To do this your phone needs to be :

1. Rooted and have ClockworkMod recovery installed. Refer my post HERE on how to do this

2. A kernel that is init.d enabled – suggest to use Perseus kernel. Download this kernel and copy the kernel zip file to either phone internal memory or external SDcard. You can also download the tar file – in such a case you flash this kernel using Mobile Odin. In this guide , I will use the kernel zip file.
Most customs roms will have this feature ( init.d enabled ) but not stock official rom.

What is init.d ? It is basically a directory which contains a number of start/stop scripts for various services on your system. It is located at /etc folder. I quote from XDA :

Init.d has a special place in Android. With it, users can install scripts and mods to run at boot, and thus modify almost any aspect of the phone that they want. There are battery tweaks, performance tweaks, GPS tweaks, signal tweaks, and the list goes on and on. However for these scripts to work, the phone must first have init.dsupport. Typically, Ramdisks provide init.d support, but sometimes it is possible to gain init.d support without flashing a new Ramdisk, or even without altering the Ramdisk at all.

For more information, do refer to this link:
http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/04/get-to-know-linux-the-etcinitd-directory/

3. Download the appropriate swap zip file matching to your external SDcard format : it is either Fat32 ( common for 32 GB and below ) or exFAT ( for 64 GB class 6/10 cards). If you are unsure of your external SDcard format, just check its properties/details in your PC or Mac – just right click the SDcard and you can see the file format

Fat32
https://www.box.com/shared/1r8mrqnhjr2g02s3qpe3

Exfat
https://www.box.com/shared/iqtkuvlxobfzbp9wc1o0

This tool is developed for the Galaxy S3 but it works very well too in the Galaxy Note 2. The actual XDA link is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1849861

I have used my exFat formatted Sandisk 64 GB Class 10 card for this and now my internal phone memory is 59.4 GB while my original internal memory of 10.5 GB is now classified as external SD card

This tweak can works in any stock official rom and all the custom roms. I would like to say you do this at your own risk. I have tested it in 2 official stock roms ( XXALJI, XXALJ3 ) and custom rosm Wannamlite, Omega and Android HD. All work flawlessly without any issues.
This is how to do it :

1. Boot phone to RECOVERY mode by pressing simultaneoulsy Home+Power+Vol UP buttons. Once you see the second splash screen of Samsung logo, release all the 3 buttons simultaneously. You will see the Recovery menu

Select ” Install zip from Sdcard” and choose where you have copy your Perseus Kernel zip file . Choose it and flashing will just take few seconds. The phone will go back to the recovery menu after complete. Select the appropriate swap zip file , example 11extsd2internalsd_gs3_extfat.zip and flash it. Phone will go back to recovery mode. Select Reboot System
After rebooting, your external SDcard will now be the internal memory while the original internal memory will be external SDcard

This is AnTuTu benchmarks comparing the phone on original status verus swap status. For the swap phones, in general the write speeds is lower but read speeds is higher than 50 Mb/s . I see this same trend in reading speeds in all the roms I have tested. As phone will basically be reading from memory most of the time, there is is virtually no lag. Unless you have higher than above average senses, it is probably unlikely you can detect any significant differences

Before :

After :

What are the disadvantages using this tweak. To date this is what I’d observed :

1. Burst mode in camera now saves to the external SDcard. Burst mode works but you cannot have selection of best shot. All shots are saved. Once a while, launching the camera will slight freeze phone. Stop the app and just try gain to relaunch it
2. Flashing any modem needs to have the swap removed. If not phone will hang at reboot. Removing the swap mode is freaking easy. Just use any root explorer app, navigate to /etc/init.d folder and just delete the swap file. Remember to press “Mount R/W” at the top first before deleting the file. Restart phone and phone will goes back to original status
Flashing any custom roms through recovery or official rom using Odin in PC, you need not change the swapped status. The rom will overwrite it back to default status

One common question posed to me is : What happen if I suddenly remove the ext sdcard – will the phone soft brick or hard brick, The answer is simple NO
If your phone is switch on, you can safely remove the external SDcard. As all your stuffs are in memory already, you can still swipe among home screens, launched your commonly used apps but for apps that need to write to internal memory , of course you will not be able to do it as the external SD card is now taken out. Definitely no freeze. However if phone is in lockscreen mode, taking out the external Sdcard will freeze phone. Reinsert back the card and it will take about a minute for the phone to scan back the external sdcard and phone will be back to normal

This post is about how I flash a upgraded official rom than followup by rooting it and installing ClockworkMod Recovery

UPGRADING rom to XXALJI

The phone comes with firmware XXALIH which does not have the Multi-Windows feature. MultiWindows allows  multitasking by using 2 apps simultaneously  on the same screen at the same time. One just need to hold down the back key to enabled this feature. From the list of standard apps ( 12 available ) , just drag the app one need to the homescreen and you will have 2 apps on the homescreen. The viewable portion of each app can be simply adjusted by just dragging up/down the centered arrow. The newer rom version XXALJI has this new feature

This is what I did to upgrade the rom

1. Install Samsung USB drivers v1.5.6.0  in PC. Download drivers here. Or you can download KIES from here and run the exe file to install the Samsung USB drivers. This is necessary so that when you connect phone to PC, the phone can be recognised.

2. Download Odin v 1.85 from HERE . This is a software needed to flash roms on the phone in PC

3. Download the rom XXALJI from sammobile.com . You need to register in order to download. You can also download the latest XXALJ3 if you wish. Extract the 1.09 GB zip file to get the file into tar format N7100XXALJ1_N7100OXXALJ1_N7100XXALIH_HOME.tar.md5 ( 1.53 GB). Copy this file to any location in your PC

4. In PC, disable all anti virus and make sure KIES is not on ( if you have installed it) . Launch Odin – you will see Odin Window .

Put the phone into download mode by pressing simultaneously the vol down+power+home button – select vol up so that your phone is now in download mode.

                                                                Connect phone to PC through the USB cable. In the Odin window , you will see a yellow box with com number if phone is successfully connected. Select PDA and browse to where you have kept the rom tar file and select it. Leave other settings as default. Press START The flashing will take about a minute and do not disconnect the phone until the phone is successfully booted up

Check the new rom version at Settings/About Device/ build Number

ROOTING and Installing ClockworkMod Recovery

1. Download the recovery cum root file cwm6-root-n7100-121015.rar from HERE . Extract this rar file to get the file in tar format. Copy this tar file to any location in PC

2. Boot phone to DOWNLOAD mode ( as per above ). Connect phone to PC

3. Launch Odin. Select this tar file as PDA. Leave the rest of settings as default. Press START. The root and CWM will be flash over within half a minute. Wait for phone to reboot successfully before disconnecting from PC

4. Check root successfully installed by looking for the app SuperSU in the apps drawer. Test this by downloading from playstore Titanium Backup or AdFree. If root is successful, these apps will launch successfully

5. Test CWM recovery by simultaneously pressing down Home+Power+Vol UP buttons. At the second Samsung logo splash screen, release all the 3 buttons. You should see the Recovery menu

This method will increase your flashing counter to 1. You can remove this easily by downloading the app Triangleaway – run the APK file and just follow the guided instructions. Details are available here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494114

There are 2 other methods you can root your phone:

1. Chainfire CF Root : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1933542 .

It is basically same method and using Odin to flash the CF Root tar file. Read this link as the instructions are very clear in post#2

2. Using the Toolkit by mskip

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1923956

Install the exe file in PC . Connect phone and just run the tookit program. You will see a big menu of choices. Just select your choice and you will be prompted and guided accordingly. Very detailed instructions are also given in this link

Summary of these rumours from TechRadar :

Update: A report straight out of China suggests that key Apple manufactures Foxconn and Pegatron have started to receive orders for the new iPad mini. It goes on to say the factories will have 6 million units ready for a launch in Q3 of 2012.
Update: An iMore source claims that the iPad Mini will be ready by October 2012.
Update: A Taiwanese source has claimed that the mini iPad will be in the hands of consumers before Christmas, with a third quater launch on the cards.
Update: According to Bloomberg, an unnamed source said a tablet with a screen size of “7 to 8 inches diagonally” will arrive before 2012 reaches its close.
Update: The Wall Street Journal reports that sources in Apple’s Asian supply chain have revealed the iPad Mini will go into production from September.

If the smaller size iPad turns out real and is in the 7 to 8 inch display range, I look forward to Tim Cook’s explanation for such. Most of us will know it will be purely due to  market demand and rising popularity of such size tablets as seen by the success chalked up by other Android based manufacturers such as Samsung, Asus, Acer and most recent Google themselves with the Nexus 7. Apple will not want to lose out to this lucrative section of the market

It brings back to me Steve Job’s adamant reasoning and rationale against such a smaller size tablet

On Oct 19 2010 during  a financial-results conference call , Steve Jobs had made the following comments on  the shortcomings of 7-inch tablets to reporters and analysts .  At the time, he was commenting on Android 2.2 (Froyo) tablets, and he didn’t think much of them and so would you, he had say.

He said :

Jobs didn’t stop there. He also argued that tablet users were also smartphone users, and thus 7-inch tablets were of a size that made no sense .

In the iPhone 4s launch, we could hear groans about the unimpressive features of the iphone 4s against the iphone 4. But than people always forget about the ” unimpressive features”  and still flock to buy the iphone 4s which recorded 93 million units in 2011. Similarly reading the various websites and iphone forums the past 2 days,  I see the same trend. Seriously , users are never satisfied. As Chinese saying goes, give them an inch they want a foot. I view whatever improvements in the iphone 5 is noticeable/great and from a marketing point of view , more improved and newer features will be in the next upcoming version iphone 5S or iphone 6 !! If not, how else can Apple keep up the momentum to entice buyers to continue to upgrade ? Many analysts had forecasted  sales forecasts of the latest iPhone 5 to be easily doubled that of the iPhone 4s in the opening week at 6 million units.

As far as i see it, the iPhone 5 has substantial improvements to the current iPhone 4S :

- a bigger 4 inch display  which will offer 44% better color saturation compared to the old Retina display of IPhone 4s. It is now 1136 x 640 pixel resolution on the iPhone 5, compared to 960-by-640 resolution on the iPhone4S but with similar 326 ppi.  You can now  have 5 rows of icons vs 4 previously

- it is thinner by 18% and lighter by 20 %

- build quality and materials is reported to be finer and classier

- a faster and more efficient dual core A6 processor , 22% smaller but twice as fast as the older A5

- 1 GB or RAM vs 512 MB previously

- availability of 4G capability

- better camera though still remaining at 8-megapixel camera, but it’s 25 percent smaller and has better low-light performance, high-res panoramas (up to 28 megapixels), and improved noise reduction not offered on the 4S. It also takes pictures 40 percent faster

- claimed to have better battery life : on 4G, 10 hours web browsing vs 8 hours previously. Standby power of 225 hours versus 200 hours on the iPhone4s

- better audio quality with three microphones—front, back, and bottom—compared with just one on the bottom of the iPhone 4S

The only grouse of the iPhone 5 would be,  I’d say in the change of its connectivity option from the standard 30 pin port to a smaller 9 pin port ( now called Lightning) and to a smaller sim card – nano sim. One can buy an adapter for the connector for S$41 ( as found in Spore Apple Online site). However the nano sim is of a different construction in its gold connectors and is thinner , so cutting down to size from the micro sim card is not possible

In conclusion, I find the iPhone 5 do has substantial improvements . It will be a great substantial upgrade from present iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 users but still a good upgrade for iPhone 4S users. It could even be better but why offer it now – we will see it in later versions iPhone 5S or probably iPhone 6.

On November 4, 2009, Google Maps Navigation was released in conjunction with Google Android OS 2.0 Eclair , adding voice commands, traffic reports, and street view support.  The initial release was limited to the United States.  The service was launched in the UK on 20 April 2010 and in large parts of continental Europe on June 9, 2010 (including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland).

Google Maps Navigation takes advantage of long-standing features of Google Maps for mobile. These features include powerful Google search and voice search capabilities, which allow users to find local destinations by typing or speaking an address or business name.

Initially, voice search is only available in English. Google’s search tools simplify the process of navigation by assisting the user in intelligent ways – for example, misspelled or ambiguous queries are corrected and clarified, without requiring the user to enter an exact address – and quickly calculating the optimal route from origin to destination.

Users can check the traffic conditions by enabling the ‘Traffic’ layer on maps.google.co.in (for desktop browsers) or in Google Maps for mobile (on their smartphones).

This map is for countries  that cannot use navigation on google map. It has now been hacked and can be used by any country now.

This solution is ONLY for ROOTED Android phones

Download the hacked map ownhere 6.11.1 from HERE and copy it to any folder in your phone

Google Maps for Android with Navigation (Beta) has:

* Detailed maps with 3D buildings
* Voice guided turn-by-turn GPS navigation
* Driving, public transit, biking, and walking directions
* Live traffic information to avoid congestion
* Local search and business reviews
* Google Maps Street View
* Indoor maps for select airports, hotels, retail stores, and more

STEPS to install 

• 1. In Titanium Backup, select Maps and make a backup.
• 2. Select Maps and wipe data, then uninstall.
• 3. Select Street View and wipe data, then uninstall.
• 4. Locate the downloaded map apk file “maps6.11.1 ownhere_signed.apk”  in phone and install it
• 5. Go to Playstore/Market , and reinstall ” Street View for Google Maps”

You  now have voice assisted navigation on the latest Google Maps

The launch event that most gadget enthusiasts are waiting for – the successor to the current Galaxy Note at IFA Berlin on 29 Aug at 7 pm ( M’sian time 30 Aug, 1 am ). The Galaxy Note 2 was introduced in a 30 minute presentation. Prior to that, there was a 20 min , I would say a “senseless” presentation as a prelude to show Samsung’s  ” pure innovation, a demonstration of life, power and beauty, together in perfect harmony.”  Actually I am not impressed with it. Kicking off the announcement of the Note 2 was  Samsung’s JK Shin ,JK Shin, President of Mobile Communications Division. Each time I see this guy speak and present, I just pity him as he struggles with his broken and heavily accented English. Overall his presentation pales with Apple’s guys even Tim Cook. Samsung should engage a better presenter for such an important event. Well, just to give him face allow him on stage a minute just to say Hello !!

This post is based on the live blog reports from The Verge and Engadget : I have summarised the main highlights here

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/live-from-samsung-unpacked-at-ifa-2012/

http://live.theverge.com/samsung-mobile-unpacked-ifa-2012-galaxy-note-ii-live/

Well, most of the rumours about the Note 2 seems correct.

First , the design – just a bigger size Galaxy S III. I was disappointed as I believe Samsung could do better than that for a flagship smartphone. It is not that the design of the S3 is poor. Why the need just to copy the S3 when they could take the opportunity to give it a distinct new character.

No exact size specifications was shown except it is ” It’s slightly narrower and taller” than the current Galaxy Note” . Engadget had reported the Note 2 is slimmer than the previous Note by 0.3 mm at 9.4 mm against 9.7 mm. The device’s 5.55-inch screen is diagonally wider than the Galaxy Note at 5.3 inches. That translates into a display with a wide-screen 16:9 aspect ratio, which is, as Samsung puts it, “optimized for today’s visually oriented apps.”

The phone will  be available in Marble White or Titanium Gray colour , and will launch in October starting from ‘major European, Asian and Middle East markets’ , in 128 countries

No pricing is indicated, but I’d think it should be in same range as previous Note starting at RM 2199 ( 16 GB version )

Official specs :

Android Version: 4.1.1 – Jelly Bean.
Display: 5.5” Super AMOLEDHD with 1280×720 Resolution (720p – 16:9).
CPU: Samsung’s Exynos4412 @ 1.6GHz.
GPU: ARM’s Mali-400MP @400MHz.
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 16GB, 32GB and64GB.
MicroSD Slot: Yes.
Camera: 8MP (1080p HD)Rear Facing Camera + 1.9MP (720p HD) Front Facing Camera.
Battery: 3,100 MAh.

The major hardware differences:
- a higher and more powerful quadcore processor Exynos 4412 ( same chipset as Galaxy S III) but at 1.6 Ghz vs the previous dual core 1.4 Ghz, while GPU remains the same. Those expecting latest Exynos 5250 will be disappointed
- a slight bigger display at 5.5 inch vs 5.3 inch but at a reduced resolution of 1280X720 vs 1280X800 previously.
- most obvious improvement is 2 GB of ram vs 1 GB of the Note
- bigger battery size 3100 mAh vs 2500 mAh of the Note
- supports up to 128 GB external micro SD card !!
- S Pen with  a better grip,and  a new rubber tip. Like the Note 10.1′s S Pen, it offers 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity.
- most important of all, it comes with Android latest OS : Jelly Bean v 4.1.1. Having experienced this OS on the Nexus – it is indeed leaps and bounds ahead of the older Ice Cream Sandwich with very obvious improvement in UI’s slickness, smoothness and overall performance

Software Features :

Most obvious added improvements is in the S pen features –  Just briefly  :

-  Air View – which allows one to preview content by hovering the stylus over icons. For example, you could hold the S Pen over a day on a calendar, and a preview window of that day’s appointments will appear.
-  Best Faces –  which allows users to choose the most preferred face or pose of each person from group portrait photos.
- Smart Stay, which uses the camera to prevent the device from going into standby mode when it detects a user in front of the device.
- Quick Command: Just sweep the S Pen up and a blank square pops up where you can write customized commands that will instantly do things such as send an email to a specific person.
- Popup Note :  is a kind of multitasking ability, letting you call up a note from the S Note app as a pop-up window on the screen. This could come in handy when you get a phone call and need to write something down quickly.
- Easy Clip : a way to quickly outline and crop certain kinds of content on the screen. With the S Pen’s button, it intelligently figures out what you want to clip, then you can paste it into other content.

Samsung Hands On:

About an  hour before the official launch, web reviews and you tube videos on it was already up. Most of the reviews are very positive about the Note 2. Within the enxt week or two, we shold be able to see more detailed reviews and benchmarking results. These are some of them :

Android Authority :

Techno Buffalo

Android Central :

Pocketnow.com

Reviews and Impressions/Hands on :

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-note-2-1093688/review
http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/29/3276292/samsung-galaxy-note-ii-announcement
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/samsung-galaxy-note-ii/
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-review-impressions-video-111051/

PRE-REQUISITES:

Galaxy Tab 7.7 , model P6800m ( 3G/WiFi ) : MAKE SURE it is at least 50% battery charge - preferably 70% and above

Windows XP or Windows 7 PC

You need to download first the following software

1. KIES 2.0 from : http://www.samsung.com/de/support/usefulsoftware/KIES/JSP

Run the exe file ( Kies_2.3.2.12074_13_13.exe , a 90MB file ) to install the Samsung USB phone drivers on your PC

2. Download the HK ICS rom file from here : http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=3&model=GT-P6800&pcode=TGY&os=1&type=3#firmware

The file name is P6800ZSLP7_P6800OZSLP7_TGY.zip ( 592 MB file). Extract the downloaded zip file in your PC to get the tar format file : P6800OZSLP7_P6800ZSLP7_HOME.tar.md5 ( 889 MB)

Copy this tar file to any location/or folder  in your PC

3. Download ODIN 1.85 from HERE . Copy this file to your PC and run the exe file to get the Odin 1.85 exe file. This file is needed to launch the Odin flashing program

STEPS to flash rom :

Test PC connection to tab : Connect Tab to PC and allow auto detect and install of drivers. Do this only after you have install KIES. Shutdown KIES in PC and turn off all anti virus software

Once successfully detected, disconnect Tab and switched it off. Boot Tab to DOWNLOAD mode by simultaneously pressing VOL DOWN and POWER button. You will see this image:

Select VOL UP to continue and you will see :

Connect Tab to PC using the USB cable

Launch Odin 1.85. Tab will be recognised by PC and you will see the ID:COMM port ( at top left ) turn yellow with a port number. Your port number might differ from below screenshot

SELECT PDA and browse to where you have saved the file : P6800OZSLP7_P6800ZSLP7_HOME.tar.md5 – select it. ( the shot below shows another file just as an example only)

Press START. Odin will now flash the recovery file. After complete you will see this

The TAB will reboot after you see PASS in the Odin window

CONGRATS – you have just completed flashing the latest ICS rom on your Tab 7.7. The reboot time could take up to 5-8 mins – just be patient and wait for it to reboot successfully

LAST POINT : It’d be good practice to backup your stuffs before flashing

Refer my post on how to do backups :

http://leemn.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/how-to-backup-your-android-phone/

If you wish to ROOT and have CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY installed refer my blog post here :

http://leemn.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/galaxy-tab-7-7-rooting-and-installing-clockworkmod-recovery/

For a NON Rooted phone

1. Google’s Android offers the ability to seamlessly save certain settings like wireless network preferences, bookmarks, and custom dictionary words to their servers using your Google account. To enable it:

1. Go to Settings, Personal, Backup and reset, and select both Backup my data and Automatic restore.
2. Go to Settings, Personal, Accounts & Sync, and select your Google account.
3. Select all of the option boxes listed, to ensure that all available data is synced.

Though the specific procedure may slightly vary between Android devices, the process is generally the same.

2. Sync your contacts, calendars to your G Mail account. After every factory reset or change of phone, log in to your GMail account and all your contacts and calendars will be auto sync back

3. SMS – use the free app SMS Backup & Restore by Ritesh Sahu. This app backup and restore PERFECTLY all your SMS and it works beautifully across all Android OS from Eclair to JellyBean. You have option to set your backup at external SDcard ( if your phone has such feature ) . Just select this at Menu/Preferences/Backup Folder and select BRowse to external SD card as your choice. Explore the other options that are available

4. Apps – you can only backup your 3rd party apps apk file. All data associated with the app CANNOT be backup unless your phone is rooted. Best app is to use MyBackup Pro – it is a free app from Playstore. Backup (with schedule option) to their  online secure servers, or SD card, your Applications, Photos, Music, Videos, Contacts, Call log, Browser Bookmarks, SMS (text messages), MMS, Calendar, System Settings, Home Screens (including shortcut positions), Alarms, Dictionary, Music Playlists, APNs and more…. The paid version will allow you  to go across another device (data migration). Data associated with apps can ONLY be backup on rooted phones. Restoring of apps can only be done manually and selection is one by one NOT auto batch restore as in rooted phones. Refer this website for more details and help guide : http://www.rerware.com/android-backup/default.aspx

You can also use file manager apps such as Astro File Manager or ES File Explorer to just backup your 3rd party apps APK ONLY ( no data ). In Astro, Select “Manage My Files”, Menu/Tools/Application Backup – you will see a listing of all your apps – select all or just tick what you wish to backup. By default the backups will be in internal storage but you can change it to external SDcard at Menu/Preferences/Directory Options
For ES File Explorer, select menu/Manager/App Manager – press the Select Tab and choose your apps that you need to backup. The backups will be stored at internal storage

In both apps, restoring the apps is just tapping on the individual apk file after you have located the respective backup folder

For ROOTED phones

Follow above 1,2 and 3

For apps, best to use is Titanium Backup Pro ( paid app ). There are many options available in this app and I must say is a MUST BUY app for rooted phones.

Refer to these 2 excellent tutorial guides : these guide is based on the older version but the principles are essentially the same. Major difference is in the newer version, you select the BATCH options not at Menu but just tick the “arrow tick pad”  at the top right corner and you will see the amazing list of options available

You can select option to have backup done at external sdcard by selecting Menu/Preferences/Backup Folder Location and select DETECT – browse whole device. Before that, create a folder TitaniumBackup in your external Sdcard

If you are moving to another rom, ONLY select restore Missing Apps to avoid conflict and overwrite of newer rom system files. Refer to these 2 links for more information and HOW TO DO IT

http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/how-to-use-titanium-backup-for-android-complete-guide/

http://www.howtogeek.com/70715/how-to-backup-and-restore-your-android-phone-with-titanium-backup/

Its sucessor the Galaxy Note 2 ( so addressed at this time ) is reportedly to be announced this 29 Aug at the IFA event in Berlin. The actual name could also probably be Note S or Note II or Note 5.5 ?

I summarised here the specs of the new Note based on several web reports : The  Galaxy Note 2 presently designated with the model number GT-N7100 and will probably feature a 5.5” Super AMOLED 1280×720 display. The size of the new Note is rumoured to be similar to current Note and the bexel edges will be reduced to accomodate the bigger display. On the display side, one also cannot discount the possibility of  a Super AMOLED HD screen, or even a Super AMOLED HD Plus display offering  better colour rendering and sharpness. Screen resolution is anticipated to be at a lower resolution at  1280X720 instead of 1280X800. It will come with an Exynos 4412 quad-core processor ( a 5250 quadcore I’d think  is unlikely ) clocked at 1.4GHz to 1.6 Ghz , an enormous 2 GB of ram,  an 8MP rear-facing camera, 3G and 4G LT E connectivity, 16/32GB storage sizes and will apparently come loaded with Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean on board. Launching it with Ice Cream Sandwich will be a big disappointment . Design wise, there had been several faked shots of the phone but most signs point it to be similar to the present Galaxy S3. It is a design which one either love it or just hate it

On 20 Aug, Samsung has  released a teaser video for the upcoming event and within it there are glimpses of what could probably be signs of  the Galaxy Note 2. The teaser video does not reveal much except that it will come with a  new S Pen whose tip appears to be pressure sensitive.

Price of this Note 2 will not be cheap. I would expect it to be in the same range as present Note when launch , probably at least launching at RM 2199 – RM2399

GSM arena has posted a probable specs list of the Note 2: view it with plenty of salt

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_ii_n7100-4854.php

This is my layman’s comparison review between the Google Nexus 7 ( N7) and Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 ( GT77). The N7 is Google’s first entry into the competitive tablet market and is meant to be a budget tablet and a potential first buy to new tablet users. Infact Google claim it is not making any money selling it at US $ 199 ( 8 GB ) and US$ 249 ( 16 GB) . The N7 is manufactured by Taiwanese maker ASUS.
The Tab 7.7 is the most impressive 7 inch+ Android tablet by Samsung and I’d say is the best 7” Android tablet I have used to date. Its display is slight larger at 7.7 inch. I have done a brief review of it at my previous blog post at HERE
This 16 GB 3g/Wifi tablet retails at around US$ 550-580

Pricing aside, this comparison will give you a simple guide what these tablets offer
As before , here I used a simple rating guide to assess the difference between these 2 tablets – a score of 10 being the best and a 1 being the worst. These are my personal assessments and your opinion might possibly differ from mine

The Tab 7.7 is on mod JB rom ( Nexus 7.7 v 1.3 ) found at
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1824167
I would say this is the best custom rom I have tested on the tab 7.7 and this rom basically simulates the Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 is also on custom rom CNA 3.3.2 ( nightly build dated 23 Aug) which combines the best of stock official rom and AOPK roms
Rom link : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1839244

This is the main link but the nightlies version can be downloaded at : http://goo.im/devs/codenamedroid/nightlies/grouper

SPECS :

N7 : It is powered by a 1.3 Ghz quad-core Tegra 3 processor ( NVidia GForce 12 core GPU) with 1GB RAM and comes with two storage options at either 8GB or 16 GB. The quality of the display however is quite disappointing as it is just plain IPS LCD but with a 1200X800 resolution ( 216 pixel/inch). There is no rear camera , only a 1.2 mp front facing camera. There is no 3G simcard slot and so only WiFi is the only connectivity option.

GT77 : This is a dual core Exynos 1.4 Ghz ( with Mali 400 GPU) with 1 GB ram and 16 GB storage. In my opinion, the display quality is very much better than the N7 with SuperAmoled Plus ( 1200X800 resolution and 196 pixel/inch ) with brighter colors , though some might say it looks not so natural. There is a 3.5 MP rear camera besides the 2 MP front camera. In addition this tab comes with added external storage through a micro external SD slot which can support up to 64 GB ( both class 6 and class 10 cards)
Basing on hardware specs alone, the N7 seems to be a winner ( details posted below ) but on practical grounds the GT77 wins with added 3G connectivity and external micro Sd slot
Practically most games, apps and tasks do not really require the need for quad core processing. The quadcore will definitely increase benchmark scores . The potential of quadcore can only be seen with apps supporting it and needing it in future

Summary of differences between these 2 tablets can be viewed at :

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Google-Nexus-7,Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-7.7/phones/7143,6115

Hardware – N7 ( 9) : GT77 ( 8)

Hardware connectivity , storage and camera options – N7 ( 5) : GT77 ( 10)
Here the GT77 obviously thrumps over the N7 with added external micro SDcard ( up to 64 GB ) and additional options of internal storage at 32 GB and 64 Gb. These 2 additional options is anot available in Malaysia. With 3G simcard added in, one have another option to have internet access besides using the tablet for calls and SMS
However one can easily overcome the N7 storage by just using a USB-OTG cable and connect it to an external thumb drives ( tested up to 16 GB) and external Sdcards ( tested with 64 GB microSDcard through a full size SDcard adapter). However the N7 needs to be rooted and have an app Chainfire StickMount installed. It is inconvenient but nevertheless a solution
The added camera at the back of the GT77 is an advantage when you need to take those impromptu shots. The 3.15 megapixel primary camera comes with auto-focus, LED flash and geo-tagging. The camera can record video in 720p at 30 frames per second (fps). The N7 comes with a 1.2 megapixel primary camera for video-calling. The camera can record video in 720p.

BUILD QUALITY – N7 ( 8) : GT77 ( 10)
The N7 looks cheap compared to the GT77. The GT77 oozes class and its back metallic finish is so much better than the pimpled back surface of the N7. There are in fact plenty of poor comments on the web about the N7 glass surface lifting off the edges. The N7 though is a smaller tablet is heavier by 5 gm and is obviously thicker by 2.6 mm. The N7 saving grace is its slight tapered edge to the back which lessen the thicker impression. The GT77 is the slimmest tablet I have come across which at only 7.89 mm thick, is even slimmer than the smartphones SGS II and Galaxy Note

OPERATING SYSTEM – N7 ( 10) : GT77 ( 8.5)
By default the N7 comes with latest Android OS JellyBean ver 4.1.1 while the GT77 is still at ICS ( 4.0.4). I would rate just a 7 for the GT77 on ICS but here I have rated it a closer 8.5 as my Tab 7.7 is now installed with custom Jellybean rom. Overall the N7 is slicker and smoother, and slightly more responsive than the GT77 ( on custom JB rom)

DISPLAY QUALITY – N7 ( 9 ) : GT77 ( 10)
Display quality is debatable. Some users prefer a more natural look while some do not mind a “faked” and not so natural colors. I am in the latter category. The N7 colors looks very slight paler and carries a slight bluish tint . I find the GT77 colors are more vivid and blacks looks real black. This is not so obvious in below shots but practically it is. Both display I’d say looks equally good by itself without any comparison, though I find the GT77 has an edge .  However due to its extra 0.7 inch, the pixel density of the GT77 is lower at 196 vs 216 ppi of the N7. Interms of resolution , both tablets are the same at 1200X800 ( HD quality). This difference in the ppi I would say is negligible

LEFT –  N77 : RIGHT – GT77

PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS – N7 ( 10) : GT77 ( 8)

Bench mark figures are just a guide and do not really necessary reflect real life performance. But the N7 is a clear winner here on Quadrant and AnTuTu benchmarking tests I have done. The Vellamo browsing benchmarks, the GT77 scores slight higher. These are the best of 3 readings done.

QUADRANT : N7 – 4776 and GT77 – 3509
Quadrant is a CPU, I/O and 3D graphics benchmark
This app has been widely used since April 2010, and now with its latest update finally supports multiple core and Android 4.0. Quadrant Standard Edition has long been the standard in apps used to quickly benchmark Android phones. There are many arguments on then accuracy and validity of Quadrant benchmark scores, and how those scores translate into real-world use, but nonetheless, it’s the app for seeing what the device can offer against others.

AnTuTu Benchmarks : N7 – 10454 vs GT77 – 6333.  This is a benchmarking tool for Android Mobile Phone/Pad. It can run a full test of a key project, through the “Memory Performance”,”CPU Integer Performance”,”CPU Floating point Performance”,”2D 3D Graphics Performance”,”SD card reading/writing speed”,”Database IO” performance testing, and gives accurate analysis for Andriod smart phones. AnTuTu Benchmark can support the latest quad-core cpu. In reaching the overall and individual scores of the hardware, AnTuTu Benchmark could judge your phone by the scores of the performance of the hardware.

Vellamo browser benchmarks : N7 – 1931 vs GT77 – 2010 : Qualcomm’s app like the company’s OpenGL benchmarking app, Neocore, evaluates performance of your web browser by running various tests on the device. The app runs tests for graphical rendering, javascript, overall user experience and networking protocols. Test parameters include calculating frame per second (fps), base score, weighted score and other scores based on the content sitting on various websites.

REAL LIFE PERFORMANCE – N7 ( 9) : GT77 ( 8.5)

The difference between the two is marginal. The N7 here wins slightly due to its overall smoother UI, and slight quicker launch of apps. Browsing is virtually similar. Games on the N7 appears slight faster though I am unable to measure it. The GT77 will obviously loses out more obviously if it remains on ICS ( I would rate it a 7 ). Project Butter ( responsible for the extreme improvement in UI smoothness ) as on the original Jellybean OS is not being fully captured yet in those JB custom roms of the Tab 7.7 due to unavailability of official stock release

MUSIC and VIDEO – N7 ( 8) : GT 77 ( 10)

The GT77 is much more superior in this . Its audio quality thrumps the N7 which is often softer in most audio and video playback
On the N7, in most videos I need to maximize the volume to have a decent playback of the audio
By default The GT77 supports more video formats : MPEF4, DivX,XviD and WMV besides the usual H.263 and H.264
Several users on the web has complained about crackling audios of the N7 at high volumes

BATTERY LIFE – N7 ( 9) : GT77 ( 9)

The GT77 has a higher Li-Po battery at 5100 mAh against the Li-ion 4325 mAh of the N7. Theoretically the GT77 has extra 18 % battery power. In real life performance, the N7 battery life can easily match the GT77 BUT it is only on the custom rom “ Codename Android 3.3.2 “ that I have installed.

The custom rom has easily increased the N7 battery life I guessestimate by up to 30 %. Continuous video playback on both can easily last 12 hours.
Operating temperatures are equally similar ranging 32-35 degree C in video playing and wifi browsing. This is much cooler than other Android smartphones I have used

SHUTDOWN and SWITCH ON times – N7 ( 7) : GT77 ( 10)
The N7 took 14 sec to shutdown and 70 secs to switch on and fully boot to the lockscreen. The GT77 times is much faster at 4 secs to shutdown and 52 secs to bootup

SUMMARY : WHO is the WINNER ?
There is actually no clear winner in this comparison. If prices of both are similar, I would rate the Tab 7.7 as the winner. The Nexus 7 was never meant to compete with the Tab 7.7 as it is meant to be a budget entry tablet. I would say for RM 950-RM1000 the Nexus 7 is indeed a good buy but you have to accept the absence of external SDcard and 3G connectivity availability. If you just want an affordable tablet for browsing, ebooks, some gaming, checking up your emails, RSS, tweeter, facebook updates I do highly recommend this Nexus 7. Paying an additional RM 900+ gives you the Tab 7.7 with added external microSD card and 3 G capability and a “better” display
The Tab 7.7 has a huge price margin over it at RM 1899 . One can basically buy close to 2 N7 at this price