Excited for Galaxy Note 3 announcement tomorrow...

[CZroe]

Is there any way to manage folders like in Windows? Like, can I put a shortcut to a folder on the page? It seemed like that was what it was offering but I tried it and it didn't work like that. I have a link to the sorta "My Computer" folder, and then I know you can set like 4 quick links on it, but I hate how you push My Images and it just lumps all the images together in there. I'd love to be able to setup a few different folders for pics and videos and then for different things (like family pics, pics of a certain place, stuff like that).

In Gingerbread, TouchWiz's "My Files" app supported "Shortcuts" to particular folders that you could put on your Home screen (long press, pick "Shortcuts," find Folder shortcuts). ICS and JB tried to lump widgets and shortcuts together in the app drawer and it hasn't been available since. Searching online just brings up a bunch of Gingerbread instructions that don't work anymore. You have to download a better file manager off the Play Store (thanks for nothing, Samsung).

Note: This was my experience with a Samsung tablet and Note 2 phone earlier this year. I dunno if it's changed again. Dude wanted direct links to his House and Game of Thrones rips that I made for him because he didn't understand filesystems and browsing.

 

[isekii]

In Gingerbread, TouchWiz's "My Files" app supported "Shortcuts" to particular folders that you could put on your Home screen (long press, pick "Shortcuts," find Folder shortcuts). ICS and JB tried to lump widgets and shortcuts together in the app drawer and it hasn't been available since. Searching online just brings up a bunch of Gingerbread instructions that don't work anymore. You have to download a better file manager off the Play Store (thanks for nothing, Samsung).

Note: This was my experience with a Samsung tablet and Note 2 phone earlier this year. I dunno if it's changed again. Dude wanted direct links to his House and Game of Thrones rips that I made for him because he didn't understand filesystems and browsing.

Should've taught him to use Netflix and HBOGo. If he can't figure out how to get into folders. Streaming is the only option

 

[Zaap]

Is there any way to manage folders like in Windows? Like, can I put a shortcut to a folder on the page.

Try ESC File Explorer. It's a fairly capable file manager.

To put a shortcut of any file/folder on the launcher desktop, in ECS long press the item, select More and choose 'Add to desktop'.

You can also (at least using Nova Launcher, not sure about Touchwiz) long press on the desktop, choose shortcuts, choose ECS (or other file manager if supported) choose the directory or file, and (if in chosen directory) choose select and create a shortcut on desktop.

 

[CZroe]

Should've taught him to use Netflix and HBOGo. If he can't figure out how to get into folders. Streaming is the only option

This was for use away from home or WiFi. Even with so-called "Unlimited data," that's not an option. These were BD and DVD rips.

Even if he had WiFi there, HBO Go is a no-go because neither of us are subscribers. My brother, Ichinisan, works for the cable company and gets HBO and can't get HBO Go. No paying customers of theirs can either because the company will not work with regional cable companies even though the customers were all told that they could by HBO Go commercials ("If you have HBO, you have HBO Go" = LIES!).

Telling me to loan him my discs and external BD drive makes more sense than telling him to spend money to share my property.

The thing is My Files lacks an obvious feature it once had and all documentation incorrectly references it like it still exists. We can and should complain if it's still the case.

 

[lopri]

@darkswordsman17: If you haven't already you should give a try to Nova or Apex launcher. Free versions are more than good enough though you have to pay if you want fancier animations or more customizations such as custom icons. Perceived smoothness will dramatically improve compared to the stock Touchwiz launcher.

 

[s44]

@darkswordsman17: If you haven't already you should give a try to Nova or Apex launcher. Free versions are more than good enough though you have to pay if you want fancier animations or more customizations such as custom icons. Perceived smoothness will dramatically improve compared to the stock Touchwiz launcher.

Also, being able to gesture control the notification bar visibility (Nova) is great.

Still figuring out some stuff like what clock/weather widget I want to use.

Note that some of them, like the old standby Beautiful Widgets, are really themeable.

 

[Oyeve]

Theres a new firmware, MJ7, out at least for the VZW version. downloading it now via kies 3.x, maybe its the AWS update/enabler/patch?

 

[CZroe]

Theres a new firmware, MJ7, out at least for the VZW version. downloading it now via kies 3.x, maybe its the AWS update/enabler/patch?

What are you saying?! The VZW model might also support T-Mobile's AWS bands?! Where can I read up on this?

 

[lopri]

Does anyone know how CPU power saving mode works? It says it limits the max performance - which sounds like max frequency. Did anyone measure what that frequency is?

With the power saving mode on this phone does better than the Nexus 5 under Wi-Fi and Airplain mode, at least for the first 24 hours. Haven't been able to test it with cellular networks because this is not my phone. By "better" I mean better than proportionally, as one might expect from the different battery capacities. I know that battery capacity isn't everything but I am in disbelief that a Touchwiz based on 4.3 (plus a larger screen no less) is more battery efficient than stock Android 4.4.

All in all I have to hand it to Samsung for this product. It is the first phone that made me want to replace my Nexus 4 with. Though now that I have the Nexus 5 the equation has changed and I am kind of torn. I am waiting to see how the G2 v. Nexus 5 battery comparison looks.

P.S. Do reviews enable the OEMs power saving modes? Almost all of the phones have some form of power saving option available to users. I don't remember whether these are enabled/explained in reviews.

 

[dawheat]

Does anyone know how CPU power saving mode works? It says it limits the max performance - which sounds like max frequency. Did anyone measure what that frequency is?

With the power saving mode on this phone does better than the Nexus 5 under Wi-Fi and Airplain mode, at least for the first 24 hours. Haven't been able to test it with cellular networks because this is not my phone. By "better" I mean better than proportionally, as one might expect from the different battery capacities. I know that battery capacity isn't everything but I am in disbelief that a Touchwiz based on 4.3 (plus a larger screen no less) is more battery efficient than stock Android 4.4.

All in all I have to hand it to Samsung for this product. It is the first phone that made me want to replace my Nexus 4 with. Though now that I have the Nexus 5 the equation has changed and I am kind of torn. I am waiting to see how the G2 v. Nexus 5 battery comparison looks.

P.S. Do reviews enable the OEMs power saving modes? Almost all of the phones have some form of power saving option available to users. I don't remember whether these are enabled/explained in reviews.

I remember on my S3, I had it enabled and SetCPU showed a max CPU frequency quite a bit lower than the max. I haven't used this function on my Note 2 or 3, but would expect it still works about the same.

 

[CZroe]

Well, 5 weeks after I ordered it, mine finally shipped!

My update for everyone else tracking their Negrielectronics.com preorder queue status:
I ordered my black N900T on October 4th (early AM) for $669.50 (old preorder price minus $20 off coupon code). The PayPal payment authorization expired 30 days later on November 3rd. It was reordered at the same price on November 4th (later afternoon/evening) and likely placed back in the queue correctly the next day (received email from support requesting order number). I got the shipping notice today, November 6th.

 

[s44]

What are you saying?! The VZW model might also support T-Mobile's AWS bands?! Where can I read up on this?

Every (major) Verizon LTE phone since the S4 supports AWS LTE in hardware. The S4 actually had it activated very recently with a new baseband OTA. I'd actually thought that the Note 3 had the band active from the box...

So yeah, it's easy to switch straight to T-Mobile as soon as Verizon tampers with unlimited.

 

[Zaap]

Just did the VZW update. Supposedly, it improves sound quality and connectivity issues.

Personally, I've had no problems with either.

 

[isekii]

Every (major) Verizon LTE phone since the S4 supports AWS LTE in hardware. The S4 actually had it activated very recently with a new baseband OTA. I'd actually thought that the Note 3 had the band active from the box...

So yeah, it's easy to switch straight to T-Mobile as soon as Verizon tampers with unlimited.

So Verizon S4 and Note 3 works with 1700/2100 Tmo bands ?

 

[s44]

So Verizon S4 and Note 3 works with 1700/2100 Tmo bands ?

LTE, yes. HSPA, not without a hack.

A hack is quite possible, but I don't think there's enough interest for someone else to have worked one out.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Weird, I don't know if maybe it was just because it rebooted (which I had done before and it helped some but not this much), but that update now put the RAM usage under 1GB (.99 I believe) with 1.4GB free.

I didn't notice any sound quality improvements or anything else really but I hadn't really tested that much (I don't think I'd even hooked up headphones to it yet). I didn't have any connectivity issues that I know of before so I can't say there was any real difference there either.

Also, for some reason Google Music and like 2 or 3 Amazon apps always end up running even though I haven't used any of those yet and have stopped all of them multiple times.

A note for those wanting to use the 120fps video mode, Windows Movie Maker is a surprisingly good little program for working with it (for quick decent editing). There's several speed options and a straightforward tool for setting it so it plays like normal speed but then slows down where you want. Not sure how good the quality is but it seemed solid and had several easy output options (various Android/Apple, other output which set the resolution and bitrate), plus it has quick uploading to different online places (Youtube, forget what others). Granted you have to connect it to a PC and there's probably a video editor that enables that quick and dirty editing directly on it.

With the pop off back, I wish someone would make a case that integrates a battery and extra features (DAC/amp, special lens or flash or other camera addons) that integrates a bit better than say the add-on type of things they do for that stuff for other phones (like the battery cases, lenses, etc for iPhones). I guess I'm one of the few where the extra bulk wouldn't be a problem (I think I said it before, but its actually a bit to thin, I could stand to have a thicker back that fits more ergonomically in hand) and for the extra features would be well worth it (especially since I'd be more likely to use a higher quality headset so I wouldn't be holding the phone to my ear, and I already use it 2 handed most of the time anyway).

Try ESC File Explorer. It's a fairly capable file manager.

To put a shortcut of any file/folder on the launcher desktop, in ECS long press the item, select More and choose 'Add to desktop'.

You can also (at least using Nova Launcher, not sure about Touchwiz) long press on the desktop, choose shortcuts, choose ECS (or other file manager if supported) choose the directory or file, and (if in chosen directory) choose select and create a shortcut on desktop.

Thanks, I'll have to try it out.

In Gingerbread, TouchWiz's "My Files" app supported "Shortcuts" to particular folders that you could put on your Home screen (long press, pick "Shortcuts," find Folder shortcuts). ICS and JB tried to lump widgets and shortcuts together in the app drawer and it hasn't been available since. Searching online just brings up a bunch of Gingerbread instructions that don't work anymore. You have to download a better file manager off the Play Store (thanks for nothing, Samsung).

Note: This was my experience with a Samsung tablet and Note 2 phone earlier this year. I dunno if it's changed again. Dude wanted direct links to his House and Game of Thrones rips that I made for him because he didn't understand filesystems and browsing.

Yeah pretty crappy that they can't even make folder setup easy. I guess they assume everyone will just upload everything and manage things that way or something.

@darkswordsman17: If you haven't already you should give a try to Nova or Apex launcher. Free versions are more than good enough though you have to pay if you want fancier animations or more customizations such as custom icons. Perceived smoothness will dramatically improve compared to the stock Touchwiz launcher.

I'll have to look into those then, I didn't really know the limitations of TouchWiz.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Also, being able to gesture control the notification bar visibility (Nova) is great.
Note that some of them, like the old standby Beautiful Widgets, are really themeable.

Hmm yeah I'll have to look into that too. I take it like with the launchers that there's themes you can buy/setup or whatever to really get a certain look but have it be consistent across the device?

Metro/Live tile or faux iOS probably might be popular. I wouldn't mind a Live tile like, or maybe Blade/Coverflow style setup.

 

[CZroe]

Finally got my SM-N900T Note 3 from Negri Electronics yesterday! I had to email and request the unlock code (using on AT&T). I'm also a bit annoyed at all the error messages in the notification area at first boot. There was even one about an application stopped for accessing "System" with a link to uninstall applications without even identifying the application that it supposedly stopped. How is it that I can't lock the screen with the stock video player?! I haven't explored the options yet, but that makes no sense. What if I specifically wanted to lock it so someone would not know I was using my phone moments earlier? I have to leave playback first?!

I'm a nit-picker though. So far this phone looks amazing and I can't wait to actually use it. Still need to root and transfer a bunch of stuff. I was surprised that T-Mobile's customized tethering app works on AT&T.

 

[Imported]

Trying to convince my GF to switch to a Note 3. She's coming from an iPhone 4S and did not like the 5S. Although a part of the hope is she'll find it too big and swap with my HTC One.

 

[CZroe]

More nitpicks:

After my older brother used his Galaxy Note II for almost a year and still didn't know how, I determined that I was going to figure out handwriting recognition myself without Google or RTFM just to see how the average user was expected to know. I knew you could due to Galaxy Note 3 promo videos.

Things started out well when I got a message telling me to long-press the Microphone icon to get the handwriting keyboard, but nothing I did there would convert the handwriting to text! I was trying to make a post here with Google Chrome and there was simply no way to get the handwriting to be anything more than un-editable doodles (not converted to typed, text). I actually reset and wiped the phone just to make sure I read the message right. My brother and I tried to figure it out last night and it still wasn't working.

I messed around the phone in other ways this morning and disabled some Lookout Security options that I didn't realize may be related. Eventually, I started trying to figure out handwriting recognition again. This time I got REALLY stubborn and finally rebooted (first since changing Lookout Security settings). All of a sudden, handwriting recognition works!

It's still crappy UI that does things like move text while you are writing and then accept the obviously mangled input instead of what you intended. Also, you can't switch from portrait to landscape orientation in a Chrome text field and still read the text field (gets corrupted/distorted). ALSO, the stupid Chrome address bar needlessly comes back when the OSK is displayed for a unrelated text field, using up what little room you may have had to see it (probably a Chrome UI sin). *grrr*

I was hoping for more polish than this, but it's still a million percent better than my last phone.

I can't believe there's no way to zoom non-anamorphic letterboxed video content in the stock video player. It has the option to fit vertically but not horizontally! Jeeze: Even the first iPhone could do that. Such a dumb oversight.

Samsung still hasn't fixed My Files (no home screen folder shortcuts despite online documentation of the feature).

Perhaps I shouldn't be nitpicking before checking for ROM updates. First Samsung device so: How? It's a T-Mobile phone on AT&T, so is OTA even an option?

 

[s44]

Samsung still hasn't fixed My Files (no home screen folder shortcuts despite online documentation of the feature).

There is no reason to ever complain about a stock utility app on Android. Just replace it with something better and never see the old one again.

As for updates, try Kies.

 

[Zaap]

There is no reason to ever complain about a stock utility app on Android. Just replace it with something better and never see the old one again.

:thumbsup:

That's one of the things I like most about Android. No need for companies to go overboard with stock software... just give me free reign to replace it.

 

[CZroe]

There is no reason to ever complain about a stock utility app on Android. Just replace it with something better and never see the old one again.

As for updates, try Kies.

I can complain about fragmentation on the platform as a whole causing issues. It wouldn't be an issue if AOSP included a file browser with the functionality and it wouldn't be overlooked and broken since ICS either.

 

[Zaap]

I can complain about fragmentation on the platform as a whole causing issues. It wouldn't be an issue if AOSP included a file browser with the functionality and it wouldn't be overlooked and broken since ICS either.

It's just an application the same as any other.

There's absolutely no reason to give priority to Samsung's apps like whatever lame file manager they included, unless you for whatever reason want to. Just use another one that works, and disable theirs. I didn't even know there was some 'My Files' nonsense stock app installed because I simply disabled it along with all the other bloat and will use what I know works like ECS.

 

[CZroe]

It's just an application the same as any other.

There's absolutely no reason to give priority to Samsung's apps like whatever lame file manager they included, unless you for whatever reason want to. Just use another one that works, and disable theirs. I didn't even know there was some 'My Files' nonsense stock app installed because I simply disabled it along with all the other bloat and will use what I know works like ECS.

I'm not saying that Google should give special consideration. I'm saying that fragmentation issues are real and undeniable.

You can't always just downloaf a new app either. For the same reason, my YouTube app has been broken on my Xperia PLAY for ages and they will never fix it: shows two columns when there should be one on such a small screen, doesn't word-wrap titles or descriptions so NEITHER can be read (especially with the ellipses occupying what little useful space the single line small-screen titles/descriptions had), etc.

The ICS update broke Gingerbread shortcuts feature in exchange for a merged apps and widgets drawer and it still hasn't been fixed in Jellybean. That's all I'm saying.

Like I said: I'm nit-picking.