Samsung Galaxy S4: New Options and Features in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat in GT-I9500

Today, I received a notification of a new update firmware available via OTA in my Samsung Galaxy SIV GT-I9500, I updated it and now I have a new Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. At the first glance, I noticed that this newest Android version had soft colour than the previous one. Here, I'll share you some new options and features available in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat.

Lock screen and Home screen

1. All Icons on the status bar are now black and white
   For example: if in Android 4.3 the color of the battery icon was green, now it's white and so do the other icons.
2. Full screen cover art in lock screen
   If you play a music with the Music player app, the cover art will be displayed in full screen in the lock screen.

New options and features on Settings menu

1. Camera shortcut only on lock screen
   Aside from displaying custom shortcut or not, now you have one more option to display camera shortcut only in the bottom of your lock screen.
2. Samsung applications section in Sound settings
   This section will allow you to customize ringtone/notification separately for Call, Message, Email and S Planner in one place.
3. No background color option in Power saving menu
   I don't know why this option is removed, but in the previous Android version, this option often made users have problem with background colour in Email and Browser app.
4. Single tap mode
   It allows you to dismiss/snooze alarms, calendar events, and timer alerts as well as allows you to answer or reject incoming calls with a single tap. I really like this option, no need to swipe the on-screen icon anymore :D
5. Show Talkback option in accessibility shortcut
   When accessibility shortcut is enabled, you're allowed to display accessibility shortcut or Talkback shortcut or both of them. Well, I think it will help a lot especially if you've managed enable Talkback mode accidentally because Talkback option in accessibility shortcut will make you more easier and faster to get out from this mode, compared when you should struggling swiping the screen using two fingers and select an option using double tap to go to the Talkback option through the Settings menu.
6. Manage accessibility
   It allows you to import/export/update your accessibility settings or share them with other devices via NFC.
7. Magnification gestures
   When this feature is activated, you will be allowed to zoom in and out by triple tapping the screen. While zoomed in, you can pan and adjust zoom level. This option also allows you to temporarily magnify what is under your finger by triple tapping and then holding your finger on the screen.
8. Colour adjustment
   This option will allow you to adjust the colour if the current colour makes you difficult to read your phone's contents.
9. Notification reminder
   It allows you to set intervals to remind you of any unread notifications, so no more missed notifications.
10. Google subtitles (CC)
11. Samsung subtitles (CC)
12. Assistant menu
    Enabling this option will improve device accessibility for users with reduced dexterity by displaying quick menu. Here, you can also set to place quick menu in the right or in the left side of the screen.
13. Interaction control
    When this option is enabled, you're allowed to enable or disable motions and screen time out as well as block certain areas of the screen in an app that is currently opened by pressing and holding Home key and the Volume down key at the same time.
14. 3x4 keyboard
    It's an old feature that removed in Android 4.3. Some insiders said that they missed this feature so much.
15. New looks of the Locations option
    Service locations option is now give an option to select locating methods. This menu also displays apps that currently request location information.
16. Default applications
    This option displays apps you've set as default for certain action. It'll make you more faster and easier to switch between apps available that has the same function.
17. Some options in Developer mode
18. New Easter egg animation
    If you can see a big "Bean" in Android Jelly Bean, now in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat you can see the Big "K" and "his friends" in your screen as its Easter egg animation. I love this one :) But, when I see the animation, it's like I'm seeing a Windows Phone interface :D

New options and features in Apps menu and in the apps

1. Hidden/Show hidden apps option in Apps menu is now unavailable
   Now you're only allowed either to uninstall third-party apps or disabled stock apps.
2. Show disabled apps in Apps menu
   It allows you to display all disabled apps quickly from the Apps menu.
3. Hidden items/Show hidden items in Gallery app
   While you're viewing an album, you can hide single or multiple items (photos or videos). This of course will much more easier than if you should rename the file name through My Files app to hide them. When you've had hidden items, you can also show them all using this options.
4. Quick font size option in Messaging app
   While you're displaying thread, compose a new message, reply or forward a message, you can easily find the option to adjust font size simply by tapping the Menu key.
5. Default messaging app
   This option allows you to select your default messaging app.
6. Accu weather in S Planner
   It allows you to display weather forecast in each date in S Planner.
7. Capture while watching video in Video Player
   Enabling this option allows you to display a capture icon while you're watching a video. You can use this icon to capture the video easily whenever you want.
8. New looks of the sub menu in Youtube app
   If you explore Youtube menu by tapping three-horizontal-lines icon in the left side of Youtube icon, you'll notice that they're different with the old ones.

I personally have some features I really like in Android 4.4.2, such as single tap mode, 3x keyboard, Kitkat Easter egg, hide Gallery items. So, if you've had updated your Samsung Galaxy S4 to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat and discovered a new option that has not been listed in the list above, I'll really appreciate if you willing to share them with us through the comment below :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Show Text Message Preview in the Lock Screen

Assigning message tone is one way that you can do to make you more easier to know if you have an incoming message in your phone. You can do so through Settings menu, Messaging app settings and Contacts app(it will allow you to assign different message tone for different contact).

See also: How to Change Message Tone with Three Easy Ways in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from allow you to change message tone, Messaging app also has an option called preview message that will allow you to make your phone displaying sender's name and content of received message in the lock screen and the status bar.

How to enable preview message?
FYI, this step works for all lock screen methods. But, as the example, I used swipe method to unlock my lock screen when I tried it. Well, here they are:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Preview message and then tick the box next to this option to enable it.
4. Now, when you receive an incoming text message, you can see the message preview(sender's name and content) in the lock screen and the status bar. To open it, swipe the lock screen to unlock the screen and open the message, or swipe the top of the screen to the bottom to open notification panel then tap the message notification to open it.

Indeed, this feature will be able to make you easier to know who has sent the message and what the content of the message is. But, it also can make another people easily know your message. So, depending on your priority, if you like easiness then you can try to use this feature, while if you're tight with your privacy then you may don't need to use this feature. So, how about you? Have you used this feature on your phone?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Add Text Signature in Messaging App

Messaging app is one of stock apps in the Samsung Galaxy SIV that can be used by the user to communicate with another phone users. With this app, you're allowed to send either text or multimedia messages to the desired contact.

See also: 4 Methods to Send a Message in the Samsung Galaxy S4

To facilitate the user, this Messaging app has equipped with some features, one of which is a text signature. This feature will allow you to add your own text signature up to 40 chars (letters/numbers/punctuations/symbols) then display it at the bottom of each your outgoing message.

How to enable and add your own text signature?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Signature settings section and then tick the box next to Add signature to include signature in each message.
4. Tap Signature text.
5. Type your own signature here. It may be your name or something you want everyone to read it.
6. Tap OK button.
7. Now, whenever you compose a new message or reply a message, your text signature will be included and displayed at the bottom of your message.

I've had meet a user who include a name in his signature. He did it in order to make the message recipient (especially those who haven't added him into their contacts) easily knew who was sent the message. So, how about you? If you use a text signature, what will you type there?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Setup and Use Text Templates in Messaging App

Till now, communicating use a text message still be the favourite method for most of phone users, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV users. That's because this method will allow the user to send a text message to all kinds of mobile phones and most of phones usually provide a stock Messaging app for their users so they can use it directly without having to install it first.

See also: How to Create and Send a Text Message in Samsung Galaxy S4

In Samsung Galaxy SIV itself, the Messaging app has equipped with some features that will facilitate you when you want to send a text message, one of which is a text template. You can use this feature to save your most frequently used text templates, so you'll be much more faster and easier when you want to use them every time you want.

How to edit, delete and add a text template in Messaging app?
By default, there are 10 text templates available. You're allowed to edit, delete and add a text template by following the steps below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Tap Text templates.
4. To edit a text template go to the step #5, to remove a text template go to the step #6, and to add a text template go to the step #7.
5. Editing a text template:
• Tap the desired text template you wish to edit.
• Here you can edit the selected text template.
• Tap Save button to save the changes.
6. Deleting a text template:
Method #1: Delete a single text template
• Long tap the desired text template you wish to delete.
• Tap Delete.
• Tap OK button.
• The selected text template will be deleted.
Method #2: Delete multiple text templates
• Tap the Trash can icon located at the top right corner of the screen.
• A check box will be appeared in each text template.
• Tick the check box next to the desired text templates you wish to delete.
• Tap Delete button.
• Tap OK button.
• The selected text templates will be deleted.
7. Adding a new text template:
• Tap Add (+) button.
• Here you can type your own text template.
• Tap Save button.

How to use text template in Messaging app?
You can use text template when you compose a new text message or reply a text message. Well, below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap Create new text message button .
3. Enter the desired contact you wish to send a message with in the Enter recipient field.
4. Tap the Enter message field.
5. Tap the Menu key then select Add text.
6. On pop up menu select Text templates.
7. Tap the desired text template you wish to use.
8. The selected text template will be added to your message.
9. To add more text template, repeat from the step #5.
10. Tap Send button to send your message.

Given its function, this feature will be more useful for those of you who often send similar message or when you need to reply a message with a quick answer. So, how about you? Have you ever used this feature?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Disable Notifications on Certain Application

Though not many, some of Samsung Galaxy SIV users finally decide to uninstall certain third-party app from their phone because they felt annoyed with lot of notifications were sent by that app, while it's impossible for them to turn off notification tone because they may worried missing other important notifications.

See also: How to Uninstall App in Samsung Galaxy S4

Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV with Android Jelly Bean inside has a feature that will allow you to block notifications on certain app without having to uninstall it. In some cases, it'll help the user to save their data because sometimes they may accidentally touched the notifications contain with ads/offers that make them to load referred link/webpage.

How to block certain app notifications?
Generally, there are two methods that you can choose to disable notifications on certain app.
Method #1: From Settings Menu:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application manager.
4. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the All screen.
5. Scroll down to find the desired app you wish to disable its notification, then tap the row.
6. Clear the checkbox next to Show notifications.
7. Tap OK button.
8. Now, you won't receive notification from the selected app.

Method #2: From Apps Menu

1. Go to Apps through Home screen.
2. Tap and hold the desired app you wish to disable its notification then drag it to the App info icon located at the top of the screen.
3. Clear the checkbox next to Show notifications.
4. Tap OK button.
5. Now, you won't receive notification from the selected app.

Indeed, both of methods mentioned above will allow you to block notifications in certain app, but by doing this you may miss important alerts and updates for the app. So, it'll be better if you don't disable notifications in your important apps. And for the record, some apps may not allow you to disable notifications by default.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Adjust Touch Key Light Duration

Multi Window is an advanced feature that you can find in the Samsung Galaxy SIV. This feature will allow you to open two apps at once. You can enable this feature through the Settings menu or through the notification panel. After this feature is activated, you'll see a half circle icon displayed in the left/right side of the screen that you can use to display multi window tray. If you don't see that icon, you can bring it up by long pressing the Back key.

See also: How to Enable and Use Multi Window Feature in the Samsung Galaxy S4

One day, an insider sent her email and said to me that she always had a difficulty to remember where the Back key is located when she want to bring up the multi window tray icon. Well, by default, the Menu key and the Back key only display their icon when you're touching one of them and they only light up for a few seconds, so it sometimes makes the user (especially with the new users) hard to remember which the Menu key and the Back key are. Luckily, this phone has an option which will allow the user to increase or decrease the touch key light duration.

How to adjust touch key light duration?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Display.
4. Scroll down to find Touch key light duration, then tap it.
5. Here you'll see 4 options available, they are:
• 1.5 seconds: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key remain light up for 1.5 seconds after you touched one of them.
• 6 seconds: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key remain light up for 6 seconds after you touched one of them.
• Always off: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key don't light up even when you touch them.
• Always on: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key always light up even when you don't use them.
6. Select the desired touch key light duration you wish to use.

By knowing what the function of this option is, now you can set it according to your need. So, if you have difficulty to remember where the Back key and the Menu key are located, you can increase the touch key light duration or even set them to always light up during the screen is on, and vice versa.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Turn Off the Screen Manually or Automatically

A huge screen owned by the Samsung Galaxy SIV surely will be able to improve the users' experiences of using this phone. But, in other side, the huge screen is a part of this phone that consume most of battery. Luckily, this phone has come with some options that will help their users to reduce battery consumption by the screen. One of which is a screen mode that will allow you to change the colour profile of the screen.

See also: How to Change Screen Mode in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from changing the screen mode, to save more battery, you can also turn off the screen when you don't use it. You can do so manually or you can also set your phone to automatically turn off the screen when you don't use it for a specified time.


How to turn off the screen manually?
You can do so by pressing the Power key. To turn on the screen, press the Power key or the Home key and if you turn on your lock screen you need to unlock the lock screen first before you can use the phone.

How to turn off the screen automatically?
You can set the length of time before your phone automatically turning off the screen by adjusting the screen time out. To do so, kindly follow the steps listed below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Display.
4. Scroll down to find Screen timeout, then tap it.
5. Here, you'll see some options available, they are:
• 15 seconds: select this option to make your phone wait for 15 seconds of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 30 seconds: select this option to make your phone wait for 30 seconds of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 1 minute: select this option to make your phone wait for 1 minute of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 2 minutes: select this option to make your phone wait for 2 minutes of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 5 minutes: select this option to make your phone wait for 5 minutes of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 10 minutes: select this option to make your phone wait for 10 minutes of inactivity before turning off the screen.
6. Select the desired screen timeout option you wish to use.
7. Now, when you don't use your phone for a specified period you have chosen in the screen timeout, then the phone will turn off the screen automatically and in a few seconds the screen will be locked(if you turn on the lock screen).

Indeed, more lower screen timeout means save more battery. That's why, no wonder if there are some advices to set the screen timeout as low as possible to save battery as much as possible. But, low screen timeout sometimes irritates the user, especially for those of the user who set their lock screen with Password/PIN, resulting they should entering their Password/PIN many times each time they want to use the phone. So, in my opinion, it'll be better if you choose the screen timeout option according to your need and also will make you feel comfort while using your phone.