Samsung Galaxy Note Tips and Tricks

Most Android devices come with an alternative way of entering text called Swype. Many prefer this method and believe it is quicker.
When any text entry box appears, press and hold the box. Then select Input method: SWYPE. Once enabled, you simply drag your finger around the keyboard moving over the letters in the correct order to spell a word.

If you want a different keyboard from the default one, go to the Android Marketplace and install one you would like to use.

Then open the Applications Launcher. Press Settings – Language and keyboard – Input method. Then select the keyboard you would like to use

To add items to your home screen, simply find a black space, press down and hold. Then select a Scene, Wallpaper, Widget etc

To use custom ringtones for your phone ringtone, your alarm or your text message notification, simply copy an MP3 file to one of the following folders:
/sdcard/media/audio/ringtones
/sdcard/media/audio/alarms
/sdcard/media/audio/notifications

If they don’t already exist, then create a new folder.

The file will then show up when you want to change your ringtones.

For Ringtones go to Settings – Sound – Phone ringtone
For Text Messages go to – Settings – Sound – Notification ringtone
For Alarm, set the sound when you add a new alarm

To disable mobile view for websites, open your Browser and go to Menu – More – Settings – Untick ‘Mobile View’.

This option may be disabled on some phones or carriers.

If so, then download the Dolphin browser from the Android Marketplace.

Then open Dolphin – Menu – More – Settings – User Agent. Then select Desktop.

A similar option should be available with the Firefox, Opera or other third-party browsers.

To show the Browser History, press the Star in the top right corner of the browser. Then press History.

This will only work in the standard Android browser.

The Note has a feature built into where you can write comments on top of a photo, then share the photo using various services.

First, choose the photo you want to comment on. Then press and hold on the photo. Then with your Stylus, write your message on top of the photo. Then press Share via and select Facebook, Twitter, Gmail or other service.

Simple press and hold on the bar at the top and drag it downward

To delete all contacts, there a number of methods you might need to try. Note that the first two of these may be disabled on some networks/carriers, or Android versions.

1) Go to Settings – Applications – Manage Applications. Then chose All at the top. Then scroll down to Contacts Storage – B21Clear Data.

2) Go to Contacts. Then press Menu – Delete. Then press Select all (at the top) and then Delete again.

3) Go to Settings – Accounts and sync. Then untick Background data and Auto-sync. Then go to Gmail (or an account that your phone syncs with) and delete all of your Contacts from there. Then re-sync your phone.

4) Download an App called ‘Delete All Contacts’ and use that as a last resort.

These methods above will delete contacts from the Phone only, not the SIM card.

Instead of the simple swipe gesture to unlock your phone, you can set a custom unlock pattern which can be extremely difficult for a thief to guess.

From your homescreen, go to Menu – Settings – Location and security – Change screen lock. Then chose Pattern to set one up.

It is also a good idea to untick Use visible pattern. Then if someone is watching over your shoulder while you entering your pattern, it will be harder for them to remember the pattern.

If you have forgotten your unlock pattern, then after 5 unsuccessful tries a button will appear saying ‘Forgot pattern’. Press this and you will be asked to enter your Gmail username/password. The phone will then ask for a new unlock pattern. If you don’t have a Gmail account, then you will have to either call your carrier or factory reset your phone.