Galaxy S II For AT&T Hands-On

Tag Archives: hands-on

Galaxy S II For AT&T Hands-On

by Stefan Etienne on 30. Aug, 2011 10:25PM in Android, AT&T, FTW, Mobile, Samsung

The Galaxy S II for AT&T has a great standing in my book. While it looks a bit too close to the Infuse 4G to me, it still outclasses it in almost every way: a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, 2 megapixel front-facing camera, 16GB of internal storage, Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread with Touchwiz 4.0, 4G HSPA+ data speeds, and finally the smallest screen of the Galaxy S II line: a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display.

My impressions of it are extremely similar to that of the Infuse 4G, except that it is smaller, and therefore to certain people more comfortable to use (however it’s no different for me). Touchwiz is incredibly fast. In fact, Android feels at its fastest with it, compared to the Nexus S (which yes is somewhat unfair, but still). Most of the sentences seen in my Epic 4G Touch hands-on remains true with the AT&T variant, sans me liking the Sprint version better due to 4G WiMAX data speeds. Otherwise, the Galaxy S II is a very promising line of smartphones. One more shot of the Galaxy S II for AT&T is seen after the break.
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Samsung Epic 4G Touch Hands-On

by Stefan Etienne on 30. Aug, 2011 10:00PM in Android, FTW, Mobile, Samsung, Sprint

Having just been to the Samsung Experience in New York City, I’ve come back with plenty of impressions on the upcoming Galaxy S II line for the United States. My favorite of the bunch, Sprint’s Epic 4G Touch variant, contains the specs seen in my previous post seen only a few hours ago: that is a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 8 megapixel camera with1080p HD video recording and LED flash, a front-facing 2MP camera for video chats on Qik, Skype, etc., Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread with the delightful (and new) Touchwiz 4.0, 4G WiMAX connectivity, a promising 1,800mAh battery pack, and finally the 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display.

First off, since there were swarms of people it was hard to get decent hands-on time with each unit, but by visiting different booths every few minutes, I was able to get an initial opinion together eventually. The Epic 4G Touch is my favorite Galaxy S II phone besides the original European version. It feels balanced, is extremely quick (Touchwiz is finally a competent skin), light, thin (at 8.89mm) and despite the enormous screen size, could fit in just about anyone’s hand easily. WiMAX has been second to LTE in all of my tests, and that still stood when I tested the Epic 4G Touch whilst I had it in my hands (however it shot down to 3G in the above shot).

Since the hardware is very similar across all carriers, I’m sure you’re wondering what’s so special about the Sprint version? Well, two things: One, it has the fasted 4G speeds of the bunch. T-Mobile’s variant which wasn’t even available for hands-on and AT&T’s both use HSPA+, while Sprint uses WiMAX currently provided by Clearwire is many times faster. Secondly, the edges and back cover give a feel of more grip than the other models; it feels more secure. It will take more than just 5-10 minutes with a single device to give a full review on it, but as it stands Sprint and Samsung have an epic winner here in the Epic 4G Touch. One more shot of the smartphone is seen after the break.

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LG Quantum Hands-On

by Stefan Etienne on 14. Dec, 2010 3:28PM in Featured, LG, Mobile, Windows Phone

Another box (smaller than the CR-48, of course) showed up today, and it contained an LG Quantum. This will be just a quick few quick impressions of what’s it like to use a Windows Phone 7 device (specifically the Quantum itself), in the bullet points below.

It’s a little heavy and bulky, and is a gallery of different plastics of different qualities. The Quantum is the lowest-end feeling handset in the WP7 line, and it shows (but it isn’t bad).
Windows Phone 7 flies on the 1GHz Snapdragon processor.
Slide-out keyboard is a little too large for comfortable use, and the FN/caps keys are oddly shaped and positioned.
The 5 megapixel camera with 720 HD recording are both well-balanced in terms of colors, and shutter speed.
The screen orientation doesn’t change when you open the keyboard. That is utter failure on LG’s and Microsoft’s part.
I’m going to have to spend plenty of time with the Quantum and WP7 to fully understand its pros and cons.

And a gallery is below, for your viewing pleasure (you’re welcome, don’t mention it).

LG Quantum Gallery

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Hands-On With The Cr-48 Chrome Laptop!

by Stefan Etienne on 14. Dec, 2010 2:01PM in Featured, FTW, Google, Hardware, Laptops

Either this is surprise package day here at LaptopMemo HQ, or the tech gods are happy with us. In came the CR-48, Google’s reference hardware for Chrome OS. Right off the bat I’ve unboxed it, and found that the setup is extremely fast and easy, that all my bookmarks, apps, and history are available, and that this will be one of the most interesting tests I’ve done for a laptop.

The built-in camera works relatively smooth, the matte screen can be pretty (very) bright, and of course, the island-style keyboard is very comfortable (reminds me heavily of the Macbook Air and black Macbook). And as most reports have confirmed, the touchpad sucks, so I’ve connected the Tron Razer mouse which I reviewed earlier, and guess what? It works! The VGA port I haven’t used yet, and the SD card slot confuses me (don’t know where to browse the contents of the card). The USB works very well though.

Now if you’ll excuse us, it’s time to have lunch, and start extensively testing the CR-48. Check out the gallery below while I’m doing that and you’re — doing something.

CR-48 Hands-On Gallery

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Sprint Samsung Galaxy Tab Hands-On

by Stefan Etienne on 09. Nov, 2010 8:22PM in Android, Samsung, Sprint, Tablets

Today at CES 2011 Preview, I decided to once again have a few chats with my contacts and bring the best of the botths while I was there. In my honest opinion, the only devices worth mentioning from CES 2011 Preview are the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab devices, along with Parrot’s AR Drone. Since this post is about the Sprint version of the Galaxy Tab, let’s stay focused on it.

As many of you already know, the Galaxy Tab uses a 1,024×600 pixel LCD TFT screen that has been “enhanced”, 1.3 megapixel front-facing and 3,2 megapixel back-facing cameras, 1GHz Hummingbird processor, Android 2.2 with Touchwiz 3.0 and Flash 10.1, 802.11n Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/3G radios, 32GB of internal storage, and lastly a 4000mAh battery.

From a looks perspective the Galaxy Tab is the best — and only — Android 2.2 tablet worth direct comparison and competition against the mighty Apple iPad. Web pages loaded smoothly and flawlessly in both Sprint 3G and Wi-Fi. Angry Birds speed and graphics were also extremely smooth and crisp, and the built-in speakers were loud enough to be heard amongst the angry mobs of journalists, exhibitors, bloggers, and bartenders. The Sprint Galaxy Tab also has a white finish on the back with visible fingerprints, but it being white doesn’t do much damage as say, the matte finish on an Alienware M11x laptop.

In fact most apps worked and loaded like a charm, including the Android Market, and the cameras also were usable, even though they aren’t as good as their Galaxy S counterparts. Since it only seems like I have praise for the Galaxy Tab, let’s bring on the annoyances and complaints.

The device can be very sensitive when it comes to the accelerometer; in one of the photos above you can see the Galaxy Tab switched the screen upside down when it was being held almost flat in the air. Also, since the screen isn’t Super AMOLED, when comparing to the Epic 4G (another Galaxy series Sprint device), the Tab looked plain, pale, and boring in comparison. So for now, head on past the break for an extensive gallery of only the Sprint Galaxy Tab, and a review as soon as Samsung can get us a test unit.

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MyTouch 4G Quick Hands-On

by Stefan Etienne on 09. Nov, 2010 12:20PM in Android, HTC, Mobile, T-Mobile

While at yesterday’s Samsung Continuum event, I was able to make new friends in the tech blogging world, as well as meet a few Huffington Post bloggers. When one of them had a MyTouch 4G on hand, it was only obvious for the “take photo” part of my brain to kick off and get a quick hands-on. This red MyTouch 4G has an incredible build quality, and uses what you (or I) could call “refined Nexus One parts”, since it’s built by HTC, after all. The T-Mobile inspired Sense UI may be a bit intrusive, but since it’s Sense on Android 2.2, it feels very much at home and more importantly, useful. And it works.

While I didn’t have time to test browser speeds or the cameras, the MyTouch 4G was running on “4G” (or more precisely HSPA+) , and it did look like the connection was very much active, like when 4G is active on the Epic 4G. While this may not mean much, I spoke to the writers and they felt the HSPA+ connection was very fast. Either way, expect me to get a test unit (eventually) and get a real crack at the MyTouch 4G myself. One more shot after the break!

Thanks @HuffPostTech!

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Samsung Continuum Hands-On (now with video!)

by Stefan Etienne on 08. Nov, 2010 6:57PM in Android, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon

The event is over and now it’s time for a hands-on. Every Samsung Continuum has a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen at 800×480 pixels, a 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD recording, 1.8-inch ticker display that supports RSS feeds, missed notifications, tweets, and everything else, a 1GHz Hummingbird processor, and finally Android 2.1 with Touchwiz 3.0. An Android 2.2 update is inbound according to the guys on the ground. Hit up the gallery below for the hands-on!

Samsung Continuum Hands-On

Update: By hitting the “more” link, you’ll be able to see our short hands-on in 72op HD. Check it out!

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Friday Post: Hands-On With The EVO 4G At The Sprint Store

by Stefan Etienne on 18. Jun, 2010 11:19AM in Android, Featured, HTC, Mobile, Sprint

One thing for a good Friday post: the EVO 4G kicks serious butt. But guess what’s even better? When you try it out at a Sprint store and see the long line and people playing around with it (there’s actually two demo units), all saying out loud “it’s like a computer” (yes, some guy said that). Anyways, I happened to have that Pentax K-x with me, and shot a few shots (which’ll be much better than this when I get a review unit), and a video that cut itself off, telling me that the K-x had filled up my memory card. Again. Enjoy the video and photos everyone.

EVO 4G At The Sprint Store