www.bahrainthismonth.com July 2013 141 Looking for a new gizmo to carry around town? We have just the thing for you. BTM takes the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 for a spin. Virtual Notepad VIVA Although Samsung is known for making tablets, phones and ‘phablets’ in every possible size, it looks like they have finally got it right. The first thing we noticed — and appreciated — about the 8.0 is that it is one tablet that, unlike its bigger counterparts, you can comfortably hold in one hand. With rounded corners and chrome surrounds, at just 8mm thick, the tablet weighs only 338g. It is evident that Samsung has gone above and beyond when it comes to convenience, speed and usability. The 8-inch display dominates the front of the tablet with the side bezels just the right size to place your thumbs without touching the screen. Images and text are of crisp quality with great colour accuracy. Another ‘performance plus’ is its speed. The 1.6GHz quadcore processor handles Samsung’s customised Android OS (the TouchWiz) effortlessly. The apps took only a few seconds to load and we could seamlessly browse the net and stream videos. However, don’t let the size fool you. The stereo speakers are surprising loud. Gamers will be pleased that 3D games were tried and tested with great success. Many of us have reservations about using a tablet as a ‘reading tool’ — strained eyes anyone? Don’t fret; in comes a cool new feature that will have you finishing your favourite novel in no time. With the ‘reading mode’ on, pages read just like paper. The screen is optimised to provide just the right illumination and tone to deliver a comfortable reading experience in all lighting conditions. Our favourite feature is the multi-tasker — a split screen system! Yes you heard us right; you can take a call, take notes, watch a movie and chat online all at the same time. Another must-have for the working man or woman is the S Planner, a very creative calendar, notepad and diary all in one. You can handwrite events with the stylus directly into the calendar or scribble things down like you are using an actual notebook. This brings us to the S Pen, a quick, easy-to-use tool that slots into a holder under the tablet. Design-wise, Samsung has always been consistent. The smooth, white chassis, physical home button, the touchsensitive menu and back buttons found in the brand’s other devices are all present. Get yours Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is available on 12- and 18-month contracts with VIVA’s existing tablet plans. For a 12-month plan, you can choose from the Tab 20, Tab 25 and Tab 30 where the monthly fees are at BD20, BD25 and BD30 respectively. Upfront payment for the Tab 20 is BD49 while the Tab 25 is BD19. For an 18-month plan, customers can opt for the same prices for the Tab 20, 25 and 30, but without any initial down payment E Call 124 or visit www.viva.com.bh.
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