Another perspective on the Samsung Galaxy Note
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 3:59AM 
I once wrote something for this site about the difference between the reserved British attitude to new technology and that of our gregarious colonial friends.
And here I am again. It all began when I was walking down the street in Ealing, West London, one day, chatting on a Bluetooth headset. A random stranger walked past and called me a name. A rude name. Now, it has since been suggested to me that there are other reasons that strangers might have for spouting random abuse in my direction (thanks, Mum), but I've never used Bluetooth in public again.
It's a British thing. We hate seeing people show off. In fact, we hate it when people do anything just a little different. Witness those poor, deluded souls who dress their house in enough neon and fake snow, come Christmas, to make it visible from space. We don't just mock them - there are whole websites devoted to lampooning the most egregious examples, yet I'm told this is quite normal in North America. If you have a lifesize, plastic effigy of Rudolph the Reindeer ensconced in your garage until the festive season, know that those sites are made to make fun of you.
I once sat in a barber shop, across from a gentleman that was missing exactly half of the hair from the left side of his body. He also had a crudely drawn picture of some male genitalia, drawn in permanent marker, on his forehead. It was his wedding day, he explained. The stag party had got a little out of his hand and he'd woken up that morning sans cheveux. He was visiting the barber to have the rest of it off, because uniformity was preferable and he didn't want to embarrass his new bride. It's fair to say that the other patrons were sympathetic - it wasn't his fault he looked different. No, we reserve all of our vitriol for those whose lack of uniformity is intentional.
Imagine my horror when Apple added Siri to the iPhone 4S. I don't believe that Siri can take off in the UK because virtually no one is going to use it in public, in case they are scorned by friends, disowned by their family, have rotten vegetables thrown at them by small children and end up living on the streets, chased by dogs. Siri is something you should do in private. Strictly speaking, not even your significant other should be around, because whilst they might not stab you with a handy kebab skewer right away, the twenty-third time you ask Siri to calculate the density of the moon, they will definitely be thinking of inventive and satisfying ways to hurt you behind that sweet smile.
And that brings me to the outrageously uncool behemoth that is the Samsung Galaxy Note, a spiffing piece of technology that has the unfortunate side effect of making you look like Dom Joly's famous phone sketches from 'Trigger Happy TV'. Walk down the street holding this to your ear in the UK and you will be met with derision from your fellow man. Children will ask their mothers if you are very small or the phone is very big. Your wife will divorce you (if you're considering the Galaxy Note, you're almost certainly a married man - neither women nor single guys are going to be seen with it). Old friends will cross the street to avoid you. Your boss will fire you. You will be a pariah. And finally, sick of life, you will book your space at Dignitas, euthanasia the only choice left in your bleak, empty, shell of a life.
Now, I'm not saying it's right and I’m not saying it’s fair. Don't shoot the messenger. Just know that if you want a Galaxy Note, be prepared to move continent or die a lonely death, surrounded by kindly Swiss volunteers.
Peter M.
Reader Comments (19)
I recognise many the points you make. I use a wired BT headset so it looks like a normal headset! Having said that, I think young people are less concerned about use of technology in public. Shame really, as the Galaxy Note is actually a very good business tool. And by the way, in 3 months they sold 2 million units and that does not include US sales - so not bad for a niche product.
Outstanding.
Given now that's the average size of a handset has grown enormously in the last 12 months, I believe people are more ok to seeing larger screen handsets.
I actually went to order a note today but the two places I want to buy from for next day delivery were both out of stock.
And it can't be a bad handset as Samsung believe they will shift 10 million of these during course of 2012.
I think things are changing... in terms of it being ok to walk around with a giant slab of phone stuck to your head... we used to before. But not in terms of using a bluetooth headset though!
@Gavin, if you load Samsung Hub in your Note you'll receive a £120 worth of free videos and music. I had this offer even though my Note was from Germany.
@ Jah or anyone
I've ordered a case for the Note, but held back on ordering today as I have a few questions.
If I use my iPhone, the Notes app synced to Google and iCloud. Very handy. Does the Note have a Note app that syncs to Google ? If not how do you do this?
Bookmarks using iCloud are synced across all devices. Is there a way to sync bookmarks on android?
iOS has Find my Phone? Does the Note?
Whats the best way to do free video calls from an iPad to the Note?
Can you back and restore like you can on the iPhone? If so how
And I've noticed the Natwest app on android is minus payments which exists on iOS. Not fair!!
Are there any other things i need to be aware of when moving to the Note? Any major apps that don't work?
Any major apps that don't work?
There shouldn't be, Gavin:
I have researched the App situation and I can state categorically that there is no difference between android or iOS.
;)
@ Gavin - echo what Neil says, all major apps seem to work ok on my Note.
Notes app that syncs to the cloud, off the top of my head, Evernote and Catch Notes do that.
Bookmarks can be synced from chrome and then to the Android Browser using Chromemarks.
FindMyPhone is available on Android.
Free video calls can be done in Skype, Tango and other apps I'm sure.
Several backup apps, Titanium Backup seems to have the best reputation.
Hope that helps you make the move.
Thanks Neil and Patrick.
I did research the apps too. I can't believe the android version of the Natwest banking app lacks major functionality compared to ios. Otherwise I agree, there is no difference.
Just ordered one. Any idea when ICS is coming ?
@Gavin, rumors talk about the next few (2-3) weeks. There are already ICS Note leaks.
Titanium Backup is unbeatable when it comes to making backups on ROOTED devices, brilliant app.
My Note came with a flipcover included.
@Gavin
there is a long list of app/services you can share Notes with:
- email
- Evernote
- Dropbox
- Skype
- Picasa
- BT
- Allshare
etc
ICS already available for the 10.1 Note so I can't see it being that long before we have it for the 5 inch Note.
Best case I found is one from Stilgut (I know, a stange name!)
Thanks everyone. I really am finding this help useful.
Is rooting nowadays required ? I did it when I had a HTC Hero many years ago but it looks like the software has improved a lot. Especially wondering the need when ICS comes out?
Is the best place for rooting and roms XDA Developers? Or is there another option?
My ordered white Note comes with the Samsung flip cover although it's black. Not ideal with a white phone. I also order a cheap blue silicone case. Will check out the other option mentioned too.
Has everyone rooted out of interest.
I've not needed to root my Note. Only add new ROMs to my HD2 now days. The Samsung case keeps the profile very slim as the back of the case replaces the battery cover. I dropped my Note within 2 weeks so now I use a case with good corner protection.
I love tweetbot on my iPhone. Is there a decent android equivalent.
@Gavin
Tweetdeck, seesmic, Tweetcaster, Plume, official Twitter client, Retweet to name a few.
You could have a look here:
https://market.android.com/apps
I'm going outside to pretend to be talking to someone on my 10" tablet. I reckon I can get away with it! I have big hands; I can span the tablet and hold it like a phone. Also I can grab someone's entire head if they give me evils.
If only my head was bigger...
Thanks Carel.
Just checked the tracking and all being well it should arrive tomorrow morning.
As to making and receiving calls, I don't see the issue with its size. Before I bought it, I made a full size template out of layers of cardboard. The phone fits fine in my work front shirts, my track suit and casual jackets, but I'm going to have to ensure every new item of clothing has big pockets.
I know I'm going to miss the iPhone simplicity, the iCloud syncing across all hardware, and the airplay. But I'm looking forward to the larger screen.
@Gavin, congrats on getting the Note; as for rooting - I rooted mine a couple of weeks ago, purely to use chainfire 3d, an app that lets you use games designed for other (notably NVidia) graphics drivers.