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Did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first smartphone with an auxiliary screen?

Did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first smartphone with an auxiliary screen?

Posted: 08 Sep 2014, 09:32 , posted by Chris P.

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Tags : T-Mobile -T-Mobile + AT&T -AT&T + Verizon -Verizon + Sprint -Sprint + Samsung -Samsung + Android -Android + Did you know -Did you know +

Did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first smartphone with an auxiliary screen?

To the surprise of many, when Samsung excs took up to the stage at IFA 2014 and finished their presentation on the Note 4, they then proceeded to whip out the Note Edge. A novel gadget by all means, the Note Edge is a near identical twin to the Note 4 with one major exception: its 5.6-inch Super AMOLED screen slopes to the sides, beyond the right bezel. The extra screen real estate can be used to hold your favorite apps, show stocks and news updates, and even doubles-up as a ruler.

Of course, we've known that Samsung is working on advanced display solution such as this one for a while now, but it still is impressive to see such an advance made commercially-available -- the big four carriers in the US, for example, will carry the Note Edge alongside the Note 4. But did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first stab at the idea of having more than a standard, main touchscreen? That's right, back in November 2010, the company announced the Samsung Continuum -- a phone that didn't have a sloping-to-the-sides screen, but nevertheless sported a separate, auxiliary screen right underneath the navigation keys on the bottom. Verizon even carried the Continuum!

The extra, 1.8-inch WVGA screen with 480x96 pixel resolution (called the "ticker") was mainly used by the TouchWiz software on board the Continuum to display incoming e-mails and text, show social updates from Facebook and Twitter, and even stream updates from your RSS feed. The screen could also show you music player controls, and also display the next turn you need to make when being navigated through Verizon's VZ Navigator. Interestingly enough, back then we had difficulties operating the main screen without accidentally clicking on the ticker every now and then -- kind of alike to the situation with the Note Edge.

It's probably obvious, but the Continuum wasn't a hit, even though its specs sheet was nothing to sneeze at for its time. Whether a similar fate is to befall the Note Edge, however, remains to be seen.

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22 Comments

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posted on 08 Sep 2014, 09:34 1

1. ArtSim98 (Posts: 3535; Member since: 21 Dec 2012)

So there goes the innovation.

Ok not really though I guess it's different?

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 18:47 1

18. steedsofwar (unregistered)

The edge is just a "I did it first" device. I love android but the edge is a joke.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 23:36

19. heyhi (Posts: 137; Member since: 19 Feb 2013)

i think its cool and kind of futuristic...i guess its not easy to bend a display like that and the best part, make it functional...those who complain about the "one side only", forget that the note series are big and kind of heavy, not everyone uses one hand only. Most of the times I use both hands when Im using my note 3, just when im gonna call somebody i use one.

yes, they did it first, someone someday had to, dont you think so? and soon they're gonna make it better or someone else will.

now we have more choices, thats beautiful for consumers and for them.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 09:55 3

2. matrix_neo (Posts: 334; Member since: 03 Nov 2011)

It looks better in Note Edge. It has a larger space and easy to use. Some says it's a gimmick but to some it's not. Like this feature hass a purpose, some people might not be able to understand it. Only Samsung has done this 1st, if successful, like in note lines, others will follow. I think Samsung is experimenting again, even it failed, just to prove innovation and perfection never ends.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 10:00 10

3. Saioofi (Posts: 325; Member since: 23 May 2014)

I'm left handed so to me the edge is just a gimmick

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 10:07 1

4. Jeradiah3 (Posts: 1149; Member since: 11 Feb 2010)

I am too and I'm not totally sold on the Note Edge either. Is it just me, or is the Note 4 slimmer than he Note 3??

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 10:38

6. spin9 (Posts: 310; Member since: 31 May 2014)

It's even slimer than note 4

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 17:13

15. Jeradiah3 (Posts: 1149; Member since: 11 Feb 2010)

ok. im not sure. the Note 4 looks like the S5 and that seems to be a common trend.....

Note -> S2
Note 2 -> S3
Note 3 -> S4
Note 4 -> S5

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 10:18

5. Onlinector720 (Posts: 25; Member since: 03 Sep 2014)

I had the same feeling but this problem is not just in tech world,And i've got used to it..

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 11:48 2

8. Anonn (Posts: 230; Member since: 04 Jun 2014)

Do you shake hands with your left hand?
Do you shift your car and operate the radio, ignition, etc.. with your left hand?. Its very simply, you will just get used to it in no time

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 11:59 1

11. Carlitos (Posts: 621; Member since: 23 Oct 2011)

The phone is so big hat your gonna need both hands.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 12:15 1

13. chengsae (Posts: 64; Member since: 10 Dec 2013)

Just hold it upside down and you will be fine.....ha

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 11:23

7. elitewolverine (Posts: 5192; Member since: 28 Oct 2013)

Wait so it is an aux screen now? Freaking come on PA, it is the same screen, there is no dual screen input to make the 'edge' it is a folded part of the screen screen. That is like calling the taskbar an Aux Screen.

An Aux screen would be like the NDS, or that other phone that slid out and literally had a SECOND SCREEN.

COME ON. end rant

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 11:53 2

9. Chris.P (Posts: 567; Member since: 27 Jun 2013)

I agree completely that we're on shaky ground calling it auxiliary, secondary, or anything in that general venue. We often make sure to point out that it is actually part of a whole, monolithic screen, and we'll have to do an even better job in that regard in the future.

That said, we occasionally have to introduce these technically-incorrect references to make it clear for people that are not as tech-savvy and not necessarily aware of the Note Edge, nor can really form an image of what exactly is meant by a screen that is "sloping to the side". Especially when you're talking about as novel a concept as this one. Which, by the way, not at all coincidentally, is why we continue to include images or reference links of the Note Edge in related posts, and will likely continue to until we feel a sufficient number of people are well-aware of what exactly is being referred to when talking Note Edge.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 11:58

10. vuyonc (Posts: 1087; Member since: 24 Feb 2014)

The curved section should have been on the top. Not sure how they'd make it work but I'd appreciate the symmetry.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 12:15

12. chengsae (Posts: 64; Member since: 10 Dec 2013)

TOTALLY A GIMMICK Device. Developers can just make the Original Notification bars just the same by adding soft buttons or on the sides. Edge-less phones in my opinion is dumb because you cannot hold it. A good try to make someone happy about this kind of fad.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 13:30

14. bugsbunny00 (Posts: 2248; Member since: 07 Jun 2013)

where is the second screen

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 17:29

16. ProblemSolver15 (Posts: 369; Member since: 14 Jun 2010)

I like how PA put the little "HOT" tab on the article thumbnail when the thing only has 15 comments (at the time of this comment). It's not a hot story, just a click generator.

posted on 09 Sep 2014, 01:38 1

21. Chris.P (Posts: 567; Member since: 27 Jun 2013)

It's automated and depends on y hits over x minutes.

posted on 08 Sep 2014, 17:49

17. tacarat (Posts: 847; Member since: 22 Apr 2013)

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Samsung-DoubleTime_id6494

posted on 09 Sep 2014, 00:47

20. derivativex (Posts: 176; Member since: 15 Jul 2014)

Sorry note 4 but this is the note for me this year

posted on 09 Sep 2014, 09:24

22. tokuzumi (Posts: 1702; Member since: 27 Aug 2009)

I remember the device having a wow factor. The only problem was it was never updated. Samsung released it, and promptly forgot about it. This was unfortunate, as Sammy could have used that aux screen for some cool stuff.