[Q] Help with "gimmick" features. - Sprint Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshoot

Hey guys.
I've had my S4 for almost 3 weeks now. So far i like it. Something thats really aggravating me is that I can't use any of the gimmick features.
The air gesture does not work. Have tried when receiving phone calls, in gallery, and in the browser.
The smart scroll is awful, only moves when i tilt my head about 45 degrees down or up.
Smart pause fails to work at all.
Any ideas on how to fix this? I'd like to atleast be able to try them and use it a couple times.
Running Sacs custom rom, but it didnt work when i was stock either.
Thanks in advance.

johnylovejoy said:
Hey guys.
I've had my S4 for almost 3 weeks now. So far i like it. Something thats really aggravating me is that I can't use any of the gimmick features.
The air gesture does not work. Have tried when receiving phone calls, in gallery, and in the browser.
The smart scroll is awful, only moves when i tilt my head about 45 degrees down or up.
Smart pause fails to work at all.
Any ideas on how to fix this? I'd like to atleast be able to try them and use it a couple times.
Running Sacs custom rom, but it didnt work when i was stock either.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the Samsung website or Samsung's YouTube, and watch a video on how to use the features. They all work fine for me.
This message brought to you in part by Sprint and the letters GS and the number 4

GiantJay said:
Go to the Samsung website or Samsung's YouTube, and watch a video on how to use the features. They all work fine for me.
This message brought to you in part by Sprint and the letters GS and the number 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how to use them. they just plain don't work for me.

johnylovejoy said:
Hey guys.
I've had my S4 for almost 3 weeks now. So far i like it. Something thats really aggravating me is that I can't use any of the gimmick features.
The air gesture does not work. Have tried when receiving phone calls, in gallery, and in the browser.
The smart scroll is awful, only moves when i tilt my head about 45 degrees down or up.
Smart pause fails to work at all.
Any ideas on how to fix this? I'd like to atleast be able to try them and use it a couple times.
Running Sacs custom rom, but it didnt work when i was stock either.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, none of Samsung's "Smart" features are smart. They are poorly implemented and work intermittently, at best. The one I really wanted to use, which I didn't find "gimmicky", was the "Smart Volume" in the music player. It stinks. The other useful one is the voice activation of the camera. It works about half the time. People walk by as I'm yelling "Shoot! Capture! Cheese!" repeatedly at my phone and give me strange looks.
I love the S4 hardware but the S4 software leaves a lot to be desired. I have all the Samsung "Smart" stuff disabled now and don't bother with it. Installed the Nottach XposedMod and now the stock ROM is customizable to point where I am actually pretty happy with it.
I would prefer that Samsung spent more time working on making a smoother, customizable ROM than throwing half-backed gimmicks into the mix.

shimn said:
In my opinion, none of Samsung's "Smart" features are smart. They are poorly implemented and work intermittently, at best. The one I really wanted to use, which I didn't find "gimmicky", was the "Smart Volume" in the music player. It stinks. The other useful one is the voice activation of the camera. It works about half the time. People walk by as I'm yelling "Shoot! Capture! Cheese!" repeatedly at my phone and give me strange looks.
I love the S4 hardware but the S4 software leaves a lot to be desired. I have all the Samsung "Smart" stuff disabled now and don't bother with it. Installed the Nottach XposedMod and now the stock ROM is customizable to point where I am actually pretty happy with it.
I would prefer that Samsung spent more time working on making a smoother, customizable ROM than throwing half-backed gimmicks into the mix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What really ticked me off is the camera would not take a picture when saying cheese, but would when I said capture. I'll look like a fool if I go "on three everyone say capture!"
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Related

If you were disappointed once, do you come back again?

Ok my fellow nexus one lovers... I had a Nexus one for about a month, and upon first opening the phone, there was dust, so I immediately got a replacement. I thought it was cool that next day when I show up at work, they had sent me my replacement so I was quite suprised on the service. Anyways, the phone was great, loved every aspect EXCEPT when texting, it wouldn't register my delete, and instead, a stupid smiley... in a way, I was getting pissed cause google was "smiling" at me when I was trying to do something else.
So my question is, I really want to go back, or wait for the HD2, but I feel the nexus is a better fit, especially when I use almost all the google features... but the texting/screen issue is a factor... I know people all over have this issue, and there isn't a resolution yet (that I've found) so what do I do? Wait? Suck it up and get it again? What are your suggestions???
FREE ME FROM MY BLACKBERRY!!!!!!!!!
Cheeze[iT] said:
Ok my fellow nexus one lovers... I had a Nexus one for about a month, and upon first opening the phone, there was dust, so I immediately got a replacement. I thought it was cool that next day when I show up at work, they had sent me my replacement so I was quite suprised on the service. Anyways, the phone was great, loved every aspect EXCEPT when texting, it wouldn't register my delete, and instead, a stupid smiley... in a way, I was getting pissed cause google was "smiling" at me when I was trying to do something else.
So my question is, I really want to go back, or wait for the HD2, but I feel the nexus is a better fit, especially when I use almost all the google features... but the texting/screen issue is a factor... I know people all over have this issue, and there isn't a resolution yet (that I've found) so what do I do? Wait? Suck it up and get it again? What are your suggestions???
FREE ME FROM MY BLACKBERRY!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It took me 3 phones to get all my issues fixed. If you're worried about fast customer service, get a phone that is supported directly by a carrier (Mytouch3g, droid, etc).
I have a good friend who just got a droid after being a huge crackberry fan. He loves it.
The nexus one is a pilot program so there will be growing pains to endure.
In terms of the touch issues watch your other fingers around the edge of the touch screen. I notice whenever my screen goes wonky a finger that shouldn't be touching the screen is.
Keep in mind you can get other keyboards than the stock that are agruably better anyway.
Good luck and thanks for supporting Android.
Didnt realize you were talking about screen issues, since using Cyanogen I havent expierenced them, but I dont know if they've been fixed for regular users.
hmm I didn't pay any attention to it after I rooted/flashed cyanogen... guess I'm going to have to think about this one a little bit. but overall I loved it. Do you guys think it will be fixed.... someday?
Well its an issue that theyve been made well aware of on their support forums so I would assume theyre working on a solution, I dont know why they wouldnt be.
just curious, but are you using the stock keyboard?
No, im using better keyboard right now and use smart keyboard and swype from time to time, just like to mix things up every once in a while, I type so fast on this thing now that smart keyboard and better keyboard have pretty much made swype useless to me. Smart Keyboard is free in the market and Better Keyboard is like 2 bucks and is pretty similar but is theme-able which I like. I also dont use auto correct or suggestions or any of that stuff so I dont know how they work for those.
JoshHart said:
No, im using better keyboard right now and use smart keyboard and swype from time to time, just like to mix things up every once in a while, I type so fast on this thing now that smart keyboard and better keyboard have pretty much made swype useless to me. Smart Keyboard is free in the market and Better Keyboard is like 2 bucks and is pretty similar but is theme-able which I like. I also dont use auto correct or suggestions or any of that stuff so I dont know how they work for those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart Keyboard and Better Keyboard are really just the stock keyboard with minor differences and more customization (but nothing innovational), if you really want to enjoy your typing experience - I suggest installing the HTC_IME, the typing creation cooked up by HTC for their Sense UI phones.
Nothing really beats it, I don't see how anything could. Swype though, is lovely.
I still feel like I type faster on smart or better keyboard, it could be I just havent gotten used to HTC IME yet, i used it all the time on my mytouch but ive just gotten so use to these keyboards that I dont even have to look to type, like typing this whole thing for example. I guess in the end its all just personal preference.
whats the "htc ime" ? link? seems interesting
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416

HELP! Those of you who came to the Note from an N900...

... How long did it take you to feel like you'd made the right choice?
Right now the only thing I'm liking is the screen...
Scrolling in the browser seems choppier than my stock n900, and I'm missing the keyboard massively...
Really want to end up loving it, but all I can see right now are things that make me feel like it;s a massive step backwards...
Tedri Mark said:
... How long did it take you to feel like you'd made the right choice?
Right now the only thing I'm liking is the screen...
Scrolling in the browser seems choppier than my stock n900, and I'm missing the keyboard massively...
Really want to end up loving it, but all I can see right now are things that make me feel like it;s a massive step backwards...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...to be honest i don't know what to say - if you don't like it, you don't like it - you get used to it. Few year ago i was all about physical keyboards, but with introduction of the iPhone i realized it's time to let go. It took me some time but i finally got used to on-screen keyboards - and believe you me, there isn't a single on-screen keyboard that's better than the one on the Note ( the stock ICS / CM9 one, not the TouchWiz crap ).
About the scrolling...what ROM/Browser do you use ? I recommend CM9 with stock browser - super smooth "iphone-like" experience.
been there, done that. i got used to it really fast. the only thing that i'm really missing is the keyboard. i send a ton of text. but u get used to the virtual keyboard by time.
also, my note runs really smooth. i flashed a stock ICS and i'm running latest speedmod kernel.
I came from the n900 and it took a few weeks but you will get there. I missed the keyboard at first but when o use the n900 now I carnt use the hardware keybord , all I can say is stick with it you will grow to love the note and won't want to go to any other phone .
Bit i will say I'm cursed I had the dreaded USB port failure on my n900 several times and now had it on my note so be careful
But the n900 is the only phone I know to survive a 90mph tumble down the road and survive the note isn't as durable get a cover on that screen
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
bletozavr said:
been there, done that. i got used to it really fast. the only thing that i'm really missing is the keyboard. i send a ton of text. but u get used to the virtual keyboard by time.
also, my note runs really smooth. i flashed a stock ICS and i'm running latest speedmod kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reluctant to upgrade to ICS because I don't want to lose flash in the browser.. I've got used to the web in my pocket being the same as the web on my desktop..
mistman said:
I came from the n900 and it took a few weeks but you will get there. I missed the keyboard at first but when o use the n900 now I carnt use the hardware keybord , all I can say is stick with it you will grow to love the note and won't want to go to any other phone .
Bit i will say I'm cursed I had the dreaded USB port failure on my n900 several times and now had it on my note so be careful
But the n900 is the only phone I know to survive a 90mph tumble down the road and survive the note isn't as durable get a cover on that screen
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, this was my second N900, the first one suffered the dodgy port, was fixed, then broke again, and so I got a brand new one last March. Was fine literally up until about a month ago at the end (luckily) of my holiday, when it wouldn;t switch on. Now if the battery runs out I have to reflash, and the power button does nothing, either when the phone is on off.. Ah well..
It's not so much the general typing, so much as ctrl-x,c,v, and cursor keys to edit text and scroll up/down dialog windows in browsers etc, but after a quick google it seems there's other keyboards with cursor function.
Ctrl+N for a new browser window, or contact was always well handy, and being able to start typing someone's name to bring up their details rather than having to press contacts first...
Also I can't figure out how to use keys to interact with flash in the browser...
Akiainavas said:
Well...to be honest i don't know what to say - if you don't like it, you don't like it - you get used to it. Few year ago i was all about physical keyboards, but with introduction of the iPhone i realized it's time to let go. It took me some time but i finally got used to on-screen keyboards - and believe you me, there isn't a single on-screen keyboard that's better than the one on the Note ( the stock ICS / CM9 one, not the TouchWiz crap ).
About the scrolling...what ROM/Browser do you use ? I recommend CM9 with stock browser - super smooth "iphone-like" experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the mo I'm on gingerbread and using the stock browser, literally just got the note today, but keen to delve right in once I'm sure I'll be keeping it. Was well at home in the terminal on the N900, power kernel, overclocking etc, but it all seemed a lot safer - I've seen a lot of threads about people accidentally bricking their Notes...
Just had a little play with some N64 roms, the increased screen size and speed are at least a couple of nice plusses so far...
Trying to find a PSX emulator, ideally free... Again, I think having the N900 spoiled me..
Tedri Mark said:
Reluctant to upgrade to ICS because I don't want to lose flash in the browser.. I've got used to the web in my pocket being the same as the web on my desktop..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash works just fine on ICS. The only thing is that Chrome for Android doesn't support flash. The rest of them does.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
LordManhattan said:
Flash works just fine on ICS. The only thing is that Chrome for Android doesn't support flash. The rest of them does.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, sweet, maybe I will do the upgrade then, although still a bit nervous as I've heard that even the official Samsung ICS release is not 100% safe?
Or have I just misinterpreted that?
Seems that although flash is working, it is maybe not working as well as under gingerbread...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1666913
I came from n900, the second best phone I got after my lovely Note of course!
Yes I did miss the hw keyboard but when I found swype option it was an OMG it is really rally fast for typing, in both case you need two hands, so it is not a problem in this case.
About the browser, on n900 was a real desktop browser with flash included, really great, never missed my laptop under this point of view. But, Note with ICS seems to be good too, didn't test enough but saw an option to turns it as a desktop browser, and we have here last flash version!
If we talk about battery life, n900 loses badly, Note is incredible with batt, longer last, whole working day with some fun included. I just charge my note once a day.
Well I don't remember what other things did like to me on n900, that means I don't miss it yeah!
Ohh the contact manager was better on n900, never had duplicates contacts, the synchronization with social networks was amazing. On Note, after many months with can't handle SNS sync properly, in fact my contact list is a mess
Hope it helps, regards mate!
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
i came from an n900 as well.
its not too bad once you figure how to get things done.
i still prefer the hardware keyboard on the n900 though since i could feel the keys, so i could type without looking. but after a bit of practice with the note, i got a lot faster (to the point where my note lags, stutters and doubles up on letters). the only thing i'd prefer would be a slightly smaller screen for typing, so i'll probably get a smaller phone next time.
the only thing i really miss from the n900 is the integrated stand. that was useful for when you want to watch movies.
Tedri Mark said:
Ah, sweet, maybe I will do the upgrade then, although still a bit nervous as I've heard that even the official Samsung ICS release is not 100% safe?
Or have I just misinterpreted that?
Seems that although flash is working, it is maybe not working as well as under gingerbread...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1666913
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, flash isn't the smoothest and best thing on Android, but it runs and does the job. Stay away from the leaked kernels. ROM's that uses Xplodwild's kernel like CM9 and ParanoidAndroid are safe and won't have the brick bug.
Just read the OP and do some research before you flash anything.
Tedri Mark, if you owed a N900 before that means you like physical keyboard and your best choice after the Note would certainly be the Samsung Captivate Glide which has a 4inch screen and keyboard - some say it's a Galaxy S2 with a keyboard. It's better if you look for some reviews on youtube to get a better idea.
until 2011 n900 was the best phone ver made for me but new phones are really way better then that now. about the physical keyboard, i have phones without physical keyboard for 2 years and still missing it . screen keyboards are ok but not good as physical ones for me.
kromosto said:
screen keyboards are ok but not good as physical ones for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely, there is nothing better than a physical keyboard for typing! I missed that too.....if samsung could build a 4.5 or 4.8 inch screen phone with same same specs as the S2 + a physical keyboard, personally I'll sell my Note immediately! I emailed a lot daily and typing using a virtual keyboard is a pain when you are in a hurry with a lot of things to write!
Experimenting with browsers at the Mo, struggling to find one that renders the non mobile version of Facebook properly.. Both dolphin hd and ics browser + seem to struggle with the pop up gallery format... Quite annoying, and I'm not keen at all on the cut down versions and apps.
somewhat long read...
well, what you aren't missing is the battery life. It was just ****ty on the N900, and the screensize, and the resolution.
that was a coincidence that you posted it. I have the exact same problem with my conversion from my n900 to a Galaxy Note.
I really really wanted to like the Galaxy Note (i am a linuxfanboy after all for over 12 years)but in all honesty, i don't. I was sad to see such a (in my eyes beautiful) device like the n900 be abandoned by nokia (but that's for another section i guess to QQ) It's not the size that turned me off or the device itself (i love the screensize!), but the way Android works for me. It's just feels cumbersome, sure it can do a LOT of things but most of these things it does "feel" slow at doing, and buggy...
Touchscreen typing in comparison to the N900 feels ... well nothing ofcourse, you don't feel anything at all... a physical keyboard still feels good and better than nothing. Though the onscreen keyboards of android are still way worse than the iPhone keyboard. But I can't get used to this typing. To be fair I think I type faster now on my SGN but that has probably got to do with the fact that I care less about my spelling and 'auto-correct' mistakes. I don't text/mail as much as i used to do only when it's necessary. I don't feel like picking up my SGN if i want to browse anything on the web, games (multitouch anyone?) scrolling is still slow and laggy. Moving around in android is something i do out of neccesity not because i wanted to explore things on my phone like the N900.
Multitasking is badly designed in my eyes on the Android if you set it next to Maemo (CTRL-BACKSPACE for instant satisfaction!). I don't like to push a button for 2 seconds; scroll for the right app and click on the touchscreen and then go to that application; that must be instantaneous to make it really multitasking ready. Clicking the homescreen button; selecting the app on my homescreen feels faster even...).
I try to run the most bleeding edge ICS builds and tirelessly try to convince people (iPhone and Windows)it is better in giving a versatile phone experience(i used the nightlies from CM9) but when they show up with their ****ty iPhones and casually just look up some site and i try to look up the same site. The iPhone is always faster in getting to that specific site; more fluid in scrolling, doesn't fail at sites where it really shouldn't fail (gecko)("never happened before...wait don't go, it's still loading... almost there.. i think"). At the end my friends and i can only look at long youtube movies on my SGN("woah dude your big screen is soo nice! "oops huh did i just turn your SGN off when i hold it in landscape???") but anything other than that, iPhones and even windows phones now gets it done faster and more simple, responsive, less buggy. A year ago when i had the N900, i could look at everything without any of these problems... no mistyping... no workarounds with different browsers...
Cut copy paste... what a joke in comparison to the N900. i'm not even gonna start on that one. Try setting up some commands from the cli on your SGN... pfff (nevermind that %#FG)
Sometimes i'm thinking people are less critical about their phone experience because you only have 3 real choices atm for the newest hardware. android;iOS;winmango. Nokia DNR'd the N900 and their Maemo continuation which was a bad thing but it was a good product and i can't find any of the big companies making something that would remotely resemble the N900. Critical people here, please tell me i'm wrong, i would love to be wrong on this issue.
I'm sad, really sad, that my experience in getting a new (geeky) phone would be great but it's just not. The next level-up for me(android) rolled out a +4 on charisma but i needed the +dexterity and/or +intelligence
Mate, I don´t know if you just ordered a corrupted device...and of course I accept your experiences! But in most parts, I can´t share your points...
Thanathos_78 said:
It's just feels cumbersome, sure it can do a LOT of things but most of these things it does "feel" slow at doing, and buggy...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever updated your device? Are you on ICS? And, as we are on XDA here, did you try out some custom Roms? e.g. RocketRom & speedmodkernel?`I had the N900 as well...and dude, if the Note is slow & buggy...the N900 is mordors very darkest ork-hole^^
Thanathos_78 said:
Touchscreen typing in comparison to the N900 feels ... well nothing ofcourse, you don't feel anything at all... a physical keyboard still feels good and better than nothing. Though the onscreen keyboards of android are still way worse than the iPhone keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which ones did you try out? There are some damn good KB for everyones taste, I´m sure with that...
Thanathos_78 said:
I don't feel like picking up my SGN if i want to browse anything on the web, games (multitouch anyone?) scrolling is still slow and laggy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, made some updates etc? At least MY Note is responsive as hell, VERY fast, scrolling is smooth like butter...and especially browsing is the very best experience I ever had on a smartphone (and man, I had them all )
Came from N900.
But I beta-tested the SGS and DeZire... so got accustomed to Android eventually.
There's somethings you can't do easily or at all. It takes alot of fiddling to get it "right".
But eventually you make it yours. And thanks to a really large ecosystem and other great features... it becomes hard to use the N900 again.
I wouldn't pick the DesireZ over the N900... but with the beast (aka n7k) I feel like its a worthy successor. Just need to pray that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will use the Mainline kernel (3.5) and that it can be further "unlocked" by having deeper API's etc. One project to keep an eye on is the Necesitas, where they're trying to port the Qt (4/5) framework into Android... it would definitely "linux-ify" Android further. Or even the AML project, merging the mainline and Android kernels together.
I've had my Note for a month, and have reached the point where I would never want to go back to the N900 hardware keyboard. I suggest to learn swype, or try a few of the alternative keyboards. But even the stock Samsung onscreen keyboard is quite good - it saves a lot of time having the numeric keys always available.
The one thing I still miss is the N900's "mappero" mapping app (previously called Maemo Mapper). I've tried all of the available open source Android mapping apps, and they either have a deficient feature set, or they are buggy.
With a new platform, you always notice first the things that are missing compared to your old platform. Only later do you notice the things that are better. And so it is with the mapping app. Having discovered Osmand with its very efficient offline vector maps, I would miss those if I went back to mappero with its raster-only offline maps.
The hardware itself is everything that the N9x0 should have become.
ryebuck said:
I've had my Note for a month, and have reached the point where I would never want to go back to the N900 hardware keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nowadays, physical keyboards are not a necessity for most of us since typing on a large screen like the Note is even easier. Thing is writting long emails or typing documents on a phone will always required a physical keyboard because this makes things easier to type at a constant speed with less or no mistakes than pressing virtual buttons on the screen.
If HTC or SAMSUNG could make a tilted screen phone with a physical keyboard similar to the 'HTC TOUCH PRO 2' or 'HTC Tilt 2' with a 4.7-5.0 screen, I'm pretty certain that many of us will shift to this phone.
Typing on galaxy note is awesome with Swype, the only thing is you should get used to it, the other big thing is spellings, since Swype will respond faster if you type correct spellings, for me it works like a breeze, for now with just Weeks into my note I'm deeply in love with this device as i surf the Web using wifi,i don't even open my laptop, the screen is just awesome not to mention the spen, I'm typing this using Swype,
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Do you use all the features?

I'm planning on getting the htc one but some of these features seem really cool on the s4, so my question is do you use them all or are they just a bunch of gimmicks.
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda premium
Absolutely none, just patiently waiting for CM10
spitfire2425 said:
I'm planning on getting the htc one but some of these features seem really cool on the s4, so my question is do you use them all or are they just a bunch of gimmicks.
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really the only one that has impressed me is the eraser mode on the camera that removes moving objects... otherwise, all the "smart" features stay off. Battery hogs to the max.
sulpher said:
Battery hogs to the max.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you use the "smart" features you don't know that for a fact. I have been using the smart features on and off for over a week, with the features / gimmicks on and running there isn't much battery drain at all.
While a lot of the features are gimmicks some are actually very useful.
Smart stay - (the best one out of all them, should be in stock Android)
Quick glance - (use this all time while it's on my desk or on a table)
Air view - (helps me dig through text messages fast and zoom in on some websites)
Air gesture - (I actually go in the gallery a lot and this makes browsing photos more fun and... natural? in a sense)
Palm motion - (use this all the time to answer phone calls and mute or pause music also use it to capture screenshots
Direct call - (I have to admit it's nice and very useful to just directly call someone while simply just moving the phone to your head while in the texting or contacts app)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Air View for a bit but it made my screen too sensitive which i used those specific programs.
besides that the only Air feature that i might turn on is Air Call Accept. And it only works during phone calls so its not bad.
The watchon TV controller thing is a bit weird. Doesnt work all the time..
Today I was eating lunch with my phone next to me. Got a call and used the gesture to answer and have the speaker turn on without me touching the phone. That was nice. Voice control camera is cool, but saying different things changes how the camera shoots. I'm still figuring that one out.
Thanks for the replies, none of these sounds useful to me.
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda premium
Bjray said:
Unless you use the "smart" features you don't know that for a fact. I have been using the smart features on and off for over a week, with the features / gimmicks on and running there isn't much battery drain at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because i dont have them on now doesnt mean ive never used them.
sulpher said:
Just because i dont have them on now doesnt mean ive never used them. Great job being a douche though~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG... I wasn't trying to come off negative, sorry if it seemed that way. I just hate when people like to call out facts when they haven't even used or tested the subject themselfs.
Notice I also said "unless" you did use them yourself.
Sent from my Galaxy S4
Bjray said:
OMG... I wasn't trying to come off negative, sorry if it seemed that way. I just hate when people like to call out facts when they haven't even used or tested the subject themselfs.
Notice I also said "unless" you did use them yourself.
Sent from my Galaxy S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, i apologize for the snap judgement. Im fanatical about battery, and they do drain extra, which to me is unacceptable for what you get in exchange. Was much more impressed with the smart stay than any of the new ones, and depending on how many times you let the screen almost time out it can add a fairly substantial amount.
Your right, i should probably rephrase my 'hog' assessment, im probably more picky than others about battery. .
Bjray said:
Unless you use the "smart" features you don't know that for a fact. I have been using the smart features on and off for over a week, with the features / gimmicks on and running there isn't much battery drain at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely agree with you!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Laggy Messaging App

The stock messaging app seems to be laggy as all hell. Typing is sometimes painfully slow or just not responsive. Samsung told me to reset the cache but that didn't do anything.
Is there a message limit that hurts it? Is there something else that could potentially be causing this? Or is this just a problem with Touchwiz messaging app itself?
mrozowjj said:
The stock messaging app seems to be laggy as all hell. Typing is sometimes painfully slow or just not responsive. Samsung told me to reset the cache but that didn't do anything.
Is there a message limit that hurts it? Is there something else that could potentially be causing this? Or is this just a problem with Touchwiz messaging app itself?
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Click to collapse
Honestly its terribly laggy. I had to resort purchasing an app. Enhanced Email and Touchdown work well if you need MS Exchange Support.
MS Exhcange Support isn't a big deal for me but thank you for the suggestion.
The gallery app has been giving me fits today too. I mean what's the point if making this super advanced phone if I have to reboot it more than I do my Windows machine.
Earthdog said:
Honestly its terribly laggy. I had to resort purchasing an app. Enhanced Email and Touchdown work well if you need MS Exchange Support.
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Click to collapse
I think he meant SMS while you are talking about Email.
This phone's screen is beautiful but the laggy performance is really bad. The SMS app is horrible.
I am terribly disappointed in this phone. The more I use it the more annoyed I get. I might just return it tomorrow and get another iPhone cause I can't stand the Lag anymore. Especially in a phone as speced out as this.
AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 32 GB Model
I can't decide if I should be relieved that it's not just me or concerned that there really isn't a good solution for this yet.
mrozowjj said:
I can't decide if I should be relieved that it's not just me or concerned that there really isn't a good solution for this yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Concern Samsung and Android devices have a bad habit of not updating their devices and leaving their customers stranded. They pop out new model phones very frequently and once that happens they forget about older models and could care less about our problems.
AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 32 GB Model
I realize that which is part of the reason I got the S4, my S2 was no longer supported on here and battery was running dead all the damn time.
All this **** is enough to make me want to get an iPhone.
I to hated the laggy messaging. Even with 3rd party apps like SMS PRo and such it was still laggy and buggy.
Flashed CM10.1. AOSP stock Messaging app on CM10.1 is MUCH MUCH MUCH more responsive. I had the same frustrations coming from a iPhone 4S (Had 3G, 4, 4S prior for years).
mrozowjj said:
I realize that which is part of the reason I got the S4, my S2 was no longer supported on here and battery was running dead all the damn time.
All this **** is enough to make me want to get an iPhone.
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Click to collapse
I really don't understand. Samsung must realize that they are first and foremost manufacturing a phone. That's supposed to be used for calling and texting. They needed to pay 100 percent attention to these primary functions and make sure that they all worked properly. Instead of putting useless gestures and infrared they needed to insure the phone send and received texts properly. Major ball drop by samsung here. Very disappointed.
AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 32 GB Model
thdaddy34 said:
I really don't understand. Samsung must realize that they are first and foremost manufacturing a phone. That's supposed to be used for calling and texting. They needed to pay 100 percent attention to these primary functions and make sure that they all worked properly. Instead of putting useless gestures and infrared they needed to insure the phone send and received texts properly. Major ball drop by samsung here. Very disappointed.
AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 32 GB Model
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Click to collapse
Agreed. This is why I have never used a Samsung device in the past and have stuck with iPhones since iPhone 3G before Android was even out there. Got tired of the small screen, wanted larger screen and higher resolution so jumped ****.
Really, try CM10.1. Its so much better without Samsung's bloatware. It's a whole different phone with it.
I also returned my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" because of its laggyness last year until I tried CM9/CM10/CM10.1 on it. Totally made me think diferently. Also got me into the world of CM and flashing stuff so I knew what I was doing for my S4.
WoodburyMan said:
Agreed. This is why I have never used a Samsung device in the past and have stuck with iPhones since iPhone 3G before Android was even out there. Got tired of the small screen, wanted larger screen and higher resolution so jumped ****.
Really, try CM10.1. Its so much better without Samsung's bloatware. It's a whole different phone with it.
I also returned my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" because of its laggyness last year until I tried CM9/CM10/CM10.1 on it. Totally made me think diferently. Also got me into the world of CM and flashing stuff so I knew what I was doing for my S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people like the touchwiz features though
WoodburyMan said:
Agreed. This is why I have never used a Samsung device in the past and have stuck with iPhones since iPhone 3G before Android was even out there. Got tired of the small screen, wanted larger screen and higher resolution so jumped ****.
Really, try CM10.1. Its so much better without Samsung's bloatware. It's a whole different phone with it.
I also returned my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0" because of its laggyness last year until I tried CM9/CM10/CM10.1 on it. Totally made me think diferently. Also got me into the world of CM and flashing stuff so I knew what I was doing for my S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My first android phone was an HTC Aria/Liberty and I put CM7 on it so I'm sort of familiar with the process and if it comes down to it and this lagginess continues I'll install CM10.1 on the S4. I didn't realize they had a stable build for the S4 yet though.
jetlitheone said:
Some people like the touchwiz features though
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Click to collapse
I'm honestly not sure I like any of the features that much. I want the damn phone to function first and foremost. What good is having a shiny new car if it doesn't tires too you know?
jetlitheone said:
Some people like the touchwiz features though
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Click to collapse
True. It's a lot to give up. However I've had a iPhone for years. So any features I lost i never knew I had to begin with.
Has anyone tried using a different messaging app instead? Does that help at all or is the Touchwiz lag carried over to it as well?
mrozowjj said:
Has anyone tried using a different messaging app instead? Does that help at all or is the Touchwiz lag carried over to it as well?
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Click to collapse
gosmspro lags less, but with s-voice disabled/frozen and touchwizUI frozen (as well as other google services i dont use) on stock kernel/rom phone is lightning quick. i even have it severely underclocked most of the time with setCPU (486-1132 screen on, 386-386 with screen off). no issues in any app, even tried some 3d games to test performance with CPU limited to 1.1Ghz. no difference.
Slade8525 said:
gosmspro lags less, but with s-voice disabled/frozen and touchwizUI frozen (as well as other google services i dont use) on stock kernel/rom phone is lightning quick. i even have it severely underclocked most of the time with setCPU (486-1132 screen on, 386-386 with screen off). no issues in any app, even tried some 3d games to test performance with CPU limited to 1.1Ghz. no difference.
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Click to collapse
Just did this except with Nova. Never thought to freeze S Voice and TouchWiz Home. Thank you. Talk about super snappy phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
CAG-man said:
Just did this except with Nova. Never thought to freeze S Voice and TouchWiz Home. Thank you. Talk about super snappy phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
so how do I go about freezing those parts of my phone?
mrozowjj said:
so how do I go about freezing those parts of my phone?
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Click to collapse
freeze in titanium backup or disable in application settings under the all tab. "touchwiz home" and "s voice"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Note 3 Issues - considering selling it?

While I like the phone, love the SAMOLED and the new S-Pen features, I have many complaints about it:
The Touchwiz looks like the one I had on my old Galaxy S, not like that on my Galaxy Tab2 (which is excellent). Why the hell did they put only four rows of icons? Sometimes it looks like a visually-impaired option. I set the font to really small and still is quite big. Looks like this has even less personalization options than the tab2. Meh. I don't mind the huge size, really, but this looks like it's an enlarged phone. The extra real estate is not used effectively.
GPS is giving me many disappointements. Jumps next to building and can't track properly in trams and public transport. Again, on Tab2 it was excellent.
I am not a fearful modder, but no excellent rom is out and I will probably lose some of the s-pen features.
I am skeptical, after the bad experience with the Galaxy S I would like a phone where the hardware (i.e. GPS) actually WORKS. I shelled out some 500euros+ for this, I don't expect to see GPS jumps with ingress.
I am seriously contemplating selling it and getting an S4 or other good phone with SAMOLED, giving up the s-pen (which is more a treat than a must).
I would like to hear some opinion from other users, if you share the same feelings about it.
Thanks
Cheers
You're basing this off something you can replace in two clicks? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that is?
Ditch Touchwiz. Get Apex or Nova. Problem solved.
Agree with shadow.. install nova and add more dock icons. . If you still feel it looks to much like a "phone"(LOL surprise it's supposed to be a phone) you can change the dpi, I have dpi set to 320 and everything looks great
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
ShadowLea said:
You're basing this off something you can replace in two clicks? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that is?
Ditch Touchwiz. Get Apex or Nova. Problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But do I keep S-Pen functions then?
Because if I then lose the s-pen, what's the point of keeping the Note 3 vs S4? Beside 1 GB more of ram that is...
Khizar said:
Agree with shadow.. install nova and add more dock icons. . If you still feel it looks to much like a "phone"(LOL surprise it's supposed to be a phone) you can change the dpi, I have dpi set to 320 and everything looks great
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding "Phone"
Perhaps I was not expressing myself clearly enough. I am comparing to the Tab2 (7", so not so far actually), which I have and it's great in every aspect on stock. I see the design effore there. Here, it looks just a rescaling of a normal 4" screen "Phone" rom. (not Phablet, as the note should be, if you want)
McBain_666 said:
But do I keep S-Pen functions then?
Because if I then lose the s-pen, what's the point of keeping the Note 3 vs S4? Beside 1 GB more of ram that is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-pen functions are not dependent on the launcher. When people here say something is based on touchwiz, it just means that whatever function they're referring to is based on the touchwiz framework present in the rom, not actually using the TW launcher. I use Nova launcher & my s-pen functions are fully intact. You would only lose s-pen functionality if you flashed an AOSP/CM rom.
McBain_666 said:
Regarding "Phone"
Perhaps I was not expressing myself clearly enough. I am comparing to the Tab2 (7", so not so far actually), which I have and it's great in every aspect on stock. I see the design effore there. Here, it looks just a rescaling of a normal 4" screen "Phone" rom. (not Phablet, as the note should be, if you want)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the screen DPI to make it look more like a "phablet", but you'll need to be rooted because the apps that can achieve this need root access to work.
McBain_666 said:
But do I keep S-Pen functions then?
Because if I then lose the s-pen, what's the point of keeping the Note 3 vs S4? Beside 1 GB more of ram that is...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Spen functions are intact. They're not part of the launcher, they are their own apps on top of a launcher.
kabuk1 said:
S-pen functions are not dependent on the launcher. When people here say something is based on touchwiz, it just means that whatever function they're referring to is based on the touchwiz framework present in the rom, not actually using the TW launcher. I use Nova launcher & my s-pen functions are fully intact. You would only lose s-pen functionality if you flashed an AOSP/CM rom.
You can change the screen DPI to make it look more like a "phablet", but you'll need to be rooted because the apps that can achieve this need root access to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I will definitively try it, like, now.
If the launcher becomes decent, I will then evaluate if the GPS issue alone is a problem for me. Thanks.
McBain_666 said:
Ok, I will definitively try it, like, now.
If the launcher becomes decent, I will then evaluate if the GPS issue alone is a problem for me. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing I did was replacing the launcher. I got so used to a non stock one that this was the first To do for me. Why on earth would I want any company to tell me what I can do with a product I just dropped 700€ for?
After 3 days I really missed the volume rocker to skip tracks option. So a root was what was next. You can tweak your phone to whatever you need it to be. And if you look at Samsungs touchwiz, it's for sure just a blown up UI of a phone. Well, like others already stated, it is a phone. My phone is actually a library, magazine reader, gaming machine, on the go multi language translator, camera (the best camera you can have is the one you have on hand when a good opportunity arises), and so much more. I'd actually go so far to say that my phone is an awesome pocket PC with which I can place phone calls (maybe 2-5% of whatever I use it for the rest of the time).
Did I say that it makes an awesome music player for in car use when you use tasker to automate things like gps for speed based volume setting, skipping songs with volume rocker (eyes free operation)....
Oh, sorry. i got carried away. This phone so far provides the best GPS I had so far. What's the issue with yours?
Mikegrmn said:
First thing I did was replacing the launcher. I got so used to a non stock one that this was the first To do for me. Why on earth would I want any company to tell me what I can do with a product I just dropped 700€ for?
After 3 days I really missed the volume rocker to skip tracks option. So a root was what was next. You can tweak your phone to whatever you need it to be. And if you look at Samsungs touchwiz, it's for sure just a blown up UI of a phone. Well, like others already stated, it is a phone. My phone is actually a library, magazine reader, gaming machine, on the go multi language translator, camera (the best camera you can have is the one you have on hand when a good opportunity arises), and so much more. I'd actually go so far to say that my phone is an awesome pocket PC with which I can place phone calls (maybe 2-5% of whatever I use it for the rest of the time).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Apex Launcher now. MUUUUUUUUUUCH better, like, another planet. Makes me not wanna sell the phone just yet. I still have to investigate the unroot/unKnox thing before rooting. I still want to keep the warranty for a month-ish. Again, coming from a satisfactory stock Tab2 7" I was hoping not to have to root, but still, if everything works the only thing becomes the GPS.
Mikegrmn said:
Did I say that it makes an awesome music player for in car use when you use tasker to automate things like gps for speed based volume setting, skipping songs with volume rocker (eyes free operation).... Oh, sorry. i got carried away. This phone so far provides the best GPS I had so far. What's the issue with yours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My feeling is that they screwed up the antenna again, like in the Galaxy S. I have a Tab2 7"and it has great accuracy everywhere. In particular, while on public transport (trams) it follows me readily. This Note 3, today lost lock several times on the tram and was always jumping around. A fiend with S4 has perfect lock on trams. Yesterday the GPS was also jumping on the open, I was simply walking next to a big building. (I play Ingress)
In the GPS thread someone said that they sent in the phone for repairs and they got a better GPS afterwards, but I am skeptical, ppl were saying that also for the first SGS, which eventually, just had a crappy GPS antenna. What's your experience>?
McBain_666 said:
On Apex Launcher now. MUUUUUUUUUUCH better, like, another planet. Makes me not wanna sell the phone just yet. I still have to investigate the unroot/unKnox thing before rooting. I still want to keep the warranty for a month-ish. Again, coming from a satisfactory stock Tab2 7" I was hoping not to have to root, but still, if everything works the only thing becomes the GPS.
My feeling is that they screwed up the antenna again, like in the Galaxy S. I have a Tab2 7"and it has great accuracy everywhere. In particular, while on public transport (trams) it follows me readily. This Note 3, today lost lock several times on the tram and was always jumping around. A fiend with S4 has perfect lock on trams. Yesterday the GPS was also jumping on the open, I was simply walking next to a big building. (I play Ingress)
In the GPS thread someone said that they sent in the phone for repairs and they got a better GPS afterwards, but I am skeptical, ppl were saying that also for the first SGS, which eventually, just had a crappy GPS antenna. What's your experience>?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My razr HD took ages to get a lock. Never had the issue so far with my N3, but then, I didn't use it for navigation so far. Just speed based volume bc my current car is lacking this feature.
For my razr HD I used GPS test, an app from play store. Go to settings and try "update agps". This brought the fix time down on my razr HD. Although it took ages when I started the feature while moving. It's just so much better on my N3. Maybe your unit is faulty. Have some one with another N3 to see if there's a difference? Would be a good try. Although, most people I know just find the note much too big. So in my circles, there wouldn't be a second N3 to verify. Maybe a carrier or dealer?
Mikegrmn said:
My razr HD took ages to get a lock. Never had the issue so far with my N3, but then, I didn't use it for navigation so far. Just speed based volume bc my current car is lacking this feature.
For my razr HD I used GPS test, an app from play store. Go to settings and try "update agps". This brought the fix time down on my razr HD. Although it took ages when I started the feature while moving. It's just so much better on my N3. Maybe your unit is faulty. Have some one with another N3 to see if there's a difference? Would be a good try. Although, most people I know just find the note much too big. So in my circles, there wouldn't be a second N3 to verify. Maybe a carrier or dealer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The locking is indeed fast. Maybe faster than the Tab2. But then the accuracy sucks. It will be hard to explain or prove that it it a malfunction, I don't know if I would get a really better functioning one. Here in Switzerland they're not so big on customer support, but I suppose I could try. Maybe I could try writing to Samsung or so. :/ I will anyway check the accuracy with the GPS test asap.
I put nova launcher on my phones first thing when I get them. Much better than stock overlay. Also, my first note 3 had a bad gps antenna and wouldn't even lock on to any satellites. The new one locks on quick but I haven't tested nav yet.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
With Apex Launcher and Holo Locker, the phone is starting to look OK.
I still regret that I can't have the security pattern on with the custom lock. (all the other lockers I've found with security make it a two-steps unlock [custom unlock -> stock pattern unlock], which I find annoying, if you know otherwise please let me know)
GPS
Looks like there is an issue here, but is related to the compass rather than the GPS antenna. Yesterday I calibrated the compass and then I had perfect reception in trams, then today suddenly it lost lock, the compass was pointing wrong, and the GPS Test told me 1 satellite in sight for like 5 minutes, at which point it snapped back into a correct view, had 21 satellites in sight and locked quickly, with fair precision.
I will still experiment more and perhaps post a screenshot. Any suggestion is gladly welcomed.
Well after a week-ish I would say I am way past any doubt that this is a great device.
Regarding my initial Touchwiz perplexities, Apex Launcher solved it. I still would like to change the dpi in the menu, device, etc. But that's minor, now.
The GPS issue is also greatly reduced. Still, my Galaxy Tab 2 7" has WAY faster locking times and accuracy. I still think that the antenna is better, but it's also a larger device. It happened already with Ingress that I was sitting in a spot with friends, and nobody got a lock but me with the Tab 2. To mantain proper lock, it's important not to let the compass go crazy. Sometime it's pointing in a bad direction, then it's enough to rotate your wrist a couple of times and usually it switches back in place. Can't really whether this is software-fixable, but once you know it becomes a minor issue.
Beside, I am really starting to enjoy the S-Pen. Multitasking is great. The machine is simply -powerful-. Blazing fast in everything.
It's the fist time that stopping by an iPad test post I do NOT think "ok Apple suck but it definitively looks smoother than my android devices". On the contrary, it felt way more sluggish.
So, no, I won't sell it for the moment. I just hope that Samsung will make a reasonable software update within the next 6 months.
With the Tab2 7" they were doing a great job, I also bough it when JB got out and they did upgrade it after about 6 months, fixing most of the obvious TW shortcomings, and it's not even a flagship device.
did you have problems with gps capture?
ELCUPRA said:
did you have problems with gps capture?
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Click to collapse
Yes, losing lock and accuracy while in movement in places with non-optimal (but not bad) reception. At the same time, the compass would flicker and point in wrong directions.

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