3 Amazing Reasons Why Samsung's Android Is Better Than Google's

You might have come across a different UX (user experience) while handling two different devices running same versions of Android platform. It may be little things like decreasing the volume of mobile by just placing palm on the screen to your Smartphone waiting till you sleep to go into timeout mode.

And when it comes to UX, Samsung’s Android really holds a strong and stiff upper hand over Google’s original version of Android. The reason behind this substantiality is Google allows its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners to tweak the OS to suit themselves. Samsung tweaks the original Android versions to suit to each of its different range of devices that come in different sizes and specs, be it Smartphones, its phablets, or its tablets. And these tweaks turn Samsung devices into gadgets that offer users an all new and good UX.

It’s not that Samsung invented all of these features but they brought them together in style that defines Samsung.

Some of the tweaks take advantage of special hardware in particular while others make common hardware components work better, read on to know the 3 amazing Features why Samsung’s Android is better than Google’s, as compiled by ZDNet.

#1 Display Features

Samsung always experiments with the screen sizes while building Smartphones, tablets and its note devices. Samsung’s Android always has an edge over others because a lot of little and cool features are baked into its UX. Together these features work to make Samsung devices more  interesting than its competitors. Some of the important features in this category are-

Smart Rotation

Android devices generally sport the auto-rotate feature that toggles the screen between portrait and landscape orientation. It’s a common but annoying problem when screen gets jarred as the user moves around or the phone is inadvertently tilted to the side. The display rotates even though the user didn't intend for it to do so, and then it must be tilted back to reorient the screen which brings a small delay in operation.

However Samsung’s Smart Rotation technology  prevents this accidental rotation using its front camera. When the phone is tilted sideways it "looks" at the user's face to see if it indicates an accidental tilting. If so it prevents the display from rotating, keeping it the way the user wants it even though tilted.

Smart Stay

Displays have a screen timeout setting to save the battery. If nothing happens on the touchscreen for a set time, the display turns off. Unfortunately this feature can cause annoyance when you are reading a book or a long web page, that doesn’t require you to touch the screen for any operation for a while. The end result, screen turns off interrupting the reading and forcing the need to turn it back on.

Smart Stay uses the front camera to determine if the user is looking at the screen. Before turning the display off it looks for the user's face and eyes and if he/she is looking at the screen it won't turn off the display.

Pop up apps

Several apps Samsung has included in its version of Android include windowed versions that pop up when desired. These include the web browser, video player, and the S Note app. They take advantage of the larger displays on many Samsung devices by using a floating window that is visible while using other apps.

Page Buddy

The Page Buddy feature is activated, if it is configured to, when certain hardware features of the Samsung device are triggered. The Page Buddy opens specific pages to augment user customization based on a user action.

There are four special pages that make up Page Buddy: one that opens when you remove the S Pen from the device; one that opens when you plug in headphones; one when you drop your phone in a dock; and another that opens when you are roaming outside your home area. Each page buddy has its own specific app icons that are useful in that mode.

These pages are special home screens and the user can swipe to standard home screens. What makes Page Buddy so useful is how they automatically appear when you need them.

Multi-view

The ability to work with two apps side-by-side is wonderful and the multi-view is very useful. The two displayed apps often work together, such as hitting a link in one window opens the web page in the other if the browser is running there.

#2 Motion activated features

Most Android devices have an accelerometer that detects movement and Samsung has included a number of features that take advantage of detected motion in everyday use of the phone or tablet.

Tilt to Zoom

This feature is a great way to look at photos on the Samsung device. Touch the photo with two thumbs and tilt the screen toward you or away from you to zoom the image in and out.

 

Pan to move/browse

With multiple home screens it's common to move icons around to arrange them just like you want. Hold the icon you want to move to another home screen and pan the device. The icon moves to the screen in the direction of the pan.

The same function can be used to pan through images in the gallery. You can flip through photos as fast as you wish using the panning action.

Quick glance

If the phone is kept idle on a table and if you want to check whether you got a message or mail, the Quick Glance feature is activated by simply reaching for your phone. It senses your hand hovering over the phone and displays a special lock screen that shows any new activity that has occurred while the display was turned off. Remove your hand and the display goes to sleep. This happens without even touching the phone.

Double tap to zoom to top of list

If you've scrolled down a long list and want to quickly get back to the top, simply double tap the top of the phone and it jumps back to the top. This is app independent and eliminates the need to find a small scrolling control.

Don't forget your pen

Samsung alerts you when you leave the phone without putting the pen back in the storage silo on the device.

#3 Other Handy Features

Muting with palm

Ever been in a situation when you need to mute your device's volume quickly for a bit? Samsung makes it easy by simply covering the display with your palm. Instant silence and volume returns when you remove your hand from the display.

Screenshot swipe

Simply swipe from the left of the display to the right with the side and the image is captured.

Display/Hide multi-view tab

By simply long-pressing the soft Back button on the bottom of any screen hides/displays the multi-view tab.