5 Hidden features of Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung Galaxy S4 is a powerhouse when it comes to hardware virility. Everything about this phone is over the top, the display, the processor and of course the TouchWiz software interface. But many of S IV features are hidden deep inside various settings and for this reason only the average user won't even be aware that this features exist. Let's bring some of them out of the dark and on to your phone!

1. Two fingers Swipe down for quick access tray

 

 

You probably familiar with the fact that you can swipe down one finger on the screen and get to one of the best feature of an Android smartphone, notification tray. But did you try to swipe down two fingers on the screen? Did you? Well, if you didn't then do it. You will be presented with the Quick Access Tray from where you can quickly get to your favourite settings. Don't like the default layout? Tap&hold the tiles and rearrange or add new ones to Quick Access Tray!

2. Custom Sound Quality

Buried deep inside audio settings you will find Adapt Sound option. This little feature will personalized your audio experience on Samsung Galaxy S4. For this to work you will need your Galaxy's headphones, exceptionally good i may add, and when using this headphones you will hear the most noticeable difference. During the audio setup, the Galaxy S IV will calibrate the sound for each ear and will compensate any shortcomings. It will adapt and personalize low, medium and high sounds for you auditory system. You will immediately notice a difference in audio calls, music and other sounds from your phone.

3. Check Notifications without touching the Galaxy S4 

 

For this feature to work you will have to turn it on here: Settings-My Device-Motion and Gestures-Air Gesture. Now you will be able to check for missed calls, emails and notification by simply waving your hand in front of the phone when Samsung's Galaxy S IV display is turned off. This particular Air Gesture is called Quick Glance.
There are other useful air gestures like Air-Browse, Air-Move or Air-Jump which are designed to offer access to various settings and perform different action without you having to even touch the phone.

4. Blocking Mode for call and notification filtering

This blocking features of the Samsung Galaxy S4 can easily replace any paid application from Google Play Store and will save you a couple of bucks.  But more important, this options will give you peace of mind because they can filter out any insistent phone marketeers, ex-girlfriends/boyfriends or annoying notifications. And i choose the word filter because  once this mode is activated it will block all the above and will let in only calls and notifications that you consider important. You will find this option under Settings-My device-Blocking Mode.

5. Built-In Data Traffic Monitor

 

Samsung Galaxy S4 Built-In Data Traffic Monitor

 

Even in this day and age, the day of WI-FI everywhere, the big telecom company’s insist in holding a firm grip on their inflated revenues generated by data transfers. I will not even go in the roaming tariffs. So, back to the topic. You can find this very useful option, especially if you travel a lot, and in the mean time save again a few bucks by not having to purchase an app for this task. You can be sure that you are staying in the limits of your plan by simply setting alerts accordingly to your data plan. You can even spot which app on your smartphone is a data-hog.

Of course there are many other settings, tools and option but some of the fun of having a new phone is to discover them by yourself. ( or maybe just my excuse for not making a top 10 list ;o ). Many other windows will open for you if you root your Samsung Galaxy S4.

If you know about more semi-hidden, not-so-obvious settings in Samsung Galaxy S4 please feel free to drop them in the comments below.

By Aleman Adrian

How to root the Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT I9500)?

So, you've just indulged your gadgetry cravings and got yourself a gorgeous new Samsung Galaxy S4. An adorable electronic apparatus, wouldn't you say so? You know find yourself in the peculiar situation of caressing its smooth curves, staring at its splendid Super AMOLED screen and trying to figure out how could someone possibly take full advantage of  its insanely powerful processor. 

But... maybe you demand more! For instance, maybe you want even more processing power from that octa core beast and you decide that you need to overclock it. Maybe TouchWiz ( Samsung property user interface) isn't your cup of tea or maybe you  hate the amount of bloatware that comes with your new Samsung Galaxy S4.  If this is the case, you should take in consideration the fact that there is a way to gain more control over your Samsung Galaxy S4  and in Android terms this can only mean one think: rooting.

Samsung Galaxy S4

A reminder:  tampering with your smartphone's firmware, like we gonna do, can have negative consequences. There is a minor risk  that you could end up with an unresponsive handset  and you will void your warranty. You have been warned! On a more calm note, all the modification that you do to your phone, like rooting, can easily be undone and your warranty will be valid once again.

And without further ado, I would like to introduce the steps that you need to take to successfully root your brand new and shiny Samsung Galaxy S4.

1. First things first: pre-requisitions

• download the appropriate Samsung Galaxy S4 USB drivers for your PC
• download Odin 3.07 which will help you to actually root and flash your smartphone
• download  CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500 (don't ask, it's magic)
• unzip, install what you have to install and put the above downloads on your desktop

2. Prepare your smartphone

Enabling USB debugging mode on Samsung galaxy S4

• go in to Settings/More/About device and scroll down until you reach Build Number 
• now, tap fast&repeatedly the Build Number until it says you are a developer(wow, that was easy!)
• go back to Settings/Developer Options and turn ON USB Debugging like in the picture above
• it is safe now to do a full backup of your phone by installing Rom Manager from Play

3. Rooting Samsung Galaxy S4

Rooting Samsung Galaxy S4

• power off your Galaxy S4 and boot the device into Download Mode. To do this you will have to press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons in the same time until the Android robot and a triangle appears on the screen 
• press the Power button again to continue and be able to enter Download Mode. 
• once in Download Mode, execute Odin 3.07 on your computer and then connect Galaxy S4 to the PC using USB cable. You have to wait until Odin detects the device.
• after Odin detected your device, in Odin, click the PDA button and select  CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.zip file.
• make sure that  Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes are selected in Odin. 
• uncheck the Re-Partition option and  click the Start button in Odin. 
• the installation process will begin now and it should be over in a few minutes. After the installation process is finished, the smartphone will reboot into Recovery Mode and will automatically install the root package. 
• and that's it, you are done Sir! You have just successfully rooted your Samsung Galaxy S4

I advice you to wait for the 4.2.2 Jelly Bean updates for your Galaxy S4 that will be provided by Samsung in the next couple of weeks and only than apply the rooting procedures presented above. Why? Because after you have rooted your phone you will not be able to get official Samsung Galaxy S4 updates OTA (over the air). And one final disclaimer:  I am not to be hold responsible if you brick or damage in any way your phone. Root on your own risk  the general guidelines that i have provided are just that, general guidelines.

By Aleman Adrian