Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks

148 Pages·2015·27.62 MB·English

Volume 3
Unlock the potential of your Samsung Galaxy device
Get more from
your Galaxy
Alpha
For Discover
phones essential
and
apps
tablets
(cid:23)(cid:3)Lollipop (cid:23)(cid:3)100% independent (cid:23)(cid:3)Google Play Store (cid:23)(cid:3)S apps

Welcome to
Samsung
Galaxy
It seems that every year the Samsung Galaxy range goes from strength to strength.
The S5 continues to prove one of the most popular Android handsets available –
understandably so with its wealth of great apps and 16 megapixel camera – while
the Tab 4 offers a fantastic option for tablet users everywhere. With this guide, we'll
take you through the tips you need to know to get the most out of your Galaxy
device. In the Tricks section, we'll take a look at how you can use amazing apps
to enhance the functionality of your Galaxy, including taking multimedia notes
with Evernote, managing your diet with Calorie Counter, and turning your device
into an electronic music-maker with Caustic. The Hacks section will take you even
further into the framework of your Galaxy, where you can discover how ROMs can
assist in improving the running of your device. Take a hacking masterclass with our
experts, extend your device's battery life and learn to automate your back ups with
Nandroid. Finally, the Apps chapter will show you some of the best apps available
on the revamped Google Play store, from the most useful business tools, to the
best ways to connect with your friends on social media.

Samsung
Galaxy
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Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the
post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may
be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are
recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has
endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.
This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
Samsung products are trademarks of Samsung Electronic Co. Ltd
Samsung is a trademark of Samsung in the United States & other countries
Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks Volume 3 Revised Edition © 2015 Imagine Publishing Ltd
Part of the
bookazine series
30 Lollipop secrets
Get to grips with some of the best hidden features in the new operating system
Page 8
Tips
30 Clock 48 S Voice 58 Play Newsstand
16 Home screen 32 Camera 49 S Translator 59 Play Books
18 Settings 34 Gallery 50 Samsung Kies 60 Google+
20 People 36 Music Player 52 Google Play 62 Hangouts
22 Phone 38 Samsung Apps 54 Play Music 64 Google Maps
24 Messages 39 S Suggest 56 Play Games 66 Google Drive
26 Email 40 Optical Reader 57 Play Movies & TV 68 YouTube
27 Gmail 42 S Health
“Lollipop is the biggest
28 Chrome 44 S Note
Android update yet”
29 Internet 46 S Planner
6 Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks
Make music on Android
Page 88
HACKING

MASTERCLASS
Tricks Hacks
96 From beginner to advanced:
Android hacks you must try
72 Create and share notes 106 Automate Nandroid backups Apps
74 Streamline your workflow 108 Manage recovery from
an app
76 Watch what you eat
122 E ssential apps
110 Modify your smartphone
78 Track your sleep habits Our pick of the five best apps from the
with just one app
Google Play Store’s top categories
80 Track a flight
112 Completely hide root
82 Buy and sell items from apps
84 Read comics on your Galaxy 114 Power up with
Xposed modules
86 Build a music-based profile
116 Tweak your ROM
88 Create music on your device
with GravityBox
90 Tell stories with photos
118 Get much longer
92 Watch TV on your device battery life
120 Automate your Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth
“Hacking
your Galaxy
opens up a
whole new
world of
possibilities”
Explore the Play Store
Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks 7
Page 52
30 Lollipop secrets
30 Lollipop secrets
Get to grips with some of the best hidden features in the new operating system
L
ollipop is the biggest update to the eagerly waiting to get their hands on the update Material design language is fantastic for making
Android operating system that we’ve – with some devices rumoured not to be getting apps and menus look clean, but they also
seen since Ice Cream Sandwich back in Lollipop until towards the end of 2015; or in contain tons of side-menus that need to be
2011. Whereas the likes of Jelly Bean (Android some cases, never. But put those fears aside, as explored to really uncover everything that
4.2/4.3) and KitKat (4.4) focused on ironing out we’re on hand to guide you through how to Android Lollipop is capable of.
some of the problems that had littered the install the Android 5.0 SDK and start exploring As well revealing some of the secrets that can
operating system for some time, Android 5.0 has Lollipop’s new features straight away. be found throughout the various menus of
completely revamped the way in which we use With such a dramatic overhaul, it would have Lollipop, we’ve gone hands-on with each of the
and enjoy our Android devices, bringing new been easy to point out the superficial changes updated Google apps to explore some of the
features and a new look with it. that most users will find on there own. Instead, exciting extras hidden away within them. Keep
Although many Samsung Galaxy phone and the following pages are aimed at helping you exploring the new OS yourself, as well. There are
tablet owners will already be enjoying all that discover some of the best Lollipop features that sure to be more secrets discovered in the
Lollipop can offer, many other users will still be take a little big of digging to uncover. The new months to come.
8 Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks
30 Lollipop secrets
Get Lollipop
on any Galaxy
Use the Android SDK to get Lollipop
on older Galaxy devices
Unfortunately for a lot of people, you’ll be waiting some time for the
offi cial Android Lollipop update to hit your device – and for some, it
may never arrive. Although built primarily for developers, the Android
SDK is perfect for those who want to get to grips with the new system
update right away. At fi rst it can be quite a daunting experience
getting it up and running, but by following the steps provided, you
should be up and running with Lollipop on your device in no time.
“The Android SDK will let
you get to grips with the new
system update right away”
Install Android 5.0 using the Android SDK
Download fi les needed  Get the tools Manage installs Accept and install
Go to the XDA Forums (forum. Go through the installation process of Use the Tools section sidebar to locate A licensing agreement will appear for
xda-developers.com), fi nd the SDK the SDK Manager. Once done, use the the Android L SDK fi les. Use the you to read before installing. Once it’s
Manager and Android 5.0 SDK. toolbar to fi nd the Tools section that checkboxes next to each fi le to make confi rmed, the install will begin. Make
Download both fi les and install them will be listed. By default, most of these sure that each one is selected, before sure your device is charged, as the
– this will take a while to complete. options are listed alphabetically. pressing the provided Install button. install will take a while to complete.
Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks 9
30 Lollipop secrets
Get a better battery life
There’s an incredible selection of options to track your Galaxy’s battery life
Check your percentage
1 Metered Wi-Fi
5
If you want to take a quick look at how much battery life you’ve got left, use two
fi ngers to swipe left on your screen. This should open up the Quick Settings menu if done Open up the Network Restrictions
correctly, where an exact percentage will be shown at the top of the screen. menu hidden away within the Data Usage
Fully charged screen in Settings. Users can now create
2 their very own metered network, whereby
Although the charging times for devices vary, once you plug your phone into a
certain bits of
charger, take a look at the bottom of your lock screen. Tucked away you’ll fi nd an estimation of
background
how long it will take for your device to be fully charged. This feature can take a few minutes to
data will be
calculate, depending on the device you’re using.
restricted. Your
What’s eating you?
3 phone will also
Use the two-fi nger swipe to once again open up the Quick Settings menu. Instead of notify you as
manually scrolling through the options provided, swipe down and select the battery icon. This and when any
will take you to fairly well-hidden Battery Status screen where you can see how long your large syncing
battery has left, and the apps that are draining it the most. tasks, or
Power Saver mode downloads
4
occur, which
Follow the step above to get to the Battery Status screen and once there, press the
could use a lot
Menu button on your device. From here you can toggle the Power Saver mode, which
of data.
ultimately will streamline your battery’s performance when you hit the 15 per cent mark. You’ll
fi nd the entire look of the battery screen will turn orange once this is activated.
Disable auto Play Flappy Create a
6 7 8
app icons Android guest profile
One of our pet hates with Android was the Every Android update includes a fun Easter If someone else would like to take your
app icons that would appear on our egg for users to check out, and the trend smartphone or tablet for a spin, but you
homescreen every time a new app was continue here. Repeatedly tap the version don’t want to allow them access to all your
installed. However, the number of your phone fi les and app, then you’ll
Lollipop update with the About Phone need to create a guest
rectifi es this problem settings until a Lollipop profi le. Head to the Users
by enabling users to go screen appears. Now section and fi nd the
into the Play Store app press on the screen, guest option listed. This
and disable the option where you can now play profi le will then be
from within the app’s an Android-themed available via your device’s
Settings menu. version of Flappy Bird. lockscreen.
Stay awake “OK Google… set a
9 10
reminder”
If you like to keep an eye on your device
while it’s charging, check out the Stay Awake Google Now has undergone a massive visual
feature. Go through the Settings menu and fi nd change in Lollipop, but most of the new features
the Developer Options menu near the bottom. are well hidden. The fi rst thing to check out is the
From here, turn the toggle to on before enabling Reminders feature; this changes Google Now
the Stay Awake option provided. When charging, into a basic alarm system for events and
your device will no longer turn itself off . It’s appointments. To fi nd it, open Google Now and
advisable to turn this feature off when you’re tap the Settings icon within the search bar. The
trying to sleep, however! Reminders option is at the bottom of the list.
10 Samsung Galaxy Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks