ICS on Galaxy Note

[Roger Garstang]

I noticed a few others here have the Note (Possibly a little different versions if overseas, but mostly the same). How do you guys that got ICS now like it?

For me:

* Seems to have sped up a bit and not the random stuttering type lag it had before where it would go really fast then stop for a bit then go fast again.

* I love the Lock Screen now and there were a couple new Wallpapers.

* Battery Seems to go a little quicker (Mostly when on as overnight seemed the same or better)

* I tried forcing the 2D rendering with graphics chip, but didn't see much gains and seemed to bring back some lag.

* Browser seems a little better. It no longer maxes out the brightness on me like it did before when loading.

* Screen has more range of brightness levels now, but more trouble keeping it what I set sometimes (Even with all the power management and other adjustments off that change it on me)

* Amazon apps no longer think my phone is a Tablet, so are easier to read now.

* Email app is the best "Stock" version I've seen in a while. It actually connects right up and sees all my IMAP folders as well as properly syncing that none of the other Stock Apps could do. The 25 email limit like the Nexus has with no way to change is still annoying though. I used Extreme Email before but just switched to K9 (Could be some of my Battery Drain).

* None of my keyboards except the stock Android work right. I'd think Samsung would have seen this at least with theirs, but it and Swiftkey both don't shift the screen right and cover up buttons like my Send button when making an SMS Msg.

* New Premium Samsung apps and features are awesome. Sometimes the Pen gestures and touching in general seem to lag. I disabled and uninstalled all ATT apps that I could and rebooted a few times and it seems to have improved though.

 

[Jim Brown]

I received 4.04 a few days ago. It gives the 'in play video' feature which is the same as the Galaxy SIII

Battery life does seem a touch kess. I used to get about 3 days on low usage. Now I typically need to charge every 2 days.

There's a great Torch widget in there which toggles 3 levels of brightness. Not sure if I had this before though.

I have turned off all animation (from the developer options) and enabled Force GPU rendering so everything feels fast and smooth now

Oh, and I really like the SPen hovering circle, which helps greatly when drawing.

 

[Roger Garstang]

Will have to look into the video stuff, and I'll try the animation stuff with the 2D and see how that works.

No Torch widget on mine, and I love the hover option for the pen too...although mine looks like a blue mouse pointer.

 

[thebaldconvict]

I have a Note also, just upgraded from a Desire HD but haven't been brave enough to upgrade from Gingerbread because of the hard brick bugs in the Samsung kernels......

Just don't do a full wipe on it whatever you do



Sent from my Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

 

[Roger Garstang]

I thought they fixed that kernel bug...and I'm guessing it is only the international although ATT hasn't said anything. Mine updated without issue other than needing the Kies stuff (100MB) then downloading all the Updates for Kies and the ROM and finally updating...still getting carrier garbage (although all but 2-3 were able to be uninstalled/disabled)

 

[thebaldconvict]

Ah didn't realise you were on the American one, I guess it depends if that same chip is in it.

I don't think Samsung have fixed it yet but I know many third party roms have....


Sent from my Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

 

[Roger Garstang]

I've gotten to really like the hover pen effect even more lately. One thing that has always driven me nuts on iOS and Android is web pages using hover menus and such not working. This new feature gives the capability to make use of these now and not have to tap and hold then back out of whatever menu pops up to get the mouse to be hovered there and activate the menu. I don't think I'd go back to a device without the pen now. It is a shame the S3 didn't make use of it (I went into the store yesterday and tried to use my pen on it too and nothing).

 

[Jim Brown]

I believe the SPen is only compatible with the Notes particular display. Yes, it's a shame it does not work with S3. The SPen is great tech in itself. Very sensitive.
Oh, and I love the PALM SWIPE feature for taking quick screen shots. Very handy!

 

[Roger Garstang]

Palm Swipe? How does that work? On the US version the SPen has a button that performs the advanced stuff. With button pressed- Tap/Hold does screenshot, swipe left goes back, swipe down goes home, swipe up activates menu, and I think double tap does memo.

 

[drowles]

Thanks for the help!

I'm so glad you started this thread, Roger! I love my GNote and have it upgraded to ICS, but the Hover Pen setting was not on. So I found out how to turn it on (Pen Settings) and now I LOOOVE it! Thank you so much!

I also turned on Force GPU Rendering and turned off animations and it seems even faster than before, which was much faster than original.

My battery was better on ICS for a while, but recently has been draining a bit faster... I assume it's a new app of some sort operating in the background.

I used an app (ROM Toolbox Lite) to lower the ppi from 320 to 240 and now I see a lot more on the screen. I tried 270 but it caused all sorts of problems w/ Play store and app compatibility. Anyway, thanks for the tips!

 

[Jim Brown]

Regarding Palm Swipe. If I hold my hand in a chopping position then swipe across the display (right to left for example) it takes a screenshot

 

[Roger Garstang]

Cool, that works on mine too, so there is now two ways to do the screenshot. I wish there was a hover finger option now.

 

[thebaldconvict]

Just updated mine, I just won't factory reset. Couldn't resist once I read about the pen hover.

Very glad I did, it running at a density of 240 and al working much smoother

Sent from my Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

 

[Jim Brown]

Oddly enough I am looking at 'downsizing' now. I love my Note though but I need something around 4" now. The note's a bit too big for jogging!

The problem is, there is practically little to choose from as an alternative:

Must have criteria for me:
-----------------------------------------
+ Good battery (removable/replaceable)
+ 4" SuperAmoled, True black, or LCD2 screen
+ 8MP camera
+ Lightweight
+ FM Radio, GPS
+ Will get JellyBean

Samsung Galaxy S Advance is close but I can't see JB on the cards. Little XDA support too

 

[Roger Garstang]

I have similar needs which have yet to exist in any single device:
-----------------------------------------
+ Durable frame...I don't really care how thick it is, I just want a phone that won't break when you look at it wrong.
+ Good battery (removable/replaceable/2000-3000+mAh range)
+ 4.3-4.5" SuperAmoled +, True black, or LED Backlit LCD with Non-Pentile RGB/RGBW Matrix
+ 8MP camera
+ FM Radio, GPS
+ ICS/JellyBean- Fully working IMAP Email that properly syncs with all folders would be nice (ICS still doesn't have this, but got close...removing the 25 email limit would be good enough).
+ HDMI Port
+ SD Card Slot
+ SPen support would be cool.
+ Hardware keyboard would be a nice change too.
+ Unlocked and Root Access and/or no carrier garbage. And, I at least want to be able to backup my phone and settings/game data.

 

[Jim Brown]

Well, I have gone and downsized to a Galaxy Ace 2. Its a smaller form factor and lighter, so I feel a bit safer now. With the note, as great as it is, I was always a bit concerned that it would slide out of my pocket whenever I sat in a low seat (the car for example). It was also not very practical for jogging etc.

The Ace 2 is very practical though, with a great battery, fair camera (5MP), FM radio, GPS, and nippy 2.3.6 Gingerbread. I am pleased with its functionality and design, which feels sturdy. The phone is unlikely to get JellyBean but my Nexus 7 tablet takes care of that experience.

I do miss the pen, Super Amoled screen, and excellent camera results of the Note, but, practicality won in the end.