What We Did at IFA 2014 for Samsung Samsung brought us to Berlin to host a discussion after their announcement event for the Note 4. So we played with the Note 4 hands on (and actually got to use it days in advance of the event) and we've had some pretty good experience with them. We've also used all the previous versions of the Note phone so we've seen the evolution. The Note 4 Screen We did a side by side comparison of our Note 3 and the new Note 4 and the difference was amazing. Like night and day. At least 40% brighter and so much better resolution - the Note 3 has a 1920x1080 screen, but the new Note 4 gives us a screen at 2560 x 1440. Make sure you see this phone in person - seeing it on camera doesn't do it justice. The Note 4 Processor Lots of times you think your processor is just fine and you're not waiting on apps to open - and then you see something much faster and realize that you were waiting. Performance is very snappy. The Note 4 Camera One of the big differentiators on this phone are the cameras. The rear-facing primary camera is 16MP with optical image stabilization. The front-facing camera is 3.7MP. They're very impressive cameras. You're not used to such a good camera on the front of the phone. The Note 4 S Pen I use the S Pen on my Note 3 a LOT. I use it daily. It's one of the most important features of the phone for me. But the previous one wasn't that great for doing real art. The new S Pen is on the level of professional digitizing tablets that artists use. The Note Edge We'd seen the material on the Note Edge ahead of actually seeing the phone in person. We knew it looked cool, but nothing can match seeing the phone in action. If you haven't seen it, the Edge is basically a Note 4 with a curved screen running along the right edge - basically a notification bar where you can read things like incoming text messages while the phone is on your desk. The Gear VR VR goggles are getting a lot of buzz with things like the Oculus Rift leading the pack. Samsung is entering the market with the Gear VR which is an accessory specifically for the Note 4. The new phone snaps into the device, connecting with Micro USB so you don't have to worry about maintaining a Bluetooth connection. The price hasn't been announced yet, but it's very reasonable, half what we expected. The Gear S Samsung has put out some good early entries in the smartwatch category with the Gear line, and at IFA they added to that with the Gear S. It's about twice as wide as the Gear Fit, but it has it's own stand-alone processor so it can work independently of your phone. You'll still need a supported Samsung phone to set it up and add software, but for daily use, your phone won't have to be in range. We Can't Wait to Use This Stuff! We love Samsung products and use them every day and that was why Samsung approached us to do this hosting job at IFA. And everyone was so great to work with - it was a real team effort that brought you the launch event. Thanks, Samsung! Sponsored by Lynda.com Lynda.com has created thousands of tutorials covering a HUGE range of subjects and it's all available to you starting around $25. Go learn something new at http://lynda.com/geekbeat

We're off to Berlin for IFA 2014 and to take part in Samsung's Unpacked live stream. It'll be lots of fun and we're taking lots of gear. So let's see what's in our bags... Cali's Bag 13-Inch MacBook Air This is Cali's everyday computer, decked out with Geek House and Geek Beat stickers. The Air is great for travel, lightweight and thin! http://gkbt.co/1q8wqXi Geek House Coaster Don't want to leave rings on German tables, so she's got a Geek House Coaster. http://geekbeat.tv/product/geek-house-coasters/ Curling Iron Yeah, she's got a curling iron in her gadget bag - and she just learned some new styling tricks! http://youtu.be/-5KISmP5Z0I Quest Bars We always pack some Quest Bars for on the go snacking so we won't run out of energy. http://gkbt.co/1CnD4hc Hot Sauce Because we don't know what kind of hot sauce they've got in Berlin, Cali's taking her own. Kreepy Kitty I don't know how Kreepy Kitty got into Cali's bag, but I'm saying he's not going to Germany. https://twitter.com/thekreepykitty Coffee and White Chocolate Anyone who watched our recent vlog knows about Cali's recent discovery combining Coffee and white chocolate. http://youtu.be/dUES75aFOU0 Stanley 3-in-1 LED Flashlight I don't know why she's taking a massive flashlight to Berlin, but I guess if the lights go out she'll be prepared. http://gkbt.co/1pmr45v Big Jar of Coins Apparently Cali plans to change all her America coins to German money when we get there. Giant Candles I have no idea... she said something about Zen meditation before going on camera. Tylt Energi Backpack We always travel with our Tylt Energi Backpacks. I may question some of the things she puts in the backpack, but the Tylt bag is a great choice. http://amzn.to/1gPlzNR Doctor Who Talking Plush Dalek Apparently international travel without a talking toy Dalek is unthinkable. http://gkbt.co/1A2nWlx Harry Potter Book Collection I think she's going to get tired carrying them, but she insists she needs something to read on the 12-hour flight. http://gkbt.co/1pFvMBk John's Bag Burt's Bees Cough Drops When we talk a lot it's tough on our throats, so good cough drops are a must. http://gkbt.co/1nwvMOz Monoprice Earphones These are great little earphones for travel, and cost less than $8. http://gkbt.co/Z67BB7 Altoids I always want to have a tin of Altoids nearby. http://gkbt.co/Z66y47 Whoosh Screen Cleaner Fingerprints and smudges know no national boundaries, so I'm packing my Whoosh screen cleaner. http://gkbt.co/1qmnGNd Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 For my tablet needs I'll be using my Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 - in fact, I'll be using it to report from the Samsung event. http://gkbt.co/1sXMPvX Samsung Galaxy Camera We've used (and loved) the Samsung Galaxy Camera for quite a while - great for posting pictures straight from the show floor up to social media. http://gkbt.co/W7CYJk Tylt Energi 5K Battery We've also got the Tylt Energi 5K Battery to keep us charged up even when we don't have our backpacks handy. http://gkbt.co/1qxlWj3 V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Headphones For over the ear headphones, I like the V-MODA Crossfade M-100. http://gkbt.co/1trCNHG Twelve South PlugBug World The PlugBug is great for charging a MacBook and a phone or tablet, and this World edition makes sure I have the right adapter when I'm in Europe. http://gkbt.co/1nTJH16 WeCharger You always need to keep stuff charged on the road, and the WeCharger does that, keeping the juice flowing to your MacBook from a standard car or plane power port. http://gkbt.co/1uvdJfZ HooToo TripMate Elite Wireless Travel Router I can just plug this HooToo travel router into the Ethernet connection in a hotel room and create a hotspot that several devices can use at one time. http://gkbt.co/1CnDW5q 1 TB LaCie Rugged Drive We always need extra storage space, so the 1TB LaCie Rugged Drive finds a place in my bag. http://gkbt.co/1uhNSJd Think Tank Airport International V 2.0 The Think Tank Airport International V 2.0 travel bag is awesome for carrying camera gear, and other electronic-type stuff that needs protection. It's got some serious storage volume inside it! http://gkbt.co/W7Dvek PadCaster and iOgrapher If we take our iPad Minis, we'll also be taking the PadCaster and the iOgrapher to help us get good tablet video on the show floor. Padcaster - http://gkbt.co/1nwvLKE iOgrapher - http://gkbt.co/Y9xhwk Canon XA25 The Canon XA25 is a very versatile camcorder that we use on the show floor for excellent quality video. http://gkbt.co/1uhOKO2 Canon 1D Mk IV http://gkbt.co/1pmsrRJ GoPro 3D Case http://gkbt.co/1pFxAKK Anker 40W 5-Port USB Charger http://gkbt.co/1x7x9gc Monster Superstar Bluetooth Speaker http://gkbt.co/1q8z8MF ExpoDisc 77mm Digital White Balance Filter http://amzn.to/ExpoDisc77

Hey gang, Sorry I've been bad about updates lately! With the travel and trying to finish stuff up at the studio and a million other things going on I just haven't stopped to breathe and share some updates. So from now on, when you guys notice that we haven't given an update recently just email or Tweet at Cali and I and we'll take a break and give you an update! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that all of the T-shirts were shipped a day or two ago, and they are making their way to Texas. So for those of you who ordered one, we'll be getting those to you soon now. And also for everyone who is waiting on a care package, those will be going out as soon as we get the shirts packed in them and ALSO Cali and I finally got our new photo taken (by Scott Kublin) and they are being printed! The photos should be here next week, so as soon as they come we'll seal the care package boxes and get them out. Routers, and t shirts, and photos... oh my! ;-) For everyone who had the autographed photo included in your package, here is what the printed 8" x 10" is going to look like! Hopefully you like it. We had way too much fun taking these photos... as you can see on today's VLOG. ;-) http://youtu.be/17p0VqdGF8s Cheers! John P.