Apple fanboy or not, I can't deny that competition is good and drives innovation and continual improvement. Being as impartial as I possibly can, I think Apple is still quite a ways ahead of other tablet and phone manufacturers for the product categories they are involved in, namely 3.5-inch smart phones and 9.7-inch tablets. The quality "assured" by the brand just about helps them in other similar-sized categories, e.g. 4-inch smartphones and 7-10-inch tablets. Still, the sheer plethora of products from competing companies, many cornered into specific niches that Apple really interested in, means that users will always have a choice to make (not a bad thing).

Despite being the proud owner of an iPhone 4 and iPad 2, I can't deny often times wishing my iPhone were bigger or my iPad a touch smaller. As such, I have often played around with demo units of Samsung Galaxy Phones and tablets. The screens on these things really pop, even if the build quality, esp. flimsy plastic housing, is a bit of a put off. I could often picture myself with slightly less eye strain looking at the screen of a Galaxy S2 or slightly less back strain carrying around a Galaxy Tab 7 Plus.

So, it is not that surprising that I was finally reeled in by Sammy with their release of the Samsung Galaxy Note, a 5.3-inch screened Phablet, or Tone; don't know which it is, LOL. After a few days of use, I must say I am more inclined to call it a smallish tablet than a large-ish phone, although it works perfectly well as one. At the moment, it is keeping my iPhone and iPad at bay, while I learn my way around the device that is able to carry out the functions of both.

The device itself is very similar to the Samsung Galaxy line of phones, e.g. the aforementioned Galaxy S2, just bigger; much bigger. The screen is a joy to behold; think iPhone Retina Display sharpness but 70-80% larger! People have been clamoring for the iPad3 with Retina Display, but this could be viewed as a Retina Display-ed tablet in its own right. Photos and album art are absolutely gorgeous on the thing. At the same time, the device is absolutely phone-thin. The power and volume buttons on the edges are a tad difficult to hit properly but in general the hardware design works well.

Android is a difficult kettle of fish, especially for a Mac user like yours truly. I suppose Apple's willingness to keep non-Mac users in the cold should not leave me expecting any different from Android (the shoe on the other foot and all that). Getting your contacts, calendar information, and iTunes media on the device (and to display/play properly) was an exercise in frustration of the highest order. Take for example the contacts; I spent 3 hours manually uploading my information to, and organizing my information in, Google contacts. I haven't yet found the best way to sync my calendar entries from iCal over to Google calendars and then over to the device. iTunes music was synced over multiple times using doubleTWIST (Android iTunes clone). Things seem to be working at the moment, but I don't dare sneeze too loud, LOL.

The Android Market has been an interesting experience; certainly not a bad one. I was easily able to download and install most of my favorite iPhone-like apps (Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter, etc…). Some frustration is reserved for certain favorite applications not being available on the Android platform (e.g. Twitterrific), but I can understand this. As a result, the functionality of the device is almost on par with my iPhone/iPad but with one less device to carry around. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy the Kindle and Zinio apps on this device for reading books and magazines. Browsing and playing my iTunes music on the device (now that I've been able to transfer things over) is also a joy, simply because the cover art just pops on this amazing screen.

So, apart from feeling guilty about not paying much attention to my iPhone and iPad, what have been the main downsides?

Well, first, the relatively large screen, while being awesome to use, makes the device not so portable (compared to the iPhone but not compared to the iPad). Since I am trying to use this as my daily phone, this is unavoidably an issue, but one I brought upon myself.

Second, I have to say the battery life is not great. I haven't run the battery down yet, but from a full charge just a few hours of use brings it down to about 80%, or less, capacity. I estimate that I would have trouble getting a full day's worth of use out of the device.

Those are the two complaints I have. What about looking forward? I have read that Ice Cream Sandwich (newest iteration of Android OS) will be made available for the device in early 2012. This will supposedly bring some improvements to the use of the stylus.

Which brings me to the final thing I wanted to say about the Galaxy Note: the stylus. This was one of the selling points for me. In the Samsung applications designed specifically for it, the stylus works amazingly well. The precision is quite impressive, and you also get pressure sensitivity (Wacom-like). I've really enjoyed this. iPad styli really do not work this well, which is one of my gripes with that device.

So, overall, I have to say I am enjoying the Galaxy Note quite a lot. It is not for everyone, clearly. People will be put off by the size (and lack of real portability). However, you only have to take one look at the gorgeous screen to seriously contemplate taking the jump despite yourself!