Are you one of the people who lust over the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2 but is stuck with its predecessor?

There is a way how to get the features of the new Galaxy Note 2 on your current handset. Although you cannot change some of the hardware configurations of the Note 2 such as the 5.5 screen display, 2GB RAM and 3100 mAh battery, you can still equip your Galaxy Note with the interface that is very similar to Note 2 by installing a Custom ROM.

The Custom ROM will replace your stock firmware with the Android 4.1.2 Note 2 ROM. It provides everything which the Galaxy Note 2 provides, ranging from the multi-window feature, Note 2 Gallery, extended settings, Airview, and much more. The ROM has been modified to support the multi-window feature for almost all apps and has pre-installed support for swipe gestures.

You will need to root your Galaxy Note, prior to installing the ROM. You may also need to back up all of your files to prevent data loss while updating. According to reviews, the ROM is beautiful, works fast, and is simple to use.

You can download the ROM from this link. However, everyone is advised to proceed with caution as this is not the official Android update. Thus, all of the necessary precautions must be taken. As with all firmwares, there is a possibility that your phone could brick, and that your warranty might be voided.

Equipping your Samsung Galaxy Note with the features of its successor saves you around $600 and gives you an interface which nearly resembles of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

However, if you are a novice in updating your smartphone, you may want to wait for the official OTA update that Samsung or your carrier will release.

Recently, SamMobile provide a sneak preview of the rumored Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S3 and it has the Multi Window View, the split screen multitasking feature that is found on the Galaxy Note 2. The same kind of update is also expected to Galaxy Note 2's predecessor.

According to GottaBeMobile, Multi Window View is not the only new feature coming with the update either. In addition to the powerful split-screen multitasking which allows users to use two separate apps on the display, this leaked firmware also includes features such as:

  • Page Buddy
  • Notification Panel (Notification Panel can now be customized)
  • Smart Rotation (Screen Display adjusts to your angle of sightings)
  • Continues Input in Samsung Keyboard (Like Swipe or Android 4.2 Keyboard)
  • Paper Artist App (Same as in Note II)
  • New Gallery App (Same as in Note II)

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 made its way to the Australian shores officially last week at a fancy launch event in Sydney. The device boasts its quad-core processor, Android Jelly Bean mobile operating system version 4.1, 2GB RAM, 8-megapixel camera, front-facing HD camera, a stylus pen called the "S Pen" and the large 5.5-inch Super AMOLED screen display.