Document a Hidden Feature

[smurph#AC]

Great phone! I've done nothing for the past two days other than play with this phone. As I use the phone I find a different way to do something.

I'm new to Android, so much of this could be normal for others.

Here is a start of a "new to me" feature list for the Captivate. Lets keep this to the core installed functionality.

The four buttons at the bottom (not sure of the proper names)
Menu, Home, Back, Search

Hold down the Menu button for the Quick Search Screen
Hold down the Home button for the last six apps
Hold down the Search Button for Google Voice Search

Anyone else find a surprise feature?

SMurph

 

[atlkr5]

Not yet but thanks the Google Voice Search is new to me.

 

[alias3800]

Something interesting to me: You can adjust the brightness right on the bottom edge of the notification bar. Before dragging it down at all, swipe left to right to control brightness.

Also, the 5.1 surround sound works with any video stored in the phone's memory (gallery) as long as you have headphones plugged in. It "separates" the channels pretty well and really adds to the whole "mobile media" experience. Lovin' movies on this thing so far..

 

[taylormah]

Something interesting to me: You can adjust the brightness right on the bottom edge of the notification bar. Before dragging it down at all, swipe left to right to control brightness.

This is really interesting. But I didnt fully get the dragging down and swiping part. Can you please explain in details. Thanks for sharing it..

 

[alias3800]

Yeah np.

If you were to slide the notification bar 100% of the way down, at the very bottom you'd see a light grey bar that doesn't quite make it to the bottom. This light grey bar is where you will be sliding your finger from left to right. However, all you need to do first is bring the notification bar down 1% (so that the only visible part is this light grey bar) and then you can slide your finger on the light grey bar from left (dimmest) to right (brightest).

 

[alphadog]

The samsung keyboard has directional arrows and copy paste keys if you tap and hold the number key/ text input key

 

[Lyanheart]

SWEET! Those arrow keys and copy/paste buttons are wonderful!

 

[anthonok]

Yeah np.

If you were to slide the notification bar 100% of the way down, at the very bottom you'd see a light grey bar that doesn't quite make it to the bottom. This light grey bar is where you will be sliding your finger from left to right. However, all you need to do first is bring the notification bar down 1% (so that the only visible part is this light grey bar) and then you can slide your finger on the light grey bar from left (dimmest) to right (brightest).

holy crap thats why I've had brightness issues!!!

 

[anneoneamouse]

Calculator app - turn it sideways to access the scientific version.

Coooool.

AoN

 

[gspeed]

Great phone! I've done nothing for the past two days other than play with this phone. As I use the phone I find a different way to do something.

I'm new to Android, so much of this could be normal for others.

Here is a start of a "new to me" feature list for the Captivate. Lets keep this to the core installed functionality.

The four buttons at the bottom (not sure of the proper names)
Menu, Home, Back, Search

Hold down the Menu button for the Quick Search Screen
Hold down the Home button for the last six apps
Hold down the Search Button for Google Voice Search

Anyone else find a surprise feature?

SMurph

non of those are hidden features/surprises. That is the core functionality of all Android devices. Android 101.

Don't mean to be disparaging or condescending. Welcome to the world of Android!

 

[JackImageX]

If you sync an Exchange account, you can set the days and times you want to sync your mail with the exchange server (click on the mail for that account and go into settings).

That's a GREAT feature for saving battery life on a weekend or at night or if you are going on vacation and just don't want to see your work mail!

 

[Lyanheart]

If you have your phone turned off, the Alarm Clock won't work...

Don't laugh... EVERY phone I've ever owned still had the alarm go off if you have the phone turned off and on the charger for the night.

 

[Obeg]

Yeah np.

If you were to slide the notification bar 100% of the way down, at the very bottom you'd see a light grey bar that doesn't quite make it to the bottom. This light grey bar is where you will be sliding your finger from left to right. However, all you need to do first is bring the notification bar down 1% (so that the only visible part is this light grey bar) and then you can slide your finger on the light grey bar from left (dimmest) to right (brightest).

Dag nab it - this just totally does not work for me. Don't know what I am doing wrong from what you describe.

 

[Lyanheart]

This only works if you uncheck the automatic brightness adjustment in the display settings menu. You just touch the notification area at the top and slide your finger left and right without pulling down the notification pane.

 

[savagemonk]

If you're having trouble with this one.....You must first go into the phones *"Settings"
*then "Sound and Display"
*then click "Brightness"
*and finally uncheck "Automatic Brightness Adjustment"

Now you can set the brightness with the notification bar trick, as he suggested.

 

[cyriene]

I'm new to Android and didn't about some of these functions, very helpful!