Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.2.2 Update Release Dates Seem to be Out !!!!

It was earlier rumoured that Samsung would provide the 4.2.2 update for Note 2 in May or June 2013 but now we know that it will be happening in Q3 2013. This is how it always works out with updates, we as customers are always eager to have the updates and rumour mongers do the rest of the work.

But now it seems that we do have something substantial as far as the release dates for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is considered. This recent article at gottabemobile.com says that "Australian carrier Telstra claims that the update’s submission slipped to July, a sign that Samsung is having problems with the software. The carrier expects a submission on July 8th and one round of testing before it’s ready to roll out. It expects to roll the software out at the beginning of August or right in the middle of the third quarter."

This is the closest we have till now as far as the 4.2.2 update for Note 2 is considered.Carriers are usually late in getting the updates than the international unlocked mobile phones as we have seen in the past. So, if Telstra is planning on for an update in August, we can assume that the international version of the device may get the update in July itself. 

Could Samsung be deliberately delaying the 4.2.2 update on Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT N7100?

On 17 Jun a news item in Times of India caught my eyes saying that sales estimate of S4  has been cut down by 30%. Each Samsung flagship device has met with incredible enthusiasm in the market along with incredible sales. The sales of S4 seem to be good but this time it seems that Samsung is not going to meet its expectation. And what seems to be creating stiff competition for S4 are its own brothers the S3 and Note2. 

Yesterday I read a comment at xda forums about deliberate delay of updates and started thinking out about it and it did make sense. Though Samsung brings in some differentiation with each flagship device in terms of better hardware and some definite new features and better software (class leading hardware, lots of new features, new touchwiz interface and android 4.2.2 in this case) the gap between newer flagship device and older ones seem to be narrowing. With newer updates the differentiation gets narrower still. And the price difference seems to be growing (S4 at approx INR 40,000/-, S3 at approx INR 25,000/- and Note 2 at around INR 27,500/-. With such huge price difference factored in delaying the update would make sense to push the sales of its current flagship.

Though, overall sales make Samsung the market leader but as I said earlier the earlier flagships (S3 & note 2) may be denting S4 sales. Someone may argue that a deliberate delay may create losses and potential customers could move to other brands but Samsung holds the market leader position and S3 & Note 2 are still great phone at current price points.

Disclaimer: This article is just making a point for deliberation with no factual basis on whether Samsung is actually deliberately delaying the release of updates for S3 or Note 2.

Sources:
1. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-17/hardware/40027185_1_samsung-galaxy-s4-the-s4-smartphone-market
2. http://www.ubergizmo.com/2013/06/samsung-slashes-galaxy-s4-order-by-50-for-july/
3.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42693592&postcount=473

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Stability update XXDME6 (still 4.1.2): 4.2.2 release date still long away

Samsung has started offering a new update for Galaxy Note 2 GT - N7100, build version XXDME6 for its international version. Each update brings some happiness and excitement to the mobile phone users but it doesn't seem to be the case today. Despite all the hype about the latest 4.2.2 update being just around the corner, this update clearly shows that the 4.2.2 update is going to take its time. Though the reports were around that the 4.2.2 update was delayed till June end it seems that it will not certainly happen in June but Sam mobile has reported that it will happen sometime in Q3 2013. 4.2.2 seems to have been delayed as Samsung is taking more time for incorporating the new Touchwiz interface on the S4 and the new features on S4.

This update is available in Europe right now to be updated over the air (OTA) or through Kies update. As of now it is not available in India. XXDME6 is a 4.1.2 stability fix mostly fixing bugs relating to battery issues and other minor issues.

So don't expect much as of now from this update and keep your fingers crossed for the 4.2.2 update for S3 and of course Note 2.

Details of the update:

Model: GT-N7100

Country: United Kingdom
Version: Android 4.1.2
Changelist: 1071214
Build date: Fri, 31 May 2013 02:18:10 +0000
Product Code: BTUPDA: N7100XXDME6CSC: N7100OXXDME2MODEM: N7100XXDME4

Source:
1. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/480525/20130619/galaxy-note2-gtn7100-android412-xxdme6-jellybean-update.htm
2. http://www.sammobile.com/2013/06/18/samsung-start-stability-update-galaxy-note-ii-still-android-4-1-2/

Best weight loss app and perhaps one of the best apps for Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Noom weight loss coach is definitely the best app for me to help lose weight. I would go to the extend of saying that it is the best app for me to have on my phone.  Though I have used a lot of apps, most of them have been for fun (games), some for them productivity but this is one app that has changed the way I use my phone.

Noom really does what it claims to do. It really helps lose weight!!!!!!!!! I have lost 5.5 kgs in 1.5 months and am still hopeful of losing more. It has really helped bring a lot of positive change in my life. (UPDATE: HAVE LOST 6.5 KGS IN 2 MONTHS. COULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT NOOM)

This app begins by entering your profile i.e. your sex, height, weight and target weight and the ease of tasks to be offered.This app helped me by tracking my weight, exercise and logging the food I had.

This is how a typical home screen of this app looks like -

Note 2 : Noom Weight Loss Coach Home Page

It has four sections - Coach, Logbook, Forum and History.

The coach section tells about your noom level which keeps increasing by doing tasks (reading articles, logging meals & exercise, walking, recording weight etc.)

The Logbook section helps by logging meals, workout, weight and waist(only in pro version). Logging is  exhaustive, quite effective and easy compared to other apps.

Note 2 Noom Weight Loss Coach Logbook

Note 2 Meal Logging in Noom Weight Loss Coach

The forum section provides support and lot of information esp. success stories, about how people overcame common problems and also great diet recipes.

Note 2 : Noom Weight Loss Coach Forum

The history section helps monitor workout and tasks done in past. In past while exercising I would skip a few days here and there and still think that I was exercising fairly regularly, but know I know exactly how much I am exercising (consistency is more important than anything).

Note 2: Noom Weight Loss Coach History
Exercise Summary

Noom keeps the motivation going by

•        tracking your weight changes graphically.

Note 2: Noom Weight Loss Coach
Weight Graph

•        tracking the exercise done.
•        providing relevant, factual and interesting information everyday.
•        forum provides the human aspect of support

     
It is not as if the app is perfect. In my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 the pedometer does not work when the phone is on standby. The pedometer works perfectly well on my wife's Sony Xperia Sola. But still, till now apps would be fun and helpful, but this app has made my mobile really fruitful for me.

A word of caution to the developers - who would buy a pro version when the free app works so well!!!!!!!!!