1. We must first begin with the S Pen as that is the main “draw” (pun intended) of the Galaxy Note line for many. One of the coolest overlooked features is that you can use it to access the S Pen window. This allows you to use apps in “windows” regardless of where you are within the phone's screens (home, app, play store, etc).
2. Another great use for the S Pen is that you are able to have specific gestures to allow you to go back, use the menu, etc without having to use the buttons at the bottom of the phone.
3. The next handy feature of the GNote3 is that the lock screen is very customizable. You can actually have multiple widgets, custom text, specific apps that open, and even multiple widgets swiping to the right with specific apps to the left, all within the lock screen. You can also access quick notes and see notifications as well as the weather.
4. Additionally, if you use an S View case, you can use the camera while the phone is locked thru the S View window.
5. Of course, there are also the usual voice commands – if you have them enabled, you can say “capture” or “smile” to take a picture. There are also specific commands to answer the phone, play music and snooze your alarm.
6. For Verizon users (Darla was not sure if any of the other carriers have this implemented), you are provided with a notification bar icon directory in system settings / about phone / icon glossary. This is exceptionally useful, especially for new users.
7. Samsung is very good at allowing users to customize their phone, even without root, the Galaxy Note series is no different. Some GNote3 users might be surprised to learn that the device actually allows you to select custom system fonts as well as determine the size of the font.
8. Next we find out that the stock Samsung keyboard is quite functional and fun to use – you can use the S Pen and utilize the handwriting portion of the keyboard or you can use the keyboard in a “floating” manner. This allows you to move it all over the screen as needed or gives you a split keyboard view if the keyboard is “docked” at the bottom of the screen. The keyboard comes with “Swiftkey Flow” for swipe typing as well and is quite accurate. The handwriting function is described as quite accurate.
9. The Scrapbooking feature is a great way to save info from web searches – it allows you to categorize as needed for later use/reference. You can access the feature with the use of the S Pen and quick access panel (on screen command).
10. The Galaxy Note 3's size is always a topic of conversation but there are options in system settings to mediate this for folks with small hands. There are ways to set it up for “one handed operation.” With this feature you can basically shrink or re-align your screen based on either left or right handed operation and your comfort level. The device has settings for all the screens (this is a scale adjustment and is done by swiping the edge of the screen). There are even customizable settings for the keyboard and dialpad for phone, calculator and unlock buttons (if used on the lock screen).
11. Beyond just the S Pen and the apps for S Pen window, the Note series also has a special multi-tasking feature. This is a bar that can be accessed in any screen and then allows you to use multiple apps as well. This differs from the S Pen window in that those apps appear in windows, independent of each other; however, the multi-task bar opens the apps in one half of the screen (the size is adjustable up and down only). With this functionality, you can layer as many apps as you wish and scroll through the top half or bottom half of apps in a rolodex style view. While doing so you can select which app you would like to see on the top.
12. Additionally, in the pull down shade, you can access any of the toggles settings specifically by long-pressing on it (this is probably true with most devices that have the scrollable toggles).
13. Finally there is the Galaxy Note 3's interaction with the Galaxy Gear. This is obviously dependent on owners who have both devices, but if you do, one of the best things about the gear is taking quick snapshots which are immediately sync’d with the GNote3, and can then be sent to others via SMS or email.
