Tips to Empower Your Samsung Galaxy S5's Battery Life

Battery life has always been one of the major concerns of every smartphone and gadget user. Before consumers buy a new phone or gadget, the first thing they check for is the battery life. It's also one of the major driving factors why they go with a particular smartphone unit. Most devices available in the market today, specifically Android, have improved battery-saving feature, which is a right move. This article will serve as a guide on how you can maximize your Samsung Galaxy S5's battery life and have a worry-free day. You can simply change these settings to get more power out of your Samsung Galaxy S5 phone.

Power-Saving Mode

Since the release of Samsung Galaxy S2, the power-saving mode has been present as one of the original features of Samsung. When the power-saving mode is enabled, it blocks background app data, controls the phone's performance, reduces the screen frame rate, lowers the brightness level, and also changes the display to grayscale. The power-saving mode feature greatly enhances your phone's battery life without reducing the phone's capabilities that much. However, if you're planning to play any games or use CPU-intensive apps, it's recommended to disable the power-saving mode. The power-saving option can be found in the Settings section of the Galaxy S5.

Ultra Power-Saving Mode

Another way to extend your phone's battery life is by enabling the ultra power-saving mode. According to Samsung, when your Galaxy S5 is fully charged and the ultra power saving mode is enabled, your phone's battery life can last approximately up to 12.5 days. Actually, even when your phone's battery is as low as 10 percent, enabling this feature makes it last for another 24 hours. But wait, don't celebrate yet because enabling the ultra power-saving mode will greatly affect your phone's performance. Among these changes include change of display to grayscale and limited use of apps to Phone, Messages, Internet, Emergency Alerts, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and a few others only. Along with that, only six of those apps can be placed on your phone's Home screen.

Once you enable the ultra power-saving mode, your phone's mobile data will be automatically disabled when the screen is turned off, as well as its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection. In case you would like to re-enable one of the connections, you can do so by tapping the settings menu (three-dotted icon) found at the upper-right hand corner of the screen. This limited settings menu will allow you to control the volume, brightness, and toggle on location services. The ultra power-saving mode can be enabled via the Settings option and then scrolling down to the power saving option.

Brightness

Setting your phone's brightness to auto mode actually consumes more battery power than adjusting the brightness manually. This is because auto mode automatically adjusts your phone screen's brightness according to the lighting environment around you, which utilizes the phone's sensors, and therefore, uses up more battery. This mode, at times, will leave your display too bright for your current lighting conditions.

So if you're going to bring your phone outdoors where the weather is sunny, just turn down its brightness level or to something that is more acceptable to your eyes, in order to save battery life.

Location Settings

Lastly, another way to avoid getting battery drain on your phone is by customizing its location settings. So how do you do that on the Galaxy S5? From the Settings menu, tap on Location, and then tap the Mode Power saving option. Now, tap to select Power saving, which will use your phone's Wi-Fi and mobile networks to estimate your location instead of using GPS. Also, check to make sure to disable both the location reporting and location history settings on the phone since they, too, consume additional battery power. You can go ahead and turn them off by going to the Location Services option, and then going to the Google Location Reporting menu.

The next time you'll be going out on a long day of activities or work, don't forget to check these settings to make sure you'll never have to worry of losing your only means of communication, especially if you don't have any spare batteries or power banks at hand.

You can find more tips and tricks for Samsung Galaxy S5 here. Please feel free to share everything you know about Galaxy S5 in the comments below.

Tips to Protect Your Phone or Tablet's Touchscreen

Almost all gadgets nowadays have touch screen displays. It is the most common interface among smart phones, MP3 players, tablets, and computer monitors. They even come in very resistant materials such as Gorilla Glass, which is well-known for being thin, light, hard, and damage-resistant.

Touchscreen displays are very sensitive to dust particles, oil, and grease. The latest touchscreens are hard to scratch, let alone break, but they are most definitely not indestructible. 

Here are a few tips on how to protect your touchscreen:

1. Only use your fingers, or if you have one, a stylus to tap on the touchscreen. Never use sharp objects to tap on the display.

2. Make sure you cover your touchscreen with a screen protector. Not only are they very affordable, but they will also protect your screen from dirt and external damages like pressure and scratches. Most of all, they will increase your device's lifetime.

3. Do not apply excessive pressure on the touchscreen. Doing so can permanently damage the display.

4. Avoid using your device in dusty environment as much as possible and always use clean, dry fingers.

5. Avoid leaving your device on direct sunlight, because excessive heat can damage the display panel.

6. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the touchscreen. If microfiber cloth is not available, any non-abrasive cloth will do. Never use harsh chemicals, such as alcohol-based cleaners or anything with ammonia. If liquid is necessary, slightly damp the cloth with water.

7. Turn off the device before cleaning it. If your device has a cleaning mode, set it to that mode first before cleaning it.

8. Avoid placing your device in your front or back pocket. The touchscreen is very sensitive, and doing so will damage the display. If possible, get a case or pouch for your device to avoid bumps, scratches, and finger prints.

9. Make sure there are no objects pressing on the touchscreen area continuously.

10. Keep your device away from objects that contain magnetic field such as radios, televisions, etc.

How to Combat the Heartbleed Bug for Android Users

Heartbleed bug is a security flaw that allows third parties to gain access to information and data that Internet users enter into encrypted sites on OpenSSL, which is one of the most popular sets of encryption tools. The Heartbleed bug allows anyone on the Internet to read the memory of the systems that are protected by vulnerable versions of the OpenSSL software. This endangers the secret keys used to identify the service providers and to encrypt the traffic, the names and passwords of users, including the actual content. This enables hackers to eavesdrop on communications, steal data directly from the services and users, as well as to impersonate them.

According to reports, the Heartbleed bug has affected about thirty-four percent of Android devices. Although Google was able to fix most of its products that were affected such as Gmail and other versions of the Android operating system, a patch has yet to be released for the widely-used operating system, Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

So how would you know if your device is infected with the Heartbleed bug?

There are some ways you can do to verify your device's security, which includes checking its operating system or using an app that will determine if your device is susceptible to the Heartbleed bug. If you want to check your device's software version, go to the Settings menu, then tap the About device option. Look for Android version to find out what software version your device is currently having. For newer devices that comes with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, like the image shown below, you can be assured that it is safe from the Heartbleed bug infection.

Now, what if your device is having a different version, let's say it is the Jelly Bean version? Another way to check your device yourself is by downloading the Lookout Mobile Security's Heartbleed Detector app found on the Google Play Store. The app will help you determine if your device runs on the version of OpenSSL infected with the Heartbleed bug. It also tells you whether Heartbleed is enabled or not on your operating system, which will then inform you whether you need to take additional security actions or not.

If in case your device actually runs on the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean operating system, the first immediate step that you need to do is to update it. To update the software version of your device, go to the Settings menu, then go to System Update. From there, your device will try to search for any available updates and will prompt you to proceed in downloading and installing it to your device.

Another way you can protect yourself from the Heartbleed infection is to make sure to change your passwords for those websites that have released patches for the OpenSSL flaw. Check out the list of websites and services that were affected by the bug here.

10 Handy Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Tips and Tricks

Fast, heavy packed, and powerful -- these are the words that would best describe the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. One may still get confused about its true identity -- Is it a phone? A tablet? Actually, it's something in the middle, integrated with the functionalities and features of both worlds. These ten handy tips and tricks will help you uncover the hidden features and bring out the best of your Galaxy Note 3.

1. Use Touchscreen Even With Gloves On

Capacitive touchscreens are great to use for responsiveness because they don't rely on pressure for interaction. However, the downside of capacitive touchscreens is that you can't use it when you're wearing gloves. Now, you can still use your Galaxy Note 3 even in the freezing cold by enhancing your phablet's sensitivity level to overcome this problem. Go to Settings, then tap Controls, then scroll to the bottom of the screen, and then tap to check the option Increase touch sensitivity.

2. Run Multiple Apps at the Same Time

The Galaxy Note 3 is perfect for multitasking because of its large screen. Its Multi Window feature allows you to use applications such as Browser, S Note, Gallery, Email, etc. at the same time, two apps which take up half of the screen each, with the size of each window adjustable. Go to your phablet's Settings, then Device, and then tap the toggle switch to enable the Multi window option. Tapping on the option will go to another screen where you have the option to open the content directly in the multi window automatically when files or videos are opened while the multi window is running.

3. Never Lose Your S Pen

Because it's quite easy to misplace the stylus when it's not docked, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a smart feature that will alert you whenever your S Pen is not placed back into the phablet's stylus hole. To enable the S Pen Keeper feature, go to Settings, Controls, and then S Pen. Tap the S Pen Keeper box to check it. So the next time you walk away without the S Pen in its proper place, your phone will give an audio alert reminding you what you have forgotten to do.

4. Turn Off the S Pen Pop-Up Window

A pop-up window automatically comes up along with different options whenever you remove the Galaxy Note 3's stylus from its dock. This can be handy, but can also be annoying to some extent. Imagine how irritating this pop-up message will be when you dock and un-dock your S Pen more than once. To make this pop-up notification go away, go to Settings, then Controls, and then go to S Pen. Select Pen detachment options, and then tap the option none. The next time you remove your stylus from its dock, there's no more pop-up message that will ruin your day.

5. Fully Close Apps to Save Memory

Most apps that are installed on your Galaxy Note 3 consume a significant amount of memory, more so when they are open and running in the background. To fully close apps, go to Settings, go to Apps Manager, tap to select the app that you want to close, and then tap Force Close.

However, bear in mind that some apps may re-activate automatically whenever you restart your phablet.

6. Mute Everything With Your Palm

You can mute everything or pause media playback on your Galaxy Note 3 by covering the screen with your hand while the screen is turned on. To control this option, go to Settings, Controls, then tap Palm Motion.

With this feature handy on the Galaxy Note 3, you'll never get embarrassed whenever your phone rings in the middle of a meeting or a quiet environment, where you don't want to catch any attention.

7. Use It Totally Hands-Free

It's illegal to use your phone while driving -- we all know that. And since the Galaxy Note 3 is humongous in size, it's more of a bad idea to use it while you're in a car. Thanks to the phone's hands-free options, you can still safely use it even when you're driving. You can simply wave your hand over the screen if you want to accept a call and have your text and caller information read aloud so you would know who is trying to get in touch without having to glance on your phone's screen.

To enable the Galaxy Note 3's hands-free option, go to Settings, then Controls, and then tap to select Hands-free.

8. Customize the Text Size and Font

Along with a huge screen, the Galaxy Note 3 also includes customizable font size and text to make it as personal as you'd like it to be. If you feel like you need to have larger text or a funkier font, just go to Settings, then Device, and then go to Font. From here, you can select any of the available font style and size. You can even get the one you really like from the Web by downloading it, which is also possible.

9. Enable One-Handed Operation

With the phone's largish 5.7-inch screen, it would seem impossible to operate it one-handedly. The one-handed operation feature is useful especially to users who have a fast-paced lifestyle and are always on the go. To turn on the Galaxy Note 3's one-handed operation, go to Settings, then Controls, and then One-handed operation menu. You can change the elements of the phone's user interface to make them more comfortable and easier to use with a single hand.

10. Never Miss an Important Call With the Super Ringer

There are times when your phone is in your pocket or bag, you'd barely hear it ringing or feel its vibration when there's an incoming call. You can now avoid this with the Galaxy Note 3 because there is an option where you can make your phablet ring louder. If you don't want to miss an important call, go to Settings, then Device, then tap Call, and then tap to check the Increase volume in pocket box.

Enjoy your phablet's full potential by learning about these common tips and tricks. As simple as it may be, these useful features will make your life easier and you'll definitely love your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 more.

Make the Ringtone on Your Android Phone Auto Adjust to Your Surroundings

Have you ever experienced having your phone ring at the most inopportune time? Whether it may be during a class session, a corporate meeting, at church, or while watching a movie, having your phone ring loudly in a quiet environment can be very embarrassing for you, but also quite annoying for the people you are with.

It's a good thing there are applications that can automatically adjust the ringtone volume of your Android smartphone depending on the ambient noise of your surroundings. Here are some of the apps you can try:

Intelligent Ringer

Intelligent Ringer configures the ringtone volume depending on the ambient noise level of your current environment. It can even detect whether the device is in your pocket or not thru its proximity sensor readings. Unlike with similar apps, Intelligent Ringer adjusts the internal settings specifically to the particular Android device, which makes the measurement and setting process accuracy much more precise.

Ring Dimmer

Ring Dimmer intelligently calculates the perfect ring volume and vibration setting for you by listening to your environment. It controls both ring volume and vibrate, as well as adjust the notification automatically if paired to your phone's volume.

IntelliRing

IntelliRing is an app that makes your smart phone smarter by automatically adjusting the ringer volume depending on the determined environment. It can also set the ringing volume to be a bit louder than the ambient noise. In addition, it can detect changes to the environment while the phone is ringing. So, it rings loudly when in your pocket, bag, or if covered and automatically lowers the volume as you take it out.