Monday 19 November 2012

Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 2


Android to be reckoned with

Samsung's follow up to its popular Galaxy Note is bigger, badder and better.
By DONOVAN QUEK
When Samsung first announced the Galaxy Note last year, it received mixed responses. With a screen that was 5.5in big, it was far bigger than a conventional smartphone and too small to be considered a tablet.
Fast forward one year, and the Note is a commercial success, having sold over 10 million units worldwide and garnering a huge fan-base as one of the most popular "phablets" (phone/tablet hybrid) to ever hit the market.
Samsung wasted no time in coming up with a successor, and here we have the Galaxy Note 2 - an even faster, stronger, and bigger device than its predecessor.
Oversized phone or undersized tablet?
The 5.5in Super AMOLED screen is impressive with excellent colour and good viewing angles.
For a device with a screen that is bigger than the oversized Note, the Note 2 surprisingly fits better in the hand. This is because it is taller than the Note but the width is smaller, thus making it easier for the hand to grasp.
At 183g, it is considerably light for a phone of such gigantic proportions. However, it is still heavier than an average phone and some might feel tired after prolonged use of the Note 2.
For a device that is priced above RM2,000, the plastic build quality of the Note 2 is a turn off. However, looking beyond the materials used, the device feels solid.
It comes with a 1.6GHz Cortex A9 quad-core processor along with a whopping 2GB RAM. With that much horsepower, along with the latest version of Android 4.1 Jellybean, the user interface is buttery smooth.
With Jellybean, Google aimed to eliminate lag and the results can be seen with the Note 2. Connectivity options include WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and micro USB. NFC (near field ­communication) is also available, which allows huge amounts of data to be transferred just by touching the Note 2 with other NFC enabled devices.
The 16GB of internal memory that the Note 2 comes with is enough for an average user but for those who prefer more space, there is a microSD slot that can handle up to 64GB more of memory.
If there is one area where the Note 2 truly impresses, it will be in the battery department. Sporting a 3,100mAh battery, it is second only to Motorola's Razr Maxx's 3,300mAh.
Unlike most smartphones in the market today which require charging every now and then, it can last over a day of moderate usage while being connected to 3G at all times.
This is a huge improvement over the other star that Samsung released earlier this year, the S3.
For those who are worried that the Note 2 is too big to be used for messaging with one hand, there is the one-handed operation mode.
This moves the keyboard to the side of the phone, depending on whether you're left or right handed. One thing that we weren't pleased about was that it is hard to reach the two soft keys beside the home button when using the Note 2 with one hand.
rear view.rear view.
Multimedia powerhouse
The Note 2 boasts an 8-megapixel rear camera that takes shots with almost zero shutter lag. Pictures taken are decent enough as they appear crisp and clear on the screen.
The video camera records high definition videos up to 1080p. It also has the ability to capture pictures at almost full resolution while recording videos. This feature works as advertised, and doesn't affect the quality of the video as video playback quality was excellent.
One thing that benefits greatly from the large screen is the gallery, as there is enough space on the left of the screen for a list of the albums to be displayed. This makes it easy to skip from album to album and also makes it convenient when moving files from one place to another.
NICE: The Note 2 has a video camera that records high definition videos up to 1080p and the ability to capture pictures at almost full resolution while recording videos.NICE: The Note 2 has a video camera that records high definition videos up to 1080p and the ability to capture pictures at almost full resolution while recording videos.
The Note 2 comes with video pop up play feature, which allows ­videos to be minimised and moved around the screen so that the users can multitask.
Similarly, there is also the Internet pop up, which is a mini Internet browser that works the same way as a video pop up. Very handy in ­situations such as when you are browsing Facebook and want to explore a link.
Improved S Pen
ONE of the main features of the Note is its stylus. Dubbed the S Pen, it is no ordinary stylus - a function button on the stylus allows it to conjure up a list of cool tricks.
Being the third device in the Note series after the original Note and the Note 10.1 tablet, it has an S Pen with a new design.
It is longer and shaped more like a pen compared to the original, thus making it more ergonomic to hold. Thanks to popular graphics tablet maker Wacom's digitiser technology and the S Pen's 1,024 pressure points, the more pressure you apply when using the stylus, the thicker the lines will appear.
The S Note app is also a signature of the Note series. There are a number of new additions such as shape match and formula match.
With shape match, any shapes that are drawn out will be corrected to be as geometrically perfect as possible while with formula match, users can write out any mathematical equations and the system will use the Wolfram Alpha search engine to give the answers.
There is also a pop up S Note, which is a much condensed version of the app. This can be very useful at any point in time when notes need to be taken, especially during a telephone conversation and a message needs to be written down.
USEFUL: The S pen has a function button on the stylus that allows it to conjure up a list of cool tricks.  USEFUL: The S pen has a function button on the stylus that allows it to conjure up a list of cool tricks.
Another innovative use of the S Pen is gestures, whereby swiping up with the sytlus and the function button pressed brings up a quick command page. From here, you just have to write out predetermined gestures like @ followed by the name of someone in your contacts list and you will be directed to composing an e-mail to the person.
Aside from the long list of ­predetermined gestures, you can also create your own gestures and assign it to any settings or apps of your choice, thus opening up a huge window of possibilities.
A neat trick that has been added is Air View - if you hover the S Pen a few millimeters away from the screen, a pointer will appear, just like a mouse cursor.
This opens up an array of functions, such as hovering above albums and videos to catch previews of them. There are websites which require the mouse cursor to be moved over certain objects for menus to pop out, and this can be done on the Note 2's browser. It also works well as a guide for better precision when writing or drawing.
Samsung has also introduced the S Pen Keeper feature which will notify users when the S Pen is detached and moved away from the Note 2. This is an innovative move to help prevent ­misplacing the pen but it didn't work all the time during our tests.
One of the more useful things about the Note 2 is the Multi Window feature. Users have the ability to open up to two different apps at the same time and have them both sharing the screen. It works smoothly without any lag, with the only downside being that only a handful of apps are ­supported by this feature.
Commonly used apps like the Internet browser, Facebook, Youtube and Maps apps work with this ­feature.
There was an instance when I was with a kid who really wanted to watch some Sesame Street ­videos on YouTube while I wanted to browse the Internet, and Multi Window helped to make it a ­win-win situation by allowing both to be done at the same time.
Smart Rotation is another ­innovative addition. The reviewer tends to use the phone while lying down and the auto rotation always gets in the way, rotating even when it isn't intended to.
The only solution before this was to disable the auto rotation but now with Smart Rotation, the front camera acts as a sensor to detect the orientation of the user's eyes, and rotates accordingly. This does work, but requires sufficient ­lighting for the camera to detect the eyes.
EASY ON THE EYE: Web browsing was less strenuous for Quek thanks to the large 5.5in screen.EASY ON THE EYE: Web browsing was less strenuous for Quek thanks to the large 5.5in screen.
Similarly, the eye detection is also used so that the screen doesn't dim while the user is looking at it through a feature called Smart Stay.
Final note
With a predecessor that managed to defy early criticism and gain worldwide popularity, the Note 2 was announced to much fanfare. Does it live up to the high expectations? We have to answer that with a resounding yes.
With 2GB RAM coupled with quad-cores and Android Jellybean, the Note 2 is one of the smoothest devices in the mobile market now.
It is unfair to ­penalise the Note 2 for being big. One of the main reasons most users get attracted to the Note 2 is because of the big screen. Penalising the Note 2 for being large is akin to someone buying a Hummer and complaining that it is too big.
Having said that, the market for phablets isn't as matured as that for conventional smartphones, and some will not be willing to carry such a big device. But for those who don't mind a device that is not only big in performance but also in size, then the Note 2 is definitely one of the better choices in the market at the moment.
Pros: Multi Window; impressive battery life; improved S Pen and S Note; OS runs smooth thanks to fast processor and lots of memory.
Cons: May be too big for most people's liking; a little plasticky.
Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100)
(Samsung)
Android 4.1 (Jellybean)
Processor: 1.6GHz Cortex A9 quad-core processor
Network: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100
Camera: 8-megapixel with LED flash (back), 1.9-megapixel (front)
Display: 5.5in (1,280 x 720-pixels) Super AMOLED touchscreen
Memory: 16GB Internal memory, microSD slot (up to 64GB), 2GB RAM
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC
Features: Multiscreen, Smart Stay, Smart Rotation, S-Voice, Air view, 1080p full HD video recording and playback, stylus (S Pen)
Battery: 3,100mAh lithium-on
Size: 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm
Weight: 183g
Price: RM2,299
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review unit courtesy of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, 1-800-88-9999
QUICK SPECS
Editor's Rating
   
Users' Rating
   
ManufacturerSamsung
Classsmartphone
Dimensions (WxDxH)151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm
Weight183g
PriceRM2,299
NetworkGSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100
Operating SystemAndroid 4.1 (Jellybean)
Display5.5in (1,280 x 720-pixels) Super AMOLED touchscreen
Camera8-megapixel with LED flash (back), 1.9-megapixel (front)
ConnectivityBluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC
Memory16GB Internal memory, microSD slot (up to 64GB), 2GB RAM
ContactReview unit courtesy of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, 1-800-88-9999

- Donovan Quek (The Star)

Review: Latitude E6230


Travel light with this feature-packed Dell notebook.
ONE thing that users of ­laptops at the workplace can agree on is that ­carrying those heavy devices around can be a real pain, be it for ­meetings and presentations or from office to home.
The introduction of Dell's sleek E6230, the latest in its Latitude E series, reduces the weight of the problem, literally.
Despite being the smallest offering in E series, the compact E6230 delivers a decent punch in terms of build quality and ­performance.
Durable design
The E6230 looks and feels tough, thanks to its tri-metal casing made up of anodised ­aluminium back, magnesium alloy corners, and steel hinges along with a powder-coated base. It isn't going to win the prettiest laptop of the year award but it sure feels solid.
Upon opening the laptop, you will notice its 12.5in screen, which has a 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution. Although it is not the best screen in the market, the display is clear and crisp with its anti-glare coating.
The notebook measures 30.9 x 22.6 x 2.5cm - it felt ­comfortable to use while placed on the lap. Radiation and health-risk ­matters aside, it also didn't get unbearably hot. This is good news for those who need to use the laptop in tight spaces or while commuting.
ACCESSIBLE: The Latitude comes with a number of ports.ACCESSIBLE: The Latitude comes with a number of ports.
It has plenty for ports, ­including a HDMI out, two USB (2.0 and 3.0) ports, a VGA port, a USB/eSATA combo port and audio jack.
Connectivity options for this model include WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, a Gigabit Ethernet port and Bluetooth 4.0.
Our review unit came with an extended battery that protruded from the back, giving it a ­peculiar look.
One thing that users will notice missing is an optical disc drive - those who still want one will have to purchase an external drive.
Under the hood
Our review unit came with an Intel i53320M processor that runs a 32-bit Windows 7 Professional operating system. It also has 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard disk drive.
The device has enough ­horsepower to feel speedy and it takes around 25 seconds to boot up from the time it is switched on. It doesn't just start up fast, it also launches applications smoothly with minimal lag.
Despite using HDD as a means of storage, the device is almost silent in operation even when loading data.
On the software front, the E6230 comes equipped with the usual set of utilities, including a Trend Micro security agent and Dell's Mobile Broadband Manager.
There are a number of ­enterprise management and security features, ­including ­support for Intel's vPro ­technology and fringerprint ­sensor for authentication. There is also Dell's ControlVault, which stores security keys and credentials.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and the E6230 is definitely not just about work. With the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, this laptop is able to somewhat handle ­multimedia tasks such as basic photo and video editing. However, the ­system starts to lag when ­performing such tasks heavily.
We didn't get to test any full-fledged graphics intensive games on the device, but the laptop managed to handle online Flash games without any hitches.
It also played games on Google Chrome, such as Need for Speed World without any problems. As this model is going to be targeted for office use, it is ­commendable that it can handle such games smoothly.
There weren't any problems watching high-definition (HD) movies. The frame rate was respectable and the colours were also vivid. There was hardly any noticeable lag when watching 1080p HD movies.
For a laptop that is mainly primed for getting work done, we found the speakers to be acceptable. It was loud enough and the bass was satisfactory.
One area where the E6230 really made us happy is with its keyboard, which is a joy to use.
Typing is a real pleasure - the keys have nice tactile feedback and are well spaced out, which is good news for a model that is built for office use.
The function buttons on the laptop are easy to get a hang of and it also comes with three dedicated buttons for sound control.
A PLEASURE TO USE: The keys have nice tactile feedback and are well spaced out, which is good news for a model that is built for office use.A PLEASURE TO USE: The keys have nice tactile feedback and are well spaced out, which is good news for a model that is built for office use.
The keyboard also has a backlit mode with four levels of brightness that helps typing in poorly lit environments.
In terms of battery life, our review unit came with a six-cell extended battery which ­managed to last around four hours of Internet surfing on a single charge.
However, it dropped ­significantly to slightly below two hours when engaging in battery-hungry activities such as watching movies or playing games.
Final analysis
The Latitude E6230 is a ­laptop designed for the mobile workforce and it performs the way you would expect it to.
We have no major gripes with this sleek device, aside from the less than ­spectacular battery life even with a protruding extended battery.
With all that said and done, the Latitude will appeal to those who are always on the go. It's a laptop that gets the job done without trying too hard to be fancy.
Pros: Durable; runs smoothly; ­backlit ­keyboard is comfortable to use.
Cons: Battery life not ­stunning.
Latitude E6230
(Dell)
Laptop
PROCESSOR: Intel Core i53320M processor (2.60Hz)
MEMORY: 4GB RAM
DISPLAY: 12.5in HD (1,366 x 768-pixels) LED-backlit
GRAPHICS: Intel HD Graphics 4000
STORAGE: 500GB HDD
CONNECTIVITY: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 4.0
PORTS: One USB 2.0 port, one USB/eSATA combo port, one USB 3.0 port, 4-in-1 card reader (MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC), Smart Card reader, HDMI out, VGA out, docking connector
BATTERY OPTIONS: Lithium-ion cell
OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
OTHER FEATURES: Backlit keyboard, noise reducing array microphones, HD webcam
DIMENSIONS (W x D x H): 30.9 x 22.6 x 2.5cm
WEIGHT: 1.38kg
WEBSITE: www.dell.com/my
PRICE: RM4,550
RATING: 4
Review unit courtesy of Dell Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd, 1-800-88-0301
QUICK SPECS
Editor's Rating
   
Users' Rating
   
Manufacturer(Dell)
ClassLaptop
Other FeaturesBacklit keyboard, noise reducing array microphones, HD webcam
Dimensions (WxDxH)30.9 x 22.6 x 2.5cm
Weight1.38kg
PriceRM4,550
ProcessorIntel Core i53320M processor (2.60Hz)
Memory4GB RAM
Display12.5in HD (1,366 x 768-pixels) LED-backlit
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 4000
Storage500GB HDD
ConnectivityWiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 4.0
I/O PortsOne USB 2.0 port, one USB/eSATA combo port, one USB 3.0 port, 4-in-1 card reader (MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC), Smart Card reader, HDMI out, VGA out, docking connector
BatteryLithium-ion cell
Operating SystemWindows 7 Professional 32-bit
ContactReview unit courtesy of Dell Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd, 1-800-88-0301

- Donovan Quek (The Star)

Sunday 18 November 2012

Review: Google Nexus 7


Finally, the Nexus 7 is here in Malaysia, albeit at a higher price that is out of everyone's expectation, but for sub-RM1,000, you can land your hands on a 7” tablet from Google that is manufactured by Asus with pretty good specs – Android Jelly Bean and all the latest offerings from Google, Tegra 3 processor for a snappy performance to make the tablet fast enough for your most demanding games or all your work related apps, 1GB of RAM, a front camera for all your camwhoring and video conferencing needs, and 16GB of internal memory that may seem little but hey, without a rear camera, I'm sure you'll use a lot less space compared to your phone.
I have to admit, this is my first time handling a 7” tablet device and boy do I like it. It's small enough for you to use comfortably – you can hold on to it with one hand and even fit into the big pocket of your pair of cargo pants, heck, it even fits into the rear pocket of Chapree's jeans – and it's not too heavy to handle like a typical 10.1” tablet. I don't know how the 7.9” iPad mini is “better” according to some, while it may be thinner and lighter than the Nexus 7, I don't think it'll fit as nicely, into my palms at least. Of course, I'll need to get my hands on one to be sure but for now, I think I've fallen in love with the Nexus 7.
  
Check out our preview of the tablet and hit the break for more.
Just to touch a little more on the design before moving on, in the Apple iPad mini presentation earlier this week, it was mentioned that the iPad mini is lighter and thinner than the Nexus 7 but I love the design on the Nexus 7. With a rubbery material at the back, it actually feels more rugged and less fragile. Its thickness of 10.45mm is very good to hold on to, plus, you get a good grip which is very important for me – I like to play games and read on the bed next to my sleeping toddler and it's not fun how my phones tend to slip out of my hand and land on him.
  
You've seen an introduction to the Nexus 7, so what's the next best thing to do with this 7” tablet from Google and Asus? Put the Nvidia Tegra 3 processor to a test of course and thanks to the pre-installed TegraZone, you can download the apps that makes the best out of your Nexus 7. Playing games like Dead Trigger and even Bad Piggies is so smooth though, I think I need to work on my skills a little bit when trying to kill zombies using on-screen buttons.
  
Watching HD videos on the Nexus 7 is a bliss as well thanks to the processor and topped up with the HD display and a very good battery life, who needs a big and bulky 10” device when you can get all your entertainment needs in a 7” frame? That said, the speakers could be a little louder for a more immersive effect though of course, if you want to be completely into your game or video, using a headphone would be a better option.
  
In case you did not click into the previous post, here are the benchmark scores.

So to wrap this up, did we like it? Yes of course we did, everything from the design to what's inside of it. Unfortunately though since this is supposed to be an affordable tablet, it lacks in some way like how it doesn't have 3G connectivity (please Google, surprise us that way on your event on the 29th of this month), no rear camera, though, it isn't that big of a problem for me because I cannot comprehend the idea of taking pictures with a tablet and I have a phone camera for that, and finally it could do with more storage space so you can fully enjoy its capability – install all the apps you can find and load all your favorite HD videos in.
We just got our hands on the 7” Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 at the time of writing and yes, I can conclude that I love what Asus has done with the design to give the Nexus 7 a thinner frame, the rubber material at the back along with a much thinner panel around the display to make it look much, much nicer.
Will I get it? Well, yes, but of course, this will all depend on what Google has up its sleeves for its upcoming event.
The Google Nexus 7 is available immediately at a recommended retail price of RM999, check out our very ownstorekini to get one for yourself today.
We've also updated it to Android 4.1.2 that features some bug fixes as well as the ability to use the device in landscape mode on the home screen. It may not be a major haul over, but it does make the tablet a lot more friendly to use, for me at least. Plus, you can use the device in any orientation you want.
  

- Huei (lowyat.net)

Review: Nikon 1 J2


Nikon refreshes its entry-level camera for beginners.
LESS than a year ago the Japanese ­manufacturer launched its range of Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras and now it has refreshed the entry-level J1 model with the J2.
Considering the fast turnaround time, the J2 is more of an incremental upgrade rather than a complete overhaul of the previous model. But even so, the J2 is not without a number of improvements.
Do these improvements warrant J1 users upgrading to the new camera? Let's find out.
Design
The J2 retains the aesthetics of its ­predecessor though it now comes in several colour variations (including red, pink and orange), and the cameras have matching coloured lens bodies.
Our review unit was in striking orange and the bright colour certainly drew stares everywhere we went with the camera. On the plus side, it's not easy to misplace, but it does stand out.
If you don't fancy being a beacon, Nikon offers the J2 in classic black, silver or white.
For the most part, the camera has a minimalist design, with flat buttons on top and a single mode dial on the back. The fixed angle 3in LCD screen on the back has a higher resolution than that on the J1,
There is no electronic viewfinder. Its absence may make it more ­challenging to shoot pictures while outdoors.
SWAP IT: Different situations call for different lenses, fortunately the Nikon has a range of Nikkor 1 lenses to choose from.SWAP IT: Different situations call for different lenses, fortunately the Nikon has a range of Nikkor 1 lenses to choose from.
Also, there is no accessory port for an external flash.
The J2 also lacks a grip on the body, but the camera still feels natural in hand and the rear thumb-rest helps users maintain a steady grip.
We also liked that the camera has two methods to switch it on and off. There's a regular on/off button on the top but if you are using a Nikon 1 lens that is retractable, you can switch the camera on by simply twisting the lens barrel to extend the lens.
The camera's near instant-on status makes it great for grabbing snapshots.
The J2, like the J1, has a pop-out, built-in flash that sits on the top-left corner of the camera body.
Performance
Nikon's J2 uses a 10.1-megapixel CX format sensor like with the J1, giving mounted lenses a 2.7x focal length magnification. This makes the bundled 10-30mm kit lens a 27-81mm focal length in 35mm format.
The lens has Vibration Reduction technology to prevent shaky ­handheld shots when using the zoom feature.
USEFUL BUTTON: The Nikkor 1 kit lens has a handy button on the side that not only retracts the lens to make it more compact but also turns the camera on when you twist to extend it.USEFUL BUTTON: The Nikkor 1 kit lens has a handy button on the side that not only retracts the lens to make it more compact but also turns the camera on when you twist to extend it.
Although the Nikon 1's range of lenses is comparatively small in comparison with other mirrorless systems, you can easily expand the range with regular Nikon DSLR lenses via an optional adaptor.
The J2 retains the J1's hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase and contrast detection, alternating between the two depending on the situation. Autofocus with phase detection is generally quicker, whereas contrast detection yields more accurate results.
Nikon's new camera, however, has a slight problem when focusing in low light because the autofocus will often not get an accurate lock on your subject in such conditions.
Pictures were generally sharp and quite detailed when we took to shooting outdoors on a bright sunny day. Colour reproduction was accurate and skintones came out natural.
Image saturation was initially muted, though this was easily fixed with a quick adjustment of the Vivid settings on-camera.
Under very contrasty lighting - harsh light and shadows - the J2's Dynamic Lighting options really helped save the day from what would otherwise have been overexposed or underexposed images with a lesser camera.
A high ISO sensitivity range is available on the J2. The ­camera managed to keep noise to a ­minimum, with noise only being visible at ISO 3,200.
If you are into night photography, you are in luck because the J2 can keep its shutter open for up to 30 seconds, and even has the Bulb setting for longer exposures.
BATTERIES GO HERE: Just pop open the bottom latch to insert the camera's battery and SD card for storing pictures.BATTERIES GO HERE: Just pop open the bottom latch to insert the camera's battery and SD card for storing pictures.
The J2 may not have a dedicated macro mode like on some compact cameras, but the 10-30mm kit lens is a decent performer when taking close-up photos.
We also liked the camera's fast continuous shooting rate, thanks to its electronic shutter. The J2 can shoot at an insane 60fps (frames per second), and you can dial that down to 30fps or 15fps. This is handy for sports photographers.
There's also Full HD video recording with stereo sound, so you are good to go if you need to shoot videos with the J2. There are special shooting modes, like slow-motion video and motion snapshot. J1 users have these features as well.
Conclusion
We think the J2 is more of an evolutionary step-up rather than revolutionary. Apart from the improved screen and additional colours, not much has changed on the J2 from the J1.
This incremental upgrade will likely not attract those who already have Nikon's entry-level mirrorless camera, considering that the J2 does not feature any exciting new features or offer significant new capabilities from the previous model.
However, the J2 has two key features - a fast autofocus and fast burst-shooting speeds - that may appeal to some. It's a shame the autofocus has some issues in low light conditions, though.
And really, an electronic viewfinder would have been good to have. Ditto with the external flash hotshoe.
All in all, the J2 is neat for those looking to upgrade from a compact camera, and serves as a good introduction to the world of interchangeable lenses.
Pros: Compact and lightweight; fast burst-shooting speeds; good low-light performance overall.
Cons: Autofocus has trouble in low-light conditions; no electronic viewfinder; no accessory port for external flash.
Nikon 1 J2
(Nikon)
Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera
SENSOR: 10.1-megapixels CMOS
VIEWFINDER: 3in LCD (921,000-dots)
SHUTTER SPEED: 1/16,000sec -30sec (electronic)
ISO RANGE: 100 to 3,200
SHOOTING MODES: Still Image (PASM modes located within menu), Smart Photo selector, Movie, Motion Snapshot
VIDEO MODE: Full HD at 60i/30 fps for MOV; 640 x 240-pixels at 400fps or 320 x 120-pixels at 1,200fps for slow motion videos
BATTERY: Lithium-ion EN-EL20
STORAGE: SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card
INTERFACE: USB 2.0, HDMI
DIMENSIONS (W x H x D): 106 x 61 x 29.8mm
WEIGHT: 280g
WEBSITE: www.nikon.com.my
PRICE: RM2,118 (with 10-30mm kit); RM2,718 (with 10-30mm and 30-110mm kit)
RATING: 3 stars
Review unit courtesy of Nikon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, (03) 7809-3688
- Chong Jinn Xiung (The Star)

Review: Samsung Note 10.1


 Samsung brings the S Pen experience to its tablet.

BEING the top Android ­smartphone maker in the world, Samsung is trying hard to make its mark in the tablet arena. Its latest attempt comes in the form of the Galaxy Note 10.1.
First of all, the Note 10.1 is not to be confused with the Galaxy Note 2. Instead of being a "phablet" (a hybrid of phone and tablet) like the original Note, the Note 10.1 is actually a tablet which makes use of an updated version of the Note's S Pen stylus, hence earning its name.
Over the past year, Samsung has launched a range of tablets under its Galaxy Tab series, with the ­latest being the Tab 2 10.1. The Note 10.1 aims to be different from the rest of the pack with the use of the S Pen.
Riding on the worldwide ­success of the Note and being Samsung's ­flagship tablet in an already crowded tablet market, the Note 10.1 definitely has high expectations to live up to.
Look and feel
The Note 10.1 that we got for review has a nice white body with silver metal frame. It is a welcome change of colour from the usual black for its Tabs.
For a device with a premium price, it would have been a lot more reassuring if the body didn't feel so plasticky. It felt a little cheap in the hands and creaked a little when excessive pressure was applied on the sides.
SLIM: The metal frame houses the stereo speakers on either side of the screen, which really enhances the audio experience, be it for watching movies, listening to music or playing games.SLIM: The metal frame houses the stereo speakers on either side of the screen, which really enhances the audio experience, be it for watching movies, listening to music or playing games.
The metal frame houses the stereo speakers on either side of the screen, which really enhances the audio experience, be it for watching movies, listening to music or playing games.
There isn't anything out of the ordinary with the design. If you have handled the Tab 10.1 before, you will find the same buttons and slots. The only difference is at the bottom of the device where the S Pen nests.
The Note 10.1 is a 3G device and has a SIM card slot so it can be used as a phone as well. It does not have an earpiece, so calls will have to be made either through the loudspeaker or with earphone accessories.
This is all for the best, as it will be social suicide to be seen with a device this large being placed against one's ear!
The device comes with 16GB of internal memory. If that isn't enough, there is a microSD slot that can handle up to 64GB more of ­external memory.
The 10.1in screen comes with a resolution of 1,280 x 800-pixels, which is rather disappointing for a flagship device.
Other top players in the tablet market are already having HD displays and those will put the Note 10.1's screen to shame. It is by no means bad, as the colours and viewing angles are good, but you just can't help expecting more from a device that is competing to be in the top tier of the market.
The Note 10.1 is a real powerhouse in terms of hardware, sporting a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is unsurprisingly fast and smooth - swiping between screens and lists were very fluid and hardly showed any slowdown. If that isn't enough, the Note 10.1 is set to receive an upgrade to the latest of version of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean, which ­promises to be even smoother.
LETDOWN: The 10.1in screen comes with a resolution of 1,280 x 800-pixels, which is rather disappointing for a flagship device.LETDOWN: The 10.1in screen comes with a resolution of 1,280 x 800-pixels, which is rather disappointing for a flagship device.
Just like any other Samsung Android product, don't expect to receive the vanilla Android ­experience with the Note 10.1, as Samsung has ­intertwined it together with its TouchWiz user interface.
The latest incarnation of TouchWiz blends in well with Ice Cream Sandwich and gives users fanciful features, such as Smart Stay and video Pop-up Play that were first seen in Samsung's flagship Galaxy S III smartphone.
With Smart Stay enabled, the screen will not go off as long as the front facing camera is able to detect the user's eyes looking at the screen.
Video Pop-up Play enables users to minimise a video that is being watched so that they can do other stuff in addition to watching clips.
Smart Stay worked like a charm for us, provided there was sufficient lighting for the sensors to detect our eyes.
Another handy addition that TouchWiz has brought to Samsung's tablets is Mini Apps, which can be accessed by clicking on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. This brings up a list of utilities, which are condensed versions of actual apps.
For example, clicking on ­calculator in the list will pop up a small, ­independent calculator that can be moved around.
The tablet comes with a 5-­megapixel rear camera and a 1.9-megapixel front facing camera. The camera quality is nothing to shout about but it's understandable since cameras aren't exactly a forte for tablets. The cameras are suitable for video calling, and not much of ­anything else.
The battery life of the Note 10.1 is decent, being able to last a whole day of use which involved watching ­videos, playing games and web browsing on a WiFi network.
Mighty Pen
The main highlight of the Note 10.1 is, of course, the S Pen. The first Note gave the stylus a new lease of life, and the trend continues here.
The S PenThe S Pen
The S Pen is not just any ordinary stylus, as it has built in sensors and a function button. It also supports a host of gesture abilities for capturing screenshots and opening up apps.
The Note 10.1 comes pre-installed with a handful of apps which are specially designed to be used with the S Pen. These are mostly the same apps as those that were introduced in the ­original Note but with interesting improvements.
The app that received the biggest upgrade is the S Note, which is an enhanced version of the memo app. Here, it works like a charm together with the S Pen, simulating the experience that you will have when using an actual pen and paper. This is due to the Wacom technology used by the S Pen as well as the 1,024 degrees of pressure points that the stylus has.
The S Note comes with a range of new interesting features, such as Shape and Formula matching. Shape match detects geometrical diagrams that you sketch, and corrects them to be as perfect as if you had used proper utensils.
Formula match detects ­mathematical equations and gives you the answers. The Note 10.1 uses Wolfram Alpha search engine to scan for the answers. The writing detection was very accurate but was a little slow in coming up with answers.
The Note 10.1 prides itself with its enhanced multitasking abilities through a feature called multiscreen.
You don't have to limit yourself to either work or play, as multiscreen is capable of allowing you to do both at the same time. How it works is that two applications can be used at the same time, sharing half of the screen.
AT THE BACK: The Note 10.1 comes with a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus.AT THE BACK: The Note 10.1 comes with a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus.
This works very well with minimal lag. The only drawback is that the feature is only limited to a number of apps, some of which will hardly see much use at all. Multiscreen only works with the video player, web browser, gallery, e-mail, S Note, and Polaris Office.
Couple multiscreen with video Pop-up play as well as mini apps and you can actually have more than four different apps running on the screen at the same time.
Multiscreen gives us the closest experience we can get to desktop multitasking that a tablet can offer thus far. It's a step in the right ­direction for ­tablets in terms of multitasking.
Another cool upgrade for the S Pen is that it doesn't have to be touching the screen for the Note 10.1 to know where you are pointing at. When you hover the S Pen a few ­millimeters away from the screen, you will see a pointer appear on it.
Such a feature is especially useful for certain apps, such as the Adobe Photoshop Touch that comes with the tablet.
This app is a really elaborate and useful photo editing tool that will be appreciated by both beginners and professionals alike.
It also came with a comprehensive tutorial to teach users how to use the app. Combined with the precision of the S Pen, it was that much easier to edit pictures.
This tablet also comes pre-installed with Polaris Office, which is a full-fledged suite for creating and ­editing various files including Excel and PowerPoint.
Also, the quad-core processor gives it enough power to run all sorts of resource hungry games that we threw at it. It handled games such as Dark KnightFIFA 12 and Asphalt 7 without a hitch.
Final thoughts
The Note 10.1 aims to be different in the crowded tablet market by having the S Pen.
The stylus is truly a game changer if it is utilised to its full potential. However, the problem is that there aren't enough apps that can fully take advantage of it.
Also, it is unlikely to be fully ­appreciated by everyone. It will only appeal to a niche market, mainly designers and artists, as well as those who want to have something different.
All in all, the Note 10.1 has a relatively low screen resolution and plastic build quality, but is still a decent tablet to own for the S Pen and multiscreen features.
Pros: Multiscreen brings multitasking to a whole new level; S Pen works well; Jelly Bean update coming soon.
Cons: Screen resolution disappointing; multiscreen works with only a few apps.
Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000)
(Samsung)
Android tablet
NETWORK: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100
OPERATING SYSTEM: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradeable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
PROCESSOR: Exynos 4412 Quad-core 1.4GHz
DISPLAY: 10.1in PLS TFT display (1,280 x 800-pixels)
CAMERA: 5-megapixels with autofocus; LED flash; 1.9-megapixels (front facing)
CONNECTIVITY: Bluetooth 4.0, Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n, microUSB 2.0
MEMORY: 16GB internal memory, 2GB RAM
EXPANSION SLOT: microSD (up to 64GB supported)
FEATURES: Stylus (S Pen), GPS, stereo speakers, multiscreen, pop-up play, Adobe Photoshop Touch app
DIMENSIONS (W x D x H): 262 x 180 x 8.9mm
WEIGHT: 600g
WEBSITE: www.samsung.com.my
PRICE: RM2,199
RATING: 3.5 stars
Review unit courtesy of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, 1-800-88-9999
QUICK SPECS
Editor's Rating
   
Users' Rating
   
Manufacturer(Samsung)
ClassAndroid tablet
Other FeaturesNETWORK: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100, CAMERA: 5-megapixels with autofocus; LED flash; 1.9-megapixels (front facing), Stylus (S Pen), GPS, stereo speakers, multiscreen, pop-up play, Adobe Photoshop Touch app
Dimensions (WxDxH)262 x 180 x 8.9mm
Weight600g
PriceRM2,199
ProcessorExynos 4412 Quad-core 1.4GHz
Memory16GB internal memory, 2GB RAM
Display10.1in PLS TFT display (1,280 x 800-pixels)
ConnectivityBluetooth 4.0, Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n, microUSB 2.0
Operating SystemAndroid 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradeable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
ContactReview unit courtesy of Samsung Malaysia Electronics, 1-800-88-9999

- Donovan Quek (The Star)