Galaxy Note 7 makes a splash
New Galaxy Note 7 includes water-proofing protection
Last week we were at Samsung’s Galaxy Studio, a special installation located on Orchard Road, Singapore, dedicated to showcasing the various new products coming soon to the Korean tech giant’s line-up. The highlight, of course, was the brand’s latest entry in its flagship Galaxy Note series of smartphones, the Galaxy Note 7.
While technically the sixth device in the Galaxy Note line, Samsung has opted to go the route of Windows 10 — which is technically Windows 9 — and skipped a digit (the Note 7 is supposed to be 6) to unify the device with the brand’s other flagship series (the Galaxy S series, which is currently at its seventh device). But it’s more than just a serial number: according to Cue Kim, product planning manager at Samsung’s headquarters in Korea, the Note 7 implies the significant leap in features that the device has over its predecessor, the Note 5.
“Ever since the release of the first Galaxy Note device [five years ago], Samsung has always striven to raise the bar in terms of innovation,” said Kim, who also was joined by Samsung’s product engineer Woontahk Sung and product designer Haejoo Han in talking about the new features incorporated into the Note 7, as well as the design philosophies involved in each feature.
“We do this not for the sake of creating something new, but for the sake of creating something special and unique to enhance the daily lives of our customers.” Among the most prominent features mentioned by Kim include the newly-improved S-pen stylus, which has received an extra-thin point (0.7mm, less than half the thickness of the Note 5’s stylus) to facilitate more accurate writing, as well as a special magnetic-based detection technology that now allows the stylus to function in very dusty environments, or even underwater, thanks to the device’s IP68-standard waterproofing technology.
“Our vision for the Note 7 is to enhance all the aspects of the user’s daily life, be it work or entertainment,” said Kim. “We want the phone to be a companion, a helper that will help our users make the most of everything they do.”
Life’s brief hands-on session with the device confirmed Kim’s claim regarding the new S-pen, which provides a smooth and precise writing experience that is much more responsive than most other stylus-based devices we’ve experienced. The slightly-curved edges on the phone’s screen also give it a good fit when held in one hand, a feature that Kim says is one of the most important tenets of the product’s design, which makes writing on it even more comfortable. That said, the incredible sensitivity of the new detection system could also work both ways, as the device can some times detect the stylus even before it touches the screen.
Even more impressive to witness in person is the device’s waterproof frame, which allows the device to be used accurately even under water. Representatives from Samsung were quick to point out, however, that the water- resistant feature does not mean the device is designed to be used under water, but more as a safeguard against accidents. As such, if water were ever to enter the device, the warranty will be immediately voided.
Following Kim is product engineer Woontahk Sung, who highlighted the device’s advanced Iris scanner technology, which allows users to record and use their unique iris signatures to unlock their phones. When coupled with the familiar fingerprint scanner present in many smartphones in the market today, Sung said the Note 7 is a perfect fit for today’s privacy-minded consumers.
“The iris scanner works by shining an infrared light into the user’s iris to illuminate the unique biometric patterns, which are simultaneously scanned by another camera to provide confirmation,” he said, while adding that the technology will work even if the user is wearing glasses or contact lenses. However, sunglasses and coloured contact lenses will distort the infrared light, which may cause difficulties for the iris scanner. Sung also described the device’s Private Folder function, which creates a partition in the phone’s memory (much like a Mac user creating a Windows partition in their computer), which can only be accessed by the user (whether through iris or fingerprint scanning). The partition can be loaded up with apps, photos, notes and everything in between, effectively giving users a second device that they can access.
“In today’s world, where digital connectivity is more prevalent than ever before, security and privacy are very important for our users,” said Sung, further ensuring the attending media that the infrared light used in the retinal scan is completely safe, with a highest certification level issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
“As an added safeguard, the infrared light will also automatically switch off if it detects the user’s eye is too close, or is exposed to the infrared light for too long.”