Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Voice Command in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If previously we have learnt about the wake-up command that will allow you to perform specified functions using your own wake-up commands when the screen is locked, now we'll learn about another voice-based feature called the voice control. The voice control feature will allow you to perform some functions/actions using predefined voice commands while you're using certain apps.

How to enable voice command?
Before using predefined voice commands to control your phone, you have to enable the voice control option by using the following steps:

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Scroll down to find Voice control and then slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable this option.
4. Tap Voice control and then enable/disable the following options:
• Incoming calls: enable this option if you want to be able to answer or reject calls by using voice commands "answer" and "reject". When this option is enabled, the speaker will turn on when you answer a call by using voice command.
• ChatON: enable this option if you want to be able to answer or reject ChatON voice and video chat by using voice commands "answer" and "reject". When this option is enabled, the speaker will turn on when you answer a call using voice command .
• Alarm: enable this option if you want to be able to stop or snooze alarms by using voice commands "stop" and "snooze".
• Camera: enable this option if you want to be able to take pictures with the stock Camera app by using the voice commands "capture", "shoot", "smile", "cheese" or record videos by using the voice command "record video".
• Music: enable this option if you want to be able to control music by using voice commands "next", "previous", "play", "pause", "volume up" and "volume down".
5. Done. Now, you're ready to use predefined voice commands on your phone.

How to use voice command?
Assuming that you have enabled the voice control and then enabled all voice control options, then you can use predefined voice commands as described in the following steps:

I. Answer or reject incoming calls

1. When you have an incoming call, the voice command icon will be displayed on the status bar.
2. Say "answer" to answer the call.
3. Say "reject" to reject the call.

II. Answer or reject ChatON voice or video calls

1. When you have a ChatON voice call or video call, the voice command icon will be displayed on the status bar.
2. Say "answer" to answer the call.
3. Say "reject" to reject the call.

III. Snooze or stop alarms

1. When your alarm goes off, the voice command icon will be displayed on the status bar.
2. Say "snooze" to snooze the alarm.
3. Say "stop" to stop the alarm.

IV. Taking pictures or record videos

1. Open Camera app.
2. You'll see the voice command icon in the quick settings is enabled as a sign that you can take a picture or record a video by using predefined voice commands.
3. Say "capture" or "shoot" or "smile" or "cheese" to take a picture.
4. Say "record video" to record a video.

V. Controlling music

1. Open Music player app.
2. You'll see the voice command icon on the status bar as a sign that you can use predefined voice commands in to control music.
3. Say "play" to play the recently played song.
4. Say "pause" to pause the currently played song.
5. Say "next" to play the next song in the playlist.
6. Say "previous" to play the previous song in the playlist.
7. Say "volume up" to increase the volume.
8. Say "volume down" to decrease the volume.

Voice commands provide you another way to control and interact with your phone. Now, you can perform some functions or actions using predefined voice commands instead of touching the on-screen icons or pressing the physical buttons.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Wake Up Command on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Swipe is the easiest and simplest screen lock method that is enabled by default in the Samsung Galaxy SIV.  If the swipe method is enabled you can easily unlock the lock screen by swiping your finger on the screen. Though this method has no security but it has more options/features if compared with other screen lock methods, one of which is the wake-up command feature. By enabling this feature, you can set your phone to recognize your wake-up command to perform a specified function while the screen is locked (e.g: unlock the screen, play the music, open the Camera app, etc).

How to enable and configure the wake up command feature?
Before using the wake up command feature on lock screen, you have to enable it first and then set the wake up commands by using the following steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. With the "Swipe" has been selected as the screen lock method, scroll down to the Wake up in lock screen and then enable this option by ticking the checkbox in the right side of this option.
5. Tap Set wake-up command.
6. Tap Wake-up function 1 and then select from the following functions:
• Unlock: select this function to unlock the screen.
• Check for missed calls: select this function to check for missed calls in the call logs.
• Check for missed messages: select this function to check for new messages in the Messaging app.
• Open Camera: select this option to launch the Camera app.
• Check Schedule: select this option to check your today's schedule.
• Play Music: select this option to play the recently played song in the Music player app.
• Record Voice: select this option to launch the Voice recorder app.
• Turn on/off Hands-free mode: select this option to enable or disable Hands-free mode.
7. Select the required function.
8. Tap the mic icon located at the bottom of the screen.
9. Now, you have to say the word or phrase you want to use as the wake-up command 4 times. To help the device easily recognize your wake-up command, use 3-5 syllables and maintain constant intonation.
10. When your four wake up commands have been successfully recognized, then tap Done button.
11. To set other wake-up functions, repeat from the step #6.

How to use the wake-up command?
If you have enabled and configured the wake-up commands, then you can use them to perform a specified function directly from the lock screen. The following is an example on how to use the wake up command:

1. If your screen is off, press the Home key or the Power key to display the lock screen.
2. You'll see the mic icon on the status bar as a sign that the wake-up command on lock screen is enabled and can be used by you.
3. Say the required wake-up command.
4. The device will perform the function, e.g: if you say the wake-up command to play the music, then the device will automatically play the recently played song in the Music player app.

How to customize the wake-up command?
In case you want to know your current wake-up commands, change the current wake-up command or function to the new one as well as reset the wake-up functions, then you can do so by using the following steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. With the "Swipe" has been selected as the screen lock method, scroll down to the Set wake-up command and then tap it.
5. Tap the required wake-up function you want to customize and then select from the following options:
• Listen to my voice: tap this option to listen to your current wake-up command.
• Change command: tap this option to change the current wake-up command to the new one. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the wake-up command recognition.
• Change function: tap this option to change the current function to the new one without changing the wake-up command.
• Reset: tap this option to revert back the selected wake-up function to the default.

Aside from giving you another alternative way to control and interact your phone, the wake up command will also be able to help you to save your time because you can quickly and easily perform a specified function directly from the lock screen. As a note, since you're only allowed to assign 4 wake-up functions, thus it'd better if you set them to perform the most frequently used functions.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use the Best Face Mode in Camera App in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

The stock camera app in Samsung Galaxy SIV has several modes that will allow you to get a better photo, one of which is the best face mode. This mode will let the camera to take multiple shots in quick succession and then allow you to select the best face for each of the subjects/persons on the photo and then combine them to create the best possible image.

How to use the best face feature?
You can enable and use the best face feature by using the following steps:

1. Open Camera app.
2. Tap and then select Best face.
3. Point camera to the subject.
4. If necessary, you can adjust the zoom level by using the Volume key or using gestures (pinch the screen or spread two fingers apart together on the screen).
5. If necessary, you can also change the focus manually by tapping anywhere on the screen where the camera should be focused.
6. Tap to take multiple photos. To get the best result, make sure to hold the phone as steady as possible until the camera has finished taking 5 photos.
7. You'll be shown with the review screen and you'll see each of the recognized faces will be shown with a yellow frame around it.
8. Tap the yellow frame on each person on the photo and then select one of the best faces that is displayed at the bottom of the screen. The best face will be labelled with .
9. Tap Save button to combine the selected best faces into a single photo and then save it.

Given the function, the best face mode is best used to take a group shot since it will allow you to select the best face of each person on the photo. By using this mode, now you can save yourself from the problem of unwanted face expression of a person in a group photo.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Best Photo Mode in Camera App in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Have you ever had a friend who was always blinking when photographed? If that so, you can fix this problem by taking his photo using the best photo feature owned by the stock camera app in Samsung Galaxy SIV. By using this mode, the camera will take a series of photos in quick succession and then allow you to select which best photos you want to save.

How to use best photo feature?
You can take a best photo shot by using the following steps:

1. Open Camera app.
2. Tap and then select Best photo.
3. Point the camera to the subject.
4. If necessary, you can adjust the zoom level by using the Volume key or by using gesture (pinch the screen or spread two fingers apart together on the screen).
5. If necessary, you can also change the focus manually by tapping anywhere on the screen where the camera should be focused. The focus icon will turn green when the focus point is locked.
6. Tap to take a best photo. The camera will take 8 photos in sequence therefore you have to hold the phone as steady as possible while the camera is taking the photos to get the best result.
7. All captured photos will be displayed at the bottom of the screen and one of them has been selected by the device as the best one and labelled with .
8. You can also select more best photos by tapping and holding the thumbnail of photos you want to set as best photo. All best photos will be labelled with .
9. Tap Save button to save the best photos and discard the rest.

FYI, the best photos will be saved into the internal storage automatically regardless the default storage you have set in the camera app settings. In other word, you can't save the best photos into the SD card.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Beauty Face Mode in Camera App in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Have you ever felt dissatisfied with your portrait photo because your face was having acne or had large pores? If that so, you may have to try the beauty face feature in the Samsung Galaxy SIV. This mode will enhance your portrait photo by removing the facial flaws (e.g: noises, acne, pores, etc) so that your face will look smoother and clear.

How to use the beauty face feature?
You can enable the beauty face mode and then use it to take a better portrait photo by using the following steps:

1. Open Camera app.
2. Tap and then select Beauty face.
3. If you want to take a beauty face shot with the front camera, tap to switch from the rear camera to the front camera. But, if you use the front camera, the zoom function can't be used and the focus point can't be changed.
4. Point the camera at the subject. As a note, make sure the subject is not too close and it gets enough lighting so that the camera can easily detect the face.
5. If you use the rear camera, you can adjust the zoom level by pressing the Volume key or by pinching the screen/spread two fingers apart together on the screen. You can also change the focus manually by tapping anywhere on the screen where the camera should be focused.
6. The camera will detect the face and show the enhanced face in real time.
7. Tap to take a beauty face shot. The camera will capture the photo and make some necessary adjustments automatically to correct facial imperfections. You can see the picture below to know the differences when you take a portrait photo with and without using beauty face mode.
   
   
   

This mode will beautify your face by removing the facial flaws as much as possible to get smoother and clear face. Unfortunately, in some cases, too many adjustments will make your face looks unnatural or waxy.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Drama Shot Feature in Camera App in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Drama is a camera mode available in the stock camera app in the Samsung Galaxy SIV. By using this mode you will be allowed to take a series of photos of a moving object in sequence in one frame and then combine them into a single image. Given its function, this mode will be helpful if you want to show a trails of the movement or show the speed of a moving object within a single image.

How to take a drama shot?
Before taking a moving object using drama shot, you have to meet all of the following conditions so that you can get the best result:

• The subject is moving in one direction.
• No other moving object in the background.
• The color of the subject and the background should be different.
• The subject is not too close or too far away to fit within the viewfinder. It needs to be done so that the subject has enough space to move from one side of the camera's preview screen to other, thus you can capture the movement of the subject across the entire screen.
• The subject is not too long such as bus or train so that the trails of movement can be captured in one frame.

If all conditions above have been met, than you're ready to take a drama shot by using the following steps:

1. Open Camera app.
2. Tap and then select Drama.
3. By default, the camera will focus in the middle of the screen. So, if necessary, you can change the focus manually by tapping anywhere on the screen where the camera should be focused. The focus icon will turn green when the focus is locked.
4. Tap to take a drama shot. The camera will capture the moving object in several times in sequence within one frame, thus you have to hold the phone as steady as possible until the camera has finished taking a series of photos.
5. All captured photos will be displayed at the bottom of the screen and you can select which photos you want to combine.
6. Tap Save button.
7. All selected photos will be combined into a single image. You can see the picture above to know how a drama shot image will be looked like.

FYI, I've ever read in Samsung website that this mode could capture an object that was moving at 160 miles per hour with a good result, but I personally have not ever managed to capture a moving object with high speed because the subject was always blurred or didn't captured well. I thought it caused because I didn't hold the phone steadily while the camera was taking the moving object. So, how about you? Have you managed to capture a moving object with this mode?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Configure Color Adjustment in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy S5 provides the users with various useful features, one of which is the color adjustment feature. This feature is designed for those of users who have difficulty to distinguish the colour or have difficulty to read the display because its colours. By enabling this feature, you will be asked to complete the initial color adjustment process and the phone will use the result to determine whether the colours of the display need to be adjusted or not.

How to enable and configure colour adjustment?
To get the best result, do the initial color adjustment process in an environment with normal indoor lighting so that you can distinguish the color well. You can enable and configure color adjustment by using the following steps:

1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
2. Tap to go to the settings menu.
3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Personalization section and then tap Accessibility .
4. Tap Vision.
5. Scroll down to find Color adjustment and then tap it.
6. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable color adjustment.
7. Tap Start button.
8. Arrange the provided color tiles in order of similarity, starting from the fixed color on the bottom panel. Tap the color that is most similar with the previous one. If you have mistakenly selected the colours, you can re-arrange the colours that have been placed on the bottom panel by dragging and dropping them.
9. Tap Done button. FYI, if you can distinguish the colours well, then the phone won't adjust the colours.
10. If you can't distinguish the colours, tap Camera or Image.
11. Slide the color adjustment bar to the left or to the right to fine-tune the color.
12. Tap Done button.
13. The colours have been adjusted and changed into more recognizable colours.
14. For any reason, if you want to readjust the colours and start a new initial color adjustment process, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then tap Readjust colour.

FYI, I myself have enabled the colour adjustment feature and did the initial colour adjustment process. As the result, my phone told me that the color didn't need to be adjusted. So, how about you? Have you enabled and configured this feature? Did the colours on your phone need to be adjusted?