks, S Health data and more. Google account is all signed in. So far about 90 apps are all configured. Now the long delay of installing 40 large games and another 50 apps, so now the Edge is on the charger. 400 photos installed on memory card. 3,000 songs added.
Edge screen – all configured and downloaded a few extras. In the 4 hours since using the device it’s been rather handy.
Screen panel – subjective but it seems better than the one on the Note 4!
I’ve got lots more to say but for now.
Final thought. The standard Note 4 should never have been made. The Note Edge is cutting edge.
One more thought. My Note 4 is for sale!
News will be late today. Why?
Because of the Note Edge arrival.
Stay tuned.
Arstechnica examined the dangers of using the Samsung Gear VR headset. The dangers were provided by Samsung. Here goes –
“Before purchasing the Innovator Edition from Samsung’s website, you have to certify you’ve read a 1,000-word set of “Gear VR Product Use Warnings”
1) You should take a break of at least 10 to 15 minutes after every half-hour of use, Samsung warns, “even if you do not think you need it.” In addition, children under the age of 13 shouldn’t use the unit at all, and older children should be monitored by adults and play only for limited amounts of time to avoid adverse symptoms.
2) Stop using Gear VR immediately if you experience “seizures, loss of awareness, eye strain, eye or muscle twitching, involuntary movements, altered, blurred, or double vision or other visual abnormalities, dizziness, disorientation, impaired balance, impaired hand-eye coordination, excessive sweating, increased salivation, nausea, light-headedness, discomfort or pain in the head or eyes, drowsiness, fatigue, or any symptoms similar to motion sickness.
3) Prolonged use of the Gear VR and input devices (e.g. controllers) can make your muscles, joints, or skin hurt” or lead to “tingling, numbness, burning, or stiffness.
4) The risk doesn’t stop after you’re done using Gear VR either. Samsung’s warning compares some of these symptoms to those experienced after getting off a cruise ship, in that they “can persist and become more apparent hours after use. You could see “excessive drowsiness and decreased ability to multi-task” after using the Gear VR and shouldn’t drive, operate heavy machinery, or undertake “visually or physically demanding activities that have potentially serious consequences” until those symptoms go away.
5) Because the Gear VR requires “an unimpaired sense of motion and balance,” it shouldn’t be used “when you are tired, need sleep, are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are hung-over, have digestive problems, are under emotional stress or anxiety, or when suffering from cold, flu, headaches, migraines, or earaches, as this can increase your susceptibility to adverse symptoms.” The Gear VR should always be used while sitting, far away from “other people, objects, stairs, balconies, windows, furniture” that can be bumped. It should also never be used when in a moving vehicle, which Samsung warns could increase the adverse symptoms.
6) Do not handle sharp or otherwise dangerous objects while using the Gear VR. Never wear the Gear VR in situations that require attention, such as walking, bicycling, or driving.”
7) Aside from affecting you, using the Gear VR can also affect the performance of the Galaxy Note 4 strapped inside in the short-term. When used for a long time in the Gear VR, the phone “may become hotter than normal,” leading to “degraded” application performance or outright termination”
Based on all of the above warnings, I’ve decided for the time being not to buy this product and wait to see the side effects suffered by those that use it first. I also don’t fancy my Note 4 being terminated!
Before I start this post, let me state this is not an iPhone bashing exercise. It is merely my reasons for choosing the Note 4 over the iPhone 6 Plus.
Some background. I’ve owned the iPhone 6 Plus since 25th September and the Note 4 from 6th November 2014. My views on the iPhone 6 Plus. It is the best iphone ever produced by Apple. A decent 1080p screen panel, reasonable loudspeaker, good battery life and camera but too slippery. It needs a case. Fortunately Apple sell 2 cases, a silicone and leather. The Apple leather case really makes it feel great in the hand and grippy. The other positive aspect of the 6 Plus is beautiful designed apps, many of which work in landscape too. Running iOS 8, it is a fairly smooth affair but not without bugs and odd crashes. However, for most people this is a perfect phone.
But not for me. After a while the 6 Plus becomes boring. I can’t change the icons or home screen layout. I can’t add the odd useful widget or two. But I can with the Note 4. So what else about the Note 4 made me keep it over the 6 Plus? Let’s create a short list as to why :-
1) the Note 4 has a better screen resolution and a better screen for all scenarios and lighting. Bright sunlight visibility is beyond amazing. Nightime reading is a joy as the screen goes really dark. The QHD makes everything a joy to use
2) Customisable in every way possible. Different launchers, icons, widgets and more. The most common button on my infra red remote software is the dvd open/close button. This single button is added to my second home screen as a widget icon for speed.
3) Camera – the Note 4 camera produces better quality shots period. Then there is 4K video. 1080p video stabilises better on the Note 4 too.
4) S Pen and the feature set of software included. Use it daily and love it.
5) USB OTG, USB peripherals all work great on the Note 4 . This extends to my recent article about using an USB DAC for amazing music reproduction.
6) Moga game Controller. Better supported on android, period. Game emulators also supported.
7) Multitasking with 2 apps on screen. Other Multitasking options.
8) Loudspeaker – it’s not the loudest but it’s very clear with voice so ideal for spoke navigation or podcasts.
9) Infra red blaster. I use it and it replaces the need for all my remotes.
10) Proper communication standards and support. Eg full access to NFC, bluetooth profiles, usb, file sharing, wifi direct and more.
11) Selection of default apps. Eg browser or email client.
12) Grips better in the hand without the need for a case.
13) Already has support for android wear wearables, other wearables and Samsung smart watches like the Gear S which is at the bleeding edge of technology. And let’s not forget support for the Samsung VR headset.
14) Fast charging support. Ultra Power saving mode. Both of these modes are excellent in their own rights. Having a low battery is never a concern as you can either fast charge it or switch to the ultra power saving mode. Of course, the battery is removable so you could just swap batteries.
15) Memory card support up to 128gb.
16) Fingerprint scanner works well and with apps like PayPal. Internet passwords can be replaced using the fingerprint scanner too.
17) S Health features. Heart rate scanner. Oxygen levels scanner. UV sensors and many other sensors.
18) During a phone call recent email or messaging activity or if there is a birthday is displayed.
19) Adaptive sound. To setup adaptive sound the Note 4 takes you through a 5 min hearing test. With your headset or headphones on you listen for tones in each ear and confirm yes or no if you can hear anything. The sound curve is then adjusted to create a linear response. This works with music playback as well. You also also confirm which ear you answer calls with. You can save different profiles for each headphone or situation as well.
20) Contact grouping. You can create groups for your contacts and easily see who is in each group. With various services like LinkedIn , Google+ and others you have the option of adding the contact data in to your contacts.
I could go on but these are the main reasons. My next dilemma will be chosing between the Note 4 and the Note Edge. The Note Edge is expected to arrive end of next week.
This morning I manually checked for a firmware and there was a new one available. It’s 123.79mb. To manually check, go to settings app, about device, software update, and check for update. During update process 197 apps got optimised.
This is new firmware details.
Many people don’t like Touchwiz on Samsung phones due to the lag it often introduces. On the Note 4 there really isn’t any lag. Below are 2 setups on my Note 4. First up are screen shots using Touchwiz. Then from Nova Launcher. Whenever you use a third party launcher you lose some of widgets like the monthly calendar and location widgets shown below that I really like.
The above screen is a left swipe on the Touchwiz home screen. You don’t get this when using Nova Launcher. Now below is Nova Launcher.
So which style do you prefer?
Clove Technology have reviewed already the new Yotaphone 2, the phone with 2 sides. One is a normal 1080p panel and the other an electronic paper display like that used in some ereaders. Watch the video review below and decide is this something you would pay £550.
I’ve not used or seen the phone yet but I would have concern about scratching one of the screens whilst resting the other down, even though both are protected by gorilla glass 3. The internal hardware specs aren’t special. 2 days battery life is nothing unusual if you have a Sony device like a Z3 or a Samsung Note 4.
Until I actually spent time I won’t pass final judgement but it certainly is unusual. What do you think?
Let’s look at some evidence.
From Samsung Tomorrow they explain the lengths Samsung went to design the Gear S and its intelligent design, prowess and usefulness.
A quote ” This was the first time a wearable device offered such connectivity. And as the Gear S is significantly smaller than smartphones, Samsung engineers had to get creative to fit the necessary components and modules into the device. For example, to implement notification features on wearables, Samsung had to use its own relay server. This relay server would facilitate forwarding of notifications from smartphones to the Gear S ”
From Engadget’s Review of the Gear S
Quote “Samsung Gear S review: an ambitious and painfully flawed smartwatch” I always wonder whether these big sites can get a proper appreciation of a product after a few days!
And yet below is a video from Motorola showing why you need the Moto 360. It’s quite funny and only 15 seconds. But if that is why you buy an android wear watch then it truly is a pointless product at the moment and the video sort of highlights it’s current limited use.
So here I am nearly one month later with my Gear S. And as far as I am concerned it is still the best smart watch for me out there currently. It is not waiting on any updates to add extra functionality. It does everything as advertised. Android Wear is too much version one and unfinished. The Gear S is an excellent fitness device. It is also a phone, music player. Maintains an easy to find list of notifications. Allows replies to emails and texts either with a Samsung phone connected or without. And the remote feature works so well. I have apps that are useful to use on a small screen. Plus it’s not dependent on your voice due to the on screen keyboard. I also think it looks great. Now if you don’t agree I understand 🙂
Headphones. There are plenty of headphones reviews on Gavin’s Gadgets. I have used many and many others which I have not reviewed, so happy to share an opinion if I can. Headphone reviews saved under reviews accessories.
But this is now the 21st century. And there is a new breed of headphone. What happens when you take hi tech to the limit. Headphones with sensors. Headphones that talk in your language. Headphones with the latest codecs. Headphones with upgradeable firmware. 24 hour battery life. Cable or without. Headphones that think. This must be an item of science fiction. Or is it?
And then let’s take a headphone of a few years back. Now reduced in Black Friday sales costing around £19.99. It’s basic , looks old hat but can looks be deceiving ?
Not a fair comparison. Ok so let’s add a few more headphones into the mix.
Coming soon The OAPS fight Tron.
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