From Google News

The brand new Galaxy Note 10.1.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear smartwatch weren't the only things announced at Samsung's press conference at the IFA tradeshow. The new 10.1-inch Galaxy Note (2014) packs an eight-core chip, the S Pen and a new rear that looks like leather (but isn't).

The new leather-like rear of the Note 10.1.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

With a large 10.1-inch screen, you'd probably be thinking that the S Pen isn't really needed, and you may be right. Samsung has tweaked the stylus to serve as the activator for the Air Command wheel. You can access the wheel simply by pulling out the stylus from its storage space on the tablet or hover the stylus over the screen. It then opens up shortcuts to apps usable by your stylus.

The Air Command wheel in action.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Like the Note 3, the tablet comes with multitasking features and the ability to use two apps together via the Multi Window feature. You can also have the same app open in two separate windows.

Powered by a 1.9GHz octa-core Exynos 5 processor and sporting 3GB of RAM, the slate should offer users a fast and smooth experience. Do note that the 4G version of the Note 10.1 will be using a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor instead. Resolution wise, the slate sports a 2,560x1,600 pixel display like the Nexus 10.

The skinny side profile of the Note 10.1.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

While most people don't normally take pictures with their tablets, you can do it with the Note 10.1 as it sports an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash. It will have up to 64GB of internal storage as well as a microSD card slot.

The Note 10.1 (2014) will be available globally starting from Q3. The retail price has not been revealed.

Be sure to check CNET's hands-on over here for more pictures.

The S Pen stylus unsheathed.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

About the author

Aloysius Low is a Senior Writer at CNET Asia and covers all things mobile. A former World of Warcraft addict, he now dabbles in social media to stave off the withdrawal symptoms. As a lover of all things furry, he's also the unfortunate slave/minion of two adorable cats.

Aloysius Low, Senior Writer