It has now been over a week since Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S20 lineup went on sale across the world. Apart from packing these devices with top-notch internals, Samsung has also added plenty of new and useful software features to them which you are unlikely to discover if you don’t prod through the Settings menu. If you have recently gotten your hands on the Galaxy S20, S20+, or the Galaxy S20 Ultra, check out the best tips and tricks for these devices to get the most out of them.
The tips below will help you in discovering some hidden and lesser-known features of the Galaxy S20 and further improve its usability.
Record screen
Samsung is including a native screen recorder on the Galaxy S20 series. This means you won’t have to rely on a third-party solution from the Google Play Store if you ever need to record the screen on your S20.
To start a screen recording, expand the Quick Settings panel and tap the ‘Record Screen’ button. You can also customize the screen recorder including the resolution, whether you want to record system sounds, audio from the internal microphone, and more. For this, go to Settings -> Advanced features -> Screenshots and screen recorder -> Screen recorder settings.
Customize the Side key
The Galaxy S20 series does not come with a dedicated Bixby button. However, by default, if you long-press the side/power button, it will open up Bixby while a double press will open the camera app. If you want though, you can assign the side key to bring up the power menu instead of Bixby. Navigate to Settings -> Advanced features -> Side key and then change the ‘Press and hold’ option to Power off menu. If you wish to, you can assign the double press action to a custom app of your choice or disable the action altogether.
Link to Windows
The Galaxy S20 series comes with a ‘Link to Windows’ feature that will let you seamlessly send and receive texts from your Windows PC, make/receive phone calls, mirror your phone’s screen, and more. While the Link to Windows feature is found in previous flagship Samsung devices as well, Galaxy S20 owners get to exclusively enjoy universal copy/paste. This means you can paste the clipboard content of your PC on your Galaxy S20 or vice versa. Additionally, the Your Phone app will support RCS messaging on the Galaxy S20 lineup, though this is limited to only the default Samsung Messages app.
You can follow this guide to set up the Link to Windows feature on your Galaxy S20 and PC.
Screen zoom
You can take full advantage of the display of the Galaxy S20 by displaying more content on it at any given time. Previously, this required changing the DPI from the developer settings but Samsung has improved the Screen zoom feature on the Galaxy S20 and allows one to reduce the size of the UI elements by a notch. Alternatively, if you want, you can increase the size of the UI elements in case you don’t have 20/20 vision.
120Hz refresh rate
The Galaxy S20 series comes with a 120Hz AMOLED display. However, for battery life reasons, Samsung ships these phones with the display refresh rate set to 60Hz. This means you will have to manually switch the display to 120Hz to enjoy the smoothness it offers. While power users are going to be aware of this, the average Galaxy S20 user is not. You need to at least experience the smoothness that a 120Hz display brings to the table before dismissing it as a gimmick.
Enable the 120Hz display refresh rate on the Samsung Galaxy S20 by going to Settings -> Display -> Motion smoothness and switching it to ‘High refresh rate.’ If you are traveling or want to extend the battery life of your Galaxy S20, you can switch it back to 60Hz.
Samsung Pay
This is not really a new feature, but it is easily one of the most underrated ones in my opinion. Samsung Pay is like Apple Pay or Google Pay on steroids. While the latter two payment solutions require an NFC-based payment terminal to work, Samsung Pay can work with any traditional payment terminal without any issues thanks to its MST technology.
Samsung Pay has been a part of all major flagships from the company released over the last few years and the Galaxy S20 series is no exception to this. Once you set up Samsung Pay, you will be surprised at how easy it is to use and how it works with all kinds of payment terminals.
Enable One-handed mode
The Galaxy S20+ and the Galaxy S20 Ultra are massive devices that you are going to struggle to use one-handed in many situations. In such scenarios, you can use the one-handed mode in One UI on the Samsung Galaxy S20. The feature is disabled by default so you will have to enable it first.
Navigate to Settings -> Advanced features -> One-handed mode. You will need to select how you want to enable one-handed mode: by swiping down from the center of the bottom edge of the display or by double-tapping the home button. If you use the navigation gestures, the second option will not be available for you. Then, whenever you are struggling to use your Galaxy S20 with one hand, simply enable the one-handed mode. This will shrink down the UI and scale it to the left/right part of the display so that you can easily reach the desired content.
Lock apps in memory
The Galaxy S20 series comes with oodles of RAM which makes them perfect for heavy multitasking. However, if you wish to, you can take things up a level by locking an app in the memory. The app will then always be loaded in the RAM which will ensure that it will load instantly whenever you open it. On the Galaxy S20 and S20+, you are limited to locking only one app in memory while on the Galaxy S20 Ultra, you can lock up to three apps in memory.
To lock an app in memory on the Galaxy S20, bring up the Recent Apps view and then tap the icon of the app that you’d like to lock. From there, select the ‘Keep open for quick launching’ option. A locked app will always be present in the Recent Apps view with a lock icon.
Run apps in window mode
Here’s another tip to further improve the multitasking experience on the Galaxy S20 series. You can run apps in a window mode. So, if required, you can read something in Chrome while running Google Keep in window note for quickly taking notes. Or you can have two documents open for quickly referencing them. What’s even better is that you can have multiple apps open in window mode at the same time.
Bring up the Recent Apps view and tap the icon of the app you’d like to run in window mode. Then, select the ‘Open in pop-up view’ option. Do note that not all apps support this feature and the option will be missing for incompatible apps.
Install Good Lock
Samsung has greatly improved its skin and One UI on the Galaxy S20 series offers plenty of customization options. But if you want to customize things even more or just want more useful options to play around with, install Good Lock on your device. The app and its modules will allow you to make changes to the System UI including the ability to customize how the Quick Settings panel looks, the lock screen style, the Recent Apps view, and more.
There is also a Theme Park Good Lock module using which you can create and apply themes on your Galaxy S20. Good Lock and its modules are available to download from the Galaxy Store. Do note that the app is not available in all parts of the world, so you might have to sideload it.
What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for the Galaxy S20 series? Share with us in the comments below!
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
