Did Samsung just hand Apple their hat?

[BJonson]

Galaxy Gear smart watch, Galaxy Note 3? I have to admit that note 3 is pretty unbelievable. The smart watch is cool but I hate the design, not liking the screws. I do however love the faux leather backing of the Note 3. Oh and it can record 4k video and has 3gb of ram. That is amazing.

What do you all think? Looks like Samsung raised the bar even further. Apple really has to come out with something on the 10th and it better not be just a fingerprint reader and colors.

 

[NT1440]

I love it, people moan constantly about apple's tick rock update schedule, yet the internet is abuzz about how "innovative" this textbook example of a spec update from Samsung is.

 

[scott99]

Samsung makes some great products. The Galaxy S3 and S4 are great phones. The Galaxy Note is cool if you want an always connected 5.8 inch tablet as a phone (though I can't imagine putting that thing to my head to make a call, looks crazy). The watch looks interesting, but I can't imagine anyone wanting one unless you're an uber tech geek. I'd take one for free, otherwise it's kinda useless. Very innovative though, and I'm sure someone will improve upon it eventually. I can see it becoming a phone (without having to tether to a cellphone) someday. Interesting stuff.

Interesting stuff. BUT, Since I love my iPhone, and love my Nexus 7 (2013 version), the Note doesn't blow me away.

 

[NT1440]

Very innovative though, and I'm sure someone will improve upon it eventually.

I don't get it. What is innovative about features everyone was able to predict? Is innovation just being the first to release a category of product now? The initial reviews are already terrible.

 

[sjinsjca]

Galaxy Gear smart watch, Galaxy Note 3? I have to admit that note 3 is pretty unbelievable. The smart watch is cool but I hate the design, not liking the screws. I do however love the faux leather backing of the Note 3. Oh and it can record 4k video and has 3gb of ram. That is amazing.

What do you all think? Looks like Samsung raised the bar even further. Apple really has to come out with something on the 10th and it better not be just a fingerprint reader and colors.

Apple is rarely the first mover. Their strategy can be distilled to: Find something that kinda sucks, and make it amazing. That, and it's never about the specs.

They're still working on the iWatch (apparently). So, whether there's been any hat-handing remains to be determined.

As to the Note 3, first: faux leather? Really? But meanwhile, there's a lot more to making a device people will love than gigabytes and the ability to record video in a format nothing supports yet.

 

[AAPLinc]

I don't think Samsung ever raised the bar, necessarily.

The Galaxy S3+S4 are good phones, it's basically the iPhone competitor. I RARELY see an actual person using a Note. When I say rarely I mean I pretty much never seen someone with a Note as their cell phone. But I see plenty of people with iPhones, like everyone.

So no, I don't think Apple is sweating over any competition.

Whatever Apple comes out with for the 5S, people will EAT IT UP. It's just the way it is.

 

[BJonson]

I don't get it. What is innovative about features everyone was able to predict? Is innovation just being the first to release a category of product now? The initial reviews are already terrible.

I predict flying cars. Will it be any less innovative when someone actually invents it? No.

 

[ct1211]

Flat icons, champaign gold, wow! Note 3 Leather back is a winner! Good Luck 5S

I love it, people moan constantly about apple's tick rock update schedule, yet the internet is abuzz about how "innovative" this textbook example of a spec update from Samsung is.

Spec bump? I don't think so. From the leather trimmed back, on imporved on screen multi tasking, 13MP camera with image stabilizer and further integration of the S-Pen This is the first phone I have had to have since the original iPhone (Which is still available by the way, and will be introduced on September 10th as the iPhone5S) You know, Fits in your hand and all.

I wonder if the gimmicky 4K videos from Note 3 (theres nothing to play them on to speak of - yet) will play on my rMBP?

Hell the interchangeable (read replaceable) leather back option alone is a pure innovation, it means no need to buy someones plastic $50.00 case to keep it from getting scratched (or shattered)

If you own Apple stock, you should prey now that the iPhone 5S was a nasty diversion and they're really brining out the iPhone 7! (An iPhone 6 would have been outdated instantly too)

I can only hope the new Macbooks in October are masterpieces, I don't want to give up fanboy status yet.

 

[Michael CM1]

Galaxy Gear smart watch, Galaxy Note 3? I have to admit that note 3 is pretty unbelievable. The smart watch is cool but I hate the design, not liking the screws. I do however love the faux leather backing of the Note 3. Oh and it can record 4k video and has 3gb of ram. That is amazing.

What do you all think? Looks like Samsung raised the bar even further. Apple really has to come out with something on the 10th and it better not be just a fingerprint reader and colors.

IT CAN RECORD 4K VIDEO? Sweet, can it also play my Laserdiscs?

 

[NT1440]

I predict flying cars. Will it be any less innovative when someone actually invents it? No.

What I'm saying is that this implementation is literally just a bullet list of what everyone expected, other than the perv cam. How is this a radical departure from the i'm watch? There is nothing groundbreaking about this watch, nothing new to the table other than a poorly conceived camera.

http://www.imsmart.com/en

Hell even with products like the i'm watch samsung still has a poorer UI!

 

[AAPLinc]

Spec bump? I don't think so. From the leather trimmed back, on imporved on screen multi tasking, 13MP camera with image stabilizer and further integration of the S-Pen This is the first phone I have had to have since the original iPhone (Which is still available by the way, and will be introduced on September 10th as the iPhone5S) You know, Fits in your hand and all.

I wonder if the gimmicky 4K videos from Note 3 (theres nothing to play them on to speak of - yet) will play on my rMBP?

Hell the interchangeable (read replaceable) leather back option alone is a pure innovation, it means no need to buy someones plastic $50.00 case to keep it from getting scratched (or shattered)

If you own Apple stock, you should prey now that the iPhone 5S was a nasty diversion and they're really brining out the iPhone 7! (An iPhone 6 would have been outdated instantly too)

I can only hope the new Macbooks in October are masterpieces, I don't want to give up fanboy status yet.

You spelled "champagne" wrong at the very top "subject" part of your post, in bold lettering.

Also, I don't buy a 50$ case for my iPhone, you must of been someone who did. You're also one of those idiots that you see holding a tablet (Note) up to their ear, looking ridiculous. Again, I've seen maybe 1-2 people who actually own a Note, out in public. I probably wouldn't want to go out in public if I had that monstrosity as a phone.

Again the 5S will be released and still sell like hotcakes, Apple isnt worried about their fanbase.

Apple haters are hilarious.

 

[NT1440]

Spec bump? I don't think so. From the leather trimmed back, on imporved on screen multi tasking, 13MP camera with image stabilizer and further integration of the S-Pen This is the first phone I have had to have since the original iPhone (Which is still available by the way, and will be introduced on September 10th as the iPhone5S) You know, Fits in your hand and all.

....
Spec bumped camera
A leather back is not an innovation, it's a trim package (car analogy)
spec bumped battery
spec bumped screen

S-Pen update is the only thing I would consider outside of the "just an upgrade" package that this phone is.

 

[scott99]

I don't get it. What is innovative about features everyone was able to predict? Is innovation just being the first to release a category of product now? The initial reviews are already terrible.

Are there other watches you can tether to your phone to make wireless call using it ? I may be wrong, but I believe the other SMART watches only show emails and who's calling (caller ID), etc.

 

[Skika]

Just seen the presentation, and honestly i looked at my iPhone 5 and i felt really happy.

Nice try samsung but just...

 

[APhillyApple]

I am really not seeing all this awesome innovation that everyone is talking with Samsung. The watch is cool, but I will for an Apple version of it. The Note 3 is huge, and its a spec bump of previous features. People are in such Apple hate mode that they would call this innovation. I have to disagree with this.

 

[NT1440]

Are there other watches you can tether to your phone to make wireless call using it ? I may be wrong, but I believe the other SMART watches only show emails and who's calling (caller ID), etc.

So you think talking into your wrist and then holding it up to your ear is something other than a brilliant joke from the engineers that the marketing team took literally?

Why in the hell would anyone want to make a call like that? I'm pretty sure there is a reason why the smart watches before didn't even consider this ridiculous use case.

Ever see get smart? A phone call talking to your wrist is just as ridiculous as placing a phone call on your shoe. You get an hour of "gee whiz" followed by forgetting the feature is even there because it's ridiculous to use in the real world.

 

[BJonson]

Who says anything has to be innovative? Spec bumps are fine with me as long as they impress and the Note 3 definitely does that. That is really the iphones problem. 1gb ram, small screen, no sd slot, no replaceable battery, I could go on all day. Only thing iphone has going for it is IOS and that is about to get really ugly with IOS 7. What will be the compelling reason to keep an iphone after that?

If apple came out with a 5" iphone with wireless charging and a removable battery I would own that phone. I have bad eyesight and must have a larger phone. Currently have a LG Optimus G Pro and love it. Has all of those great features and they are really useful. Just wish apple would get out of their lame rut they are in and make some hardware that is AT LEAST COMPARABLE to what is out there today. They just love selling 3yr old hardware for twice the price.

Apple iphone 5 64gb = $850
LG Optimus G Pro 32gb + 64gb MSDHC card = $439+$50

LG kills the feature set of the iphone.

- SD Card Slot
- Removable battery
- Quad Core
- 2gb ram
- Wireless charging
- NFC
- LED Home button
- 5.5" HD screen
- IR Blaster remote control
- All day battery life
- Quick key button for anything you want to assign it to
- 13px camera with dual video recording and picture taking. Yeah.
- $439! BAM!

All features lacking in the iphone. Not cool apple. Lets get it in gear already.

 

[dbootcamper]

Cool things about the Note 3

S pen looks sweet. I like the radial menu with fast access to functionality

The smart note thing is extremely cool. Great way to leverage pen functionality for note taking and creating contacts.

The data organization model ala evernote looks really well done and left me thinking ok but how can I link this with evernote, but it looks like that's already rolled in and you get a year premium over evernote as well? nice

Multiple apps on the screen at the same time, very nice

The draw a square and then run another app in that square anywhere on the screen in the size you drew it? That's pretty innovative to me.

I think they did a great job looking at how note 3 users would want to use their device and then developed really well though out usability around the hardware. To me they have raised the bar. If Apple doesn't have anything super secret waiting in the wings I think the note 3 becomes the best smart phone on the market.

 

[LithePanther]

I don't care how good the Note 3 gets. I'll never own it or use it.

It's ridiculously oversized. I wouldn't want it in a pocket and I'd never want to make a call on it.

It's one of the stupidest samsung product lines, in my opinion.

 

[javisan]

I am really not seeing all this awesome innovation that everyone is talking with Samsung. The watch is cool, but I will for an Apple version of it. The Note 3 is huge, and its a spec bump of previous features. People are in such Apple hate mode that they would call this innovation. I have to disagree with this.

I somewhat agree with you, but, where is Apple's innovation? And please don't say fingerprint sensor

I would say that neither company is innovating, and, in my opinion, Apple's "innovation" has been in stagnation mode for more than a year with no end in sight.

 

[randy98mtu]

At least Apple would have it on their front page. I go to Samsung and even after a search, there is no mention of a Note 3 on their webpage.

I think it's great and I'm very interested in it. I'd love to go to their page and get some straight up facts about it rather than what all the rumor sites have to say about it. They have a lot to learn in this department it seems...

 

[boy-better-know]

I must admit that I want the new Note and I want the Galaxy Gear watch too, especially when you think that it'll be another year before Apple offer a larger phone and possibly an iWatch.

It does feel like Samsung are doing things that I wish Apple were but I believe that when Apple do it, it will be done in a way that we all love. Not to take away from the Galaxy Gear though, I think it looks pretty awesome. Wish the new iPhone wasn't just an incremental upgrade

 

[Appl3FTW]

My watch is better lulz

 

[ct1211]

I would like the optional leather back option oh, its included! How $$ iPhone case?

....
Spec bumped camera
A leather back is not an innovation, it's a trim package (car analogy)
spec bumped battery
spec bumped screen

S-Pen update is the only thing I would consider outside of the "just an upgrade" package that this phone is.

I use my tablet (Note 8) now taking notes all day while in meetings across the country, these notes go directly to evernote.

Here is the kicker - People in meeting expect us to take notes and using the S-Pen has been universally accepted for this purpose. My iPad, trying to yep (must keep eyes glued to screen) never was a big hit!

Yes, with a little practice you can take sloppy handwritten notes without staring at the tablet, then, get this, they're converted into nice neat text and go right into Evernote.


Getting all this in a smaller package will make it all the better for me. My primary work phone is a Maxx HD, which I can't upgrade. However it runs my Macbook pro rMBP all day long as a hotspot, another Apple no go for me. Replacing my personal cell with this beast is my perfect solution, not everyones.

Having said that, I will check the box for the leather trim package - oh wait its included! You, my friend can by a fragile 5S and purchase a $50-$100 leather cover on your own.

 

[javisan]

I must admit that I want the new Note and I want the Galaxy Gear watch too, especially when you think that it'll be another year before Apple offer a larger phone and possibly an iWatch.

It does feel like Samsung are doing things that I wish Apple were but I believe that when Apple do it, it will be done in a way that we all love. Not to take away from the Galaxy Gear though, I think it looks pretty awesome. Wish the new iPhone wasn't just an incremental upgrade

I agree with all that you have stated 100%. It's become very very frustrating.