nayan504

I wanted to create a thread where people can ask general questions:

I'll start off by asking how often/when should I charge the S3?

Thanks

XplosiV

I did read somewhere that as oppose to ni-mh batteries, that prefer to be run down completely, li-ion batteries do better at being topped up and not run down to zero before charging. But of course I could be wrong.

nayan504

I read that too and have been surfing through the battery threads but no one has really clearly stated something or have I seen a consensus. I just want to verify as I invest in this great phone.

Thanks, lets see if anyone has any strong opinions.

Geordie Ahmed

Just charge it when the battery gets low

cordogg

i also would like to know proper charging techniques. i have a Galaxy S (1) for almost 2 years now. i can get a full day out of the battery sometimes because i manage the charge cycles efficiently. but i would like to know the best way to keep my S3 (when i get it) going strong. if it doesn't matter then ill leave it plugged in or docked all day!

XplosiV

Just charge when at about 15% (the warning comes up) or if you need to boost your get you through the day get as much in as possible.

warwing

When you get any new phone you must first charge it to full.
Then drain it completely.
Repeat few more times this makes the battery reliable.

later on this can be done on a weekly or a monthly basis.
As it is not possible to risk draining the battery.
One may charge when it is below 10%. and do not disconnect till full charge.

cordogg

thats how ive always (tried) to treat my batteries. although with the S3 i do plan to buy the official S3 dock w/extra battery. eventually i will get one for my wife and we'll have 3 or maybe even 4 total batteries. i figure that will make it easy to fully charge and discharge the battery in use. first of all i need to get my phone and then i can start monitoring my usage! come on US Cellular!! (i may be the only one on here )

Mar

Sorry but no need to do that. THe newer batteries don't have memory issues (only digital sensor memory which doesnt affect the battery). Best practice is to top the battery up and dont let it discharge completely as it may damage it.
Just recharge normally and dont worry about it. In fact it may be better to top it up more often and with less charge than to do many deep full discharge and recharge.

cordogg

if i want to play google music during the day and i want to charge my phone while doing so is it ok to leave the screen on? i like the look of the album art and song info as it is playing. is the charger keeping up with the battery or will that damage my battery? i have done some research on li-ion batteries and it does mention not to let it get to low as it will cause strain and shorten the life.

Mar

The only thing that might happen is that the battery and screen might get hot. Batteries getting very hot is not good though so I would watch that. It will lessen the battery life if it keeps getting too hot. Monitor the temp and if you think it is too hot then maybe switch the screen off.
The battery will take longer to charge with the phone working hard as well but I suspect you might not care if you are just sitting around listening to music

hotstepper808

Why is it that when using the camera on the Galaxy S 3 in video mode it is full screen and you can take full screen pictures but in single shot or burst mode you see black boarders? Like it is in letterbox. Does anyone know how to get rid of the boarders and make it full screen in camera burst or single shot mode?

Doit2it

Be informed when you buy the official Samsung dock.

The EDD-D200BEGSTA charges the phone while docked.
The ETC-CP1G6LGSTA only charges the battery, and is ONLY a stand for the phone (no charging dock).
I noticed this while looking at them the other night. I bought the first one off Amazon and saved $16.50.

And to the OP, I just charge mine every night. I've done this for my Droid X for the past 2 years and the battery is just now showing it's age. Two years life for a rechargeable is excellent IMO.

__________________

Last edited by Doit2it; July 1st, 2012 at 12:55 AM.

aanckar

There are many misconceptions and some differing views concerning how to treat li-ion batteries. There's a great article at lifehacker which I highly recommend to read, it explains the basics of li-ion batteries, which of course apply not only to smartphones but to laptops as well. Since I'm a new user I can't post links, but you can find the article if you Google lifehacker and the name "How Often Should I Charge My Gadget's Battery to Prolong Its Lifespan?"

cordogg

Thanks Doit2it. I never really noticed that the spare one didn't charge. Looked on Amazon after I read your post and I can't find it though. Will keep looking! Lol. Still have (estimated) 3 weeks before I get my phone.

brownitus

Thanks for the heads-up about the docks, that is unfortunate that the one with the spare battery doesn't charge. What a pointless item. I'll be getting the one that does, for sure.

Thanks, I'm reading it now as this was exactly what I've been confused about

Doit2it

Here's where I found it on Amazon, or just search by the model number at Amazon. I ordered mine from Wireless Direct thru Amazon, but you can order direct from Amazon for 90 cents more. There is also an aftermarket brand out there that charges both phone and spare battery.

FYI - The desktop dock does put the phone in dock mode and can be used with some covers.

Last edited by Doit2it; August 1st, 2012 at 07:12 AM.

cordogg

Thanks Doit2it! Just ordered my dock :-).. It will be here long before my phone. Lol. Btw what exactly does "dock mode" do?

Doit2it

It changes to a darker background and the clock intermittently moves on the screen (burn-in prevention?, not really an issue any more). Access to a few apps on the bottom (alarm, music, etc). Probably apps are customizable.


New question for the thread...

Does anyone know if the S3 records stereo audio when recording videos? I've checks the specs on the Samsung/USA and Verizon page, but no info there. Some of the video samples I've seen you can hear wind noise, etc. which may mean the noise cancellation mic is being used as a second channel. Can anyone confirm this?

Last edited by Doit2it; July 2nd, 2012 at 05:34 AM.

Ricardo1878

Hi

I seem to be getting 'spam notifications' where an icon will direct me to websites i dont want to go to. They pop up at the top where other notifications appear.

Any idea how to stop this?

jerofld

Install this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.denper.addonsdetector&feature=nav_r esult#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5kZW5wZXIuYWRkb25zZ GV0ZWN0b3IiXQ..

That app will tell you what app is giving you ads in your notification bar. You can then remove those apps and you'll no longer get ads in your notification bar.

Ricardo1878

Many thanks

solocold

I got a galaxy s 3 from telcel how ever the icons look different and it doesnt have the weather widget ..idk its weird .what should i do ? I want the original icons and
widget

rjtim

Are downloadable apps from Play Store and Samsung Apps generally trustworthy/safe?

cordogg

i have a couple questions. i have not received my S3 yet (us cellular) but feel like i know almost everything about it. lol. i am not familiar with Kies and was wandering if i should download it and learn about it ahead of time so that when i get my phone i can plug it in and get it ready to go? i have read that you can use Kies for setting up music but not sure if that is the better way to go or use Google Play music. also i am not sure how to back up contact info through Google account. any help is appreciated.

rjtim

Up for this.

logansowner

Li Ion batteries have no memory, they don't give a rats behind when you charge them. This used to be a massive problem in the RC car world when people used NiCad and NiHm batteries, but unfortunately old ideas didn't dissappear with the old technology. The LiIon memory worries are much like my grandmother telling me not to go outside without a sweater because I'd catch a cold.

ldivinag

since you brought up the RC world...

i use lithium POLYMER chemistry batts in me RC cars.'
'
they do have a certain rules:

1. cant go below 3.0 volts per cell.
2. if you are going to store the batts, you need charge/discharge them to around 60-70% (depends which company tells you) their capacity. in other words dont store it at 100 % or at 20%.

plus, when charging them, some race events require you to use a special non flammable bag to hold the batts while charging them. i guess too many horror stories of the batts catching on fire.

i wonder how lithium ION chemistry differs.

i also have a Li FE batt pack that doesnt have as rules at the LiPO pack. but they just dont have as high capacity voltage (7.4v for LiPO vs 6.6v for LiFE...)

dint

I have problem with my galaxy s3 when ever i change from using wifi to data connection i always got a problem of no data connection, i mean i cant open any website with my mobile data. Until i use fly mode several time i can use it back. Can anyone help to solve my problem?

slpage

Very basic question, but how do i answer a call? I tried sliding the green icon but it takes several tries.

BrownMasterV

Question about battery life. When I bought the phone new, the battery was at about 40%. I drained it completely before charging it. Will it have permanently reduced battery life because of this?

My current battery is 14% with

17h 15m 53s on battery
4h 4m 49s screen

Is this normal or is my battery life bad?

Last edited by BrownMasterV; July 9th, 2012 at 07:26 PM.

DroID RaGE

I tried to read up on this phone as much as possible before I received it from Verizon. I could sware that I saw a video on how to change the 4x4 grid of icons on the home screens. For example - add an additional column or row. I have searched the settings and cant seem to find anything resembling this function. Does anyone know if this is possible, it seems like there is alot of wasted space between the icons.

XplosiV

It definitely it with an alternative launcher. Just be sure the alternative does everything you need it to.

scooz16

First time getting a new smart phone...

So once i sign into my google account all my apps from the play store will automatically redownload?

Same with apps from the amazon app store?

coronaride

I just got my new SIII and I love it, but upon swapping out my SIM card, I realized that my data plan is still tied to my iPhone. All my texts are still going there. When I try to access internet resources when not connected to a WiFi access point, I get a "no connection" message in all applications. What did I miss?

ssmiffy14

hi I've downloaded Hotmail and Messenger For You and they both work while I'm at home via our wifi, but when at work where there is no wifi neither will work!; both would work on my previous Andriod phone while I was at work. I get a message saying something about an SSL certificate when I try and access Hotmail and Messenger will just not connect. I have uninstalled and reinstalled both apps a couple of times....any ideas???

DroID RaGE

Is there a way to turn off mobile web pages in the stock browser?

Rdjr74

Download ICS browser from the market. You can achieve this and there are more options in this browser under its settings.
Edit: not quite answering your question but giving you an option. Sorry

Ron H

I thought so too, but neither downloaded automatically. In both stores, they were there ready to download (even the paid apps).

Actually, it was good because there were a number of apps on the old phone that I didn't want to download to the new one.

svensett

Does anyone know if there is a setting somewhere to make the screen capture images as JPGs instead of PNG files? I haven't been able to find anything in system or camera settings to change this.

jnf_goonie

Hey peeps! Is there any way I can uninstall stock apps on my Galaxy S3? I have not yet rooted the device and I don't plan on doing so because I don't want to void my warranty. So, any tips?

scooz16

yeah I'm kind of happy about it also.

My amazon apps list came up perfectly and I was able to redownload my useful ones.

bennybbc

How do I disable the constant email (Gmail) notifications I'm getting in the notification bar? I've already gone into...Settings>Accounts and sync>Email>Settings>Gmail>Email notifications and unclicked that box. It says, "Notify in status bar when email arrives". I haven't seen any other place to disable this annoying feature and I've searched through the various settings options a lot. Thanks.

Benny

DroID RaGE

So I figured I would try this. Downloaded ICS Browser +. Dont see a setting to be able to turn off mobile web sites. Dont think Im missing it? But - Thanks again for your help ...

edit - nvm got it !!

Last edited by DroID RaGE; July 11th, 2012 at 07:19 PM. Reason: revised

Rdjr74

Cool! Yeah I use both browsers. ICS+ for full websites and the stock browser for mobile sites. But with this phone the load times are pretty much the same speed between mobile and full site view.

bennybbc

Nevermind, fixed it. I had to go in through the Gmail app to disable it. I was going in through the Email app and accessing Gmail from there and disabling it. Not the same, I guess. Anyway, thanks for all of the helpful replies!...Oh wait, there weren't any.

Benny

cordogg

a buddy that works next to me got his phone and today we have been looking at it. i noticed he has the app "tiny flashlight+led" installed on his S3. i have the same app installed on my S1 and planned on getting it on my S3 (when it arrives). i have a toggle widget on my home screen to turn it on instantly. when i was looking at his widgets section of the app drawer i did not notice the widget that i am using. my question is, when you download an app do all the available widgets for that app automatically show up in the widgets section? and if so why does the app not have the same widgets?

diirk

The stock flashlight widget is called Assistive Light.

jnf_goonie

nobody is replying

diirk

Some. Go to Settings > Application Manager > All (or running)

Select the app and select disable.