Samsung’s newest addition to the Galaxy family arrived at our doorstep this morning, so what better way to introduce you than with an unboxing. The Galaxy Note 8.0 features an 8″ WXGA 1280 x 800 LCD display, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, 2GB of LPDDR2 RAM, a 5MP back-facing camera, and a 4,600 mAh battery.

The deal breaker, at least in my eyes, is that the U.S. variant of this device does not come will cell radios inside. So no, this is not a massively over-sized phone. Maybe I am the only one who is disappointed by this. The device is already on sale here in America and can be picked up for $399.

Catch the full hands-on unboxing below. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Unboxing is a post from: Droid Life

Samsung announced this morning that the Galaxy Note 8.0 will arrive in the U.S. this week, on April 11 for $399. This is the WiFi-only version with 16GB and will be available online and in stores at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, h.h. gregg, Newegg, Staples and TigerDirect.

Originally announced at MWC back in February, the Note 8.0 covers the middle ground of Samsung’s Note line, with a screen size sandwiched between the Note 10.1 and Galaxy Note 2. The device sports a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 8″ (1280×800) display, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage (plus microSD slot), 4600mAh battery, and runs Android 4.1.2. It also comes equipped with Samsung’s now-famed S Pen and a suite of apps that can take advantage of it like Air View, Multi Window, and Awesome Note.

As a bonus, users will be awarded 50GB of Dropbox storage for two years with purchase. A limited number of early adopters will also receive a $25 Google Play gift card.

At $399, it’s not priced insanely high by any standards, so it should fill a nice niche that is currently only taken up by the iPad Mini. Or I’m also out of my mind.

Samsung Brings Power and Portability to the U.S. with the Galaxy Note® 8.0 Tablet 

In stores April 11, the Galaxy Note 8.0 delivers an unparalleled tablet experience for work and play 

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – April 9, 2013 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announces that the Galaxy Note 8.0 is coming to the U.S. market on April 11. Unveiled globally at Mobile World Congress in February, the Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available in stores and online at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy/Best Buy Mobile, h.h. gregg, Newegg, P.C. Richard & Son, Staples and TigerDirect.com.

A mid-sized addition to the Galaxy Note family of products, the Galaxy Note 8.0 has the power and advanced technology to enable multi-tasking at home, at work or on the go. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is the perfect size for entertainment and productivity, with unrivaled multimedia performance in a compact format. The S Pen has evolved to improve everyday usability with Air View; and Multi Window now supports more apps to perform tasks simultaneously allowing users to do more.

“The Galaxy Note defined an entirely new smartphone category and the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet redefined the tablet experience for consumers,” said Travis Merrill, vice president of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “With the Galaxy Note 8.0, we fully expect to ignite the mid-size tablet market Samsung pioneered with the first Galaxy Tab. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and packs the power needed for full mobile entertainment and productivity.”

Galaxy Note 8.0 at Play

The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be the first product to feature Samsung WatchON, a new search and recommendation service that alleviates the chore of channel surfing and makes finding TV shows and on-demand video content faster and easier. Samsung WatchON simplifies the process of discovering new content to watch by searching across multiple content sources, such as live TV and streaming video-on-demand sources such as Samsung’s Media Hub*, to recommend movies and TV shows. It also provides complementary content including actor bios, reviews and related information.

With the built-in IR blaster, the Galaxy Note 8.0 acts as a powerful universal remote, eliminating the need for multiple remotes to control the TV viewing experience. Users can browse for content then change the channel on the TV or cable box directly from the search window.

For entertainment on the go, the Galaxy Note 8.0’s screen is great for everything from content viewing to reading. With its dazzling 8-inch WXGA screen, the Galaxy Note 8.0 is perfect for watching HD content, packing 1280 by 800 pixels. The Galaxy Note 8.0 also has Reading Mode, which adjusts color and brightness to an optimal level for reading. It provides the ability to customize fonts and themes so select books, magazines, documents and Web pages are easier to read. Combined with Smart Stay, which keeps the screen awake while you are reading, the Galaxy Note 8.0 is customized to ensure the best reading experience.

Galaxy Note 8.0 at Work

The tablet is quickly becoming a primary computing device for employees. The Galaxy Note 8.0 offers multi-tasking and productivity features, making users more efficient at everyday tasks, whether working at the office or on the go:

• Multi Window: The Galaxy Note 8.0 offers true PC-like multitasking, so you can use two apps side-by-side. Multi-Window now supports 20 apps, including Polaris Office, Google Chrome and Facebook.
• Air View:  Conveniently preview your content without opening files or folders.  The S Pen held above the screen allows you to preview pictures in the Gallery, open menus on Web sites, and preview a message or an attachment in an email.
• AllShare® Play: Pass content to the TV or remotely access files on your desktop computer.
• Polaris Office:  View, create, and edit Microsoft^® Office Word^® documents, Excel^® spreadsheets and PowerPoint^® presentations right on your tablet. With the Galaxy Note 8.0, you can add handwritten notes and drawings to your documents.
• Awesome Note: A note-taking application and to do list manager, Awesome Note enables you to customize folder icons, colors, fonts and backgrounds for quick reference and visual organization.
• Group Play: Share and collaborate on content, including documents, which allows users to work together.

For those using tablets for work, Samsung offers improved security levels for IT managers and employees. SAFE, or Samsung for Enterprise, is the security standard to provide enterprise- and consumer-friendly devices to businesses and their employees. With SAFE, the Galaxy Note 8.0 supports the needs of IT managers while providing businesses with the functionality needed to enhance productivity.

Powerful Performance

The Galaxy Note 8.0 features a powerful 1.6GHz Quad Core processor and 2GB of RAM to ensure optimum performance. Wi-Fi technology with dual-channel bonding offers more efficient connectivity for faster loading of Web pages and video streaming.

With a large, 4,600 mAh battery, the Galaxy Note 8.0 offers long battery life to work and play all day. Beyond the 16GB** of internal memory, the Note 8.0 can handle microSD cards up to 64GB, for a combined possible 80GB of storage. The 5-megapixel camera on the back can shoot 1080p video, and the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera can handle video chats at 720p resolution.

Preloaded with Content and Services

Buyers will enjoy pre-loaded content and services valued at over $200, including 50GB of free Dropbox storage for 2 years***, 1 month free of unlimited music streaming in Samsung’s Music Hub, Samsung’s Smart Remote, Awesome Note, and more. For a limited time, they will also receive a $25 Google Play credit with the purchase of a Galaxy Note 8.0, when they register their device.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available in white for $399.99 MSRP. Accessories will be available beginning mid-April. These include Book Covers in white, grey, pink or green, as well as USB and HDMI adapters, and a travel charger that connect via the device’s microUSB port.

For multimedia content and more information, please visit www.samsung.com/us/note8.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology.  A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and America’s fastest growing home appliance brand. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Arrives in the U.S. April 11 for $399 is a post from: Droid Life

Two applications were pulled from the Galaxy Note 8.0 firmware recently, a special edition of Flipboard featuring support for S-Pens and Awesome Note, a multitasking note-taking app built for larger displays. The Flipboard apk is just like any other Flipboard, but as I mentioned, all you S-Pen fans can do some special previewing using the pen and Air View of certain content.  

As for Awesome Note, I will go ahead and recommend that anyone not running a display of 5.5″ or larger should leave this one alone. Awesome Note is a Samsung-created app, built specifically for the Note lineup of devices, featuring a ton of useful tricks. Naturally, you can take notes, write memos, set reminders, and list goes on and on. I suggest having a large display because when opened up on the Nexus 4, everything felt extremely cramped and that is never the best experience to have.

If I have any Galaxy Note and Note 2 fans wanting to try them out, download them below.

Download:  Flipboard.apk | AwesomeNote.apk

Via: XDA [2]

Cheers Nathan!

Flipboard With S-Pen Support and Awesome Note APKs Pulled From Galaxy Note 8.0 is a post from: Droid Life

Mobile World Congress 2013 has officially started with Samsung announcing the Galaxy Note 8.0, a device that is expected to “re-ignite the mid-size tablet category.” It sports a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 8″ (1280×800) display, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage, 4600mAh battery, HSPA+ radios, and runs Android 4.1.2. It also supports S Pen and all of the multi-tasking software that you have come and love to know on all of the Note products. An IR sensor rounds out the specs, taking advantage of Samsung’s TV remote capabilities.

As you can see from the pictures, Samsung kept to the design language of the Note 2 and Galaxy S3 by sticking with a physical home button, and soft touch back and menu buttons. In what may be the greatest feature of all, though, Samsung has finally allowed the S Pen to interact with the soft menu and back buttons. That’s right, you can now tap on the soft keys with the S Pen and make magic, something you cannot do on any other device including the Note 2.

The international version can technically make phone calls, so yes, you can hold an 8″ tablet up to your ear and look that silly if you so choose to. We don’t know if that functionality will carry over to the U.S. version.

Pricing and availability has not been announced for the U.S., but the device is expected to be available across the rest of the globe in Q2 of this year. 

Gallery

Specs

Press Release

INTRODUCING THE GALAXY NOTE 8.0,
A NEW ERA OF PORTABILITY AND EVERYDAY PRODUCTIVITY


SEOUL, Korea [February 24, 2011] – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the 8 inch tablet, the GALAXY Note 8.0; a new era of intelligent Note technology set to re-ignite the mid-size tablet category that Samsung established in 2010. Providing unrivalled multimedia performance within a compact one-hand-grip screen, the GALAXY Note 8.0 has the power and advanced technology to evolve the tablet experience and ensure you achieve new levels of efficient multi-tasking while benefitting from superb voice call functionality*. Furthermore, the intelligent S Pen brings together the latest innovation and the ease of using a traditional pen and paper; creating a sophisticated mobile experience that will enhance life on the go.

“Back in 2010 the launch of the first Samsung GALAXY Tab with 7 inch screen opened a new chapter in the mobile industry. Now almost three years later, Samsung continues to evolve the sector that meets the demands of modern life.” said JK Shin, President of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

“The GALAXY Note 8.0 breaths fresh life into the category as it delivers the perfect fusion of portability and everyday productivity – the result is a pioneering, pocket-sized solution that enhances and enriches our everyday lives, whether at work or play,” added Shin.

At the core of the GALAXY Note 8.0’s innovative solutions are beneficial functions, including multi-window options to split the portable 8inch screen and allow optimal access to a number of live applications; a new generation of Samsung’s intelligent S Pen with advanced usability; access to a suite of S Note templates and tools that allow you to create, edit, manage and share everyday documents; the Samsung “reading mode” technology to enjoy e books with optimized resolution, video and voice calls*. In addition, a suite of exciting new content and services are pre-loaded for users at no additional cost including, for the very first time on Samsung GALAXY tablet, the innovative Flipboard, and Awesome Note.

A smart diary for life on the go
Slim and compact enough to become the perfect on-the-go work and play companion, the GALAXY Note 8.0 brings powerful performance and functionality to support even the most demanding of lifestyles. Designed to store and manage your personal and professional data efficiently, the new era device gives users the perfect pocket-sized hands-on organizational tool. Practical S Note templates and S Planner feature help to manage everyday tasks, including meeting notes, to-do lists and even personal diary entries. All content can be entered and updated with the finest of detail thanks to the evolution of the intelligent Samsung S Pen. Enhanced precision is offered with Handwriting-to-Text conversion and advanced Productivity Tools that support formula and shape recognition are now available at the touch of your S Pen.

New content and services
GALAXY Note 8.0 is packed with pre-loaded content and apps specifically for the value maximizing, mass multimedia consumer. Upgraded Chat-On provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in multiple formats – images, video, voice, contacts – for simple, enjoyable communication. Awesome Note, an integrated application that is introduced in android tablet for the first time with NOTE 8.0, is capable of unlimited note-taking uses including Memo, Diary and Must-remember lists. With Flipboard, your news, social network and other feeds come together in one stylish, flippable format so you can enjoy all your news and life’s great moments in one place. Flipboard developed a customized version of its application exclusively for Samsung that allows users to take the S Pen’s hover feature and preview article headers beneath Flipboard’s main screen tiles. Finally, Smart Remote, gives you a universal remote control and electronic programming guide allowing you to manage TV and video watching seamlessly.

A new age of S Pen intelligence
Optimized to aid personalized creativity, the Samsung S Pen has evolved to increase everyday usability and enhance creation expression. Embedded within the tablet, the S Pen is an extension of the GALAXY Note 8.0. Removing the S Pen from the device will automatically launch innovative features such as Pen Detection that will suggest adapted menus that it thinks you’ll need and Page Buddy, a feature that will intuitively activate your most recently adapted S Note home screen.

S Pen technology is now so advanced that it doesn’t even have to touch the screen. With Air View, the S Pen needs only to hover over the screen to see previews of videos, emails, photos and appointments on SPlanner without opening the file or application in full. S Pen Gesture allows images and content to be easily edited and cropped, whilst Paper Artist and Photo Note allow photos to be artistically personalized.

In addition, for the very first time in GALAXY NOTE category, you can use S Pen to control the physical menu/back buttons on the device with WACOM technology.

Maximizing mass multimedia consumption
Creative multi-tasking with the GALAXY Note 8.0 is effortless due to innovative Dual View feature, two multi window options that seamlessly allow you to facilitate multi-screen usage. Dual View’s split screen accommodates optimal operation of different apps, such as launching the S Note on the web browser screen and allowing content to be resized, dragged and dropped as required.

Multi-tasking is extended to phone calls*. Pop Up Note allows you to access S Note at any time to keep track of key actions and Pop Up Video ensures you can keep surfing the web whilst chatting – content windows can be easily resized by pinching to enlarge or reduce.

Perfect info-tainment partner
Packed with features to engage, entertain and excite, the GALAXY Note 8.0 supports your practical everyday needs. Reading Mode transforms the GALAXY Note 8.0 into an e-Book reader, provides the optimal reading conditions to ensure you can curl up and enjoy a good book. You can even turn it into a universal remote control with Smart Remote, to seamlessly manage TVs, set-up boxes, DVD & Blu-ray players.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales exceeding KRW 201 trillion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung Announces the Galaxy Note 8.0 is a post from: Droid Life

More pictures of the rumored Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 have leaked, but so far they are leaving us with more questions than we had before. Mainly, where does this device fit in with the Note 10.1, Note 2 and the Galaxy Tab series? Shouldn’t the upcoming 7″ Tab 3 be enough? Another question: Samsung, do you really expect anyone to use this as a phone? It does have a telephone app in the bottom left corner, so try holding this to your ear and not getting made fun of.

All sarcasm aside, it looks that this device will in fact be announced at MWC in a few weeks. The French site, Frandroid, got their hands on the device and reported the specs including a 1280 x 800 LCD display, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, 2GB of RAM, a microSD card reader, cameras on the front and back, and a 4,600 mAh battery. Nowhere did they mention if it comes with a Bluetooth headset for those phone calls, but we sincerely hope it does.

Is anyone interested in another Note at this point? No one will really make any phone calls on this, will they?

Via: Frandroid

More Galaxy Note 8.0 Photos Leak, Show Off Home Button and Phone Capabilities? is a post from: Droid Life

There it is, folks – the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. Reported to be ready for unveiling at MWC, I would say it is safe to bet that this one is, in fact, confirmed. As we can see, the device uses the traditional Samsung home button and two softkey settings and back button layout. For specs, the Note 8.0 uses an 8″ 1280 x 800 Super Clear TFT display, comes running Android 4.2+ out of the box, both front and back-facing cameras, a 4,600mAh battery, and is rumored to have a 1.6GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. 

Now that we have a full eyes-on with the tablet, what do you think? I sort of like it. The backside looks polished and that display looks very crisp, at least from what we can tell in these blurry images.

Thoughts?

Via: SamMobile

Blurry Camera Spots Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in The Wild is a post from: Droid Life

Samsung’s entire first half 2013 roadmap may have just leaked thanks to the folks over at TechnoBuffalo. Unfortunately for Android enthusiasts, there isn’t much to get excited about outside of the Galaxy Note 8.0. This roadmap is proof that Samsung is keeping all info on their next flagship phone, likely the Galaxy S4, locked up tight, since most rumors point to it also launching some time in the first half of the year. 

So how about that Note 8.0? According to these slides, it’ll feature an 8″ 1280×800 TFT LCD display, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, internal storage of 16/32GB plus microSD support, 4600mAh battery, and HSPA+ and WiFi connectivity. It will also include an S Pen and the various software enhancements that you’ve seen attached to it in devices like the Note 2. This roadmap has it pegged for a March 2013 release.

The rest of the roadmap features random devices like the Galaxy X Cover 2, Galaxy Young, Galaxy Pocket Plus, and Ch@t 226, none of which you’ll care about or remember in 6 months time.

Via:  TechnoBuffalo

Samsung’s First Half 2013 Roadmap Leaks, Note 8.0 is the Only Interesting Thing on It is a post from: Droid Life

Earlier today, reports flew in from overseas that Samsung’s head of mobile, JK Shin, has confirmed that his company plans to unveil the Galaxy Note 8.0 at this year’s MWC. Other than that information, specs are still rather speculation, but it is reported the tablet will feature a screen with a resolution of just 1280 x 800, be powered by a quad-core Exynos processor (definitely not the Octa), and will naturally come packed with Samsung’s proprietary software. 

If you are hoping for some powerful little tablet in the 8″ form factor, I wouldn’t hold your breath. This is more than likely a way for Samsung to directly compete against the iPad Mini, which only exists because of the Nexus 7. Ah, the world of competing companies in electronics.

Via: Engadget

Samsung’s Head of Mobile Confirms Galaxy Note 8 Unveiling For MWC is a post from: Droid Life

Looks like we can “confirm” at least one device launch scheduled for this year’s MWC. This morning, SamMobile has confirmed specifications for an upcoming Galaxy Note 8.0 from Samsung, which is said to be ready for unveiling at next month’s event in Barcelona. 

According to the source, the device will come in two versions – one WiFi/3G model and one WiFi-only version. The Note 8.0 will feature an 8″ 1280×800 TFT Super Clear LCD display, a 5MP back-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, S-Pen, 2 GB RAM, 16GB and 32GB storage options, plus a Micro SD slot. The battery will be a beefy 4600 mAh pack, large enough to get you through a full day. To top it off, it will reportedly launch with Android 4.2. And for those curious, no exact processor was mentioned in the specs, so we are guessing it will be the standard Exynos 4 or 5 and not the new Exynos 5 Octa.

Basically, we can think of the Note 8.0 as Samsung’s answer to Apple’s iPad Mini. It will probably be priced in the $400 range and come packed with all of their Android software enhancements.

Interested?

Via: SamMobile

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Specs Reportedly Confirmed Ahead of MWC Unveiling is a post from: Droid Life