Galaxy S4 looks a LOT better now (retail price is...)

[onthecouchagain]

The soft home button is always there....I personally find a tap easier than a swipe (although we really are splitting hairs here)...

Not for the S4.

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I found this! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android&hl=en

Can any of y'all give it a shot? Especially if you're familiar with Zephyr. Is it anything like it?

 

[jrswizzle]

Not for the S4.

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I found this! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android&hl=en

Can any of y'all give it a shot? Especially if you're familiar with Zephyr. Is it anything like it?

Ehh I guess. I don't mind the home button on my iPhone either....easy to press to wake the device and I personally have never had an issue with them breaking.

Not all that concerning to me.

I've use swypepad and its pretty sweet, though not completely what you're looking for - at least from my uses of it.

Swipe from preset regions (3 on each side, upper middle and bottom and along the top and bottom of the screen) which takes you into a sort of grid of apps or shortcuts or widgets (direct dials). I'm not sure if you can set it for the types of gestures you want as I deleted it.

 

[Oohara]

Can any of y'all give it a shot? Especially if you're familiar with Zephyr. Is it anything like it?

Kind of, but it's not invisible. Watch that video, you can swipe from wherever you want within an app, but it brings up an app drawer of sorts and you have to choose something on it. It works for going from one app to another, but it doesn't look very nice (in my opinion).

 

[jaymzuk]

$579 for plastic!

I'll choose function over form thank you very much

 

[cynics]

$579 for plastic!

Samsung will likely never use a glass back but will continue to use NFC and replaceable battery therefore it can't be metal. This limits the options tremendously.

They could probably think something up but more then likely it will have to have some plastic in it so might as well make the whole thing that way.

People are constantly mentioning how Android fans thought the iPhone 4/4S was dumb because it had a glass back but its ok for the N4. My response to that is at least the glass back serves a purpose with NFC and wireless charging. I never had an issue with the 4/4S design....probably one of the reasons I still use one.

 

[onthecouchagain]

thing is, you can make the g as small and transparent as you want. you could even choose another picture of whatever to replace the g.

what ive done, ive made the g very small (as big as an icon in the notification bar) and almost transparent and put it in the left corner below the notification bar. its almost invisible and did not disturb me in any of the apps.

The issue, if I'm understanding the app correctly, is that it takes you to another app to put in the gesture. The G itself isn't where the gesture is activated. Correct?

 

[Apollo 13]

Most ppl in the U.S don't pay full retail for phones. I use to but as I got older and found out how stupid I was.

 

[onthecouchagain]

EDIT: if you're OK with rooting there's GMD GestureControl of course, I'd forgot about that one when i dismissed rooting due to wanting to keep Touchwiz functions for the Note 2, but I've read many good reviews of it. It lets you do pretty much anything with gestures from within any app.

Yeah, I'll have to consider rooting if I get the S4. Damn Samsung and their decision to cling to the archaic physical button.



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If I don't root, I guess I'll just have to get used to the physical button of the S4.

The other option is to get the HTC One, but I have so many reservations about that device.

Or... keep the iPhone.

 

[LorPGDL]

The issue, if I'm understanding the app correctly, is that it takes you to another app to put in the gesture. The G itself isn't where the gesture is activated. Correct?

you tap the g, then draw the gesture you have assigned to go back to home.

you dont per se go to another app, the g activates an overlay which lets you draw gestures, but you are still in the other app.

 

[onthecouchagain]

you tap the g, then draw the gesture you have assigned to go back to home.

you dont per se go to another app, the g activates an overlay which lets you draw gestures, but you are still in the other app.

I see. Gotcha. I do appreciate the suggestion.

 

[cynics]

Most ppl in the U.S don't pay full retail for phones. I use to but as I got older and found out how stupid I was.

I don't pay anything for my phones but why would you consider paying retail stupid?

I think they are a few good reasons too.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Update: Samsung to price the Galaxy S4 exactly as it did the Galaxy S3 last year with its $199 and $249 price points, as well as contract-less models at $599 and $649 for 16 and 32 GB storage models, respectively. The Samsung Galaxy S3, which has already seen a price drop, will likely continue selling between $49 and $99.

So what's the price for the 64gb model, $700?

Or does the quoted price stand for 32gb at $599 and 64gb at 649? If that's the case is the 16gb lower or the same price as the 32gb?

 

[Tig Bitties]

So what's the price for the 64gb model, $700?

Or does the quoted price stand for 32gb at $599 and 64gb at 649? If that's the case is the 16gb lower or the same price as the 32gb?

That $579 price for the 16gb model unlocked contract free, did sound too good to be true. The Note 2 16gb model direct from AT&T was $649, so I guess $599 for the 16gb S4 is a price break ?

But for $349, the Nexus 4 is a crazy good deal, yeah no LTE, nothing bigger than 16gb, no removable battery, but it's $250 cheaper.

 

[bmt134]

Why do people complain about plastic phones when most people wrap their phones in plastic cases anyways?

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Why do people complain about plastic phones when most people wrap their phones in plastic cases anyways?

Because they get to call their precious tin phones "Premium".

 

[onthecouchagain]

It looks like SwipePad is the way to go.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Sensamic]

It looks like SwipePad is the way to go.

Thanks for everyone's help.

GMD Gesture Control.

Its like Zephyr with way more options. Need root.

 

[KentuckyHouse]

Hey - off-topic, but I wanted to say good luck to your Wildcats....I hope my Baylor Bears get another chance to beat ya'll in the NIT....

Sad, but it's all I have sports-wise right now until baseball gets going...

Haha, thanks man. It's a strange feeling having to go to the NIT the year after winning the title, but it is what it is. We had our chances and just couldn't get it done.

Next year, though...watch out. I'm not kidding when I say we could very well go undefeated. No joke. Just wait.

Good luck to your guys too. I hope we get to see you again in a week or so. :thumbup:

 

[Alfuh]

Yes

So for costing 65% more, is the S4 a 65% better phone over the N4 ? I would not say so, yes the Galaxy S4 is a better phone than the Nexus 4, no doubt, but spec wise is not that much better, maybe a 1/3rd better phone in my opinion. Based on these noob simple calculations the S4 should cost like $465

But then we are not factoring in the Nexus-Five, which will be the Nexus equivalent to the S4, the N5 should have equal, or most likely better specs than the S4, and still only cost like $349/$399.

Look at this way, last year in 2012, would you rather pay $649 for the Galaxy S3, or $349 for the Nexus 4 ? I will take the N4 all day long over the S3. Not just due to pricing, but the N4 is just a better phone, not by much, but still little better in my opinion.

So in 2013, would you rather have the S4 @ $579, or the Nexus-Five which most likely won't be over $400.

The Nexus phones are cheaper, plus guaranteed to be first with the newest Android OS right away. Sure I know the Nexus phones seems to skimp out on some things to keep costs down, lately being cheap cameras, and not the best batteries. But I would surprised if the Nexus-Five doesn't have a better camera over the N4, and larger battery this time. Also would guess the Nexus-Five will have a 32gb option, and shocked if it doesn't include an LTE version.

I would love the next Nexus (or X Phone, whatever is coming out this year) to be a great phone and tremendous value. I would have to say that as much as I like the Nexus 4 I wouldn't get one right now because of the battery and camera.

Coming from a long line of iPhones I'm also pretty pleased that Samsung has replaceable batteries and SD slots vs. the closed off glass design.

Either way I'm waiting to see a few more models before I decide if its worth an upgrade this year

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Most ppl in the U.S don't pay full retail for phones. I use to but as I got older and found out how stupid I was.

You should rethink that statement. Maybe when you get even older...

I used to pay $180 per month for mine and my wife's iPhones on AT&T. Now I'm off contract and pay $98 for both each month (on straight talk so I'm still using AT&T network).
By the time a year is up I would have saved just short of $1,000. Which can get one or both of us new phones ... each year (if I wanted). So stick with that two year contract and extortionate service.

But at least you aren't paying full retail

 

[LSUtigers03]

Haha, thanks man. It's a strange feeling having to go to the NIT the year after winning the title, but it is what it is. We had our chances and just couldn't get it done.

Next year, though...watch out. I'm not kidding when I say we could very well go undefeated. No joke. Just wait.

Good luck to your guys too. I hope we get to see you again in a week or so. :thumbup:

That is a bit odd. Reminds me of when LSU won the title in football in 2003 then went 8-5 the next year . Although to be honest i was a little upset when Kansas lost last year. Going into the title game my bracket was at 99.7% of all brackets and I picked Kansas because I knew most people would take Kentucky. You guys will be back up very soon. Teams with top talent and a top coach don't stay down long. Good luck at least your team is in the post season. I'm taking off work thursday and friday with no one to cheer for.

 

[Djlild7hina]

must resist the urge to buy s4 lol. I remember my s3 cost like 650? then again I bought it in taiwan... can't wait for reviews for both the international (octa-core) and lte versions

 

[rMBP15]

I hate the touch back button on Galaxy phones... I always accidentally touch it

 

[Apollo 13]

I would love the next Nexus (or X Phone, whatever is coming out this year) to be a great phone and tremendous value. I would have to say that as much as I like the Nexus 4 I wouldn't get one right now because of the battery and camera.

Coming from a long line of iPhones I'm also pretty pleased that Samsung has replaceable batteries and SD slots vs. the closed off glass design.

Either way I'm waiting to see a few more models before I decide if its worth an upgrade this year

----------



You should rethink that statement. Maybe when you get even older...

I used to pay $180 per month for mine and my wife's iPhones on AT&T. Now I'm off contract and pay $98 for both each month (on straight talk so I'm still using AT&T network).
By the time a year is up I would have saved just short of $1,000. Which can get one or both of us new phones ... each year (if I wanted). So stick with that two year contract and extortionate service.

But at least you aren't paying full retail

Me paying full price doesn't make my phone bill any cheaper. Maybe it works that way in your 3rd world country but here in the US it doesn't. So it's better for me to buy my phone on contract like most ppl in the US.

 

[iEvolution]

Not a Samsung hater but I really wish Samsung would stop using that cheap plastic, especially on its breakout phone (S series).

 

[mib1800]

Not a Samsung hater but I really wish Samsung would stop using that cheap plastic, especially on its breakout phone (S series).

Is it in your definition any plastic is cheap?

I am glad Samsung use plastic for S4. The back plastic on my S3 still looks brand new after 8 months of use without external case (any phone just looks horrible with an external case). The plastic back cover fits snugly, feels solid and looks nice with its two-tone curved profile. Plus it is easily changeable which means I can use the phone with no external case without worrying about it.

Worst material are those unchangeable one piece anodize aluminium case used in Iphone5/HTC one which stain (or oxidize), dent and scratch easily. And it is more difficult to get grime off a matt metal surface compare to a glossy plastic one.