Samsung kicked off its semi-annual unpacked event today with the launch of multiple new entries in the Galaxy Note family but went further to put its best foot forward to bring mobile and computing together via a renewed partnership with Microsoft. That all starts with integrations and features that will only be found on the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ flagship phablets. It also included the launch of a new Windows laptop.
Beginning with Note 10 features meant to bring together Microsoft solutions and renowned Note-series productivity, the new handsets will each feature three enhanced software features.
First, Samsung has incorporated connectivity to the Windows 10 “Your Phone” application to seamlessly bring phone and computer together. That’s thanks to a new Quick Panel option that will allow users to easily link to a Windows machine. As with other devices, that will allow cross-platform messaging from the mobile device and ready access to on-device media both ways.
For Samsung, that’s being taken further to allow full control over the smartphone from the PC with the Galaxy Note 10 family of devices. Touch controls and interaction via an on-PC UI are part of that, with the ultimate goal of reducing the time users need to spend switching back and forth between the devices physically.
Specialty apps to bolster productivity further
Samsung and Microsoft have worked to create new application experiences and syncing between the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ and Windows machines too. Of course, part of that integration will center around optimizations and an offering for syncing the two device types via Microsoft OneDrive services.
Beyond that, Samsung will be making a revamped version of Outlook services available for its Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+. Some of the new features in the new version of the app will include the ability to use the S Pen for previewing emails, calendar events, and contacts via a simple hover gesture.
The calendar tools won’t be added until later on in the year but both apps should be welcome additions to the new syncing services outlined above. The pair plan to continue their solutions moving forward with even more tie-ups, specifically with a focus on taking advantage of 5G as that networking tech becomes available.
The Galaxy Book S makes things even better
The new features for Samsung Galaxy Note 10 series flagships will undoubtedly help to make the new devices the most productivity-ready in the series to-date. But Samsung also launched a new Windows laptop in conjunction with the renewed partnership that will arguably complete the package for those who need to get real work done within the Samsung-Microsoft ecosystem.
Dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Book S and first shown in leaked images just days ago, the 13.3-inch ultra-portable laptop packs a bigger punch than its 6.2mm-thin frame might otherwise suggest.
Samsung has equipped the device with a 64-bit 7nm Qualcomm chip from the Snapdragon 8cx Compute Platform clocked at a maximum of 2.84 GHz and backed by 8GB LPDDR4X RAM. For storage, users have either 256GB or 512GB options.
Better still, that’s packed with Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C ports, Dolby Atmos-enhanced AKG-built stereo speakers, a standard light sensor-enabled backlit keyboard, fingerprint sensor, location hardware, and a nanoSIM port rated for Cat.18 LTE connectivity.
That all means the Galaxy Book S should be one of the most feature-rich Windows machines in its class — a perfect match for the new Samsung Galaxy flagships when it arrives in either Earthy Gold and Mercury Gray later this fall.