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Samsung teases Galaxy Note 2 launch party on Oct. 24

Just one look at the stylus in Samsung's Save the Date invite we received today will tell you all you need to know: it's time for the U.S. to get the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (II) "phablet."

That's my educated guess, anyway, considering that the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet is out in the world, and since Samsung will want to put great marketing and sales efforts behind their latest phone in a category they're aggressively pioneering.

The Note 2 smartphone has a 5.5-inch screen, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, an 8-megapixel … Read more

Samsung expects big things from even bigger Galaxy Note 2

Samsung is expecting pretty big things out of its next major release, the Galaxy Note 2.

Indeed, even after the 30 million Galaxy S3s and millions of iPhone 5 sales, Samsung believes it could still move 20 million units of its 5.5-inch Galaxy Note II. Speaking with reporters recently, Samsung head J.K. Shin advised that the Galaxy Note II could sell "three times faster" than the first iteration over its first few months.

To ensure the handset is a success, Samsung has partnered with no less than 260 wireless providers across 128 markets. Starting with today'… Read more

Whose tablet ads are the worst of them all? Apple's, say ad mavens

It's a wonder Apple ever manages to sell any of those pesky iPads.

At least, that seems to be the pulsating thought that oozes from numbers analyzed by a company called Ace Metrix.

These no doubt diligent and well-meaning sorts decided to rate the TV ads for all the different tablets that are currently vying for a place in your living and rest areas.

You may be stunned into the principality of Catatonia to discover that real human beings were allegedly far more moved by ads for the Samsung Galaxy Note, Google's Nexus 7 and even Amazon's … Read more

Quad-core Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launches with 5 carriers

The first quad-core LTE smartphone in the U.S. is almost here, and it comes to our shores extra-large. In launching the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung is hoping to repeat its own success with sales on the Galaxy S3 just a few months before, while also setting a record for the first quad-core smartphone to reach U.S. retail shelves.

The Korea-based manufacturer announced today that it will kick off the 5.5-inch Android 4.1 Jelly Bean "phablet," a smartphone with tabletlike proportions, on the same five carriers that initially offered the Galaxy S3 this summer. Moreover, the smartphone will carry Samsung's 1.6 GHz Exynos processor.… Read more

Save it with Sticky Notes

Post-it Notes, those little yellow pads of sticky-backed paper, changed the world, or at least the way people who live in it leave reminders to themselves and others. When the layers of notes (now multicolor) start to resemble cedar shingles, it's time to clean your computer monitor. That brings up an important point: as big an improvement as sticky notes have been over the old paper napkin method, software versions like Sticky Notes may be better still. For one thing, Sticky Notes lets you organize, search, store, and back up your notes; set reminders, priorities, and alarms; and customize … Read more

Which phone should you buy?

This story, originally published September 14, 2012, updates often to reflect the arrival of new phones.

"Which phone should I buy?" This is the single most common question readers like you ask us phone reviewers every day. With the launch of a new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone and upcoming BlackBerry Q10 joining the Apple iPhone 5, a legion of excellent Android handsets, and the rise of Microsoft's Windows phones, the choices are more numerous than ever before.

On the bright side, options are a good thing -- if you're armed with the knowledge necessary to make smart shopping decisions. Sit tight as we lay out what you need to find the right mobile platform and model for you.… Read more

iPhone 5 opens the door for Nokia, Samsung

News flash: The iPhone 5 is not the end-all and be-all of the smartphone universe, a fact that should thrill Nokia and Samsung alike.

Here's what it is: a strong improvement to the iPhone 4S that offers up a larger screen, 4G LTE speeds, and a terrific camera. The iPhone 5 carries on the goodness that Apple excels at, like iTunes entertainment and cloud storage.

But however good the iPhone 5 is, it lacks the knockout, gasp-inducing feature that Apple followers have come to expect: perhaps double the battery life of any other phone on the market, or an … Read more

Samsung: Galaxy S3 sales to surpass 30 million this year

Samsung believes its Galaxy S3 is on its way to more than 30 million in global sales by year's end, according to a report from the Yonhap News Agency.

Samsung's IT and mobile unit chief Shin Jong-kyun announced the forecast to reporters today at the company's offices in Seoul. This tidbit comes on the heels of news that Samsung sold 20 million Galaxy S3 phones in the 100 days since its debut in May.

Shin also touted Samsung's new Galaxy Note 2, which was on display at last month's IFA trade show. Sales of the … Read more

Quad-core Galaxy Note 2 heading to Verizon

Apparently Samsung's unique Galaxy Note II is slated to arrive on Verizon. If a report is accurate, not only will the big-screened, pen-toting gadget boast 4G LTE data but also Samsung's quad-core Exynos processor. It'll be the first time a Galaxy Note has been scooped up by Big Red as well. … Read more

Best Android notepad apps for students

Run a quick search for "notepad" on Google Play, and you'll see that there are at least 1,000 apps claiming to fit the bill. The good news is, we've taken the time to show you a few notepads that are absolute must-haves, especially for students just getting back into the groove of school.

Evernote (free) These days, the all-powerful Evernote feels more like a platform than a single, independent app. It has a full menu of companion downloads like Skitch, Evernote Food, and Evernote Hello available, and tons of developers are racing to integrate its … Read more