Defective S4? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Hi guys, I just got a brand new S4 from Rogers and while playing around with the phone I noticed some of the features weren't working properly. One of them was the palm gestures settings. I tried some many times to get the Screen shot and Play/Pause features to work but it failed. And another problem that I encountered was the gyroscope sensor. As you can see in the screenshot, the ball doesn't move at all even when the phone is standing up. So do I have a defective S4?
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When I'm in that screen my ball stays in the center also

Nick0703 said:
Hi guys, I just got a brand new S4 from Rogers and while playing around with the phone I noticed some of the features weren't working properly. One of them was the palm gestures settings. I tried some many times to get the Screen shot and Play/Pause features to work but it failed. And another problem that I encountered was the gyroscope sensor. As you can see in the screenshot, the ball doesn't move at all even when the phone is standing up. So do I have a defective S4?
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
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That screen is supposed to "calibrate" the gyroscope so it make sense that it doesn't move. You are essentially teaching it where perfectly centered is. In order to do that, you have to lay it on a surface that is perfectly centered. If you lay it on a surface that is not perfectly centered and press it, it will be off. I haven't messed with mine yet, but it seems that is the way it would be.

_Dennis_ said:
When I'm in that screen my ball stays in the center also
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That's weird because on my S1 the ball moves around. But what about the palm features? Do they work for you?
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Nick0703 said:
That's weird because on my S1 the ball moves around. But what about the palm features? Do they work for you?
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
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Screen shot does. Not sure of the others

All work for me. Just have to get used to how to use the gesture. That calibrate screen doesn't move, it's only meant for Calibrating

Related

[q] s4 - do not use a screen protector

Hey All,
I was reading the user manual for the S4 (Link), and it said on page 8 "Do not use a screen protector. This causes sensor malfunctions".
If I didn't look online for the manual, I wouldn't have known this information, as I didn't get the manual with my phone. (Only the quick start guides).
What is everyone opinion on this?
victorlht88 said:
I don't think the sensor will be affected if the screen protectors are well cut at the right areas.
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Which areas?
They probably be cut around sensors at the top.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
I'd assume that it's because of the floating touch. Being an owner of the Note 2 (that has floating touch with the S-Pen) I can tell you that a screen protector doesn't affect my experience.
Now if the S4 uses a different way of capturing floating touch (because it doesn't have a stylus), this may be true. I suppose only time and testing will tell.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
i'm still going to use screen protectors.
I have screen protector. I got it with the phone when preordered. Its cut around the home button and cut just before sensors at top. All works fine.
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JustSueMe said:
I have screen protector. I got it with the phone when preordered. Its cut around the home button and cut just before sensors at top. All works fine.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
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Does the floating touch thing work?
Hey, i too have the screen protector, everything including floating touch working alright
JihadSquad said:
Does the floating touch thing work?
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Click to collapse
....
all working
Get a screen protector and a case if you don't want to scratch your phone, that way you can sell it in an "excellent" condition. I had my GS3 for 8 months and it's still in pristine condition.
I have had a screen protector on since day one with no malfunctions. Also, you will notice that protectors designed for the S4 don't cover the sensors at the top of the phone.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
It makes the floating touch slightly less sensitive (and accurate at longer distances), but other than that it's fine.
I have a screen protector on my s4 and have no issues
I also used screen protector from day 1, no problem.
had one no change btw after accident not ahve one now btw think may nto go to bu one what do u think? buy one:?!
ste1164 said:
They probably be cut around sensors at the top.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
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yea u r corect plus i use ones no any effect

[Q] Technology wise ... How does Air view work?

I have found threads and info about how it works on the Note 2, about magnets in the stylus but how does it know when your finger is hovering over the S4 screen?
Anyone know?
I have the same question.
Proximity sensor
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damador said:
Proximity sensor
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The one at the top of the phone?
So it sort of senses downwards as well as infront of itself?
damador said:
Proximity sensor
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2
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No.
It's the same old touchscreen controller technology just much more sensitive.
AndreiLux said:
No.
It's the same old touchscreen controller technology just much more sensitive.
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I was reading about it's a new controller. With special features
Enviado desde mi GT-I9505 usando Tapatalk 2
I'm just curious.
What are stock apps that able to utilize this function. I only notice this when I use Flipboard.
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rezaluchu said:
I'm just curious.
What are stock apps that able to utilize this function. I only notice this when I use Flipboard.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
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I read somewhere that it was indeed the sensor at the top, mixed with the old technology too.
The apps I know it works with are stock email, stock texts and flipboard. Not sure what else. It doesn't even seem to work on lockscreen...
Eambo said:
I read somewhere that it was indeed the sensor at the top, mixed with the old technology too.
The apps I know it works with are stock email, stock texts and flipboard. Not sure what else. It doesn't even seem to work on lockscreen...
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How to use the air view on Stock text? I thought it can show the contents of text from text overview display. But when I tried, nothing shown.
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Sooo no way that this feature will be on the galaxy s3? Since it's hardware related
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Samsung is using a super sensitive capacitative touchscreen that can sense your finger even when its a short distance from the screen, essentially. its the same reason that there's an option so that you can use it with gloves on
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I'm no engineer, but this is my basic understanding gleaned from reading wikipedia and other sources. Capacitive touchscreens work by sensing changes in an electrostatic field. Your finger is an electrical conductor, which distorts the field. In normal phones the field is calibrated to extend just past the surface of the touchscreen. The S4's electrostatic field is simply overcalibrated to sense your finger from a distance, and it's also why it works with gloves on.
delete
nothing to do with the capacitive screen or proximity sensor. if the screen was THAT sensitive it'll be firing off to even the slightest atmospheric disturbance. actual workings are related to the 2 IR sensors flanking the speaker grill which individually log IR intensities emitted by ur finger in front of the screen. an algorithm then compares these values and works out where ur finger is pointing.
AFAIK it works with help of IR Sensor and/with Proximity Sensor
If screen sensitivity does this job then ...Nokia Lumia 920 to 520 all devices all should have this feature cuz all these devices have Super Sensitive screens
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D X515m using xda premium
MiG123 said:
nothing to do with the capacitive screen or proximity sensor. if the screen was THAT sensitive it'll be firing off to even the slightest atmospheric disturbance. actual workings are related to the 2 IR sensors flanking the speaker grill which individually log IR intensities emitted by ur finger in front of the screen. an algorithm then compares these values and works out where ur finger is pointing.
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The air is much more inert than your finger. The proximity/IR sensors just blast IR beams away from the phone for things like Air Gestures and have nothing to do with Air View. They certainly don't shoot beams across the surface of the screen to detect your finger. The finger hovering simply uses a more sensitive capacitive touchscreen, as Sony explains here:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/knowledge-base/technologies/floating-touch/
rezaluchu said:
How to use the air view on Stock text? I thought it can show the contents of text from text overview display. But when I tried, nothing shown.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
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This happened with me also.
The air view works in stock messaging app , gallery , flipboard and even when you dial a number if you have speed dial feeded.
For this you need to hold air view option in notification bar for about 2 seconds then a set of options will open. There you can switch on air view for messaging, gallery etc etc.
Sent from my Octa Core S4
It will be the electromagnetic field that the screen is detecting from your skin/finger. The same way that on other screens, they don't work with gloves unless you have the special gloves that have conductive fingertips on them.
Nothing to do with the sensors on the top of the phone cos if you cover them up, air view still works! Plus the sensors aim out the top and at 90 degrees to the phone face, how would they sense something almost touching the screen on the bottom?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2
Works with the calendar also.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
rezaluchu said:
I'm just curious.
What are stock apps that able to utilize this function. I only notice this when I use Flipboard.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
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Stock Text
Stock Email
Flipboard
Gallery
Stock Video player (shows previews with sound, and on the progress bar)
Stock Music Player (Previews of song name and on progress bar)
Samsung Hub
S Planner
and S Memo
Just ensure you have Information Preview and Progress Preview turned On in Settings.

Touchscreen way too sensitive

Has anyone noticed that the screen on this phone is way too sensitive? Mine goes as far as to register a touch when I hold my finger a few millimeters away. This results in accidental double presses and is very frustrating especially when typing. I even made sure the high sensitivity setting was off.
When in Camera mode, it even snaps photos by itself without my finger anywhere near the shutter button.
Any tips?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
Nobody else with this issue? I'm debating whether to exchange this phone for another s4 or just trade it for an HTC one at this point.
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makks said:
Nobody else with this issue? I'm debating whether to exchange this phone for another s4 or just trade it for an HTC one at this point.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
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Have you tried turning off AirView?
There is a mode you need to turn off which makes it more sensitive. For winter and gloves.
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Use voice in camera like: SHOOT
netsyd said:
Have you tried turning off AirView?
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Turned off air view and all other superfluous Samsung gimmicks.
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I'm not having that problem. If you like the phone, warranty it out. That's not normal.
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Could your setting "high touch sensitivity" under display settings be turned on? Also for the camera, could it be you are saying things similar to cheese or smile or shoot?
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enigma4321 said:
Could your setting "high touch sensitivity" under display settings be turned on? Also for the camera, could it be you are saying things similar to cheese or smile or shoot?
Sent from my SGH-I337M
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As stated in OP I had made sure that the hi sensitivity option is off as well as any other convenience features.
As for the camera, I have been in windy conditions when this was occurring, so maybe it was thinking I was giving voice commands. But I had all of that turned off as well, so I'm not sure what the deal is.
I will probably revert to factory settings again before returning the phone to make sure it's not a software issue.
I think that Samsung went a little overboard with the touchscreen on this phone. I do not like the fact that everything can be used to touch the screen. What I actually liked about my iPhone 4s was that it was picky about only recognizing fingertip touches.
Great phone overall but this issue sadly ruins it for me. I do not want to go back to iOS so I think HTC One is the only other strong competitor.
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makks said:
As stated in OP I had made sure that the hi sensitivity option is off as well as any other convenience features.
As for the camera, I have been in windy conditions when this was occurring, so maybe it was thinking I was giving voice commands. But I had all of that turned off as well, so I'm not sure what the deal is.
I will probably revert to factory settings again before returning the phone to make sure it's not a software issue.
I think that Samsung went a little overboard with the touchscreen on this phone. I do not like the fact that everything can be used to touch the screen. What I actually liked about my iPhone 4s was that it was picky about only recognizing fingertip touches.
Great phone overall but this issue sadly ruins it for me. I do not want to go back to iOS so I think HTC One is the only other strong competitor.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
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I am having the same problem as you. I can type without actually touching the screen. Now that I know it isn't normal, I guess I'll swap it for a new one...

Bottom screen not responding well

So I have this weird issue. The very bottom of my screen does not respond well! At first I thought it was a bug with the navigation bar, tried several roms and tried PIE controls until I figured that there is something wrong. I have the navbar now set at 48 dpi and I have to press at middle of it to work, where the very bottom is dead. I activated 360 rotation so that my statusbar now is at the bottom of the screen instead of navbar and it does not respond at all! Anyone can explain ?
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Anyone please ?
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Ensifolk said:
Anyone please ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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I think you should try a clean flash.. I never had such problem... about you
From when this problem has been started? please share more information so that we can help you..
Rohit02 said:
I think you should try a clean flash.. I never had such problem... about you
From when this problem has been started? please share more information so that we can help you..
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Click to collapse
I have Tried like lots of different roms with clean fresh installation and the problem is still there ! I think its a hardware problem. For ezample right now if I set my navbar to 32 dpi it wont respond at all because the bottom of my screen have lost the touch sensitivity. I have droppes my phone several times, could that be it ? I cant really remember when I exactly started noticing the issue...but just few days ago...I have tried PIE and same **** :s I have to set the trigger area to max for it to respond...and yes im talking about experiments after a clean install before installing ANY third party app
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Ensifolk said:
I have Tried like lots of different roms with clean fresh installation and the problem is still there ! I think its a hardware problem. For ezample right now if I set my navbar to 32 dpi it wont respond at all because the bottom of my screen have lost the touch sensitivity. I have droppes my phone several times, could that be it ? I cant really remember when I exactly started noticing the issue...but just few days ago...I have tried PIE and same **** :s I have to set the trigger area to max for it to respond...and yes im talking about experiments after a clean install before installing ANY third party app
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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okays... Now I think it surely a hardware problem,as you said you havr also dropped your phone several times.. All the best goto the service centre for the repair.. dont tell them that you have dropped your phone else they will charge you badly even if you are under warranty.. You are welcome..
Rohit02 said:
okays... Now I think it surely a hardware problem,as you said you havr also dropped your phone several times.. All the best goto the service centre for the repair.. dont tell them that you have dropped your phone else they will charge you badly even if you are under warranty.. You are welcome..
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Think Im gonna give no damn about it and of course buy the nexus 5, which I would have done either way..but im surprised how can a touchscreen lose a part of its sensitivity somewhere on the screen ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
If you look closely at your screen at an angle with the screen off you will be able to see the digitizer matrix that is fused to the screen.
It is a series of squares.
Each of them squares has 3 horizontal lines and one vertical.
Behind the bezel there will be the circuitry that connects every horizontal and vertical line
If say for instance after one of your phone drops it has damaged one of the connectors at the side, you will lose the entire row of touch detection. Which is probably what has happened
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Ensifolk said:
Think Im gonna give no damn about it and of course buy the nexus 5, which I would have done either way..but im surprised how can a touchscreen lose a part of its sensitivity somewhere on the screen ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Alex240188 said:
If you look closely at your screen at an angle with the screen off you will be able to see the digitizer matrix that is fused to the screen.
It is a series of squares.
Each of them squares has 3 horizontal lines and one vertical.
Behind the bezel there will be the circuitry that connects every horizontal and vertical line
If say for instance after one of your phone drops it has damaged one of the connectors at the side, you will lose the entire row of touch detection. Which is probably what has happened
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Alex is right i had this happen to my moto defy. I'd say get it done under warrnty no matter if youre keeping or selling. Improve your resale value and protect you from having the entire digitizer die on you

Knock On...sometimes good/bad response

Why?
I mean... sometimes it response on two knocks and sometimes i need four or more....
Have you seen the same ?
Yep, it's pretty normal.
I assume with it being a new feature it's not properly optimized properly if thats right word for it.
If LG get their ass into gear we may see a fix for it. And I mean IF.
No, but i have noticed a trick with it. If you put your hand over the top area of the screen, and then try to knock on. It will not work no matter what until you move your hand. I believe it is a sensor.
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
Try slow double tap or fast triple tap, it goes better for me
Try it at center of your screen
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app
I feel if you "face" the device and tap it works all the time.
I have noticed the same thing across the top bar. I thought it was the camera controlling it, but it is just that my finger was barely on the screen itself. So far a great feature!!
-Matt
Yes the feature is one of the reasons I bought the G2. I'm always thinking I'm going to wear out the power button. LoL
Sent from my LG-D801 using xda app-developers app
tapping at the top of the screen where the status/notification bar would be works 100% of the time. at least for me.
I knock 3x. Works all the time
Thanks for the double at the top of the screen hint - works great now
What's worse is accidentally switching on the screen by simply handling the phone and it recognizing your "handling" as knock ons.
Yes, the proximity sensor will keep it from working. Since i have been more aware of this it works much better. Even if i have the phone in landscape and have my thumb on the slightest edge of the screen it will not work. U dont have to be over it. Just close will keep it from working.
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