Samsung Galaxy S4 rumors?

[Aganazer]

I think they really need to adopt how MS does the charm menu or whatever it's called. Swipe in from the edge to show the buttons. Of course the problem with that is you now require two actions just to press home.

I really think this is going to become a standard interaction on touch devices. It sounds like it would be the perfect solution in this case.

Then again, Google have been trying to avoid the concept of hidden menus. Misguided IMO.

 

[lopri]

Well, if they somehow figure out a way to multitask better - i.e. drastically less visits to home screen to switch between tasks - then I wouldn't mind an extra touch for the home screen.

 

[Markbnj]

Well, if they somehow figure out a way to multitask better - i.e. drastically less visits to home screen to switch between tasks - then I wouldn't mind an extra touch for the home screen.

Is that much different than on the iPhone? Or do you think all smartphones share this basic problem?

 

[WelshBloke]

...
I'm not a fan of the footer software keys because it takes up so much room for 3 buttons. It's even worse on tablets.

If there's going to be a bottom bezel anyway then they should use that space for a hardware button.

Don't you then end up with the problem of mobile safari where you have the hardware button taking up a load of space PLUS the navigation software buttons on the bottom of the screen taking up space?

 

[WelshBloke]

Well, if they somehow figure out a way to multitask better - i.e. drastically less visits to home screen to switch between tasks - then I wouldn't mind an extra touch for the home screen.

I never go to the home screen to multi task.

Long press the hardware button and just choose the app, not sure how that could be easier really.

 

[MrX8503]

Don't you then end up with the problem of mobile safari where you have the hardware button taking up a load of space PLUS the navigation software buttons on the bottom of the screen taking up space?

That's only in safari, plus you can go full screen when in landscape. On JB, you have the footer menu everywhere in both orientations.

A hardware button doesn't take up screen real estate. It creates a larger bottom bezel, but I think they should use that space if its going to have a bezel anyway.

 

[WelshBloke]

That's only in safari, plus you can go full screen when in landscape. On JB, you have the footer menu everywhere in both orientations.

Let's face it, mobile safari on an iphone5 would be pretty nasty without a full screen mode in landscape. A lot of the screen would be adress bar and navigation bar.

A hardware button doesn't take up screen real estate. It creates a larger bottom bezel, but I think they should use that space if its going to have a bezel anyway.

That statement seems a bit circular.

If you don't have any hardware buttons you don't need a large space at the bottom so you can fit a larger screen in.



I suppose your best solution is the way Samsung do it. Small bezel at the bottom for the hardware keys and no software keys taking up space.
The secret is to know what you like before you purchase and find the one that fits. For you Samsungs solution sounds best.

 

[MrX8503]

Let's face it, mobile safari on an iphone5 would be pretty nasty without a full screen mode in landscape. A lot of the screen would be adress bar and navigation bar.

JB's footer menu is worse.

That statement seems a bit circular.

If you don't have any hardware buttons you don't need a large space at the bottom so you can fit a larger screen in.



I suppose your best solution is the way Samsung do it. Small bezel at the bottom for the hardware keys and no software keys taking up space.
The secret is to know what you like before you purchase and find the one that fits. For you Samsungs solution sounds best.

What I'm saying is that there's a bezel anyway so you might as well put a button there. I do like the small bezel on Samsung devices. Unfortunately I don't like everything else about it, mainly its plastic build.

 

[Red Storm]

Well, if they somehow figure out a way to multitask better - i.e. drastically less visits to home screen to switch between tasks - then I wouldn't mind an extra touch for the home screen.

Have you never used the recent apps button?

 

[WelshBloke]

JB's footer menu is worse.

How so? You just get the navigation bar OR the hardware keys with JB. With safari you get both.

What I'm saying is that there's a bezel anyway so you might as well put a button there. I do like the small bezel on Samsung devices. Unfortunately I don't like everything else about it, mainly its plastic build.

Subjective build quality arguments aside I was mainly referring to the home button implementation.

 

[MrX8503]

How so? You just get the navigation bar OR the hardware keys with JB. With safari you get both.

It's worse because the footer menu is everywhere. Safari is 1 app.

Subjective build quality arguments aside I was mainly referring to the home button implementation.

Well a device isn't for me based on a single home button.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Let's face it, mobile safari on an iphone5 would be pretty nasty without a full screen mode in landscape. A lot of the screen would be adress bar and navigation bar.




That statement seems a bit circular.

If you don't have any hardware buttons you don't need a large space at the bottom so you can fit a larger screen in.



I suppose your best solution is the way Samsung do it. Small bezel at the bottom for the hardware keys and no software keys taking up space.
The secret is to know what you like before you purchase and find the one that fits. For you Samsungs solution sounds best.

The issue is people are arguing for software keys versus hardware keys not on the premise of software vs hardware, but rather PLACEMENT. Look at the GNex and Nexus 4. They have giant bottom bezels ON TOP of the software keys. It's physically possible to have a big bezel AND put a hardware key where the soft keys could've been. It would shrink the 4.7" down to 4.4"

Do you get it back in games? They're just dimmed buttons, but they're still there last I checked.

I mean if the issue is placement, the way I see it is you can build a hardware button to be further away from the edge, but soft or hard keys, you're having a bezel because the soft keys act like a bezel. Unless you spend 98% of the time on your phone watching videos, I don't see how soft keys are actually "better" inherently.

 

[Red Storm]

I mean if the issue is placement, the way I see it is you can build a hardware button to be further away from the edge, but soft or hard keys, you're having a bezel because the soft keys act like a bezel. Unless you spend 98% of the time on your phone watching videos, I don't see how soft keys are actually "better" inherently.

You don't have to worry about them going bad like hardware buttons, and it's much easier to use software keys one handed than it is hardware buttons. Try reaching for all the buttons comfortably one handed on a GS3. You can't.

 

[MrX8503]

Buy a smaller phone or use two hands? Lol

 

[Red Storm]

Buy a smaller phone or use two hands? Lol

Or buy the phone size you want and use it comfortably with one hand and not have to worry about a physical button ever going bad and enjoy better movies and games.

 

[MrX8503]

And a software key never freezes?

I'd be for software keys if the bottom bezel is almost non existent. Since there is bezel, I prefer having a button there.

 

[WelshBloke]

The issue is people are arguing for software keys versus hardware keys not on the premise of software vs hardware, but rather PLACEMENT. Look at the GNex and Nexus 4. They have giant bottom bezels ON TOP of the software keys. It's physically possible to have a big bezel AND put a hardware key where the soft keys could've been. It would shrink the 4.7" down to 4.4"

Do you get it back in games? They're just dimmed buttons, but they're still there last I checked.

I mean if the issue is placement, the way I see it is you can build a hardware button to be further away from the edge, but soft or hard keys, you're having a bezel because the soft keys act like a bezel. Unless you spend 98% of the time on your phone watching videos, I don't see how soft keys are actually "better" inherently.

Which is why I like recent Samsung phones (well, one of the reasons anyway). They make good use of the available space and maximise the viewable screen space.

You don't have to worry about them going bad like hardware buttons, and it's much easier to use software keys one handed than it is hardware buttons. Try reaching for all the buttons comfortably one handed on a GS3. You can't.

I can reach all the buttons on my SGS3 with one hand and I dont think my hands are that big.

 

[Red Storm]

I can reach all the buttons on my SGS3 with one hand and I dont think my hands are that big.

I almost want to ask you for a video, cause it's very awkward trying to press the button that's closest to your thumb (menu or back depending on if you're right or left handed).

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Well, if they somehow figure out a way to multitask better - i.e. drastically less visits to home screen to switch between tasks - then I wouldn't mind an extra touch for the home screen.

Like a z10?

 

[WelshBloke]

I almost want to ask you for a video, cause it's very awkward trying to press the button that's closest to your thumb (menu or back depending on if you're right or left handed).

Right handed. I don't know, maybe I do have big hands, but I have no problem using the hardware keys.

I use two hands for typing though, but I've always done that even with the tiny 3inch win mobile phones I used to have.

Like a z10?

Or like any android phone. I'm not sure why he's going to the home screen to multi task.

 

[Obsoleet]

Not to mention if you arent actually HOLDING the hold, and palming it, we can all reach all the buttons. Too bad that's a good way to drop the phone.

I think people are getting defensive of the bigger phones and/or GS3 here. Fact is, I use one everyday and the size bloat going on in android phones is getting pretty stupid.
My next phone will be a GS4 Mini or iPhone6.

 

[Eug]

Not to mention if you arent actually HOLDING the hold, and palming it, we can all reach all the buttons. Too bad that's a good way to drop the phone.

I think people are getting defensive of the bigger phones and/or GS3 here. Fact is, I use one everyday and the size bloat going on in android phones is getting pretty stupid.
My next phone will be a GS4 Mini or iPhone6.

Hear, hear. I'd get a Google X Phone Mini. I have small hands though.

 

[WelshBloke]

Not to mention if you arent actually HOLDING the hold, and palming it, we can all reach all the buttons. Too bad that's a good way to drop the phone.

I think people are getting defensive of the bigger phones and/or GS3 here. Fact is, I use one everyday and the size bloat going on in android phones is getting pretty stupid.
My next phone will be a GS4 Mini or iPhone6.

Nope, not palming it. Two middle fingers wrapped all the way round and gripping it, little finger at the bottom and first finger bracing it towards the camera. I can reach all the hardware buttons with my thumb. That's with a case on as well.

I'm not in the least defensive about it, just saying how I hold it. I'm really not bothered if anyone else likes it or not, it works fine for me. If it didn't I'd buy something else, it's not like it's soul bound or anything.

 

[gorcorps]

You wrap a case around the S3 and it might as well be a small tablet. My daughter got me a case with the phone for Christmas, but I quickly stopped using the case. I don't like carrying the phone around without physical protection, but honestly it's just too big and too awkward to use with a case wrapped around it.

That's entirely dependent on the person and the case. I have a pretty bulky case on my and agree it's a huge phone because of it, but it's still manageable. The only issue is the home button placement for me, and only because it's too close to the case. I would rather be inconvenienced by the size than be out a phone if I had an accident.

 

[WelshBloke]

That's entirely dependent on the person and the case. I have a pretty bulky case on my and agree it's a huge phone because of it, but it's still manageable. The only issue is the home button placement for me, and only because it's too close to the case. I would rather be inconvenienced by the size than be out a phone if I had an accident.

I'm waiting for the otterbox armour case. I fully expect not to be able to one hand that!