Samsung Galaxy S3

[Ecco]

Hi Guys,
Got the Galaxy S3 after coming from a Blackberry 9900. Firstly, let me say that it's a great phone. You can easily see it is classes above the blackberry.
However, I'm experiencing the following issues and was wondering if maybe I'm doing something wrong or if someone can advise:
1) My biggest concern - Size - I have small hands, so for me, the device feels uncomfortable. I either have to hold with 2 hands, or I have to slide the phone vertically and horizontally in my hand to reach each side of the screen. Is this something you get used to, or is this phone not designed for people with smaller hands?
2) Notifications - On my blackberry, when an email/whatsapp message came, a little star appeared next to the icon. On the GS3, I can only get a notification bar notice, not on the actual program icon?
3) 2 gmail accounts - can I have 2 seperate icons for each of my accounts like I have on my Blackberry?
4) Shrink-to-fit - the web browser doesn't shrink pages to fit the screen when I double click on text. Is there a browser/utility to do this?

Any other suggestions for an old BB user?

I am speaking as an HTC desire user, but should be able to answer some of your questions

1) Cant comment
2) think you will only get the notification in the bar
3) Never tried - try see what happens
4) Opera mini handles this pretty well - also compresses data so you dont use as much data - try it

 

[Necropolis]

Thanks for the quick response. I will probably root my phone as soon as I get my micro sim. I've had my phone for a week now and haven't been able to use it. The service of the Mtn franchise in my town really sucks.

If you have a normal SIM why not just download a template and cut it to size? That's what I did

 

[Ecco]

If you have a normal SIM why not just download a template and cut it to size? That's what I did

Link please Thanks

 

[Necropolis]

http://www.thechinacellphone.com/micro_sim_template.pdf

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

If you have a normal SIM why not just download a template and cut it to size? That's what I did

I tried it, didn't turn out to good

Eventually got my micro sim after work and R136 poorer

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

I tried it, didn't turn out to good

Eventually got my micro sim after work and R136 poorer

P.S I saw an interesting article somewhere on the Web from someone that sells a nifty device that looks like a stapler that can cut sims down to micro sim size. If I recall correctly they go for approximately $25

 

[Glue]

My local MTN shop used that same tool to cut my sim for free.

 

[GillyTV]

Hi Guys,
Got the Galaxy S3 after coming from a Blackberry 9900. Firstly, let me say that it's a great phone. You can easily see it is classes above the blackberry.
However, I'm experiencing the following issues and was wondering if maybe I'm doing something wrong or if someone can advise:
1) My biggest concern - Size - I have small hands, so for me, the device feels uncomfortable. I either have to hold with 2 hands, or I have to slide the phone vertically and horizontally in my hand to reach each side of the screen. Is this something you get used to, or is this phone not designed for people with smaller hands?
2) Notifications - On my blackberry, when an email/whatsapp message came, a little star appeared next to the icon. On the GS3, I can only get a notification bar notice, not on the actual program icon?
3) 2 gmail accounts - can I have 2 seperate icons for each of my accounts like I have on my Blackberry?
4) Shrink-to-fit - the web browser doesn't shrink pages to fit the screen when I double click on text. Is there a browser/utility to do this?

Any other suggestions for an old BB user?

Hi alkit,

1. I can reach all 4 corners of my S3 fine so it sounds like your hands are little small for the phone
2. On the stock launcher you will only get notification badges for apps like phone or messaging as far as I know and maybe even email. Other launchers do cater for what you require but you will have to look around.
3. You can kinda do this. Go to widgets and drag the gmail label widget to your homescreen. before the widget is created you can choose for which account the widget will be linked to and then just choose a label (such as inbox). Repeat for each account.
4. When in the browser hit menu and then scroll down to settings, go to Advanced and then scroll down to "auto-fill pages". You can then double tap on a webpage and the text should fit the screen once zoomed in.

A suggestion: Even on the lowest brightness setting the phone is too bright for me when im using it in the dark. If you feel the same check out an app called "Screen Filter" to make things easier on the eyes.

 

[Noseworthy]

cutting your sim card takes patience, I did one now and its works. Just go slow and don't cut the sim, just shave to plastic around it

 

[Krypt0n1te]

Got mine yesterday

What launchers would you guys suggest?

Apex... finish en klaar.

 

[dualmeister]

Interesting post on Samsung Blog about keeping it secret during its development.
The one dude even had to lie to his son about it.

 

[Necropolis]

Anyone got around to installing any custom roms yet?

 

[wonduhboy]

Anyone found a cell shop that sells covers and/or screen protectors?
I've been to a few and no one has stock

 

[d7e7r7]

Anyone found a cell shop that sells covers and/or screen protectors?
I've been to a few and no one has stock

Do you need screen protectors if it uses Gorilla glass?

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Anyone found a cell shop that sells covers and/or screen protectors?
I've been to a few and no one has stock

I think it may be a little to early for things like covers since the phone has only been officially available for one week.

My local Vodashop said they may get accessories for the S3 next week, so you'll probably have to wait a little while longer.

As for screen protectors, just cut your own - that's what I always do.

Here are two videos you may find interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fdRHIB8Wo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrnW1jooFcQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[wonduhboy]

Do you need screen protectors if it uses Gorilla glass?

I always like to put them on anyhow. Generally they are R50 for 2, so viable to replace often

 

[wonduhboy]

I think it may be a little to early for things like covers since the phone has only been officially available for one week.

My local Vodashop said they may get accessories for the S3 next week, so you'll probably have to wait a little while longer.

As for screen protectors, just cut your own - that's what I always do.

Here are two videos you may find interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fdRHIB8Wo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrnW1jooFcQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

thanks Dom1n8tr1x

 

[Maverick Jester]

the problem is that my android OS has high data usage on mobile data, but bearly anything on wifi.... I have done the following:

with regards to sync:
weahter app is manual
whatsapp, google only ones syncing on mobile data
google syns only contact, gmail, calender
gmail only 1 day mail, images on wifi
developers options: dnt keep actvities, limit background STANDARDon onavo i selected FB to run only on wifi, no auto refresh, data usage section - no background

This could be why. You keep killing background processes, so they keep restarting and possibly resyncing everything all the time.

If you go to Settings -> Accounts and Sync, is it activated and which accounts are in place? If account sync is on, Google will sync everything there, not just the contacts and mail. This is why it is best to manually sync.

Another question- have you deactivated the Google locations services?

Sorry, all I can think of right now.

My personal suggestion is that you root your phone and install DroidWall.

 

[Maddmatt]

Do you need screen protectors if it uses Gorilla glass?

Gorilla glass still gets scratched. It's a lot tougher than normal glass but my Galaxy S is proof that those magical "what the hell caused this" scratches can still appear.
They're nothing to cry over though.

 

[d7e7r7]

Gorilla glass still gets scratched. It's a lot tougher than normal glass but my Galaxy S is proof that those magical "what the hell caused this" scratches can still appear.
They're nothing to cry over though.

Must be fake Gorilla glass
My N8 is almost 2 years old and no scratches on the glass...