Galaxy Note 3
Galaxy Note 3: New S Pen Features Promised, May Come to Note 2
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release could bring a collection of new S Pen features to buyers who pick up the new Galaxy Note, and we could also see many of the Galaxy Note 3 S Pen features make their way to the Galaxy Note 2 as well.
Despite a multitude of leaks, we still don’t know much about the Galaxy Note 3 S Pen features or a new S Pen design, but the schedule for Samsung’s new Developer Conference promises a, “Detailed View of What’s New in S Pen,” which is additional proof that Samsung plans to bring new S Pen features to the Galaxy Note 3 at IFA 2013.
Couple this with the fact that Samsung bought a 5% stake in Wacom, the company making technology behind the S Pen and the fact that we saw new S Pen technology arrive in the Galaxy Note 2 with some features trickle down to the Galaxy Note, and it looks like we are in for an S Pen update.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Video Rumor & Release Date Roundup
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 S Pen
The Samsung Developers Conference is scheduled for October 27 through 29th in San Francisco, and while much of the schedule is still to be announced, there is a session on getting started with the S Pen and a session that offers a, “Detailed View of What’s New in S Pen.”
The 50-minute session doesn’t include any details about new Galaxy Note 3 S Pen features, but the timing suggests Samsung will use the session to cover new Galaxy Note 3 S Pen features in greater detail.
This schedule arrives soon after Samsung registered a new domain that hints at a Galaxy Note 3 S Pen marketing push.
Samsung upgraded the S Pen with the Galaxy Note 2, adding better pressure sensitivity and increasing the thickness of the S Pen while adding new features. The new Galaxy Note 2 S Pen features include;
- Quick Command – control the Note 2 with quick written commands.
- Air View – Hover to see more of a photo, email or message.
- Pop Up Note – Open an S Note window by taking the S Pen out.
- Easy Clip – Capture a small part of the screen by tracing.
If Samsung is able to shrink the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 down to 8mm thick as one rumor claims, look for a redesigned S Pen to fir into this smaller frame and new features to convince owners an upgrade is worthwhile.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Should Get New Features
If Samsung sticks to the playbook, we expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will get some of the new Galaxy Note 3 S Pen features. Samsung is already well-known for bringing popular features from a new phone to an older model and from the Galaxy Note 2 to the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4.
In December 2012 Samsung delivered a Galaxy Note Android 4.1 update that brought new Galaxy Note 2 S Pen features to the original Galaxy Note. It is all but confirmed that Samsung is skipping the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.2 update for Android 4.3. We could see Samsung deliver a Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.3 update that includes any new Galaxy Note 3 features soon after the Galaxy Note 3 release.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release Date
The timing of a late October Samsung Developer Conference allows Samsung to announce the Galaxy Note 3 on September 4th and for carriers to prepare for a U.S. Galaxy Note 3 release date ahead of the conference.
Leaks hint at a swift Galaxy Note 3 release date, possibly within a week of the actual announcement, which could translate into a quick U.S. release as well.
AT&T and T-Mobile were fast to offer the Samsung Galaxy S4 earlier this year, and in 2012 AT&T was taking Galaxy Note 2 pre-orders by October 25th for a release in early November.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 3: New Details Ahead of Launch
This year, look for an AT&T Galaxy Note 3 release to arrive ahead of the Samsung Developers Conference based on leaks and Samsung’s ability to bring the Galaxy S4 to U.S. carriers faster than previous devices.
Tiffany
08/26/2013 at 11:07 am
I would like to control what automatically pops up when I withdraw the “S” pen. I use evernote so I would like an evernote note to popup.
Airan
08/26/2013 at 2:04 pm
There are apps in the play store that can help you better control what happens if the s pen is drawn out
Fred Barnett Jr.
08/26/2013 at 2:57 pm
U can control pop ups from spen n settings.