galaxy note 2

Apple looking at 5.7-inch iPhone, claims report

Apple is exploring iPhones as large as 5.7 inches, as it feels the heat from large-screen rivals, according to Reuters.

The company is considering the introduction of "at least two bigger iPhones next year," the report said.

One could sport a 4.7-inch screen and the other a 5.7-incher, Reuters said, citing sources in the Asia supply chain.

"Suppliers have been approached with plans for the larger screens," the report claimed, adding that the move is "still under discussion."

The motive appears to be a growing need to respond to large-screen smartphones … Read more

Verizon beefs up Galaxy Note 2 with Android 4.1.2

Verizon subscribers who own the Galaxy Note 2 may find a major update waiting for them the next time they power up their phone.

Rolling out on Friday, the latest update from Verizon graces the large-screen phone with Android 4.1.2 along with several security patches from Google. The update also brings improvements to such apps and features as VZ Navigator, SMS text messaging, Verizon's Backup Assistant Plus, ISIS Mobile Wallet, Exchange Active Sync, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Galaxy Note 2 users will now be able to use the Multi Window View to juggle more apps, such as YouTube, … Read more

Samsung takes smartphone battle to the storefront

DALLAS -- Samsung has opened a new front in its battle for smartphone supremacy: the storefront.

The Korean electronics giant plans to set up mini Samsung stores inside all U.S. Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile venues within the next couple of months -- just in time for the Galaxy S4 launch. The "Samsung Experience Shops," which start rolling out Monday, will be in 500 big-box Best Buy stores and all 410 Best Buy Mobile locations by early May. Best Buy's remaining 550 large-format Best Buy stores will feature the shops by early June.

A larger … Read more

Android 5.0 coming to Samsung Galaxy phones, reports say

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2 are on a short list of devices rumored to see an Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie update, according to SamMobile.

A select few members of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones are expected to see an update to the next version of Android, presumed to be OS version 5.0, known as Key Lime Pie.

A "prelist" of updates apparently obtained by the mobile blog suggests that the soon-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy S4 will be joined by four other models to receive the forthcoming Android 5.0 OS, including various versions of … Read more

Samsung outguns Apple in marketing, report says

With the success of its Galaxy S and Galaxy Note franchise, Samsung Electronics has shown that money talks.

Samsung outspent Apple in marketing in the U.S. last year, sinking $401 million in its promotional efforts here vs. Apple's marketing budget of $333 million, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, citing research firm Kantar Media.

The marketing muscle has been a crucial component to Samsung's success in surpassing Apple as the premier smartphone manufacturer and top cell phone player in the industry. With the smartphone market being incredibly competitive as ever, that marketing money will continue to be … Read more

Next for Samsung: A Galaxy Note 2 successor for 2013?

The rumors and anticipation over next week's expected unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S4 super Android flagship phone are reaching a fever pitch. Will it have eye-scrolling? Will it be all bendy and unbreakable? Will it usher in the unicorn apocalypse?

But this is the world of technology in 2013, where the only question that really matters is: What's next?

Fortunately, there's a new rumor out today to temporarily satiate our appetite for the future and allow us to look past the still unofficial Galaxy S4 toward Samsung's next next big move, which will apparently be a new phablet just shy of 6 inches that would be a logical follow-up to the Galaxy Note 2.… Read more

Minor security flaw found in Samsung's Galaxy Note 2

Hackers can get past the Galaxy Note 2's lock screen -- if their fingers are fast enough.

A minor security vulnerability has been found in Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 2 smartphone-tablet hybrid, which leaves the door open to fast-fingered ne'er-do-wells.

The flaw, first discovered by Terence Eden, finds that certain apps and widgets can be briefly accessed with a few taps from the lock screen. Somewhat tricky to accomplish, it requires the user to press the "Emergency Call" icon, then the ICE (in case of emergency) button, and then hold down the home button. With success, … Read more

iPhone tops among potential buyers, but Samsung surging

Apple's iPhone is the No. 1 pick among prospective smartphone buyers polled in North America, though it's losing some ground to Samsung.

Among 4,000 people looking to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days, 50 percent plan to buy an iPhone, according to a report out today from ChangeWave Research. That's not a bad number, but it's down from 71 percent in last quarter's survey, which was conducted just as the iPhone 5 debuted.

Over the same time, the percentage of people eyeing a Samsung smartphone rose to 21 percent from 13 percent, … Read more

iPhone 5 users gobble up the most data in Europe, study says

iPhone 5 users in Europe are keeping mobile networks busy by eating up the most data.

Among 125 devices included in a study out today by Arieso, users of the newest iPhone downloaded 50 percent more data than did those with an iPhone 4S and four times as much as did those with an iPhone 3G. But Samsung users also proved to be big data hogs, at least in terms of uploads.

Owners of the Galaxy S3 took first place in terms of the amount of data uploaded, followed by those with the Galaxy Note 2. That put the iPhone … Read more