Samsung Galaxy S4 Review

Samsung! The latest launches from Samsung, the Samsung Galaxy S4 are an intriguing offering. Though many would find it hard to distinguish between the Galaxy S3 and S4, the S4 is surely and advanced version of the S3 and has a lot to offer to its ever expanding consumer base. The one change that most people were expecting and were disappointed was in the body of Galaxy S4. The plastic-like appearance of the Galaxy S3 walks in rebranded with the Galaxy S4.

The full HD AMOLED screen is fast becoming a signature mark for Galaxy S4. The Galaxy S4 works to the advantage of the consumer with improved looks and screen resolution. The body is smaller and thinner as compared to the Galaxy S3. At 5 inches the phone certainly has a longer display surface as compared to its competitors like the HTC One and Sony Xperia Z. however; the resolution hardly gets distorted thanks to the pan-viewing angle of the device.

The 1.6 GHz processor with a 2 GB RAM is a decent combination. Though, HTC One and Sony Xperia Z houses better processors, the Galaxy S4's processor gets the job done for the Jelly bean Android OS. Samsung is good at packing small innovations with high impact on the users. With the Galaxy S4, the new Smart Stay technology claims to ad an intuitive feel to user experience. It tracks the eyeball movement of the user and pause the videos on gaze.

The internet browsing experience is taken to a whole new level. A 2600 MaH battery powering the Galaxy S4 supports the device positively. A 13 MPa rare camera works well to its favour but the front camera is frankly a disappointment. The internal and external memory is not a cause of concern in any of the high end smart phones, and Galaxy S4 is not an exception to the same.

Samsung has invested heavily in the marketing campaigns and strongly favoured a guerrilla marketing strategy for most of its launches. Having set the benchmark quite high with the galaxy S3, the galaxy S4's pre-launch hype certainly created a lot of anticipation around the seemingly feature-rich phone. But, what eventually turned out was a (comparatively) dismal show from a phone that was set to revolutionize the smart phone market and drive the fringe elements of Sony, LG and HTC out of the competition. Instead, Galaxy S4 has provided them an opportunity to come back and strike Samsung hard by making a dent in its market share.

Samsung is quick to learn from its mistakes. It definitely would have sensed the mood after the galaxy S4's launch. With the HTC One and Sony Xperia Z knocking hard on their doors, Blackberry gearing up with Z10 and Q10, Samsung's investments in R&D will have to be ramped up and complemented with smart product features. A long standing complaint about the 'plastic-feel' in Samsung Galaxy series has to be addressed in its next version. Especially with the competitors edging them up.

Top Features of Samsung Galaxy

After a lot of excitement in the news media, finally the unveiling of Samsung Galaxy S4 has brought its features and specifications in the light. Many have believed it to be a tough competitor against its age long rival Apple. However, it seems that both have distinct qualities to make them popular amongst technology users. Shoving off the comparison and contrast between the Android based phone and the iOS device let us find out what new has been added to Galaxy S4. Based on the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean this version sports TouchWiz UI that brings with it added features.


The S Factor


Galaxy S4 sports quite a few S features. The S Translator is one such feature that helps in translating languages. This works in E-mails, chats and messages equally. This does helps in getting across and reaching out to more people globally. Making interaction and communication easier is what this feature all about.

There is another S feature, S-Voice Drive; this helps you with guided voice navigation that comes handy when you are driving. For those who are health conscious and want to keep up to date with their fitness level the feature of S-Health is an advantage. It helps in keeping a track of workout sessions, dietary intake, and weight management, help monitor your blood pressure and even keep a track of your blood glucose level.


Smart Scroll Functionality

The most talked about feature of Galaxy S4 is the Smart Scroll. The impression was that of tracking your eyes to scroll the text. However, it is something different from what had been interpreted by technology media. Smart Scroll is a feature that is motion sensor controlled. As soon as you tilt your phone, the internal motion sensors register the movement and accordingly scroll across the screen. Additionally, the feature of Smart Stay is also included that senses your eye movement when you look at the screen or away from it.


Smart Pause

Smart Pause tracks your eye movement from the front camera. It will sense your eye movement, for example until you are watching a video the video will keep playing, as soon as you take your eyes off it the video will pause.


Redesigned Camera App

The camera app is loaded with new and improved features. For example, when you are capturing a picture you can record an audio of 9 seconds along with it. Additionally, the feature of Drama Shot is capable of creating action captured via burst mode. You have captured a picture of someone playing tennis; you can combine all pictures and create an action of the tennis player. This way you will be able to create an act of player playing tennis. Another thing that comes added to the camera app is Dual Camera features. You can simultaneously shoot from the front and rear-end cameras at the same time. Now you can shoot a group picture with you in it utilizing this function.


NFC and Group Play

NFC technology has a lot of added advantages, one of them being added to Group Play to enable better interaction. Additionally, Wi-Fi Direct helps in playing music and games together. Glu and Gameloft have designed their games to adapt to this technology. Now you can add 8 players and battle against each other or together in a game.


WatchON

WatchON is yet another feature that is added in the Samsung Galaxy S4. This feature is what gives you the freedom to control your TV set with your Smartphone. This app has an IR blaster that can easily control your remote controlled devices easily. Another thing amazing about this app is that this app is not limited to Samsung cinema boxes and other such flagships.


Air View Feature


The inclusion of the latest feature by the name of Air View is interesting add. Now you need not touch your device, just hover on the screen to zoom in, launch a video, access speed dial and much more. This is the best feature added by Samsung, as now you need not use any stylus or S pen to perform the tasks.

Tips for Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Here are some tips that you can apply for better user experience.

Basic Tips

• Changing Color Tone :You can change the color tone of your phone to your liking by Settings - Display- Screen Mode. Now a list of three modes will be displayed including Dynamic, Natural and Standard.
• Enabling Blocker Mode : During a meeting or while you are busy with some other work you do not want to be disturbed with unwanted calls or notifications. You just need to block the function that includes calls, timers, notifications, alarms and LED flash. Enable the Blocker Mode and choose the setting for an entire day or a few hours.
• Using Air View : The Air View is the best feature offered by Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Now you need not touch the surface of your phone to activate functionalities or for preview of thumbnails. You just need to hover your stylus over the surface.

Camera and Video Tips

• Camera app : The camera app is equipped with burst mode that enables in capturing many images in one go by holding down the icon. You will also be able to utilize the additional picture editing options.
• Video Effects : Video effects include colorization, fast motion and slow motion. Additionally the feature of Digital Image Stabilization helps in improving your video output.
• Floating Video Player : The floating video player helps switching between a film and browsing activity. Use the feature of Pop Up Play to do so.

Screen Tips

Easy Mode : As soon as you switch on your Note 2 you get the option of Easy mode and Basic mode to choose from. The Easy mode includes the most used apps, frequently used settings and contact. While the Basic mode is more like a general set up with various features and functionalities. To switch you can use the settings app.

Lock Out : Lock Out is a feature that enables the screen to keep running till your eyes are on the screen. This is possible by the front camera that monitors your eye movement.

Managing Home Screens : A pinch gesture will zoom out to help you view all your home screens. This way you can easily choose which screen to remove and in re-arranging the entire home screen view.

S Functionality Tips

Capturing Screenshot and Clippings :

• Hold down your S Pen button pressing it on the screen to capture a screenshot. This screenshot is editable before you decide to save it.
• Hold down the S pen and draw a shape to save the contents displayed on the screen. You can share this image via E-mail, MMS and on other apps that connects you to your social network.

S Voice, Planner and Note

• S Voice is the voice assistant by Samsung to enable most of the functionalities that Siri does for Apple. However, you can use S voice for turning on/off Wi-Fi internet.
• S planner app has replaced the calendar app. It can be used by performing gestures like pinching and stretching. This way you can switch between the entire calendar entries and view it accordingly. Additionally you can even add notes to it.
• The S Note helps in quickly scribbling notes. You can save anything that you scribble including mathematical and scientific formula.

Other Tips

• Saving Power : Using the Power Saver Mode you can turn on/ off features that consume battery power. You can manage brightness, background color and CPU power level.
• Motion Control Feature : The motion control comes handy for performing gestures including pan to tilt, zoom and move. You can easily play racecar games and other such games that require using this feature.