Home Security Infographic

We've made quite a few posts on this blog in order to discus matters of personal and home security, but infographics are a relatively new thing for our blog. The folks at Your Greatest Protection have sent a cool-looking poster our way, so we hope you'll find the information presented here rather useful! Here's the infographic:

Safe Web Browsing Tips and Tricks

 We use this blog to mainly to talk about personal security and self-defense, but we have rarely considered our safety in the online world. Often people try to separate our online activity from our daily life by saying that the things we do on the computer are not a part of "real life". While it is easy to understand what this is supposed to mean, it is not entirely true. The Internet is an integrated part of our lives, especially among younger generations. We do our shopping on the Internet, we meet new people, organize events and so much more! So, how is it a fool's errand to think about one's safety on the Internet? Today, we will give you 5 fresh tips on how to stay safe on the Internet!

Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 in the works already!

 Samsung is company that always keeps its pace and tempo and their track record and customer loyalty is amazing! With that said, it is no surprise that they have announced that the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 are in the works during the CES 2013 event. Of course they did not showcase any information, but they have left the world to wonder and create all sorts of different rumors. For example, it is said that the Note 3 will come with a 6,3 inch display and that the S4 will also get larger and have a display screen with a diagonal of 4,99 inches! Both devices are expected to feature a stylus pen, but these are still rumors of course.

SamMobile claims this a leaked photo of the Galaxy S4

 What isn't a rumor though, is the story of Samsung Exynos eight-core processor which is expected to power the Galaxy S4 and the Note 3. The model we are referring to is called Exynos 5 Octa and it was presented at CES 2013. This technology isn't a real eight-core processor CPU though as the eight cores do not work together at the same time. There are 2 groups of 4 chips in the Exynos 5 Octa: the smaller ones are active for regular tasks, while the bigger ones stay inactive to prevent battery drain; if the user performs an advanced actions such as gaming or video HD streaming, the 4  smaller chips shut down and the 4 bigger ones turn on in order to provide great performance.

 So yes, the Exynos 5 Octa does have eight cores, but they do not work at the same time which doesn't really earn it the title of an eight-core processor. Either way, it is a very powerful CPU and a great new feature of the Galaxy S4 and the Note 3.

 There are a lot of other features that are expected and rumored as I suggest you follow a blog called Samsung Galaxy S4 News if you are interested in more details!

Galaxy Note 2 Mobilicity, Telus and Wind Mobile announce the new phablet!

 There has been a buzz of excitement from Canadian-based mobile phone companies and users about the pending launch of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2. The Galaxy Note 2 is set to be released in North America on October 24th, 2012 during a media event to be held in New York.

 Many mobile phone carriers in Canada, including Mobilicity, Telus Mobility and Wind Mobile, had already announced that the Samsung’s latest arrival will be released in the fall. Telus Mobility went a step further to announce that the new smartphone cum tablet will be available on October 30th, just a few days after the official launch. This is certainly good news for all Telus subscribers who have been waiting with bated breath to own the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. If you are still unsure if you should upgrade to the Note 2 from your previous generation of the phablet, then read our Galaxy Note 2 vs Galaxy Note review!

 Although they have given an official date of release, Telus failed to mention what the prospective consumer should be ready to part with once the phone is available. However, the price of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is expected to be announced very soon. Following Telus’ example, other Canadian mobile carriers are also expected to make the announcements in due time.

 The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is certainly an upgrade from the original Galaxy Note in many ways. The new handset has a much larger display, which measures 5.5-inches, it is thinner than the original at 9.4mm and it has RAM of 2 GB. In addition, enhancements were made to the S Pen that make it much easier to use.

 Telus had previously listed the new handset under “coming soon,” but they have recently changed that to declare the launch date of the Note 2, which as we said earlier will be on Tuesday, 30th October, 2012. However, there is still no indication of the expected price range. As anticipated, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will also be available at Mobilicity, Bell, SaskTel, Rogers, WIND and Videotron.

Galaxy Note 2 vs Galaxy Note - the Review!

 The Samsung Galaxy Note was one of the devices that took the Android market by storm. With the pending release of Samsung’s second edition of the Galaxy Note, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, many Android users wish to know if it is actually better than the original and if it would be wise to purchase it once it is launched. To find out if it is worth it, one must compare the features of one against the other. So, we are moving from our Galaxy Note 2 vs iPhone 5 review and heading into the unknown by trying the answer the debate of Galaxy Note 2 vs Galaxy Note!

The larger Note 2 next to the first generation of the Samsung Galaxy Note

 With reference to the phone’s display, it would seem that Samsung decided that it didn’t require any upgrading. The display of the Galaxy Note 2 is exactly the same as that of its predecessor though it is slightly longer by 0.2 inches. The international version of the Samsung Galaxy Note came with a 4210 SoC that featured both a Mali 400 GPU and 1.4GHz A9 processor (dual-core). The United States version came with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255T System on a Chip (SoC) that featured an Adreno 205 GPU and a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor (single-core).

 The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has 2GB of RAM, which is double that of the original Galaxy Note, which makes multitasking on the new device extremely smooth. The device also comes with a 3100 mAh battery, which is an improvement on the original Note’s 2500 mAh battery. However, experts do not believe that the 3100 mAh battery will give better results since the Galaxy Note 2’s CPU and larger screen are expected to use up most of the battery life. 

With regard to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2’s camera, it seems to be similar to that of its predecessor. Both phones use an 8MP camera as a primary camera and a 2MP camera as a secondary camera. So far, it is hard to tell whether the sensors on the phone’s cameras are the same. 

 The S Pen of the Galaxy Note 2 is longer and wider as compared to that of the original Note. In addition, it comes with a rubber tip that gives the S Pen a better grip. The new device also has all the smart features that a Samsung Galaxy S3 has, for instance Smart Alerts and Smart Stay. Needless to say, the Galaxy Note doesn’t have these software tweaks, giving the Note 2 the upper hand. Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has additional functions and features like a Screen Recorder, S-Pen Quick Commands and an alert that lets you know when the S Pen has not been holstered. 

 With that, it is clear that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is better in most ways than the Samsung Galaxy Note. However, it is recommended that if you have the original Galaxy Note, you can opt not to buy the new device unless you require increased processing capabilities.

Galaxy Note 2 vs iPhone 5 Review

 This Galaxy Note 2 vs the iPhone 5 review will not turn into an Apple versus Samsung war, but this is certainly a fight that never ends. Apple and Samsung have been in a few trials lately all over the world. One of the greatest trials was the one in the U.S. after which Samsung had to pay a billion dollar fine. After that trial, both Apple and Samsung released great smartphone devices. And now everyone is asking the same question: which device is better in the field of features and specifications? iPhone 5 or Galaxy Note 2? Let’s find out!

The iPhone 5 next to the giant Galaxy Note 2

 First, let’s compare them at display field. iPhone 5 has a 4 inch LCD Retina display. Its resolution is 640 x 1136 pixels. The Galaxy Note 2 uses a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, with resolution of 1280 x 720. Therefore, Note 2 has a larger footprint. It weighs more and has bigger measurements. Even though that might cause some inconvenience when using Note 2 with one hand, Note 2 obviously has a great advantage at this field.

 Let’s go to the CPU, GPU and RAM field.  Galaxy Note 2 is powered with a 1.6 GHz quad-core A9 CPU, it has Mali 400 MP GPU and 2 GB of RAM. iPhone 5 has the new Apple A6 SoC, which is supposed to be twice faster than A5 SoC inside the iPhone 4S. If Apple is telling the truth about these numbers, iPhone 5 might have a slightly smaller advantage over the Note 2 when it comes to  CPU speed. But still, both devices are great in this field. Note II has a great advantage in the storage field too. iPhone 5 comes in 3 versions : 16GB, 32 GB and 64 GB variants. It has no room for expansion, since it does not have SD expansion slot. Note 2 comes in these variants too, but it has room for expansion, up to 64 GB.

 iPhone 5 has a LTE connectivity. That is a major change brought with this smartphone. Galaxy Note 2 LTE version has been announced and promised to arrive soon. Until it is officially released, iPhone 5 and Note 2 can’t really be compared at this field.  As for the camera, iPhone 5 comes with 8 MP iSight camera, which is said to be improved compared to the camera of iPhone 4S. Note II has the 8 MP camera too. Considering that we have to wait for test photos on iPhone 5, we cannot pass the verdict, but it might be possible that iPhone 5 will capture higer quality photos than Note II.  Note II has NFC and a standard microUSB port for charging and for data. iPhone 5 does not have NFC chip, and it does not have a proprietary port for data and for charging.

 On to the software field. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was the first flagship smartphone to come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. But, the Note II also comes with some additional features unique for it. Note II also comes with S Pen, that provides interesting features like Air View, PopUp Note, Easy Clip etc… iPhone 5 uses iOS 6. Even though iOS 6 is great, and represents the great step forward, Android offers much more to the users than iOS.

 And last, but not least – prices and release dates field. Note 2 will be launched around the world in October, and in the U.S. during late 2012. Pricing and exact release dates are still unknown. iPhone 5 is also available worldwide, and it has been available in the U.S. since September 14. The prices are $199 for the 16 GB variant, $299 for the 32 GB variant and $399 for the 64 GB variant. Due to the lack of information, verdict can’t be passed on this field.

 Overall conclusion is that Samsung Galaxy Note II is obviously the winner. iPhone 5 is a great device, which comes with many cool features, but Note II is simply better in almost all fields, as we pointed out. And another important thing is the fact that Note II is much more unique than iPhone 5. 

What are your thoughts? Which would you rather have?

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 release date on October 24?

 We all know by now thаt Sаmsung has scheduled a USA based medіa еvent regardіng the Οctobеr 24 rumored release date tο announce thе ѕеcond coming of the Galаxу Notе in the region. To be more accurate, the Galaxy Note 2 is expected to be anounced in the USA by the end of October and released via carriers by the start of November.  Samsung hаs already confirmed that  much as fіve American сarriers will launch the Galаxy Note 2 by mid-Νovember, althоugh we don't have releаse datеs for any of them. Recent rumors suggest that T-Mobile will be received the device by October the 24th which will certainly be a good reason for fans to go over there and sign a two-year contract.

 When it comes other carriers, Ѕprint and U.S. Cellular hаve already announced their Galаxy Notе 2 versіоnѕ but no prices are known just yet. When it comes to T-Mobile, their blog TmoNews reports that the T-Mobіle Galaxy Note 2 version could be launched on Oсtobеr 24, which is the same date as when Samsung will be hosting their special event in NYC. Everything points to T-Mobile getting exclusive rights before the other carriers, which makes us wonder just what sort of deal they made with Samsung to get that far ahead.

 It is known that T-Mobile will offer both the Marble White and Titanium Grеy models with (of course) complete with bloatwаre οn top. A bonus for T-Mobile customers will be the preinstalled game Need for Speed: Most Wanted which comes as one of loyalty bonuses if you choose to get the Note 2 via T-Mobile.

 While you wait for the device to be released, have a look at our current early Galaxy Note 2 review!