Urban Armor Gear for the Note II

My friends at Urban Armor Gear sent me these awesome cases for my favorite gadget, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2


The design is really cool, and fits perfect. Holes for all ports are well positioned, no problem inserting power, headphone, and s-pen. The side buttons functions smoothly, and easy to use. The case is extremely well protected on all areas. The case comes with a screen protector, but I've never been a fan of screen protectors, so opted to leave it out. The back has ventilation holes where you can insert different color cards. I love the orange touch. Or you can leave it open for even more ventilation.



Overall the design is awesome, I love the look and feel. This is not a cheap case, and it shows. The extra thickness actually helps the grip and feels like a heavy duty tactical equipment in your hand. If you don't mind added bulk and weight, these are amazing cases. They provide over the top protection, and the quality is nothing short of perfection, as you'd expect from UAG.


Urban Armor Gear Note 2 Navigator (White)
Urban Armor Gear Note 2 Scout (Black)

Artist Tips & Tricks for Note 10.1 & Note 2

In my recent posts about the Galaxy Note 2 and 10.1 as art tools, I've gotten some viewer feedback, with some amazing tips and tricks. I've decided to put them in one place to share:

1) S-Pen tuning: Yes, you can adjust sensitivity levels with a simple tiny flat head screwdriver.

2) Up the max res in Sketchbook Pro / Sketchbook Mobile, on the Android: Need Sketchbook Pro on the PC/Mac, and connect via USB, or use DropSync app

3) Warped lines: Magnetic cases the culprit?

4) Video screen recording: ASC app, no root required. Follow the benzul site for instructions, need to install on the PC. Speed up on PC to make speed paintings.

Related: previously posted about S-Pen mods, for a more comfortable grip.

Galaxy Note S-Pen Mods

Quick mods for the S-Pen for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and Note 2.

Note 10.1 S-Pen mod, inside of a Micron Pen

Note 2 S-Pen mod, inside of a Pentel Clic eraser

Either one of these work on the other, but I recommend using the plastic tip for the 10.1, as the rubberized tip feels a bit too grippy, and result is a little lost of pressure sensitivity on the low end. The 10.1 S-Pen actually is a bit easier to get to the heavy pressure side, whereas the Note 2's pen requires a heavier hand to get to the extreme pressure levels. Both work great though, and it doesn't take very long to get used to either of the pens.

All Wacom Penabled pen/stylus work with the Note devices. "Penabled"are the ones for the Tablet PC's, not the Cintiq or normal Wacom tablets. However, the Penabled pen's tip are several millimeters off from the actual drawing tip, when used on either the Note 10.1, or the Note 2, so you are better off using the stock S-Pens with the Note devices.

And as a side note, the Note 1's S Pen adaptor does NOT work well for drawing on the Note 2 S-Pen. They DO work, but the pressure levels are different, so that you can only get light lines when using the Note 1 S-Pen on the Note 2 or Note 10.1 screens. This may work ok for writing, or note taking, but for art it is virtually useless. The original Note's S Pen holder also does not fit the Note 2's slightly bigger S-Pen.

So... why did I spend all this energy and effort to make these pens more comfortable to hold? Because they are my favorite digital art devices at the moment, see my Digital Art Tools review.... plus I think unicorns poop rainbows everytime I sketch with them.

Digital Art Tools Review (Pressure Sensitive + Draw on Screen)

I finally got some time over vacation to make this video, showing my current digital art tools, with pressure sensitivity, and ability to draw on the screen:



Unfortunately, being able to draw directly on screen + pressure sensitivity, comes at a much higher price than just one of the two functions. Here are the rough prices, googled late 2012.
Wacom Cintiq 12" - 24": ~$1000 - $3700 for monitor/tablet, without computer
Samsung Series 7 Slate: ~$1000 - $1300
Apple iPad3 with Jot Touch - previously reviewed: ~$500 + $100
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet: ~$500
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phablet: ~$300 on contract, ~$670 without contract

Sketchbook, the best digital art app ever, and cheap!
PC/Mac - Sketchbook Pro 6: $60
iOS/Android - Sketchbook Pro (tablet paid version): $3
iOS/Android - Sketchbook Mobile (phone paid version): $1

Sketchbook on Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Sketchbook on Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

and a few previously posted rougher sketches