Samsung have released a firmware update to their new (big) baby. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (or Galaxy Note II, for our Roman readers) firmware update XXALIJ1 enables a feature Samsung call “Multi Window”; a split-screen multitasking view. This new view is compatible with a lot of the standard Google and Samsung apps and will help users make the most of that lovely big screen.
The Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean update XXALIJ1 gives the Galaxy Note 2 a new baseband and an update to Google Chrome as well as this headlining Multi Window feature. Google and Samsung apps support the split screen feature but as yet we know of no other apps supporting it. With such a big screen in your palm, being able to “work” with two apps at once could be very convenient to Samsung’s newest phablet users. In the Galaxy Note 2 commercial video below you can fast forward to about 2-minutes to see the Multi Window view in action.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is barely out of the stable door; unveiled at IFA Berlin at the end of August, it has only been available in the UK for a week, so owners are fortunate to get updated so soon. The new Galaxy Note 2, followed up last year’s surprise Samsung success packing many refinements to the hardware, software and design. The specifications are as follows;
|
CPU |
Exynos 4 Quad-Core 1.6GHz (ARM Cortex-A9) |
|
GPU |
ARM Mali-400MP4 (overclocked) |
|
RAM |
2GB |
|
Display |
5.5in 1,280 x 768 Super AMOLED HD |
|
Storage |
16/32/64GB internal, microSD (up to 64GB) |
|
Camera |
8-megapixel BSI + AF & LED Flash rear, 1.9-megapixel VT BSI front |
|
Connectivity |
A-GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 Apt-X, USB 2.0 Host, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n 2.4 and 5GHz with channel bonding, Wi-Fi Direct, mHL and NFC |
|
Sensors |
Accelerometer, RGB Light, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyro and Barometer |
|
Dimensions |
80.5 x 151.1 x 9.4mm |
|
Weight |
180g |
|
Battery |
3,100mAh fast-charge |
|
OS |
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (now updateable to 4.1.1) |
If you are a lucky Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owner you can install the update via Kies or OTA. The usual provisos about your network provider and the update being available apply.
In other Samsung Galaxy Note news American Airlines are purchasing 17,000 first generation Galaxy Note smartphones for cabin crew use during flights. The smartphones will be used to help look after passengers better and will hold information about airport connections, seating, passenger preferences, menus and beverages and so on.
