Galaxy S4 Guides

jelly bean 4.2

Top 10 new or improved features in Jelly Bean 4.3 update for your Samsung Galaxy S4

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galaxy S4 Jelly Bean 4.3 updateMore and more users are getting the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean 4.3 ) update for the Galaxy S4. You may wonder what the new features are, because there are almost no changes in the appearance.

In this post, I will share with you the top 10 new or improved features you will find after the Jelly Bean 4.3 update.  Some features may be what you want; some may be not.

10. New: Samsung Wallet comes, even if you don’t like it

Samsung Wallet is now pre-installed after Jelly Bean 4.3 update for your Galaxy S4.

Do not confuse Samsung Wallet with Google Wallet.  Samsung Wallet is not a digital wallet and  you can’t use it for payment. In fact, Samsung Wallet works just like Apple’s Passbook for iOS: it wants to be a one-stop destination for all your tickets, loyalty cards, membership cards and coupons.

You can actually get this app from Google Play store if you own any of the other 4 support devices: Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 3.

The review of this app is mixed. But overall, if you want something like passbook in iDevices, Samsung Wallet probably is a good option.

9.  New: Samsung KNOX rules your Galaxy S4

Samsung KNOX is a container (something like virtual machine)  for enterprise users.  You now have two  independent environments:  personal (where you control everything and share whatever you want) and  corporate (where your IT admins can set rules and access the data in the container).

For most consumers, this is probably not so useful.  For some avid hackers, this can be disastrous because of the secure and trusted boot, which prevent rooting and  flushing.

8. New: Galaxy Gear Support

Samsung Galaxy Gear is neither a matured  nor an innovative gadget.  But the … Read the rest

Google Play Store Edition Galaxy S4: is it better or worse than the original S4?

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gogole-play-edition-galaxy-s4As announced in Google I/O 2013, Google edition of Galaxy S4 now is available  for order on Google Play Store (US only currently). You can get one at $649 with free shipping.

Google edition Galaxy S4 comes with stock Android 4.2.2. It means it is a vanilla version of Android like that in Nexus devices. The controversial TouchWiz skin  was stripped, and the stock UI was loaded. So, users will get the “pure” Android experience without bloatwares and hacks from manufactures. The 16GB Google Play version of Galaxy S4 has a usable storage of 12.65GB; while the original one you get from the carriers has only about 9GB.

Sizable Nexus users have been enjoyed such benefits for long time.  Nexus devices receive the update from Google directly. This means once the new version of Android is announced, the Nexus users will get it just in a couple of days.  However, for Samsung Galaxy S, S2 and S3 users, they have to wait at least 6 months to get such updates. In some regions, the update may be not available at all.

Another benefit enjoyed by  Nexus users is that there are no bloatwares from manufacturers and carriers. such bloatware not only eats the precious internal storage, but also may degrade the performance of the handset. Most of the bundled apps are not needed for most users.

Of course, some customizations from the manufactures  do add extra functions and features. For example, most of the prominent (useful or useless) features in Galaxy s4 as explained in the S4 features page are only available from Samsung.

Google edition of Galaxy S4 has no differences with  the original S4 when we talk about the hardware. Both comes  5″  full HD AMOLED display,  Qualcomm Snapdragon 600,  2GB RAM, 13MP/2MP … Read the rest

How to install Flash on Galaxy S4 (and make it work!)?

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enable flash on galaxy s4

Update: After KitKat (4.4) update, you must use the unofficial APK file to make Flash player work on Galaxy S4 again. Please read Part 3 for details on the Flash Player APK file for KitKat.

Update 2: If you updated Galaxy S4 to Android Lollipop, please follow this guide to make Flash work on your Galaxy S4.

Once you get your hands on your brand new Galaxy S4, you may encounter the Flash issue. Galaxy S4 does not support Flash!

Even after you side-load the Flash (see below on how to do this),  neither the stock browser (Internet app) nor  the bundled Chrome recognize Flash.

For Chrome for Android, we all know Flash has been never supported. Do not confuse this Chrome with the Chrome on your desktop.

But for the stock browser, it is quite strange, because the stock browser (with Jelly Bean 4.2) in Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 all work charmingly with Flash!.  For Jelly Bean 4.1, there are no issues even on Samsung’s own handsets, for example, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2. What’s wrong?

Apparently, the stock browser in Galaxy S4 was altered by Samsung to block Flash plugin and other plugins as well.

So, to make Flash work on your S4, we need both Flash player (which is not pre-installed) and a third-party browser.

Before jumping to how to do this, let’s get some background information on why Flash has been an issue for Jelly Bean.

Flash was banned by Apple on iOS! The official explanations include: 1) Flash is not open (same as iOS); 2). There are better alternatives; 3). Reliability, security and performance issues; 4).Battery life issues; 5).Flash is not for touch screen; 6). Flash is a cross platform development tool.  Actually, the last one is what Apple fears… Read the rest

Galaxy S4 or Optimus G Pro? Here is the comparison

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s4-vs-optimus-g-proLG is not a new player in smartphone, but it never delivered a memorable products until Nexus 4, a collaboration with Google. Nexus 4 has been one of the most desired Android phones. But due to limited coverage on devices in Play Store, many potential buyers do not have the chance to order one.

Instead of bringing Nexus 4 to more markets, LG chose to release an own branded LG Optimius worldwide. It is a smart move to build own brand and this is probably also the purpose of Google to avoid the monopolization of Samsung in Android market.  Optimus G shares many similar design elements found in Nexus 4. The build quality is  incredible.

However, Optimus G is a bit outdated now, and its direct competitor is Galaxy S3. So, this year,  during the Mobile World Congress 2013, LG announced the Optimus G Pro. It seems LG is a bit confused on the positioning of this device. The 5.5-inch screen puts it in the phablet segment; however, lack of stylus obviously disadvantage itself against Galaxy Note 2. You may refer to  the comparison of Optimus G Pro and Galaxy Note 2.

Very likely, LG also expected this Optimus G Pro to be a rival to Galaxy S4. Will this one-stone-kill-two-birds product strategy work? At least, based on our review, it lost the battle against Galaxy Note 2. Now let’s compare it with Galaxy S4.

Design and build quality

Optimus G’s design and build quality is extrodinary, probably only HTC One can compete against it. But unfortunately, as design and build quality is concerned, Optimus G Pro has nothing to do with Optimus G. Optimus G Pro looks like a copycat of Galaxy Note 2!! Plastic was chosen to replace the glass. This is a serious joke if … Read the rest