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The Galaxy S4's software up close

A spin through the Samsung Galaxy S4's new software, UI, and fresh features.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Brian Bennett Former Senior writer
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
Jessica Dolcourt
Brian Bennett
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1 of 27 Josh Miller/CNET

Inside Samsung's Galaxy S4

The Samsung Galaxy S4 may have all the high-octane components you could want -- including a galloping quad-core processor and a great 13-megapixel camera -- but it's equally defined by its abundance of software features.
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2 of 27 Josh Miller/CNET

The camera good

A smartphone camera is one of our top buying considerations. The Galaxy S4 has onscreen controls. Tap the buttons to go into settings, or open the settings mode.
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3 of 27 Josh Miller/CNET

Camera modes, new and old

Tap the Mode button to get to new settings like Drama and Animated Photo.
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4 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Sound and Shot

This mode attaches 9 seconds of audio on top of a still photo. Unfortunately, the message plays only on a Galaxy S4. Everyone else will just receive the still.
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5 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Animation is a go

The Animate Mode creates a GIF in which one element moves while the rest remain still. If you plan your shot well, the app does most of the work.
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6 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dual-shot mode

With the GS4's new dual-shot mode, you can combine photo and videos from the front-facing camera and rear camera into one frame. You also can choose from a set of wacky frames.
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7 of 27 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Dual-shot mode in the wild

We took dual-shot mode for a ride out in a beautiful San Francisco park. Proof we were really here.
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8 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Gesture in the air

Turn on air gestures and you can wave your hand in front of the screen to advance playing music, swap browser tabs, and answer an incoming call.
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9 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Better health, there's an app for that

Samsung's Galaxy S4 jumps into the personal health tracking game with the S Health app. Also linking to the S Health app and Galaxy S4 via Bluetooth is a pedometer-style fitness band device planned in the future.
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10 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Touch with nothing but air

Using AirView, users can hover their fingers over items such as photos and video to preview them without touching the device's screen.
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11 of 27 Josh Miller/CNET

Watch On

Want to watch TV without messing with remotes? The Watch On app uses an IR blaster to turn your phone into a remote for your TV, DVR, and set-top box.
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12 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

TV controls

A closer look at the remote.
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13 of 27 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Guide your way

Watch On gives you access to live TV listings in a guide format, and an interface to program and record stations.
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14 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Video on demand

In addition to containing remotes, the Watch On app also has a video rental component.
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15 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Share your tunes

The Group Play app transmits documents, music files, photos, and other content to other Galaxy S4 handsets without having to use Wi-Fi or a cellular connection.
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16 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Group Play share

Once you connect to an ad-hoc network, you can turn Galaxy phones into a silent disco and play games as a group.
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17 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Easy access to apps

The Galaxy S4 includes the multitasking feature first seen on the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and the Galaxy Note 2 smartphone.
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18 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Starting up the Smart screen

Open the Samsung Galaxy S4's Smart screen function to activate controlling the device with your eye movements.
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19 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Smart scroll

Turn on this feature and you can tilt the phone screen to scroll up and down when the phone can see it's got your attention.
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20 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Scroll with a glance

Tips like this one help you explore the phone's new features.
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21 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET'

Lock screen widget

Android 4.2 enables lock screen widgets, which Samsung takes advantage of with a camera widget or favorite apps. You'll also have the usual lock screen shortcuts to open if the widget method requires too many swipes.
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22 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Toggle like a pro

The notifications shade on the Galaxy S4 adds a heap of new one-touch settings options that you can even rearrange.
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23 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Translate on the go

For globetrotters, Samsung's S Translator tool delivers instant translation for both voice and text. The app is embedded into e-mail, messaging, and ChatOn, or it can stand as its own tool.
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24 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Travel with confidence

Ten language options are a start for Samsung's take on an app that's highly similar to Google's own Translate tool.
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25 of 27 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Cool camera extras

Deep in the settings menu, you can program a volume key to trigger the shutter button. You can also program video to speed up a recording or drag it out in slow motion, both to potentially hilarious effect.
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26 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Easy does it

If you need a breather from the Galaxy S4's dizzying array of features, you can set up the phone in Easy Mode, which enlarges icons and font size and generally keeps things simple.
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27 of 27 Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

An alternative Android

Easy Mode also replaces the home screens with one screen of apps and one for your contacts. Don't worry, switching back to the Galaxy S4's chock-a-block feature universe is still as simple as 1, 2, 3.

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