New S4 user - Some basic ?'s

[BrittySmittyS4]

HI All!
I got a new S4 about a week ago and have some burning questions I haven't been able to figure out just yet!
For starters I feel like either A) my expectations for S voice were off or B) I am not using it correctly. I thought it was going to be a lot like Siri from the iPhone. I have never had an iPhone to really compare it to but I have seen it put to use and seems to work really well. The other day I tried using my S-Voice to locate restaurants in the area and instead of giving me a map of restaurants in the vicinity it just started navigating me to some random restaurant instead of giving me an option to choose a place? Are my settings not right or am I using it wrong? Also I feel like S-Voice is quite difficult to access. Anyone else feel this way?
Next question is the camera, which I am in love with! But I am having issues with the flash and getting it to work properly and I thought the S4 came with a panoramic option? Is this not true?
How do you create documents? Do you use S-memo and save it in a file? Or what is the "file" section even for? It let me create a new folder but I am unable to add anything to it? Is there a certain app to be used for documents?
Is there an option for creating files that can be kept locked or secret? For example, I want to create a file or S-memo to store my passwords and obviously don't want people to have access to this?
Is there a good option for a "wipe out" application to use for Samsung galaxy. I have used an application for wiping your phone and locating it if it is ever lost but it drained my battery so bad it was pointless. Any suggestions?
Lastly, how do I take screen shots?
Any other advice or tips on how to get the most out of my phone would be welcomed!
I have figured out how to use the other features like eye recognition, swiping etc..... so those are all familiar!
Thanks

 

[EvilMonkey]

Well, S-Voice isn't that great. Why not use Google Voice, which is probably more what you're looking for. I just wrote a whole guide up on it:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/300182-guide-google-now.html
To access it on your S4, you can use the Google search widget (or app) or long press your home key and choose "Google"

Camera: I don't have an S4, but I have an S3 and I am assuming the camera apps are the same (or roughly the same). The camera is sortof customizable. If you long press one of the 5 buttons on the left, you can customize what shows up there by dragging and dropping another button there. It's possible you just don't have the flash option easily accessible (although if you don't, it's always under the settings/gear icon). Panorama is also there under Settings -> Shooting mode.

The file option is like a file manager. It's not for creating documents. S-Memo is really for just taking some quick notes (which you could use any note taking app, such as EverNote for). If you want to actually create documents, you'll probably want to use something like Google Drive, which in addition to be a cloud storage solutions (for documents, files, etc), allows you to create documents:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...d=com.google.android.apps.docs&token=BCbaPetW

If you want to password protect a document, I don't think Google Drive will let you (you should have your phone locked with a pin code). However, you could use EverNote, which will allow you to password protect individual notes/documents.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...e/apps/details?id=com.evernote&token=YAxrqbF7

For wiping or locating a phone, there are a lot of options. I personally use Cerberus, which lets you locate the phone, take a photo, record audio, sound an alarm, etc.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...etails?id=com.lsdroid.cerberus&token=ADuXLSlr

Lookout is another option:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...re/apps/details?id=com.lookout&token=mOTq9AbC

I hope that helps.

 

[BrittySmittyS4]

Awesome! Thanks
I figured out the panoramic camera but I didn't know you could customize it like that!
I also figured out the "screenshot" option, but for some reason it is not working in the hand swipe mode?

 

[Dave-in-Decatur]

How do you create documents? Do you use S-memo and save it in a file? Or what is the "file" section even for? It let me create a new folder but I am unable to add anything to it? Is there a certain app to be used for documents?

Just WRT this specific question, on my Verizon S4 there is a pre-installed app called Polaris Office 5. It lets you view, edit, and create MS Office-type files (documents, presentations, spreadsheets), as well as viewing PDFs. I haven't tried it, so I don't know how well it works, but it's there. I use an app called QuickOffice Pro that offers much the same functions. The Pro version is expensive; there used to be a free version, but now they've made that for Google Apps for Business subscribers only . If your phone has Polaris 5 you might want to give it a try.

 

[rfortson]

Android Device Manager from Google will locate and wipe your device remotely.

 

[EvilMonkey]

Awesome! Thanks
I also figured out the "screenshot" option, but for some reason it is not working in the hand swipe mode?

You have to literally be touching (important that you are touching it) the screen with the side of your palm when you swipe across the screen. This video does a good job showing it:

 

[STARGATE]

For documents I use the app that came with my Galaxy S4, Polaris Office 5.

For the hand gesture to capture a screenshot you need to enable it first.

Go to Settings, My Device, Motions and gestures, long press on Palm Motion and turn on where it says Capture Screen. See screenshot.

Sent From a Galaxy S4 Away!

 

[BrittySmittyS4]

Now I am wondering how to save an imagine while on facebook or using one of the internet browsers? I used to be able to just long press on an image while surfing the web or facebook and download it. Is there is currently no option for that on the S4??

 

[Darnell0216]

Now I am wondering how to save an imagine while on facebook or using one of the internet browsers? I used to be able to just long press on an image while surfing the web or facebook and download it. Is there is currently no option for that on the S4??

FB's mobile web doesn't allow it in the way you're accustomed to. If you wish to download an image using the browser, you have to click on the image and once on the image details page, click "View Full Size" and then press and hold to save the image on the next page.

Also if the palm swipe for screenshots give you a headache like it does me, press and hold the power and home keys simultaneously until the phone clicks like it does when taking a picture.