U.S. Cellular has announced that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will be on store shelves starting October 26 (this Friday), and that tomorrow is the last day for preorder. Those that have already been ordered will be shipping tomorrow.  The timing doesn't come as much of a surprise since Sprint's launch is looking similar. 

You can get a full look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in our review, but here's a quick run-down of the specs. 

• Network: 3G: HSPA+ 21Mbps (HSDPA 21Mbps / HSUPA 5.76Mbps); 4G LTE: 100Mbps/ 50Mbps
• Processor: 1.6 GHz quad-core processor
• Display: 5.5” HD Super AMOLED (1,280 x 720)
• OS: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• Camera: Main(Rear): 8 Megapixel Auto Focus Camera with LED Flash, BSI; Sub(Front): 1.9 Megapixel VT Camera, BSI; Best Photo, Best Faces, Low light shot
• GPS: A-GPS; Glonass
• Connectivity: Bluetooth® v 4.0 (Apt-X Codec support) LE; USB 2.0 Host; WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 & 5 GHz), Wi-Fi HT40; Wi-Fi Direct; mHL; NFC
• Sensors: Accelerometer, RGB Light, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer
• Memory: 16/32/64GB User memory + 2GB (RAM); microSD (up to 64GB)
• Dimensions: 80.5 x 151.1 x 9.4 mm, 180 g
• Battery: Standard battery, Li-ion 3,100mAh

Anyone interested can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from the U.S. Cellular online store here for $299 on a two-year contract. Anyone buying, or is there another carrier that's more viable for you? 

We already know that EA's latest premium title, Need For Speed Most Wanted, is to be released this month. We just don't know when or for how much. October is quickly passing us by, so good news then that it seems EA is sticking to their word. On their official website, the title is listed as being available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire on October 30. Still no mention of a price, but given the trailer, we're expecting a premium price for this premium title. 

Source: EA

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 owners might want to take a look at this one. Android Central Forums member Skunkape60 shared this image with us all a little earlier today that, if genuine, indicates the Android 4.1 update to the Galaxy S3 will start pushing out from October 25. That's tomorrow then. We've got a build number, a reminder to the stores to update their own devices, pretty much everything. 

It also looks like the Sprint update will bring some LTE related improvements too. It does say that it will be rolling out over the course of a few weeks, so be patient. But, from tomorrow, start checking for those updates.

Source: Android Central Forums, More: Hands on with Jelly Bean on the Galaxy S3

Excitement continues to build around the world for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 -- we're in NYC tonight for the Next Big Thing event -- but what of its predecessor? Owners of the original Galaxy Note are eagerly awaiting word on Jelly Bean for their beloved devices.

XDA Developers forums member eybee1970 has posted what is apparently the first full leaked official build of Android 4.1 for the original Note. However, this is an extremely early build, and flashing to your own devices is discouraged. Contained within are things we would expect to see from Jelly Bean -- Google Now for instance -- but there are things missing, and big nasty bugs within making this one not for the faint at heart. 

Word is, that the official update could be due to drop in December. A software update in early September brought a selection of the Samsung features from the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 to the Note, but we're under no illusions that it's Jelly Bean you folks want. 

Source: XDA via Sammobile

Retro gaming fans listen up, this one's for you. Atari has announced a range of titles heading our way, which includes Rollercoaster Tycoon and Dungeons & Dragons: Warbands. Both are slated to be available in early 2013. 

Many an hour was wastes building the theme park rides of our dreams in the 90's desktop classic, and we're going out on a limb and saying the same will apply when the mobile version lands. D&D: Warbands is a virtual recreation of a game usually played with collectable figurines, but is sure to be a hit based on the insane popularity of the D&D universe. 

We're spoiled with some fantastic looking mobile games these days, take the likes of Horn or the Bards Tale as examples, but there's an awful lot to be said for these re-releases of some of our favorite games from years past. Nostalgia is a good feeling. 

Source: Atari via Android Police

It looks like the next big thing has hit Kickstarter, and it's called Memoto. This tiny little 5 megapixel camera clips to your clothes, automatically takes pictures, geotags them, and once plugged into your computer over microUSB, uploads to the cloud for storage (provided you have a subscription plan with Memoto). There isn't a single button on the camera because it automatically starts shooting as soon as you start wearing it.

The picture quality isn't particularly great, but Memoto is aiming for sheer volume. We're talking two per minute for two days straight on a single charge. Luckily, the Android and web app will help organize everything into batches of shots and splice the moments into time-lapse videos. Sharing can be open or private, with selective visibility. 

Sprint has launched an Android app to allow push-to-talk on some phones. The Kyocera Rise budget phone will support it, as will the upcoming LG Optimus Elite, it said.

Push-to-talk is a transmission method that turns your phone into a walkie-talkie, of sorts. The type that only allows communication one-way at a time, so like an air traffic controller, you’ll have to say “over” after each sentence, and of course “over and out” when your conversation is done.

For cell users, push-to-talk cellular is supposed to give people a way to quickly broadcast a message to receiving handsets. If multiple handsets are hooked up, a team leader can speak to all of them without ringing each one up individually.

Some apps already emulate this function, like HeyTell and Zello, but the Sprint app uses the carrier’s Direct Connect push-to-talk service. Sprint says it has a million users on Direct Connect already (most on rugged handsets), and hopes the app will allow it to tap into a new user-base.

Sprint customers can hit the Google Play link above to download the app.

Square's mobile point of purchase system has expanded beyond the U.S. into Canada today, marking their first step into international markets. Though Square didn't advertise any particular launch partners up north, they do have free headphone jack fobs available for small businesses to start accepting credit card payments on whatever Android devices they happen to be using. Transaction fees are 2.75% per MasterCard or Visa swipe, which is apparently pretty competitive. 

Unfortunately, Square Wallet isn't available to Canada just yet, but will be arriving in 2013. The app will enable users to pay for goods, use loyalty cards, get receipts, and leave reviews for businesses.  Although Square tends to be lumped in with iOS, their Android app has been available for a couple of years now. I'm interested in seeing if Square hops on the NFC bandwagon at some point, but for the time being, I'm sure they do reasonably well just dealing with Visa and Mastercard. It would be great to see some Interac support eventually, too.

Hey Americans, how often do you see Square in use in businesses? Should we feel screwed that Square Wallet isn't available right out of the gate? Keep in mind that we still don't have Google Wallet up here, or even anything like Isis, so this may be the best thing we can get for mobile payments for the immediate future. Any Canadian business owners interested in giving this a shot? You can sign up over here. 

Soruce: Square