notes

Get started with Google Keep

Google just made an announcement introducing Keep, its new note-taking service. Keep is currently available for devices running Android 4.0.3 and up, or through the Google Drive Web site. Notes will automatically sync between the Web site and the Android app.

After installing the Android app you'll be prompted to select the Google account you want to use with Keep. Once that's done, you can begin keeping notes. There are four different methods you can use to enter a note:

A quick note directly from the text box on the initial screen. Add a checklist by … Read more

Android 5.0 coming to Samsung Galaxy phones, reports say

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2 are on a short list of devices rumored to see an Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie update, according to SamMobile.

A select few members of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones are expected to see an update to the next version of Android, presumed to be OS version 5.0, known as Key Lime Pie.

A "prelist" of updates apparently obtained by the mobile blog suggests that the soon-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy S4 will be joined by four other models to receive the forthcoming Android 5.0 OS, including various versions of … Read more

Google Keep note-taking app spotted

Google could be working on a note-taking application.

Google+ user 1E100 yesterday revealed that a new note-taking application, known as Google Keep, had been discovered in the many places the search company hides products it's working on. 1E100 described a series of places Keep was discovered, including on Google's Products page, in Google Drive, and as part of the search giant's sandbox, where it tries out new products.

According to 1E100, Google might also be working on an Android app, as evidenced by a special URL that points to the application.

During the search, 1E100 was able … Read more

Samsung Game Pad pops up on Galaxy S4 site, outs Note 3?

During its bizarre unveiling of the Galaxy S4, there were a few accessories that Samsung didn't get to spend much time on. For example, some reporters later stumbled upon a wireless charging feature, and a prototype of a nifty gaming controller that docks with some Galaxy devices while pairing via Bluetooth has also popped up.

The controller is dubbed simply the "Game Pad" and looks an awful lot like it came off of an Xbox 360. Samsung says it is capable of one-touch Bluetooth pairing via Samsung's funky NFC Tectile system, which works with the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S2 as well, among others. It also functions as a remote control for use with your bigger screens at home.… Read more

Samsung outguns Apple in marketing, report says

With the success of its Galaxy S and Galaxy Note franchise, Samsung Electronics has shown that money talks.

Samsung outspent Apple in marketing in the U.S. last year, sinking $401 million in its promotional efforts here vs. Apple's marketing budget of $333 million, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, citing research firm Kantar Media.

The marketing muscle has been a crucial component to Samsung's success in surpassing Apple as the premier smartphone manufacturer and top cell phone player in the industry. With the smartphone market being incredibly competitive as ever, that marketing money will continue to be … Read more

Samsung will soon address its phone security problems

Samsung plans to release a security patch for a newly discovered lock screen hack, reports Lookout Mobile Security. According to the security firm, however, the timeframe for the official software repair is vague, expected to hit "shortly." … Read more

Add notes to Gmail messages in Firefox

As mentioned in the guide for adding notes to Gmail messages in Chrome, the need for a default note feature really shows when you're trying to remember more information about an e-mail. Perhaps you were supposed to call instead of e-mail the person? Or maybe you want to share an e-mail with a friend, but your cellular signal isn't so great right now. Adding Notes for Gmail to Firefox allows you to keep track of these details more easily.

Notes for Gmail was kind enough to give CNET 1,000 beta invitations for our readers! … Read more

Share thank-you notes with friends and family from your iPad with Thank You Note

In the age of instant communication through e-mail, chat, text message or social media, there is something elegant about the idea of a thank-you note. Thank You Note from Pete Marshall takes that simple act and streamlines it with an app that is simple to use and takes full advantage of the features of the iPad and iPhone. The interface offers minimal options -- just a handful of predesigned templates that you can add a picture and some text to and a few options to send your message, but the design and execution are sublime.

Thank You Note is a … Read more

Samsung gets touchy-feely with Immersion haptics tech

Samsung is getting more touchy-feely with Immersion.

The Korean electronics giant has signed a multiyear licensing agreement with Immersion for its haptics products, giving Samsung access to new technology for its various mobile devices.

Haptics technology is built into devices to create tactile feedback or vibrations so a user actually feels something when touching the screen of a mobile device. For example, Immersion software combined with "actuators," such as motors, allows sensations like the feel of a button click when pressing a virtual button. It makes the product feel more real and can improve the user experience, particularly … Read more