Samsung releasing phone/tablet hybrid

Samsung is releasing its smartphone-tablet hybrid the Galaxy Note, while analysts wonder if the public is ready for a smartphone so big or a tablet so small. The Note's 5.3-inch touchscreen has many advantages for note-taking, typing and video streaming, but it may have one big drawback -- smartphone users might find it too large for pocket or purse. And while it might be too large for most smartphone buyers, those in the market for a tablet might find the screen size a bit small. Finding the middle ground promises to be difficult, Forbes said Monday. The Note does come with some impressive hardware, the report said -- a high-resolution (1280 x 800) screen, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. AT7T will carry the Note, available in blue or white, for $299 on a two-year contract beginning Feb. 19, Forbes reported. The Note will take advantage of AT&T's 4G LTE network.