cio.com - The Apple iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4 are two of the hottest smartphones available, but they each have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. Here are six ways the iPhone 6 outperforms the Galaxy Note 4.
I'm a two-smartphone kind of guy. My current smartphones of choice: The Apple iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
Both the iPhone 6 and Note 4 are high-end, cutting-edge devices packed with valuable and unique features. They're two of the best smartphones available today, which is why they've found homes in my pockets.
Neither device is perfect, though. When you use them alongside each other, their individual strengths and weaknesses quickly become apparent.
The following list details six things the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus does that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 can't - or at least can't do as well.
(Note: The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are nearly identical, with three exceptions. The iPhone 6 Plus is notably bigger, the iPhone 6 screen resolution is lower than the 6 Plus screen, and the iPhone 6 Plus has an optical image stabilization, or OIS, camera feature that the iPhone 6 lacks. Unless otherwise stated, the conclusions I make about iPhone 6 can also be applied to the iPhone 6 Plus.)
1) iPhone 6 and the Apple Ecosystem
Apple products are specifically designed to work together. With each new iPhone/iPad/Mac/whatever iteration, the integration grows stronger and more complex.
Apple builds its own computers and desktop software, and its mobile devices are specifically designed to integrate with those devices on an OS level. Samsung makes phones and PCs, but it doesn't develop the Android, Windows or Chrome software that powers them. As such, Samsung's Android integration with Windows PCs and Chromebooks doesn't offer the same experience as Apple's ecosystem.
For example, the iPhone 6 can be used to control your Apple TV, and you can share content on your phone via your TV display. The latest version of Mac OS X, Yosemite, lets you start writing a message on your phone and then pick it up on your computer, or vice versa, using "Handoffs." You can use your Yosemite Mac to place a phone call via your iPhone's cellular connection. You can activate your iPhone's personal hotspot directly from your Mac so you don't ever have to take your phone out of your pocket. The list goes on.
Galaxy Note 4 users can download a variety of different apps to do many of these same things on their Macs or PCs. For example, multiple apps available on Google Play let you control Apple TV or Google's rival offerings, Chromecast and Nexus Player. It's easy to find apps that let you mirror your Android screen on your TV. In general, though, the experience is far more scattered and disjoined than the Apple experience, because you have to use different apps with various interfaces.
If you're not a Mac user, and you're not invested in the Apple ecosystem, you may not care much about all of this integration. Apple products aren't for everyone, and I'm not trying to imply that Apple's ecosystem is superior to other options. The reality, however, is that this integration is one of Apple's unique value propositions. If you're an Apple customer, you'll likely get unique value from the iPhone 6 that you won't from any other smartphone.
2) iPhone 6, Touch ID and You
Both the iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4 have fingerprint readers built into their home buttons for authentication. On first glance, the two scanners look similar, though Apple's is round and Samsung's is an oval. They both sit at the base of their gadgets' displays.
The similarities end there.
Apple's Touch ID finger scanner is easier to use and works much better than Samsung's rival offering. For example, you can use Apple's Touch ID in any orientation; it works whether you touch it with an upright finger, a sideways digit or an upside-down thumb. Samsung's Finger Scanner requires you to slowly swipe your finger from top to bottom or from bottom to top. It's finicky. I usually have to swipe my finger multiple times to unlock my Note 4. Touch ID on the iPhone is much more reliable; I rarely have to touch it more than once to unlock my phone.
Apple's mobile payment system, Apple Pay, has received a lot of attention since its launch last month, but the idea isn't a new one, and the Galaxy Note 4 can also use a set of mobile apps to make NFC payments, including Google Wallet and PayPal. Like Apple Pay and Touch ID, you can use the Note 4's fingerprint scanner to authorize mobile payments when you use PayPal. However, the Note 4 finger scanner often takes multiple swipes to work. That kind of ruins the experience, especially if there's a long line of shoppers waiting as you repeatedly swipe your finger. Apple Pay is more seamless, due in large part to the effectiveness of Touch ID.
It's not accurate to say that the iPhone 6 lets you do away with passwords for authentication and the Galaxy Note 4 doesn't. The Touch ID experience is head and shoulders above the Galaxy Note 4 finger scanner, though, and it's one of iPhone 6's standout features, which makes the Galaxy Note's scanner seem that much more disappointing. The Note 4's scanner is so unreliable that I've mostly stopped using it. Touch ID, on the other hand, is probably my single favorite iPhone 6 feature. I use it constantly.
3) Apple iPhone 6 Size and Your Pocket
I seem to be in the minority these days, but I just can't get used to "phablets." In my opinion, the iPhone 6 is the perfect size for a phone. While the iPhone 6 Plus is apparently the more popular option, I appreciate the fact that Apple offers a smaller option for people who aren't ready to embrace the phablet movement.
Of course, Samsung offers a plethora of different devices, in different shapes and sizes. In fact, Samsung offers far more options than Apple when it comes to smartphones. But if you want the best of what the Note 4 has to offer - the S Pen, the unparalleled multitasking features - it's phablet or nothing.
The iPhone 6 packs just about all of the same features as its big brother, with the exception of an OIS camera feature in the Plus, so you really don't sacrifice features if you opt for the smaller version. My number one complaint about the Note 4 is its size, and I'd more than welcome a "mini" Note 4.
The iPhone 6 comfortably fits in my pants pocket. The Note 4? Not so much.
4) Wider Array of Built-In Storage Options
If you want to buy the Galaxy Note 4 from a U.S. wireless carrier, it's only available with 32GB of fixed storage. Of course, the Note has a microSD memory card slot that supports cards up to 128GB, according to Samsung. The iPhone offers more fixed storage options. Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are available with 16GB, 64GB and 128GB of fixed storage.
5) iPhone 6 Cost of Entry
You can get an iPhone 6 for $100 less than a Galaxy Note 4. Specifically, the iPhone 6 with 16GB of storage costs $200 with a new wireless service agreement, while the 32GB Galaxy Note 4 costs $300 with a new contract.
Comparing the iPhone 6 to the Galaxy Note 4 is kind of like comparing peaches to plums, though. It's more fitting to compare the iPhone 6 Plus 16GB, which costs $300 with a contract, and the 32GB Galaxy Note 4, which comes with more storage for the same price.
The unlocked 32GB version of the Galaxy Note 4 costs $840 in Samsung's online "factory outlet store." A contract-free 16GB iPhone 6 costs $650 via Apple's online store, while the 16GB iPhone 6 Plus goes for $750. (The contract-free iPhones in Apple's store are meant to be used on T-Mobile's network and may not be compatible with your wireless carrier.)
Bottom line: If you don't want to spend more than $200 on a new phone, the iPhone 6 is an option. The Note 4 is not.
6) Apple iPhone 6 is Golden
OK, so this last point is a bit of stretch, and I probably could have skipped it. Gold phones are all the rage these days, and though Samsung advertises a gold Note 4 - and a pink one - the only colors available via U.S. carriers are black and white.
I'm perfectly fine with that. I like my black (err, "space gray") iPhone and my (frost) white Note 4. I also know that the average consumer cares more about the color of their phone than I will ever understand. Boring ol' black and white options often don't cut it.
If you absolutely need a gold phone, or just really want one, and don't want to $900 on an unlocked Note 4 via Samsung, you'll find a (gaudy) friend in the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.

itworld.com - The Apple iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4 are two of the hottest smartphones available, but they each have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. Here are six ways the Galaxy Note 4 outperforms the iPhone 6.
I'm a two-smartphone kind of guy. My current smartphones of choice: The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Apple iPhone 6.
Both the Note 4 and iPhone 6 are high-end, cutting-edge devices packed with valuable and unique features. They're two of the best smartphones available today, which is why they've found homes in my pockets.
Neither device is perfect, though. When you use them alongside each other, their individual strengths and weaknesses quickly become apparent.
The following list details six things the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 does that the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus can't do - or at least can't do as well.
(Note: The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are nearly identical, with three exceptions. The iPhone 6 Plus is notably bigger, the iPhone 6 screen resolution is lower than the 6 Plus screen, and the iPhone 6 Plus has an optical image stabilization camera feature that the iPhone 6 lacks. Unless otherwise stated, the conclusions I make about iPhone 6 can also be applied to the iPhone 6 Plus.)
1) Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and the S Pen
When Samsung originally announced its first Galaxy Note smartphone in the summer of 2011, the defining feature was its size. During the years since, the Galaxy Note family created a whole new "phablet" product category. The concept was largely ridiculed at first, but it's been further legitimized by Apple's September 2014 announcement of the similarly sized iPhone 6 Plus.
The Galaxy Note 4's size no longer sets it apart from the pack. Now it's the S Pen that stands out. The S Pen has always been a part of the Galaxy Note experience, but the Note 4 S Pen is evolved and enhanced, and its integration with Samsung's customized Android OS makes it unique.
Samsung says the latest S Pen, when used with the Note 4, is significantly more sensitive than earlier versions; users can do more with it, with more precision. Specifically, the S Pen now supports more than 2,000 levels of pressure sensitivity, compared to approximately 1,000 levels in earlier versions, according to Samsung.
The S Pen can be used for quick and precise on-screen navigation, not unlike how you use a mouse with a desktop computer. The pen also lets you "write" on the Note's display; the experience is surprisingly similar to writing on paper. You can easily select, cut and paste text using the S Pen. The S Pen's on-screen menu lets you quickly look up definitions for words and search your device for specific content. It's also easy to drag and drop applications, images and more from one place to another using the S Pen.
If you're not familiar with the Note family and S Pen, there's a bit of a learning curve. Once you get used to the Pen, though, it's hard to go back to using just your fingers for input. Of course, you can buy a third-party capacitive stylus for use with the iPhone 6, but Apple's phone isn't designed to work with a stylus, and as such, the Note 4 experience is far superior.
2) Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is a Multitasking Machine
The Galaxy Note 4 has some useful and unique multitasking features that let you view and access multiple applications at the same time.
The Pop Up View shortcut lets you shrink compatible Samsung apps down to smaller windows that you can drag and position wherever you want them on your display. You can continue to work with the apps on the screen. If you want to close one, just tap a circle logo to collapse the app onto itself, then tap the circle again to reopen it.
An evolved two-paned Multi Window feature lets you view and interact with multiple apps in split-screen modes. You can stretch and positions the panes wherever you want them. It's also easy to drag and drop text or other content between compatible apps.
The iPhone 6's multitasking features pale in comparison. They consist mostly of an application switcher that lets you scroll through open apps, along with a Recent Contacts bar that sits atop the app switcher and gives you quick access to, well, recent contacts.
3) Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Removable, Replaceable Battery Pack
It's simple to snap off the Galaxy Note 4's battery cover, remove its battery pack and pop in a new one. The Galaxy Note 4 has a large battery (3,220 mAh), and it's supposed to get an impressive 37 hours of standby time and 11 hours of continuous Internet use. Frequent travelers know, however, that no matter how long a phone lasts on a single charge, there are times when it's not enough.
I always feel better when I have a spare battery pack in my carry-on bag, and I appreciate that Samsung still makes phones with removable batteries. The trend seems to be toward fixed batteries in high-end phones, so the Note 4's replaceable power pack is all the more notable. The iPhone has never had a removable battery and very likely never will.
4) Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and MicroSD Memory Cards
In addition to the removable battery pack, Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 also has a microSD memory card slot that supports cards up to 128GB. (Some early reports suggest the Note only supports 64GB cards, but Samsung's website clearly states support for 128GB cards.) You can also buy multiple cards, so your total capacity depends on the number of memory cards you're willing to carry.
For context, you can get an iPhone 6 with 128GB of storage, though you'll pay handsomely for it. The iPhone 6 with 128GB of storage retails for $400 on contract, while the 128GB version of the iPhone 6 Plus goes for $500 with a new service agreement. In comparison, the Galaxy Note 4 is only available with 32GB of fixed storage - at least if you buy it from a U.S. wireless carrier - and it costs $300.
Modern smartphone users increasingly rely on the cloud for storage, but it can be valuable and convenient not to have to rely on a fast Internet connection to access and quickly transfer data.
5) Galaxy Note 4 Adaptive Fast Charging, Ultra Power Saving Mode
The Galaxy Note 4 not only packs a removable, 3,220mAh battery, it also has two new features that let you charge your device more quickly and maximize battery life when your phone's almost dead.
The Note 4's Adaptive Fast Charging feature lets you charge your device to half capacity in just 30 minutes, according to Samsung. But there's a catch. The Note 4 uses a standard micro USB port for charging, so you can use any compatible cord to power it up and sync it. The Adaptive Fast Charging feature, on the other hand, only works with specific chargers. Thankfully, the Note 4 ships with an Adaptive Fast Charging charger, so you'll be able to take advantage of the feature if you use the appropriate charger.
The iPhone 6 has a similar rapid charging feature, according to reports. Like the Note 4, that feature only works when you use compatible cords. Unfortunately, the iPhone doesn't ship with a compatible cord. If you want rapid charging you need to purchase a new cord, use the one that came with an iPad or plug your cord directly into a newer Mac that supports the feature. Using the appropriate cord, the iPhone 6 can fully charge in about two hours, according to iLounge. (For what it's worth, I'm able to fully charge my dead iPhone 6, via a new MacBook Pro that supports fast charging, in less than an hour and a half, so iLounge's numbers may be a bit off.)
Both the Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone have fast-charging features, but you have to buy a separate cord - or an iPad or a new Mac - if you want to take advantage of the iPhone feature. That's kind of silly.
The Galaxy Note 4 also has a new Ultra Power Saving mode that lets you limit the number of active apps on your smartphone, to reduce power drain. It also automatically dims your display via a black-and-white mode. The feature also limits the overall value of your device, but it's particularly useful if you only have a small amount of battery life left and you know you won't be able to charge for the foreseeable future.
There are plenty of ways to manually boost iPhone battery life, including these seven tips for advanced users. However, the iPhone 6 doesn't have a comparable battery saving mode to the Note 4's Ultra Power Saving mode.
6) Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Selfies
Just about every smartphone on the market today has some sort of selfie-specific camera features, but the Galaxy Note 4 takes selfies to a whole new level. It has one of the higher-resolution front-facing cameras on a phone today (3.7 megapixels, compared to the iPhone 6's 1.2 megapixels front camera), plus a wide-angle selfie mode lets you fit more into your selfies. The device even has a rear-camera selfie mode that lets you take advantage of the higher-quality 13 megapixel rear camera and helps you position yourself in the images, in an effort to get the background you want. You can also use the Note 4's voice controls to snap a selfie. (Telling Siri to "take a selfie" merely open the iPhone's camera app.)
Megapixels really aren't everything when it comes to digital cameras, and honestly, the quality of selfies I took using the Note 4 and iPhone 6 was similar. The Note 4 seems to capture more life-like lighting conditions, while the iPhone appears to capture more detail.

prnewswire.com - Epson America, Inc., a leading provider of superior performing printing solutions, today announced the Epson WorkForce® WF-100, the world's smallest and lightest mobile printer1. Designed for professionals on-the-go, the WorkForce WF-100 includes built-in wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi Direct®2 and an integrated rechargeable battery, for printing from nearly anywhere.
"Mobile devices are critical tools for professionals, and the sleek, portable, wireless WorkForce WF-100 augments the mobile experience, enabling users to stay productive on-the-go," said Nils Madden, marketing director, Desktop Imaging and Printing, Epson America, Inc. "The WorkForce WF-100 not only expands our portfolio of business printing solutions, but underscores our commitment to delivering tools that meet the evolving needs of today's mobile workforce."
The WorkForce WF-100 features wireless connectivity, allowing users to easily print from a range of devices, including tablets, smartphones and laptops. The sleek design portable color inkjet printer includes Wi-Fi Direct for printing without a router, and a built-in battery that charges via USB or the included AC adapter. The WF-100 also features an automatic power-off feature to save battery life.
The complete WorkForce WF-100 feature set includes:
The world's lightest and smallest mobile printer1: Convenient portability, and ready to print invoices, presentations, contracts and more
Built-in wireless and Wi-Fi Direct2: Easily print from iPad®, iPhone®, tablets, smartphones and laptops3
Flexible battery charging: Travel-friendly USB battery charging, or use the AC adapter; includes rechargeable lithium-ion battery for dependable performance in a small package
Versatile, professional quality prints: Print professional-quality business documents and borderless 4" x 6" photos; speeds up to 6.7 ISO ppm (black) and 3.8 ISO ppm (color)
Easy to use: Bright 1.4" color LCD plus convenient control panel for simple setup and operation
Durable, quick-dry inks: Fade and water resistant prints
Sleek design: Enables productivity for busy professionals on-the-go
The WorkForce WF-100 enables convenient mobile printing with Epson Connect3, a suite of free mobile printing solutions including Email Print, Epson Creative Print, Epson iPrintTM, Epson Remote Print and more. Features include:
Support for AndroidTM Printing and Kindle FireTM Printing
Support for Google Cloud PrintTM with GmailTM or Google DriveTM account. Enables printing from your Chromebook and Google ChromeTM without installing drivers or connecting cables.
Epson Connect Solutions Finder is available to help users quickly determine and compare which mobile solution supports their mobile devices or printer
Pricing and Availability
The Epson WorkForce WF-100 ($349.99*) will be available through online retailers starting in early November and will be available through major retail stores in January 2015. For more information and availability, please visit epson.com/workforce.