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Galaxy S4

T

tjl3

macrumors 6502a
Mar 8, 2012
595
4
bmac4 said:
What do you mean? What would you like to be done differently? I am sure Samsung and others will add to it.
Click to expand...

Well for one, you can only have 1 widget per lock screen page. Unless you use a full length password, it's faster to just unlock your phone and go about your business (aside from the first screen).

To scroll to the next page you need to grab the edge of the screen instead of swiping page to page.

I believe (altho it's been a while since I tinkered with it) that not all widgets are available. I don't remember if you get full control of the widget, so someone else would have to speak on this.

The layout is awkward in that each page has its borders showing (this one is tough to describe). But think how Sony has set up its app drawer, and this is how it looks.

Don't get me wrong, I wish Apple would implement lock screen widgets. But I also think the Apple lock screen is set up that it needs lock screen widgets more. Because when you wake iPhone, it wakes to the lockscreen. But when you wake a stock Android phone, it doesn't always.
 
C

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
tjl3 said:
Have you guys used lock screen widgets before? I hope it gets reworked in KLP, because it is not a pleasant experience. I'm all for choice and options, but it feels like a rushed feature, think Siri in Beta.
Click to expand...

I've used them but haven't really found too much of a need. I do like the "what song is this" lock screen widget since its something I generally want to quickly but aside from that I don't use them. I don't particularly like the look of them either.
 
bmac4

bmac4

Suspended
Feb 14, 2013
4,885
1,877
Atlanta Ga
tjl3 said:
Well for one, you can only have 1 widget per lock screen page. Unless you use a full length password, it's faster to just unlock your phone and go about your business (aside from the first screen).

To scroll to the next page you need to grab the edge of the screen instead of swiping page to page.

I believe (altho it's been a while since I tinkered with it) that not all widgets are available. I don't remember if you get full control of the widget, so someone else would have to speak on this.

The layout is awkward in that each page has its borders showing (this one is tough to describe). But think how Sony has set up its app drawer, and this is how it looks.

Don't get me wrong, I wish Apple would implement lock screen widgets. But I also think the Apple lock screen is set up that it needs lock screen widgets more. Because when you wake iPhone, it wakes to the lockscreen. But when you wake a stock Android phone, it doesn't always.
Click to expand...

Yea I understand. I really don't use them very much because all the things I would use it for I can just swipe down the notification and see. All I would use it for would be emails and SMS.
 
Tinmania

Tinmania

macrumors 68040
Aug 8, 2011
3,528
1,016
Aridzona
tjl3 said:
Well for one, you can only have 1 widget per lock screen page. Unless you use a full length password, it's faster to just unlock your phone and go about your business (aside from the first screen).

To scroll to the next page you need to grab the edge of the screen instead of swiping page to page.

I believe (altho it's been a while since I tinkered with it) that not all widgets are available. I don't remember if you get full control of the widget, so someone else would have to speak on this.

The layout is awkward in that each page has its borders showing (this one is tough to describe). But think how Sony has set up its app drawer, and this is how it looks.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct. I tried lock screen widgets on my Nexus 4 and did not like them at all (as few as there were). Grabbing the edge of the screen is just downright annoying in my opinion. Negates any speed benefit of just unlocking the screen.

I actually prefer the approach on my Note 2. Granted there are few options, but I like having weather and a news ticker on there.



Michael
 
onthecouchagain

onthecouchagain

macrumors 604
Mar 29, 2011
7,382
2
I have to confess, as a future HTC One owner, I can't help but feel I'm missing out on Samsung's Smart features.

I could see myself really enjoying Smart Stay, for example. I find myself constantly tapping my screen just to keep it awake when it starts to dim while I'm still reading something.

By the way, I really find it ridiculous when people point out Smart Stay doesn't work in the dark. Yes, cameras have a hard time seeing in the dark. Shocker. So when you're in the dark, you use the phone like you normally would. What's the big deal? But when you're in light or using it during the day, the feature is there for you to make things a little easier. And when camera technology gets better in the dark, Smart Stay will get better too. Welcome to technology.

I feel like I'm missing out on Smart Rotation, too. I'm always locking/unlocking the rotation because I'm laying on my side using the device but still looking at the screen portrait-wise.

Rock on, Samsung. There are plenty of things to criticize them for, but putting in too many features is not one of them, which some people seem to have a problem with (I think the real problem is jealousy ;)).

Are there apps for these features on the Play Store?
 
T

thehustleman

macrumors 65816
Jan 3, 2013
1,123
1
onthecouchagain said:
I have to confess, as a future HTC One owner, I can't help but feel I'm missing out on Samsung's Smart features.

I could see myself really enjoying Smart Stay, for example. I find myself constantly tapping my screen just to keep it awake when it starts to dim while I'm still reading something.

By the way, I really find it ridiculous when people point out Smart Stay doesn't work in the dark. Yes, cameras have a hard time seeing in the dark. Shocker. So when you're in the dark, you use the phone like you normally would. What's the big deal? But when you're in light or using it during the day, the feature is there for you to make things a little easier. And when camera technology gets better in the dark, Smart Stay will get better too. Welcome to technology.

I feel like I'm missing out on Smart Rotation, too. I'm always locking/unlocking the rotation because I'm laying on my side using the device but still looking at the screen portrait-wise.

Rock on, Samsung. There are plenty of things to criticize them for, but putting in too many features is not one of them, which some people seem to have a problem with (I think the real problem is jealousy ;)).

Are there apps for these features on the Play Store?
Click to expand...

Thank you!

You come with a new feature and they call it a gimmick
 
roxxette

roxxette

macrumors 68000
Aug 9, 2011
1,507
0
I just go to settings and disable the automatic lock :eek: no need to worry about screen dimming etc
 
adder7712

adder7712

macrumors 68000
Mar 9, 2009
1,923
1
Canada
onthecouchagain said:
I have to confess, as a future HTC One owner, I can't help but feel I'm missing out on Samsung's Smart features.

I could see myself really enjoying Smart Stay, for example. I find myself constantly tapping my screen just to keep it awake when it starts to dim while I'm still reading something.

By the way, I really find it ridiculous when people point out Smart Stay doesn't work in the dark. Yes, cameras have a hard time seeing in the dark. Shocker. So when you're in the dark, you use the phone like you normally would. What's the big deal? But when you're in light or using it during the day, the feature is there for you to make things a little easier. And when camera technology gets better in the dark, Smart Stay will get better too. Welcome to technology.

I feel like I'm missing out on Smart Rotation, too. I'm always locking/unlocking the rotation because I'm laying on my side using the device but still looking at the screen portrait-wise.

Rock on, Samsung. There are plenty of things to criticize them for, but putting in too many features is not one of them, which some people seem to have a problem with (I think the real problem is jealousy ;)).

Are there apps for these features on the Play Store?
Click to expand...
Same here, I actually find Smart Stay and Smart Rotation to be quite useful.

I now find it irritating if I browse the web on my iPad and the screen powers down.
 
jrswizzle

jrswizzle

macrumors 603
Aug 23, 2012
6,107
129
McKinney, TX
onthecouchagain said:
I have to confess, as a future HTC One owner, I can't help but feel I'm missing out on Samsung's Smart features.

I could see myself really enjoying Smart Stay, for example. I find myself constantly tapping my screen just to keep it awake when it starts to dim while I'm still reading something.

By the way, I really find it ridiculous when people point out Smart Stay doesn't work in the dark. Yes, cameras have a hard time seeing in the dark. Shocker. So when you're in the dark, you use the phone like you normally would. What's the big deal? But when you're in light or using it during the day, the feature is there for you to make things a little easier. And when camera technology gets better in the dark, Smart Stay will get better too. Welcome to technology.

I feel like I'm missing out on Smart Rotation, too. I'm always locking/unlocking the rotation because I'm laying on my side using the device but still looking at the screen portrait-wise.

Rock on, Samsung. There are plenty of things to criticize them for, but putting in too many features is not one of them, which some people seem to have a problem with (I think the real problem is jealousy ;)).

Are there apps for these features on the Play Store?
Click to expand...

You know you could simply lengthen the time (in settings) that it takes for the display to dim out if you find it always dims while you're still looking at it.....

Hell you could turn it off all together if you'd like.
 
onthecouchagain

onthecouchagain

macrumors 604
Mar 29, 2011
7,382
2
jrswizzle said:
You know you could simply lengthen the time (in settings) that it takes for the display to dim out if you find it always dims while you're still looking at it.....

Hell you could turn it off all together if you'd like.
Click to expand...

Yup. But battery would drain should I leave the device unattended without turning off the screen, which I sometimes do. Sometimes I leave the phone on my desk to run off to do something else without putting it to sleep.

With Smart Stay, you don't have to make that compromise.
 
M

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
However, smart stay sometimes picks out objects in the room that it thinks are eyes, and keeps the screen on. This would have far more dire consequences on the battery and has happened to me on a few occasions on my s3. I hope smart stay is improved on the s4.
 
L

Lindsford

macrumors 6502a
Mar 14, 2012
531
18
samven582 said:
it went back to the 30th again :(
Click to expand...

Those bastards! I freaked out when I saw that yesterday and did a legitimate heel click. Now for nothing... I'm going to be optimistic and say orders up until it changed back to the 30th will ship early... Fingers crossed. :eek:
 
E

Essenar

macrumors 6502a
Oct 24, 2008
553
186
Food for thought:

For gamers, the best device on the market is the iPhone 5 because there's just more games and better development. The second best is... Wait for it... The Nexus 4. The 3dMark benchmark shows favoritism to the Adreno 320 and Mali based gpu's get crushed.

As it stands, the Note 2 and GS3 get crushed by the Nexus 4.

More food:

The Exynos Octa-Core crushes the US based Snapdragon.

I've heard T-Mobile is launching the S4 on the 24th so people who ordered to have it shipped might get it a few days after people who just walk into the store and buy it. Don't believe the hype, almost every new phone is available in the store and rarely sells out.
 
T

tjl3

macrumors 6502a
Mar 8, 2012
595
4
Ok I misspoke about the GPU, my bad for not thoroughly researching that! Now US customers and Snapdragon 600 variant consumers can QQ =(
 
Last edited:
M

Markyboy81

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2011
514
0
Essenar said:
Food for thought:

For gamers, the best device on the market is the iPhone 5 because there's just more games and better development. The second best is... Wait for it... The Nexus 4. The 3dMark benchmark shows favoritism to the Adreno 320 and Mali based gpu's get crushed.

As it stands, the Note 2 and GS3 get crushed by the Nexus 4.

More food:

The Exynos Octa-Core crushes the US based Snapdragon.

I've heard T-Mobile is launching the S4 on the 24th so people who ordered to have it shipped might get it a few days after people who just walk into the store and buy it. Don't believe the hype, almost every new phone is available in the store and rarely sells out.
Click to expand...

Is this post just to make people who have already ordered feel bad?
 
C

cuzo

macrumors 65816
Sep 23, 2012
1,069
249
onthecouchagain said:
PhoneArena had the first review, but the review as garbage and just reiterated mostly stuff people knew already. It wasn't thorough at all.

Looking forward to this one...
Click to expand...

Post your thoughts, I think the htc one is toast, the software will entice many people.

I wouldn't buy the htc one at all.
 
onthecouchagain

onthecouchagain

macrumors 604
Mar 29, 2011
7,382
2
Wow. That review made me really want the S4.

... oh my.

The S4 just looks so well rounded and good all around. There doesn't seem to be any compromises whatsoever. Especially the camera.

The same really can't be said about the One.
 
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