AT&T has finally started rolling out Android 4.0 Ice Ceram Sandwich update for Samsung Galaxy Note. Adding few more bits to the awesomeness of the monstrous 5.3-inch Android phablet, Samsung is pushing premium suits pack with several updates to Stylus-based apps, along with the operating system update.

The Galaxy Note will not become a completely new device with the update. Heavily loaded TouchWiz interface still gives the same feel as Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but there are bunch of new features under the hood that improve functionality of the Galaxy Note.

Here is a detailed look at the new features of ICS-powered Galaxy Note.

NFC Support

The Galaxy Note gets Near Field Communication (NFC) friendly with the update. However, Google Wallet is still not available for the smartphone. The good thing is that you can transfer content like contacts, browser data, etc. utilizing Android Beam with other NFC-enabled Android smartphones. However, Android Beam is no S Beam that can send photos, videos and other big sized files. Hope the Galaxy Note gets it one day.

One-handed Operation

The biggest disadvantage of big screen Droids is lack of single handed operations and Galaxy Note is the biggest smartphone available in the market. Fortunately, Samsung gives an option to enable one-handed operations in device's Settings under System tab. We cannot shrink the screen, but the new feature shrink on-screen keyboard for easy typing. Users will be able to move the minimized keyboard to right or left side of the screen.

S-Note

Android 4.0 update brings a set of productivity tools to the Galaxy Note. Using the S-Pen, users can now initiate Shape Match, Formula Match and Knowledge Search features. But, above all, the app supports Handwriting-to-text conversion, which could be a useful feature for note taking.

New templates let you create information-rich multimedia notes. You can import number of items to S-Note like photos, S-Note Clippings, S-Memos and Maps. PDF Annotations are also functional within the app allowing you to save, share and print directly from S-Note app.

S-Memo

S-Memo has got its own set of new features for S-Memo widget. The widget gives quick access to 5 new function of S-Memo app - Type, Write/Draw, Add Picture, Voice Recording and Search - directly from homescreen.

Native Android 4.0 Features

As usual, the update brings stock Android 4.0 features to Galaxy Note. Face Unlock is now activated for lockscreen. Holding the Home button, users get access to new task manager. In addition, users can monitor data usage on their devices.

Browser Improvements

There is no significant improvement in benchmarks of the Galaxy Note after Android 4.0 update, except for browser test. Browsermark benchmark shows a score of 67,380, which is a huge bump-up from earlier 48,260 score on the Galaxy Note running Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Chrome Browser Support

Android 4.0 ICS update also unlocks doors to Google Chrome browser. Chrome received a score of 71,702 in Browsermark benchmark. It is fast, smooth and clean with superior features like quicker tab management. The Chrome browser could be the default browser in future Android devices.

Share Shot

Share Shot is a new feature added to camera UI, which allows users to automatically share pictures with nearby friends utilizing device's Wi-Fi Direct functionality.

Exclusive My Story app

Samsung's My Story app is a bit of bonus for the Galaxy Note. Available exclusively for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note users, the app allows users to make greeting cards with digital creativity.