No tech journalist or enthusiast will openly admit it, but the past couple of years have been pretty boring as far as gadgetry is concerned. Sure we’ve seen a few items but blew us away, but there has been no huge leap in technology and every product out of the gate was just a refinement or previous technologies and ideas. Nothing exactly wrong with that as the whole industry has always thrived on upgrades and the regurgitation of concepts, and with abundance of information already patented, new ideas are really hard to come by.

The Samsung booth at IFA 2012 Berlin was packed!

Which brings us to Samsung. In a lot of ways, Samsung has a lot in common with Apple: both companies are heavily into the consumer business and both are currently the reigning top brands in the smartphone category. Samsung recently just lost a huge case against Apple,with the fight being far from over. With all the litigation, appeals and other legal action going back and forth, I wouldn’t be surprised if the rivalry between the two  spans decades. Apple and Samsung can go on shouting like spoiled brats, claiming who made what first in a seemingly never ending dispute. At the end of it all, even though both companies won’t admit it, they’re both just hacking away at existing ideas and refining it for use on their products. So yeah, pot, meet kettle.

Apple is set to release a slew of products before the year ends which includes the much-talked-about iPhone 5, a redesigned iPod Touch and the mythical iPad Mini. So far, the MacBook Pro with Retina Display has been Apple’s biggest trump card so far (it’s what I’m using now and I love it to bits!) and clearly, the momentum is with them considering a new iPhone is on the brink of being announced.

People were lining up to play with the Galaxy Note 10.1

But what about Samsung? If you have been following the recently concluded IFA 2012 exhibit held in Berlin, you’ll know what I’m talking about. During the exhibit, Samsung made a really strong showing, they literally lit up the whole show floor. And I’m not basing this on pictures I’ve seen on the internet, we actually sent a Technoodling reporter to IFA to give us a first-hand rundown of the whole show!

Spec sheet of the Galaxy Note II

The Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Camera and Galaxy Note 10.1 were for me, the highlight of Samsung’s IFA booth. That’s not taking into account the myriad of high-end LED TV and laptops which were as equally impressive. I initially viewed the Galaxy Note as overly-glorified smartphone – it was big, bulky and I couldn’t imagine carrying one with me. But Samsung proved that they knew what they were doing with the integrated stylus. Combine the very responsive stylus to the custom apps that Samsung created, they were able to redefine the whole “writing on a digital slab” concept which has translated very well to the Galaxy Note II and Tab 10.1. I’m now more excited about the Note II and Tab 10.1 than Apple’s upcoming new iPhone.

Look just how pretty is the Galaxy Note II

The Galaxy Camera on the other hand, looked like a bad photoshop image to which someone drunkenly turned it into an actual product. Yeah, I was laughing my ass off when I first heard of it. But the software tweaks that Samsung made turned it into a compelling product. Lots of built-in apps to do photo manipulation/uploading and a kick-ass setting screen that’s just ingenious. Samsung made camera adjustment very familiar by putting all the settings into a mock graphic of a lens with all of the commands placed appropriately on the lens. Want to adjust the f-stop, rotate the lens cylinder as you would a real lens. How cool is that!? Looking all of the accessories available for the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Tab 10.1 is making me all giddy and happy.

The cool settings UI of the Galaxy Camera

Before you guys jump to a conclusion, no, I wasn’t paid by Samsung to write this piece. This is just me naturally getting excited over gadgets that are well-thought out and a perfect example of re-imagining something old and turning it into something awesome. Samsung clearly have chosen a path they want to run to and they’re going at it with gusto. Apple, the ball is in your court, and I hope for the sake of all accessory companies that has pinned their hopes on your next “hot” product, that your new iPhone will indeed be more than just hype.

Just look at all the accessories for the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Camera!

What the Galaxy Camera can do

Howard

Gadgets and video games are what Howard loves and he was fortunate enough to have dabbled in both worlds professionally. A former Editor-in-Chief of a local gaming magazine, Howard is currently busy jumping from one industry to another, analyzing and writing about all of the electronic toys he loves. His favorite noodles: Pork Leg Bihon.

email: howard@technoodling.netwebsite: http://www.technoodling.net