What do you actually use the S Pen for?

Joe · Aug 23, 2017

I've had the Note 5 and Note 7 for a while, but never really used them as my full-time device for a long time. The S Pen is a fun thing to play with, but I never really saw a much real-world use for it.

I'm wondering what other Note owners use the S Pen for? Is it something you use a lot in your daily life?

Phases · Aug 23, 2017

I use mine ALL the time. Mostly to take screenshot (usually of an existing picture I have, or a website) and write on it, then send. Also to quickly crop an image.

Phases · Aug 23, 2017

I also use it a lot for just web browsing, I like it better than my manly finger when its something more than scrolling up and down, or clicking larger buttons etc..

The_Chief · Aug 23, 2017

The one thing that disappeared with the Note 7, and apparently hasn't returned on the Note 8, is Action Memo. That was probably the most useful of the S Pen functions! It would intuitively link the memo to various functions - if it was a name and phone number, it would go straight to dialer or contacts. An address could be sent straight to navigation. I'd love to get that back and trade translate for it. I don't think I'll be using translate a lot (unless I go to my sister's house... she has a southern accent so bad that I can't understand half of what she says)

Eagle 3 · Aug 25, 2017

I use the S-Pen for everything. It's much easier to use than my finger and it keeps the screen free of smudges. It's easier with the S-Pen to type messages, tap on links in the browser etc. etc. etc.

AZgl1500 · Aug 26, 2017

I am a "me too" on taking pictures, pulling out the S pen, activating "Snapseed" and writing the names of the people in the picture on it, and making a copy of the original pix.

Works fantastic!!! with my broken memory cells, I really need it.

The_Chief · Aug 26, 2017

I guess the most useful thing I currently do with the S Pen is a toss-up between screen capture and screen write. If I want to copy the text of a website, I can scroll capture the whole thing and save it as a long, skinny image. Or... if I'm having a problem with something around the house (or in my vehicle), I can take a picture of it and use screen write to circle the problem, write on the image, and send it to whoever. VERY helpful!

But Samsung, PLEASE bring back Action Memo!

dmunz · Aug 26, 2017

Tapping magnet links on torrent sites. It helps avoid all the click-bait. :cool:

On the serious side, I find the S-Pen useful with excel and when texting. I think the latter is long-term Palm hangover.

FWIW
DLM

BAYFISHER · Aug 26, 2017

i got arthritis, holding smaller pen is heaven.

kokiangel · Aug 27, 2017

I hate typing on a keyboard so I used the spen largely when making memos and I do that a lot. I keep myself on track for everything with an app called Tasks and it works well with that. I also loved the translate/dictionary as I read a lot and sometimes there are words in other languages or just authors showing off their skills and I am left clueless. Then there's the screen off feature where you can write right there. That's been improved with the Note8 to allow editing of those sticky notes. I can't wait!

BAYFISHER · Aug 27, 2017

kokiangel said:
I hate typing on a keyboard so I used the spen largely when making memos and I do that a lot. I keep myself on track for everything with an app called Tasks and it works well with that. I also loved the translate/dictionary as I read a lot and sometimes there are words in other languages or just authors showing off their skills and I am left clueless. Then there's the screen off feature where you can write right there. That's been improved with the Note8 to allow editing of those sticky notes. I can't wait!

THIS last year ive have never written so many notes, and as it increases, as in during calls, its easier to speed tap without letting go of my other hand if and whenever we get out notes.

WeeWilly · Sep 6, 2017

YouTube tech reviewer MrMobile (Michael Fisher) calls the S Pen "the most misunderstood accessory in smartphones." During his review of the Note 8, MrMobile points out that the S Pen is more than a writing instrument -- "The S Pen is as indispensable to the Galaxy Note as a mouse is to a computer."

kokiangel · Sep 6, 2017

Oh, so true. It's largely why we choose the Note over any other phone.

The_Chief · Sep 7, 2017

Other people can poo-poo the S Pen as "just a stylus", but they're people who have spent little or no time using it. Once you understand what the S Pen can do - once you GET it, no phone without one will ever be good enough.

marctronixx · Sep 7, 2017

I was very used to styli back in the day of early smartphones. Kyocera 6035, samsung i300,i330, may sprint windows phones, ibm Simon... those all used a stylus and there were companies that made very nice styli--some made of esoteric metals, hefty in weight, had a carry case just for the stylus... those were the days...

kokiangel · Sep 7, 2017

Yeah, I remember my old Palm phone rather fondly.

lim060911 · Sep 9, 2017

Mainly I use it for live messages I love the addition

SCY121 · Sep 9, 2017

Coming from the S series, I'm wondering, what are some of the principle uses of the S Pen for most of you?

These are all interesting, for those of us who have been doing all this with our finger since the dawn of the smartphone era it seems a bit superfluous

jjulkes · Sep 9, 2017

SCY121 said:
Coming from the S series, I'm wondering, what are some of the principle uses of the S Pen for most of you?

I've been a s pen user since the n4 to the n7, and now to the n8. The styli have gotten much more accurate over the years. I use it a lot for precision. It's easier to navigate. I also sketch and draw. Being that the note series is a productive device the s pen feels sort of like a mouse. Your fingers can get in the way of some things and the s pen just makes it much easier to take notes, edit pics/videos, and has so many other functions like magnify, and making quick gifs😁 it's very useful, and you will find so many ways to pull it out to jot down quick notes. A very unique experience.

Eagle 3 · Sep 9, 2017

I use the S-Pen for everything. I rarely use my finger. It's more accurate and easier to use than my finger. And the screen is free of smudges. Try using it for everything for a few days; I'm sure you won't go back to using your finger.

What do you actually use the S Pen for?

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