Switching to Samsung G Note 3, Questions

[MBX]

Hi there

I was a iPhone/ iOS user so far but going for the Note 3 soon. I looked up on the web how certain things work on Android vs iOS and how to switch user data, etc.

However I got a couple more questions:

- Is it possible to run stock Android on the Note 3 and the S-pen still have the same functionality or is that only possible through TouchWiz?

- Can you get custom themes for TouchWiz or is TW locking you in that look/ feel?

- Are there any Mac apps that make syncing to a Samsung phone easier (like Address book, photos, music)?

- And the new Android "KitKat" 4.4 is out. How can I update it to the Note 3, which runs on "Jelly Bean" 4.3, will it automatically show me an update is available or will that have to be done manually?

Thanks in advance

 

[Michael Goff]

Hi there

I was a iPhone/ iOS user so far but going for the Note 3 soon. I looked up on the web how certain things work on Android vs iOS and how to switch user data, etc.

However I got a couple more questions:

- Is it possible to run stock Android on the Note 3 and the S-pen still have the same functionality or is that only possible through TouchWiz?

- Can you get custom themes for TouchWiz or is TW locking you in that look/ feel?

- Are there any Mac apps that make syncing to a Samsung phone easier (like Address book, photos, music)?

- And the new Android "KitKat" 4.4 is out. How can I update it to the Note 3, which runs on "Jelly Bean" 4.3, will it automatically show me an update is available or will that have to be done manually?

Thanks in advance

> TouchWiz only
> I think you can get custom launchers, but that's generally it. I also don't know if it affects the pen, you'll have to wait for somebody else to tell you that.
> Kies, maybe?
> When Samsung releases it, then your carrier approves of it, you can either wait for it to appear or go into settings, about phone, and then... is it called updates or check for updates. One of those two. You can click there, then check manually. It will probably be a while, though.

 

[Oohara]

> TouchWiz only
> I think you can get custom launchers, but that's generally it. I also don't know if it affects the pen, you'll have to wait for somebody else to tell you that.

Custom launchers like Nova can be used to make the UI quite similar to vanilla Android, while retaining all S-pen functionality.

 

[Michael Goff]

Custom launchers like Nova can be used to make the UI quite similar to vanilla Android, while retaining all S-pen functionality.

Thanks for coming in, saving the day, and correcting my mistake.

 

[Oohara]

Thanks for coming in, saving the day, and correcting my mistake.

What mistake? I was just filling in with what little info I had

 

[Michael Goff]

What mistake? I was just filling in with what little info I had

Well, thanks regardless.

 

[MBX]

Awesome, thanks for info.

Custom launchers like Nova can be used to make the UI quite similar to vanilla Android, while retaining all S-pen functionality.

Also is the latest Adobe Flash for Android compatible with Note 3?

 

[PollyK]

Awesome, thanks for info.



Also is the latest Adobe Flash for Android compatible with Note 3?

Yes it does, but you also need to make sure to use a browser that supports flash. I use Firefox Beta.

 

[MBX]

Chrome doesn't support flash?

Yes it does, but you also need to make sure to use a browser that supports flash. I use Firefox Beta.

 

[MBX]

Got another question.

Is it possible to somehow export the address book contacts from Mac as a file to DropBox or such cloud services and then download it from the Note device and update contacts or is it only possible by hooking up the phone to the Mac and using a Samsung software like Kies to do it?

The reason I'm asking is because I plan to sell my Mac and I may be out of a laptop for a week or two before I get a new one but want to just use the Note in the meanwhile.

And I wanna get my contacts on the Note without a Mac.

Possible?

--

EDIT: Never mind, I figured it out. Exported the vCards and imported in Gmail.

 

[Michael Goff]

Chrome doesn't support flash?

Nope.

I don't think it ever will.

 

[DaBossIsHere]

Custom launchers like Nova can be used to make the UI quite similar to vanilla Android, while retaining all S-pen functionality.

Vanilla?? I thought that it makes it look like Jelly Bean.

EDIT: My bad. Didn't know they call stock Android Vanilla hahaha.

 

[Oohara]

Vanilla?? I thought that it makes it look like Jelly Bean.

EDIT: My bad. Didn't know they call stock Android Vanilla hahaha.

Hehe, took me a while to learn that one too

 

[chagla]

Hi there

I was a iPhone/ iOS user so far but going for the Note 3 soon. I looked up on the web how certain things work on Android vs iOS and how to switch user data, etc.

However I got a couple more questions:

- Is it possible to run stock Android on the Note 3 and the S-pen still have the same functionality or is that only possible through TouchWiz?

- Can you get custom themes for TouchWiz or is TW locking you in that look/ feel?

- Are there any Mac apps that make syncing to a Samsung phone easier (like Address book, photos, music)?

- And the new Android "KitKat" 4.4 is out. How can I update it to the Note 3, which runs on "Jelly Bean" 4.3, will it automatically show me an update is available or will that have to be done manually?

Thanks in advance

themes and customizations are literally endless on Android. you can stick to one, you can try 100 others if you get bored with one. there launchers that can make Android look like Windows Phone, or ios yet retain android functionality. basically life is never boring.


regarding updates. as N3 is current flagship, it' will certainly get kitkat and most likely the next version of android too. if your N3 is not carrier branded (tmobile, att etc), Samsung will probably give you even more official updates. also since these devices are quite popular, there is excellent developer support for them. i'd say go over to XDA forums if you love tinkering. even if official sources (your carrier or samsung) stop providing updates, u can get a custom rom running on your phone.

its kind of like installing an OS, but on your phone.