If you’re lucky enough to have your hands on a shiny new Samsung Galaxy S5 there could be a whole host of features that you’re missing out on. From making the screen shrink for one-handed use to creating folders for easy app access, here are ten not so obvious features of the S5, Samsung’s latest and best flagship Galaxy smartphone.
Toolbox
Toolbox lets you make a small app drawer that can help you access most used apps faster. It is enabled from the quick settings menu, then going to toolbox. It manifests itself as a floating window from which you can select the chosen apps from.
Sideways unlock
If your hands are a bit small or you’re too clumsy to do the straight up unlock with the fingerprint sensor, set up the scanner to read your thumb instead and you can swipe sideways to unlock which is much easier.
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Live HDR
With Live HDR, you can actually preview photos in HDR mode live, rather than waiting for the photo to be taken to find out what it will look like. You’ll see this change when HDR is turned on in the camera settings.
Use the phone as a baby monitor
Yes, the S5 can be used as a baby monitor. If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy Gear watch, then you can place the phone next to your baby, and if it starts crying, the phone will send an alert to your watch. The option for baby monitor can be found in the accessibility menu of the S5.
S Beam and Quick Connect
Transfer files to other Samsung Galaxy devices with ease with the S5’s S Beam feature. When used in conjunction with Quick Connect, sharing is made even easier with a simple on/off toggle.
Use the S5 as a remote control
With infrared capabilities, using your S5 as a TV or PC remote control is very simple. There are lots of apps on the Google Play store to help you achieve this, with a built in remote control app also coming with the phone.
One handed mode
Go to settings, sound and display, then click one-handed operation. A swipe from the side of the screen to the centre and then back will now activate a one-handed mode which shrinks the display to make the S5 easier to use with one hand. If you’re left-handed, swipe in from the left and back to shrink the screen to the left.
Create folders
Want to keep everything tidy and within easy reach? Create a folder. Open the apps tray, select the menu, and choose create folder. Any apps you wish can now be dropped into this one handy place.
Two-fingered swipe
Swipe down with two fingers from the notifications bar instead of one and you’ll access a bigger list of features and settings much quicker.
Display the number of steps you’ve taken on the lock screen
Go to the settings on the S Health 3.0 app and you’ll be able to toggle a feature will shows the number of steps you’ve taken on the lock screen. Handy for quick glances.
