Samsung Features
How To: Memory Full? Optimize the Photos on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 to Free Up Storage Space
While the increasing superiority of smartphone cameras is great, they can be a double-edged sword. Sure, we get great images that are crystal clear, but at what price? Storage space on your devices ends up paying the price for this luxury, filling up quickly due to the high-quality images and their grotesquely large size. Not only that, but most photo editing applications only make it worse. Adding a few filters, changing the hue/saturation, or adding some text across the picture can all incr...
How To: Save Space & Increase Speed on Your Samsung Galaxy S4
Not too long after getting a new device, you probably start installing any and all apps that seem fun and interesting. But after having used the device for a considerable period of time, those extraneous apps begin to take their toll.
How To: Play Classic Nintendo (NES) Games on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
Video games are one of the few items that have successfully advanced and adapted over decades, while still holding its "old school" value.
How To: Fix the Wi-Fi Roaming Bug on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
The Samsung Galaxy S III is undoubtedly a great phone, but still has some minor issues to work out.
How To: Make Your Samsung Galaxy S3 Dynamically Adapt to Whatever Mood You're In
There's no shortage of cool customizations for my Samsung Galaxy S3, except when it comes to the launcher. Sure, there a ton of Android launchers out there, like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, that allow you to customize app placement, app grouping, infinite scrolling, etc. There's even Facebook Home for those who are Facebook addicts.
How To: Get Sleek Ubuntu-Style Lock Screen Notifications on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
Ubuntu isn't just a cool sounding name, but pegs itself as the world's favorite free operating system. It gained its popularity for being lightweight, fast, and visually appealing, and now that great look and speed can be placed right on the lock screen of your Samsung Galaxy S3.
How To: Invert the Stock Samsung Keyboard on Your Galaxy S5 for Easier Typing in the Dark
I'll give Samsung credit where it's due—the stock keyboard on the Galaxy S5 is actually pretty nice. There's a dedicated number row that resides at the top (something that the Google Keyboard needs a hack to achieve), and various settings exist to make switching between languages a breeze.
How To: Unlock Your Fingerprint-Protected Galaxy S5 Using Only One Hand
The fingerprint sensor on the Samsung Galaxy S5 gets a little flack for its functionality, and that's mainly because the setup instructions ask you to swipe your index finger over the sensor to unlock your device or make mobile payments (and of course, because it was already hacked).
How To: The Best Way to Automatically Adjust Screen Brightness on Your Samsung Galaxy S3—Exactly How You Like It
"Ain't No Sunshine" might just be a classic song to you, but for me and my Samsung Galaxy S3, it means so much more. For the most part, my GS3 does a decent job at automatically adjusting the brightness of the screen when I'm in normal lighting, but when I'm in little or no lighting, or there's just way to much, I usually have to switch over to manual to get the right balance. Luckily, we're not stuck with Samsung's built-in auto brightness feature. There are some really good third-party solu...
How To: Get Auto-Rotating Google Now Wallpapers on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 Home Screen
There are hundreds of sites that host high-res wallpapers for your Android's home screen, but most of us stick with the same old drab stock wallpaper because we're too lazy to go hunt for new ones.
How To: Turn a Samsung Galaxy S4 into a Remote Control for Netflix & Other Desktop Programs
One of the coolest features that Samsung built into the Galaxy S4 is the infrared (IR) blaster and WatchON software to control your television. I've been using my GS4 for the past few weeks to control my DirecTV setup and it works great. Smartphones are truly becoming all-in-one devices these days.
How To: Get a Feature-Packed, iPhone-Like Lock Screen for Your Galaxy S6 or Other Android Device
With an Android device, you can replace almost any default app with a third-party offering. Don't like your home screen app? Replace it. Tired of the text messaging interface? Upgrade it. The same can be said for Android's lock screen. But while many third-party lock screen apps are available, so far, only one has been designed with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and its fingerprint scanner in mind.
How To: Enable Single-Swipe Notifications in Full-Screen Apps on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Although the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a speedy device, one feature that feels a bit slow is swiping down from the Status bar to see the Notification tray when I'm using a full-screen app. When a full-screen app is open, I have to swipe down not once, but TWICE, on the upper portion of the screen in order to bring down the Notification tray.
How To: Get Popup SMS Alerts & Reply from Within Any Full Screen App on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
Whenever the word "popup" pops up, I immediately cringe because all I can think about are those obnoxious ads that ruin my everyday browsing experience. But, not all popups are evil.
How To: Control When the Alarm Icon Shows Up in the Status Bar on Your Samsung Galaxy S4
One of the things I hate most about Android's alarm clock is that you get the alarm icon in your status bar way ahead of time. Regardless of whether the alarm is in five minutes, five hours, or five days, that icon just sits in your status bar.
How To: Forward Missed Call Alerts & Text Messages on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 to an Email Address
There are some calls you really don't want to miss. Whether it's "I'm going into labor" or "We have some questions about your résumé," not being able to answer or respond to certain messages can cause some serious problems.
How To: Improve Weather Forecasts on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 or Other Android Device
70 degrees, 8 mph winds, and sunny clear skies. That's the current forecast here in Los Angeles and I can't really complain. However, if you don't live in Southern California, checking the weather may be the difference between getting stuck in a snowstorm or remembering to bring an umbrella.
How To: Add the Control Center Style Quick Settings from iOS 7 onto Your Samsung Galaxy S3
There are very few things Android users would want to borrow from Apple's iOS, but let's move beyond the fanboy/girl biases and admit that Apple actually does a few things pretty well. One of those things is looks, and the new iOS 7 looks pretty amazing to me.
How To: Mimic the S5’s Selective Focus Camera on Your Galaxy S4 for More Impressive Photos
The recently released HTC One M8 and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 are both boasting selective focus features for their camera apps, but with a 13 megapixel camera, the GS4 can take some pretty stellar pictures, too.
How To: Make the Notification Panel Translucent on Your Samsung Galaxy S4
There's a lot you can access from the Notification tray on your Galaxy S4. Quick settings toggles, brightness controls, and of course, notifications. However, despite the power this simple pull-down gives you, you're still left with a boring, black background for the shade.
How To: Get Rid of Annoying Startup, Camera, & Low Battery Sounds on Your Samsung Galaxy S5
I have the AT&T version of the Galaxy S5, so every time I start my phone I get the pleasure of hearing AT&T's lovely jingle. Actually, that's sarcasm—I absolutely abhor this sound. I haven't had the chance to play around with a Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon variants of this phone, but I imagine they have some sort of equally annoying boot sound.
How To: Be a Multitasking Ninja with Floating Apps & Notifications on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
From a very early age we have an intrinsic obsession with things that float. Why do you think we love balloons and bubbles so much? So, it's no surprise that our smartphones are being invaded by floating features.
How To: Prank Friends, Cheat Games, & More with Android Bot Automation on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2
During a contest in 2010 regarding which country Justin Bieber should visit next on his tour, North Korea won by a landslide. Unfortunately, he never went, and that's partly because nobody in the internet-less dictatorship probably voted. Instead, the contest was rigged by 4chan members and a few playful bots that voted for NK hundreds of thousands of times. What this shows is that not only is Justin Bieber an asshole, but that bots can be used as a very powerful tool—not only to cause mischi...
How To: Float Any Widget Above an App on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2
When it comes to multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the master of all smartphones, thanks to its huge screen size and many features. The phablet's display compliments its multi-window mode, which lets you run two apps simultaneously side by side Another cool feature is floating apps, which makes multitasking even better. So, with all of these cool features, what else could possibly be added to the Note 2's arsenal that it doesn't already have?
How To: Get the Exclusive Activity Zone App from the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active on Your Note 3
Last week, I showed you a peek at the not-yet-released Galaxy S5 Active, the more rugged version of Samsung's current flagship. The man behind those leaks, TK Tech News, has now brought another goodie from the device, and it's one we can have on the Galaxy Note 3.
How To: Get Floating Banner Alert Notifications on Your Galaxy Note 2 or Other Android Device
Included among the many new features in Android L is the new "Heads Up" notification system, showing notifications as interactive floating windows anywhere on your device. Floating windows are nothing new, though, as we've already showed you how to get floating widgets, floating application shortcuts, and even floating notifications.
How To: Save Battery Power on a Samsung Galaxy S4 with Moto X Style "Active Display" Notifications
According to a new study, the majority of smartphone users check their devices 150 times a day. While that number may seem incredibly high at first glance, the influx of notifications and amount of social media apps available reduce the initial shock and make the number seem not so preposterous after all. Yeah, even on a date.
How To: Manage All Your Cloud Storage Accounts from One App on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Cloud storage looks pretty good compared to the heavy restrictions that hard drives and other types of external memory carry. The cloud is not only limitless in what it can hold, but it can also easily be accessed from any device that has Internet—your smartphone, work computer, personal laptop, tablet, and more. While accessing a specific cloud storage system like Dropbox or Google Drive may be easy on your Samsung Galaxy Note 2, managing all of them individually can not only get confusing, ...
How To: Keep the Display Off When Receiving a Notification on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2
As is the case with most smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2's screen turns on whenever you receive a text or picture message. While having the screen turn on when you receive a notification is handy to have (especially when the phone is on silent), it isn't always preferable. Having your screen turn on for every notification can be quite the distraction, especially at work or school. I find myself watching the screen turn on from the corner of my eye, then rushing over to it and see who t...
How To: Get Some of Jelly Bean 4.2's Cool Features on Your Samsung Galaxy S III Right Now
Google's newest Android system update should be arriving on Tuesday, November 13th, with the release of the Google Nexus 4 smartphone, and Nexus 7 and 10 tablets. All will come preloaded with the new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS, but what about the rest of you (especially those with the Samsung Galaxy S III) who just got Jelly Bean 4.1.1?!?
How To: Replicate the Moto X's "Active Listening" Hands-Free Assistant on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
On the new Moto X smartphone, the only thing you have to do to activate the virtual assistant is say "Okay, Google Now." That's it. You don't have to press a button or tap on the display at all. It's always ready for your voice commands via its "Active Listening" feature, making it a truly hands-free experience.
How To: Play Nintendo DS Games on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Have a load of games you want to play, but don't want to be seen in public playing on your old school Nintendo DS system? Play them on your Samsung Galaxy Note 2!
How To: Play Old Sega Genesis, Sega CD, & Sega Master System Games on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
The world of Android gaming is much bigger than what's available in the Google Play Store. If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3 or other Android device—don't just stop there—a hidden treasure of games lies in those boxes of old, dusty game cartridges in your closet.
How To: Get Complete Control Over System Audio & Alert Sounds on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
The sound I get when receiving a new text message is the camel from that Geico commercial yelling "Hump Day!" Sure, I could find a less obnoxious notification sound, but it makes me laugh every time, and that's important.
How To: Measure Area & Distance Directly in Google Maps on Your Galaxy Note 3
Utility tool apps provide extremely powerful and useful lightweight replacements for your parents' heavy archaic tools—everything from flashlights to tracking systems and more.
How To: Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy S4 Using Customizable Swipe Gestures
As far as lock screens go, your Samsung Galaxy S4 and other Android phones offer quite a few options. You can use the classic PIN unlock, the novelty facial recognition, or the reliable pattern lock. But what if you get tired of entering the same old PIN or pattern every day?
How To: Give Your Android Phone Some “Material Design” with Google's New Calculator App
With Google's latest version of their mobile OS, Android L, the most notable aesthetic difference is the newly introduced Material Design concept that will soon be ever-present through the interface. The objective of this bold design is to create "hierarchy, meaning, and focus," as described by Google, and the deliberate choices of color and white space "to create immersion and clarity."
How To: Play Your Favorite N64 (Nintendo 64) Video Games on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
There was a time in my life when I could think of nothing but getting home and playing Super Smash Brothers on my Nintendo 64. It was just something about tossing Mario across the map with Donkey Kong that seriously made me feel like an OG, not to mention that it was the first fighting game to compile a bunch of popular Nintendo characters together.
How To: Black Out System Apps on Your Samsung Galaxy S5 for Better Battery Life
As I've explained before, black app backgrounds save you a bit of battery life on your Samsung Galaxy S5. This is because the AMOLED display on your S5 does not have to power pixels or a backlight for portions of the screen that are black.
How To: Play Your Google Music Library in Any Music App on Your Galaxy Note 3
As great as Google's own Play Music app is, your MP3 library is restricted to Google's own app. There are much better music players that give Google Play Music a run for its money, but duplicating music files on your device for this reason alone is a waste of storage space.