Using the S Pen of your Galaxy S or Note phone for taking notes and doodling? You can do much more with the handy accessory to help supercharge your multitasking capabilities. After all, there's a reason why the S Pen is so popular and why Samsung continues with it despite killing the Galaxy Note lineup.
Check out some essential and hidden S Pen features that every Samsung Galaxy S or Note owner should know.
1. Capture Photos and Videos
Your Galaxy phone's S Pen can act as a handy remote shutter button while capturing selfies and videos. This makes shooting group selfies a lot easier, as you can prop the phone against the wall or table as support. And then, when you are ready, simply press the button on the S Pen to snap a picture.
Want to switch between the front and rear cameras while clicking photos? Simply double-press the S Pen's button, and the Camera app will seamlessly switch back and forth. And you don't need to launch the Camera app manually to do all this. Long press the S Pen button, and the Camera app should open.
To switch between the different camera modes, press the S Pen button and flick the stylus in the direction of the mode. For example, switching from Photo to Video mode requires a left swipe in the Camera app's viewfinder. Press the S Pen button and flick to the left to switch to that mode.
Navigate to Settings > Advanced Features > S Pen > Air actions and select the Camera app from the list to get an overview of all the S Pen gestures. You can zoom in and out using the S Pen itself while taking a photo.
2. Translate Text
You can use the S Pen to translate text on the go when going through large documents or articles. This way, you avoid jumping between apps that would otherwise break your concentration.
To translate text using the S Pen, remove it from your Galaxy phone's slot, then select Translate from the Air Command floating menu button on the screen.
Now, select the language that you want to translate the text to. Hover the S Pen over the word you want to translate, and the result should appear briefly.
A significant limitation of Samsung's implementation is that it can only translate one word at a time, which limits its usefulness to a great extent. On the bright side, the feature is backed by Google Translate, so it supports a plethora of languages.
If the Translate Text option does not appear in the Air Command menu, head over to Settings > Advanced Features > S Pen > Air command and customize the shortcuts in the menu.
3. Capture a Partial Screenshot
When taking a screenshot on your Samsung phone, you don't always want to capture your phone's entire display. Sometimes you just want to share a specific part of the screen. With the S Pen, you can take a partial screenshot for easier sharing.
Eject the S Pen from its slot to bring up the Air Command menu. Tap Smart select. Use the S Pen and mark the portion on your screen you want to capture. Then, proceed to share it with the relevant contact or app.
In case you have to take multiple screenshots, you can pin them to your phone's display. This way, you can share them all at once.
4. Write Notes With the Screen Turned Off
You don't have to open the Samsung Notes app to make a quick scribble. Whip out your S Pen and jot a note without unlocking your phone. The screen-off memo will automatically activate as you start writing. This only works when your phone is locked, though.
Ejecting the S Pen from its slot when the phone is unlocked will bring up the Air Command menu. To take a note then, you need to select the Create note option first.
The pen icon in the top-left corner of your screen changes the thickness of your stroke, while the eraser option lets you wipe away any errors. To save your doodle, select Save in Notes or simply insert the pen back in its slot. All your screen-off memos are saved and synced to Samsung Notes.
5. Send Funky Live Messages
After a while, you'll probably get bored of sending plain text messages. To show your friends something a little more fun, take out your S Pen to send them a Live Message.
Under the Air Command menu, select Live message. Shoot a new photo or video on which you want to write your message. Alternatively, you can choose an image or video from your phone's gallery or background to doodle on.
The two icons in the top-left corner change the thickness of your stroke and the color of your pen. If you want to get really creative, you can add an effect. Choose from Ink, Glow, Sparkle, Hearts, Snowflake, and Rainbow. Each option adds a special touch to your message.
When you're done writing, you can view your message as a GIF and send it to your friends.
6. Unlock Your Phone
You can use the S Pen to unlock your Galaxy phone. This only works when the phone locked itself while the S Pen was not in its slot. In such situations, press the S Pen button to unlock the phone. After this, your phone will remain unlocked until the S Pen disconnects or is put back in its slot.
This option is disabled by default. Head to Settings > Advanced Features > S Pen > More S Pen settings and enable the S Pen unlock option.
7. Multitask With Glance
Glance is one of the best multitasking-related S Pen features on Galaxy phones. It essentially allows you to minimize an app and then peek into it from time to time.
To use Glance, open any app on your Galaxy phone. Remove the S Pen from its slot to bring up the Air Command menu and select Glance. This will minimize the current app in a small window in the display's bottom corner. Now, you can use any other app. When you want to peek at the minimized app, hover the S Pen over its window.
As soon as you move the S Pen away from the screen, the app will minimize itself again, and you'll return to the previous one.
Wondering how to get rid of the minimized screen? Use your S Pen to drag it to the trash can at the top of the screen.
8. Create Art With the PENUP App
Another fun S Pen feature on Galaxy S phones and tablets is PENUP. While you can always use the stylus to doodle on photos and videos, PENUP enables you to create art. You can use the app for coloring drawings to help you relax. Or, if you are inclined to learn art, the app will provide detailed instructions on how to use the S Pen to create images.
You can download some additional S Pen apps to get the most out of the stylus.
Download: PENUP (Free)
9. Draw on Videos as You Record Them
AR Doodle is a fun S Pen feature that lets you doodle on objects around you while recording a video. The doodle's position is then fixed relative to the subject, even when you move your phone around. This is a fun feature, but if you have kids in your home, they will love playing with AR Doodle. You can access it via the Camera app
10. Control Your Phone Without Touching It
The S Pen can act as a magic wand for your Galaxy S or Note device. You can use the stylus to perform multiple actions, all without having to touch your phone. Dubbed Air Actions, you can use the S Pen to perform certain gestures to go back, head over to the home screen, bring up the Recents menu, and more.
There are even app-specific Air Action gestures you can perform. For example, in the Gallery app, you can move between items using the S Pen by making a left or right swipe gesture. Get a rundown of all the Air Action gestures from Settings > Advanced Features > S Pen > Air actions.
Check out several more hidden features you did not know existed on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
Do More With Your S Pen
The S Pen is a versatile addition to the long barrage of features you get in a Samsung phone. The above features also give you a good idea of why so many die-hard Galaxy Note and S fanboys swear by its functionality. Try out all the useful S Pen features mentioned above, and you might become an S Pen fan yourself.