Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Note 8" Tablet [MERGED]

[blackhand1001]

Originally Posted by AutoUnion39

They should have put a better screen in it. Other than that, it looks alright. I'm partial to iOS for tablets.

Its a better screen than the Ipad mini.

[TacticalDesire]

Originally Posted by nick_elt

You guys realiseyou dont have to use it as a phone if you dont want to? Dont know why people criticise it if you dont like it, just dont buy it. For me the bezel is too big and screen not good enough but I have a note 2 and love it so im sure alot of people will buy it and enjoy it.

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Whats the difference between ipad mini ui and iphone ui? What is it missing? Not sure what else you want on a tablet ui when the note 2 ui works well its just a couple inches bigger

I'm not saying the iPad is any better.

[apolloa]

Pocket Lint managed to do a hands on review from the show here, and they state that Samsung ARE promoting the fact you can use the device as a phone!

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/5006...-note-8-review

[Oohara]

Originally Posted by apolloa

Pocket Lint managed to do a hands on review from the show here, and they state that Samsung ARE promoting the fact you can use the device as a phone!

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/5006...-note-8-review

And why not? That doesn't mean they're suggesting that anyone should hold it up to their ear. There are times when I sure wouldn't mind it if I could make a call straight from my iPad, using my earbuds with mic to speak.

[apolloa]

Originally Posted by Oohara

And why not? That doesn't mean they're suggesting that anyone should hold it up to their ear. There are times when I sure wouldn't mind it if I could make a call straight from my iPad, using my earbuds with mic to speak.

But they ARE suggesting you hold it to your head, they places an earphone at the top for that! That's what's so funny and no one understands why? Sure plug a headset in or use bluetooth, but why would you make a 8" tablet designed like a giant mobile phone with a earphone at the top and microphone at the bottom or wherever it is?

[Irishman]

Originally Posted by TPadden

Those who would rather carry just a tablet than a tablet and a phone.

And who is that? Eric Schmidt?

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Originally Posted by Oohara

And why not? That doesn't mean they're suggesting that anyone should hold it up to their ear. There are times when I sure wouldn't mind it if I could make a call straight from my iPad, using my earbuds with mic to speak.

Who's stopping you? There have been Facetime and Skype apps for years that allow you to do just that.

[TPadden]

Originally Posted by apolloa

But they ARE suggesting you hold it to your head, they places an earphone at the top for that! That's what's so funny and no one understands? Sure plug a headset in or use bluetooth, but why would you make a 8" tablet designed like a giant mobile phone with a earphone at the top and microphone at the bottom or wherever it is?

...... for that matter I already use my "normal" phone as a speaker phone most of the time so I can keep using my iPad to surf .

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Originally Posted by Irishman

Who's stopping you? There have been Facetime and Skype apps for years that allow you to do just that.

I really like to be able to receive phone calls when someone just DIALS my number .

You seem to be trying awfully hard to get me assimilated into the collective Apple .

[maflynn]

That Bezel is just plain ugly imo, maybe if it was a different color I'd not notice it so much but I'm not really liking it

[Essenar]

I felt like a genuine d-bag when I held an iPad Mini 4G up to my ear while answering a call on talkatone.

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Essenar

I felt like a genuine d-bag when I held an iPad Mini 4G up to my ear while answering a call on talkatone.

Why on earth did you hold it up to your ear?

I consider my iPad3 to be my primary phone. I never hold it up tony ear -- there's no point -- it's a great speaker phone.

[McCool71]

Originally Posted by chrf097

It's an 8-inch phone.

AN 8 INCH PHONE.

8. INCH. PHONE.

No. It's an 8-inch table with phone capabilities.

Which is an excellent idea. When I bring my tablet somewhere today I always have to bring my phone as well. Having the ability to use the tablet as a phone would make me leave the phone home most of the time.

I'm amazed at the amount of people living in the stone age on this forum - I can't remember the last time I held my phone up to my ear to make a call, I always use my bluetooth-headset. Which is of course what I would do with a phone-enabled tablet as well.

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Originally Posted by apolloa

Pocket Lint managed to do a hands on review from the show here, and they state that Samsung ARE promoting the fact you can use the device as a phone!

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/5006...-note-8-review

Of course they are - it is a major selling point. I can assure you that the next tablet I buy will have phone capabilities included. That phone capabilites are not included in most tablets today should be more surprising to people than that devices like this appear.

[ukbondraider]

Samsung devices are really so ugly. And it is still made from cheap ass plastic. When is Samsung going to deliver an aluminium or glass construction?

Also there is nothing wrong with the fact it can act as a phone. I wish the Ipad Mini could be used as a phone.

Lastly, the screen of any new phone, phablet or tablet released nowadays should be at least retina level.

In short:

Ugly design
Cheap plastic
Rubbish screen

= No Buy

Will Samsung get their act together with the S4 and tablet 3. Samsung tablets and in fact all Android tablet to date are just terrible but hardware and software wise.

[marc11]

Originally Posted by McCool71

No. It's an 8-inch table with phone capabilities.

Which is an excellent idea. When I bring my tablet somewhere today I always have to bring my phone as well. Having the ability to use the tablet as a phone would make me leave the phone home most of the time.

I'm amazed at the amount of people living in the stone age on this forum - I can't remember the last time I held my phone up to my ear to make a call, I always use my bluetooth-headset. Which is of course what I would do with a phone-enabled tablet as well.

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Of course they are - it is a major selling point. I can assure you that the next tablet I buy will have phone capabilities included. That phone capabilites are not included in most tablets today should be more surprising to people than that devices like this appear.

This! I do not want to carry my phone and tablet all the time and I do not want to have to pay for data on both. I use the data services FAR more than I use the phone part of my phone, so this makes sense for those carrying both devices today.

I also use a BT headset almost everyday, so again, I would not be holding up to my ear when I needed to make a call....and even if I did, is that THAT much more stupid than a crowd of people holding 10 inch iPads in front of thier faces taking pictures?????

[chrf097]

Originally Posted by McCool71

No. It's an 8-inch table with phone capabilities.

Which is an excellent idea. When I bring my tablet somewhere today I always have to bring my phone as well. Having the ability to use the tablet as a phone would make me leave the phone home most of the time.

I'm amazed at the amount of people living in the stone age on this forum - I can't remember the last time I held my phone up to my ear to make a call, I always use my bluetooth-headset. Which is of course what I would do with a phone-enabled tablet as well.

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Of course they are - it is a major selling point. I can assure you that the next tablet I buy will have phone capabilities included. That phone capabilites are not included in most tablets today should be more surprising to people than that devices like this appear.

Tablet with phone capabilities.
Tablet with phone capabilities.
It's an 8-inch phone.

You're reinforcing my point. Also, no, we're not living in the stone age, mainly because we actually have sense. Tell me, where are you going to store this while on the go? How is this going to be convenient in situations where a phone easily fits the situation much better? Not to mention that its running Android which is horrible on tablets (AAA+ for phones, but garbage on tablets).

It tries to build on top the Galaxy Note which is so much more convenient than this...this...weird whatever it is.

[Giuly]

Put an earpiece and a handle on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the ATIV 700T and get it over with.

It's only a matter of time until we see the first dude holding a 15" laptop to his ear, just because Samsung never got the memo that somebody came up with the 'earbuds with a microphone' idea and it's ready to be copied.

[bembol]

Every 5"+ device that comes out someone always has to post a picture how ridiculous it looks over the ear. It's getting old and honestly childish.

I rarely use and see other hold it up with majority Text and use Bluetooth or post on facebook or twitter.


As for the tablet, I'm disappointed I will stick with my Note 2 and get the iPad mini Retina.

[McCool71]

Originally Posted by chrf097

Tablet with phone capabilities.
Tablet with phone capabilities.
It's an 8-inch phone.

Tell me, where are you going to store this while on the go? How is this going to be convenient in situations where a phone easily fits the situation much better?

I am going to store it wherever I store a tablet on the go - just as I do when I go somewhere with a tablet today.

The difference will be that I won't have to bring my phone as well when I carry the tablet.

Personally I find it laughable that people think it is a great thing when some manufacturers intentionally cripple functionality that won't cost them a dime to add. An obvious example closely related to to the Note 8" being the cellular version of the iPad mini, which has every piece of hardware in place to use it as a phone - except that actual phone functionality is removed from OS.

PS: This is not the first Samsung tablet with phone functionality, already back in 2010 you could call with the first Galaxy Tab.

[LIVEFRMNYC]

So who's gonna put a bulky otter box case on this?

[Truefan31]

I'm honestly hoping the Note 3 will be the 6.3 inch as rumors suggest. That would be my phablet replacement.

[The Game 161]

Seeing as I'm only buying a wifi version it's the best tablet for me

Samsung are giving you options which is great. Unlike apple who all they do is restrict you.

[Oohara]

Originally Posted by McCool71

Personally I find it laughable that people think it is a great thing when some manufacturers intentionally cripple functionality that won't cost them a dime to add.

Thank you, this sentence alone sums up the OMGZLOL ITS A HUGE PHONE discussion quite well.

As far as functionality goes, that is. Design-wise I'm quite put off by the bloated Note 2-look. In theory I would actually jump on this device as I love the S-Pen, especially on a mid-size tablet like this, but I just don't know if I can buy a gadget this ugly.

Really hoping Samsung sets out in a new and more polished design direction with the S4, with the Note 3 following suit. And maybe next year a Note 8 that doesn't look like something you'd see on a table next to the crayons at a kindergarten, or in someones box of bathtub-toys.

[Sounds Good]

Originally Posted by chrf097

...Android which is horrible on tablets (AAA+ for phones, but garbage on tablets).

How so? I've seen this mentioned before but don't understand it. Why is Android good for phones but bad for tablets?

[MacRumorUser]

Originally Posted by Sounds Good

How so? I've seen this mentioned before but don't understand it. Why is Android good for phones but bad for tablets?

Because applications are rarely ever optimised for a 'tablet' experience, and are just phone applications - over stretched....

Unlike iOS where even universal applications have almost different layouts and features depending on whether your on an iPad or iPhone.

Whereas on android basically its the phone layout - regardless (though there are some exceptions, but not too many)....

[NewAnger]

Originally Posted by apolloa

Pocket Lint managed to do a hands on review from the show here, and they state that Samsung ARE promoting the fact you can use the device as a phone!

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/5006...-note-8-review

My Nexus 7 can do that using Groove IP + Google Voice and my Nexus 7s data connection while I am away from home.

[chrf097]

Originally Posted by Sounds Good

How so? I've seen this mentioned before but don't understand it. Why is Android good for phones but bad for tablets?

Apps and system management. Compared to the amount of apps you have on the iPad that are specifically designed for tablets (300,000+) compared to Android, it's laughablly small.

Literally the Android Facebook app is nothing more than the standard app stretched to fill the screen. There's nearly 0% optimization.

It's even worse on the 7 and 8 inch tablets because they don't even get the tablet version of the OS, they just get a really awkward combination of the Phone OS with a few apps supporting the screen.

NOT only that, major fragmentation between what devices run which apps. It's a really bad experience. Tablets should be left to Apple and Microsoft. Android is probably the best OS for Phones (although personally I don't like it, it's an amazing Phone OS I'm not going to deny that), but the tablet experience is the lowest quality. Why do you think a majority of web traffic is from iPads? People know that Android for Tablets sucks. Tech people, anyways.

Originally Posted by McCool71

I am going to store it wherever I store a tablet on the go - just as I do when I go somewhere with a tablet today.

The difference will be that I won't have to bring my phone as well when I carry the tablet.

Personally I find it laughable that people think it is a great thing when some manufacturers intentionally cripple functionality that won't cost them a dime to add. An obvious example closely related to to the Note 8" being the cellular version of the iPad mini, which has every piece of hardware in place to use it as a phone - except that actual phone functionality is removed from OS.

PS: This is not the first Samsung tablet with phone functionality, already back in 2010 you could call with the first Galaxy Tab.

Unless you're carrying a big bag everywhere with you or you have the world's largest pockets, I still don't see how there is any connivence with this at all.

There are so many times where pulling out a phone is much more appropriate than a tablet. Secondly, unless you have some serious job, why take your tablet everywhere you go?

This also limits educational use. if we start putting phones in tablets, more and more schools are going to prohibit people bringing tablets. Some schools that allow tablets already ban 3G tablets and only let students use Wifi tablets.

It's not a good idea. Rather than shoving a phone into a tablet, Samsung (and Apple and just about every maker) should follow ASUS and make PadPhones or do what motorola did and include some kind of Webtop service (albeit more OPEN; Like Ubuntu for Phones) That's such a better idea than having a dang tablet everywhere.