The latest from the company is the Galaxy Tab 2, a follow-up to the Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy 7.0 Plus, which was announced last September.

The Galaxy Tab 2 includes a 1GHZ dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, a pair of cameras, and the choice of either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. Those numbers make it more or less identical to the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, which should rightfully lead you to wonder why Samsung is realizing its latest device in the first place.

In fact, the Tab 2’s only significant feature is Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which is supplemented by the latest version of Samsung’s TouchWiz overlay.

And, really, it’s TouchWiz that we have to blame for the Galaxy Tab 2 in the first place. Samsung announced last December that the original Galaxy Tab would not be getting the Android 4.0 upgrade because the tablet’s hardware did not allow it to run TouchWiz alongside Android.

The Galaxy Tab 2 will land in the UK in March, and elsewhere soon after. Seeing as how the device features a 3G radio, it’s a safe bet to assume that Samsung will announce the device in the U.S. alongside an announcement from either AT&T or T-Mobile, both of which offered the original Tab 7.

The Nexus S 4G.

I remember when we first met. I had just gotten off a bad relationship with my Palm Pre, which was marked by regret, disappointment, and a fair bit of heartbreak. Of all the Android devices I considered, the Nexus S seemed the most logical buy. It was well-designed and pure, enjoyable to hold, and more or less guaranteed to be supported by Google for far longer than most other phones. So I made my move.

There was a Best Buy and a contract, an exchange of $200 and a brief moment of self-doubt. I knew that, no matter what else was happening in my life during the next two years, chances are that I would have with me this same phone. That’s not a commitment to take lightly.

It’s also tough to maintain. Companies are constantly trying to entice me into being unfaithful, creating new phones with new features and bigger screens on a painfully consistent basis. Samsung did this with the Galaxy Nexus, Apple did it with the iPhone 4S, and Motorola sort of did it with the Droid Razr Maxx. There’s always a phone that’s more attractive, at least on the surface.

But they can never be my phone. There are lot of phones like my phone, but my phone is special:  My phone is mine. It has small scratches from when I dropped it, and remnants of my fingerprints from when I touched it. A blue Band-Aid covers up its Samsung logo, which is either a metaphor or evidence that I like the color blue. It’s full of apps, wallpapers, and ringtones all of my choosing. It’s my own handheld universe.

Doing It All, All The Time

My phone serves as an alarm clock, calendar, music player, research assistant, weatherman, ebook reader, and, in general, a constant link to the world. These are tasks just as easily accomplished on my computer, of course — but with my phone its a bit different.

That’s because my phone is almost perpetually attached to me, tucked in my pocket, or, more often, squeezed tightly in my palm. Our relationship isn’t really romantic, but it is intimate, at least in the sense that we are rarely ever apart. That’s 100% of the reason why I don’t like letting others use it. The prying eyes, sweaty palms, and greasy faces of others are things I try to keep it away from. I guess I’m easily made jealous.

Not that it doesn’t annoy me at times, of course. Sometimes my phone doesn’t send texts, other times I can barely get a 3G signal. They’re nitpicks, probably, but they appear often enough to border on annoying.

And then and then there are the slightly bigger “issues.” The Nexus S 4G has no notification LEDs, no HDMI output, and no SD card slot. These are omissions that most reviewers took fault with, but they haven’t bothered me too much. It has a web browser that I often use, a phone call feature that I rarely use, and 4G network access that I never use. This is the basic structure of our interaction.

But my favorite feature, above all, is its camera. It’s not the most advanced lens around, but the Nexus S’s back camera is always there when I need it. I’ve captured pictures of others’ vomit, shots of lewd cupcakes, and, multiple times, images of “LOU REED” scrawled on bathroom walls. None of these pictures would have been taken otherwise, which makes my phone’s camera the most indispensable feature it possesses. Portability alone makes it a far more useful camera than the cumbersome DSLR that I own. Is it any surprise why dedicated point-and-shoots are on their way out?

Becoming Indispensable

Before leaving home, I drum my pockets: “Phone, wallet, keys. Keys, wallet…phone.” There was a time, not so long ago, when the phone wasn’t a part of this pre-departure ritual, but its clearly a central part of it now. Perhaps predictably, even as the newest part of the trio, it’s the phone that threatens to replace both of its predecessors. This is a move I’d welcome with open arms, as well as lighter pockets.

At at same time, though, consolidating cash and keys into the already overflowing responsibilities of my phone also makes me a bit nervous. What if I lose it? As I stuff more and more information into the guts of the device, it begins to become a very clear imprint of my personality, desires, and habits. Where I’ve been, who I’ve called, what I’ve bought — it won’t be long until phones start to become direct reflections of the people that use them. That’s half neat but also half scary, at least for those of us prone to losing even the most important things we own.

As an experiment, I sometimes I don’t bring my phone out with me, partially because sometimes we need some time apart but also because it’s a strange and vaguely exciting feeling to be out in the world without it. It’s a perverse and strange notion that this is what passes for thrill in 2012.

I used to charge my phone via the outlet beside my bed. This made it the last thing I interacted with before bed, and the first thing I saw when waking up. I before long discovered that doing this was delaying my bedtime by almost an hour and was generally pitiful, so I moved the charger to the kitchen. It made me realize then, as it most certain will in the future, that the best way to interact with the device was intermittently. That may not work all that well with people, but it works with technology. And that works for me.

The Touch Mouse M600 offers a similar feature set to touch mice from Microsoft and Apple: scrolling, swiping, and clicking are all accomplished in much the same way as on smartphones and tablets. Logitech, of course, is making a big deal of this similarity, which it says will make using the Touch Mouse feel intuitive and natural.

There is, however, a big drawback with the Touch Mouse M600: The device’s software is only compatible with Windows 7, which leaves out OSX users.

Available in February, the Touch Mouse M600 will sell for $70.

Recognizing that there is a market for super low-end tablets, Sprint has announced the ZTE Optik, an Android tablet that it plans to sell for $99.

Available February 5th, the Optik features a 7-inch 1280 x 800 display, a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. Not a bad set of features for its price.

Of course, its $99 price tag comes before the accumulated cost of a two-year contract. With 1GB data plans going for $20 a month, the final cost of the ZTE Optik will hover around at least $600 after twenty-four months. So it’s not the best deal in the end. Off-contract, the Optik will sell for $349, which is also a bit high.

Of course, in an effort to keep the tablet’s price low, ZTE didn’t furnish the Optik with a 4G chip, putting a damper on the hopes that this would be a $99 WiMAX experience.

So, in short, approach this one with caution.

If you bought Motorola’s Droid Razr last November or at any point since, I’m sorry.

Three months after the release of the impressive and slim smartphone comes its similarly slim but inconceivably better sucessor: The Droid Razr Maxx [sic]. Motorola’s latest Droid takes all of the best parts from the original Droid Razr and improves them, leaving everyone who bought last year’s model understandably–and probably irrevocably–upset.

A Droid Razr with an edge

In comparing the Droid Razr Maxx to its predecessor, it’s a wonder that Motorola and Verizon didn’t just skip the original phone entirely. At 21 hours, the Droid Razr Maxx offers a talk time almost double that of the original Droid Razr. That, of course, is due to its 3,300 mAh battery, which dwarfs the 1,780 cell found in its predecessor.

As a result of this upgrade, the Droid Razr Maxx is a bit thicker than the Droid Razr. That sounds like a problem at first, but seeing as how one of the most prominent criticisms of the Droid Razr was that it was actually too light, this added weight is actually a good thing in the end.

These things aside, the features of the two devices are almost completely identical. Notably, as with the original, the battery on the Droid Razr Maxx is non-removable, which some potential owners may balk at. But seeing as how it’s this feature that helps keep the device so slim in the first place, perhaps that hesitation is a bit unwarranted.

Solving the 4G battery problem in style

Battery life on the Razr Maxx is a dazzling thing. Even with moderate use, the phone goes at least fifteen hours without need for a charge. Keep in mind that much of this data was transferred is over an 4G LTE connection, making the Maxx’s battery life that much more amazing in comparison to 3G phones than can barely scratch eight hours.

And you won’t get a more useful metric than that. Unless you are running YouTube for hours, or doing something similarly taxing and unlikely, it will probably take a whole lot of work to drain the Razr’s Maxx’s battery. Which is certainly a good thing.

Another notable bit about the battery is that, while it lasts quite a long time, it does take a bit longer to charge compared to, say, the Nexus S 4G. (Disclosure: I own a Nexus S 4G.)

Bottom line

There’s something quite special about the Razr Maxx. While not so great for recent owners of the Droid Razr, the Maxx’s existence proves that, with enough engineering prowess, manufacturers can create devices that can seamlessly run on 4G networks without sacrificing battery life. And that’s a very exciting thing.

Even for those for those not at all enthused by this battery life increase, there’s good news: With the appearance of the Razr Maxx, Verizon has dropped the price of the original Droid Razr to $200, giving its successor a more premium sheen but also making the original Droid Razr a bit more enticing. Everybody wins.

See this gallery for more shots of the phone.

While it isn’t quite certain if the update is the official one, it’s notable that it’s slightly newer than the Android 4.0.3 running on the Galaxy Nexus. WiMax drivers in tow, this release is only intended to work with the 4G version of the phone. Google released the GSM update last December.

Even if Nexus S 4G aren’t too keen on the idea of doing a risky phone-flashing, the appearance of the update is probably a good indication that the official release is well on its way.

[Via The Verge]

The carrier will begin taking pre-orders for the 5.3-inch smartphone-tablet hybrid online and in stores on Sunday, February 5 (its webpage won’t will go live until then). According to AT&T’s Consumer Blog, orders received by February 15 will be delivered by February 17, which will give enthusiasts two days of bragging rights before the Note hit stores on the 19th.

Given that the Note is basically a cross between a massive 4G phone and a small tablet, it definitely won’t come cheap. At $299.99 plus a two-year service plan, the Note dares to command more than a 32 GB iPhone 4S, but offers much more than just another Android-running phone. In my opinion, what sets the Note apart from other phones is the included “S Pen” that lets you sketch and hand-write your notes directly on the spacious HD Super AMOLED touchscreen, rather than rely solely on the on-screen keyboard to (inaccurately) tap out your messages.

Other Technical Specs:

• Display: 5.3″ HD Super AMOLED screen (1280×800)
• Processor: 1.5 GHz dual core CPU
• Camera: 2-megapixel front facing camera; 8-megapixel rear camera
• OS: Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread
• Battery: 2,500mAh battery
• Network: 4G/LTE

As someone who always ends up leaving her tablet at home due to its size and prefers to travel with pen and paper, the combination of the Note’s more portable dimensions and stylus could even help ween me off my dead-tree-pulp dependence.

What about you? Do you think the Samsung Galaxy Note is onto something here?

[Source: AT&T Consumer Blog; Photo Credit: Gloria Sin]

Related:

• CES 2012: Samsung Galaxy Note coming to AT&T with LTE
• CES 2012: Samsung Galaxy Note heralds back PDA category
• Samsung Galaxy Note goes big (photos)
• CNET: Samsung Galaxy Note: AT&T’s jumbo phone wants to make the stylus cool

According to an end-of-life list obtained by SprintFeed, the Wi-Fi model of RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet could be seeing its end in the later part of this month.

While this may seem like it spells doom for the tablet, its only half the story. According to a leaked product roadmap obtained by BGR, RIM’s follow-up to the PlayBook is well on its way. While the roadmap seems a bit outdated (it gives the PlayBook 3G a Q1 2013 release, which seems a bit far off) other documents note that the 3G PlayBook will offer a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, near-field communications, and PlayBook OS 2.0. So while some things are up in the air, others seem a bit more concrete.

But here’s the question: With no real release date for the next PlayBook announced so far, is Sprint’s move to axe the Wi-Fi version of the tablet a bit premature?

Like most other manufacturers, HTC’s Android strategy in 2011 seemed to center around flooding the market with as many different devices as possible.

Fortunately, the company seems to be coming to its senses. In an interview with Mobile magazine, Phil Roberson, executive director of HTC U.K. and Ireland, said that HTC’s 2012 will look a bit different from its 2011.

“We have to get back to focusing on what made us great – amazing hardware and a great customer experience,” he said. “We ended 2011 with far more products than we started out with. We tried to do too much.”

Instead, HTC will focus on releasing hero products, flagship devices of higher quality like the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone. The move, while shrewd, is probably one HTC should have followed from the beginning.

As for tablets, HTC says that it won’t push the devices as strongly in the coming year, though it still plans to have a hand in the market.

And HTC is not alone. At CES 2012 Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha announced a similar shift in strategy, noting that Motorola plans to slow down its smartphone release cycle in 2012.

“A lot of products that are roughly the same doesn’t drive the market to a new place,” he said.

Ultimately, while the new strategies of HTC And Motorola will reduce the number of devices to choose from, they’ll also no doubt increase the quality of the ones that are released. And that can only be a good thing for consumers.

But there are problems, too. ZDNet’s Zack Whittaker notes that, while Apple, publishers, and rich schools are clearly the winners with the new developments, groups like poorer students and low-income school districts will clearly lose out.

Jason Kendrick points out another problem — iPads and careless kids don’t go together all that well. “They are simply too thin and fragile to handle the rigors of the school day,” Kendrick says of the iPad. “I can easily imagine horrible cracking sounds emanating from backpacks as things are thrown on top of the tablets,” he writes.

But there’s another issue: Apple’s interactive textbooks are tied directly to the iPad. This, granted, is unavoidable, as it’s Apple that’s done all the legwork to deal with publishers and develop the requisite creation tools. The goal is to tie textbook purchases to iPad purchases, after all. It’s a savvy business decision, but Apple’s closed ecosystem leaves out in the cold many potential users, especially those who would have a hard time shelling out the cash for a $500 device.

A better route would be the one followed by Amazon’s Kindle app. While available on platforms as diverse as Windows, Android, and even iOS, the Kindle app is still tied to Amazon’s own ecosystem. This vastly expands the number of potential users while still giving Amazon access to them.

But Apple isn’t Amazon. As history as shown, Apple is far more interested in controlling the end-user experience, a possibility not afforded to it if users are reading textbooks on disparate devices like Android tablets and smartphones. Hence why it makes sense that Apple went the route it did.

But on matters of education, this approach is harder to swallow. While many school districts have money set aside for iPad purchases, far many more are dealing with budget cuts and teacher lay offs. If Apple is as serious about improving education as its publicity would lead you to believe, the best solution would be to open up the format to devices and platforms besides the iPad and iOS.