How to use Swype on the Samsung Galaxy Tab

Many of us Galaxy users are aware of some bundled apps in our Tabs  but most of us never bother to check out or take a look at the capability of most of them. One of those apps that we ignored is the Swype, a type of text input that is quite different from how we normally operate our Android keyboards and touch pads. once you hurdle the initial learning curve, you can type way faster than the conventional tap tap method on your touch screens. This app is just what the text and chat addicts needs. They can amaze their friends by replying very fast on chats and endless text message marathons on unlimited text plans.

So how do you use Swype? all you have to do is slide or drag your finger across the letters of the word that you are trying to type and the software quickly guesses what you are trying to say with a high degree of accuracy most of the time. It is so amazingly fast and as soon as you learn it, you will get hooked and will never return to traditional  tap typing on virtual keyboards.

To enable Swype, tap Settings, tap Locale and Text and then select Swype Input Method on the Text Settings. On the Swype Settings page specify your preferences as to language, word prediction, audio feedback and other items. You can also set Swype Advanced Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you can access the Tutorial and help page. Click on the Tutorial and you will have an interactive lessons on how to quickly learn Swype. Though Swype is so easy to learn and use, I suggest you try the tutorial first to avoid frustrations later when you badly need to type characters and punctuation.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S Spotted!

Finally, I was able to take a glimpse of the latest Samsung tablets in a local mall. Too bad though I didn't have the opportunity to tinker with those adorable Android honeycomb powered slates. The gizmos are locked inside the glass cabinets as according to the saleslady, the tabs are yet to be launched in the coming few weeks. Even the prices are yet unavailable.

My attention was particularly caught by the unfamiliar 5" Galaxy Tab S which I was unaware of existence till last night's encounter at the mall. It was a bit bigger than the Galaxy S II and smaller than the original Galaxy 7". The 5" screen was a joy to see and I reckon I will use this latest tablet more often than the Galaxy 7" once I acquire one of it.

Except for the lack of 3G connectivity, this could pass as a good alternative for the high end 4.3" Galaxy S II with an stratospheric price tag. I truly hope that its price will be affordable and cheaper than its older sibling the 7" Wi-Fi only P1010.

Samsung Galaxy S Wi-Fi 5.0 Specs

Android Froyo V.2.2
5" TFT LCD screen
1 Ghz Application Processor
1.3W SoundAlive 3D surround sound
HD Video Recording and playback
8 GB Internal Memory (Expandable to 32 GB)
Front and Rear Camera

How to Reset Samsung Galaxy Tab P-1000 to Factory Settings

If ever something happens to your Samsung Galaxy Tab P-1000 where an application freezes and renders the tablet unusable, you might need to reset your Galaxy to factory settings.

To do this, go to Settings, tap Privacy and then select Factory Data Reset. This action will erase all data on the device and upon completion, your Galaxy Tab will be like brand new as if just taken out of the box recently.

I have read from other sources that the Galaxy Tab P-1000 can be reset using the hardware buttons. I haven't tried it though so please act with caution. I will not be responsible for any untoward outcome that may result from these tips.

To do so, press the volume down button for about 10 seconds and then simultaneously press the power button. This will result to the same factory default like the method mentioned previously.

To be able to recover your important files, make it a habt to back-up your device frequently.

Globe Prepaid APN for SamsungGalaxy Tab P-1000

When I bought my Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 from a store in the mall, I really did not expect that I could stumble in a minor difficulty with browsing the Internet in the Galaxy Tab using a prepaid sim. I did not realize it on the first few days of using my Galaxy Tab because I was always connected to the internet using Wi-fi. At home, in the office, malls and places frequented by people, free Wi-fi is there. Besides testing the sim for voice calls and test messaging, I never though of testing the 3G prepaid sim's internet in the samsung galaxy tab.

Until one day, when I was working out and away from the office did I felt the need to connect to the internet through my mobile provider's 3g connection because I needed to throw an urgent email to my Boss. I thought that I will just hit the browser icon and the device will automatically connect thru the 3G in the absence of Wi-fi but it did not happen. I kept on getting "No Network Connection Error". I was so sure that it was not the sim that's causing the error because it has enough prepaid balance and prior to transferring it to the Galaxy Tab, it was connecting seamlessly to the internet in the former smartphone where it was previously installed.

Upon verifying the APN settings under Mobile networks, I discovered that the default APN of my unit was "internet.globe.com.ph" which upon checking was the APN for Postpaid service of Globe Telecom here in the Philippines. I looked up the APN for prepaid which is "www.globe.com.ph" and the Samsung Galaxy Tab connected to the internet like a charm.

How to stop your Galaxy Tab from Auto-rotating when reading sideways

Did you ever found it very irritating to read or use your Samsung Galaxy Tab while lying on your back or in an odd position? And if you ever experienced that, I'm very sure that you were also like me tried looking for a setting or a hardware button in the device that could disable the accelerometer from rotating when you don't want it to. I don't know what the designers of the Galaxy Tab were thinking when they decided to let the auto-rotate feature ruin the enjoyment and concentration of many people who purchased the device for ebook reading and looking at pictures in a portrait mode. This disappointment should be fixed by Samsung.

Anyway, before I wander far from the main purpose of this post, I want you Galaxy fans to rejoice because there are some free apps in the Android Market which solves the annoying problem. From among the bunch of them, I found the app named Auto Rotate Switch very handy and useful because it is not a widget which would consume memory in the device when operated. It is just a shortcut switch which enables you to turn on or off the accelerometer. Usage is very simple and straight forward. Tap it once to deactivate the auto-rotation and then tap it again to re-activate the auto-rotate function. Download it now and enjoy reading that ebook in bed.

How to set-up Samsung Galaxy Tab as Internet Access Point

One of the coolest feature of the Android powered Samsung Galaxy Tab which I like very much is its ability to share 3g internet connection to up to 5 devices wirelessly. This is very handy if you have no dedicated wired broadband internet connection at home or if you are frequently on the move and needs to access the internet on a laptop in a place without a Wifi access point.



To enable the Galaxy Tab to act as Wifi Access Point, tap "Settings", tap on "Wireless Network" and then tap "Mobile AP". Tap on the check mark to enable Mobile AP. You will then be prompted to disconnect from Wi-Fi and tap yes. The next ensuing page shows that the Mobile AP is already activated. Tap on "Mobile AP" to change its settings. This is the page where you will set the name of your access point. On the "Network SSID" field, you can type any name that you like or you can let the default name as is. On the "Security" field, the default is "Open" meaning that you can immediately connect to the Wifi access point of the Galaxy Tab without need to input any key. It is not advisable though because any one with a Wifi device in the vicinity of your Galaxy Tab can connect to it and use your 3G connection. So the best thing to do is tap on "Security" and choose "WPA2 PSK" and input a password. This will ensure that only you and the person you are sharing the connection will enjoy the Internet thru the Wifi Access Point of the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

How to take screen capture with Samsung Galaxy Tab

Want to take a screen capture from your Samsung Galaxy Tab? Well rejoice because Samsung made it very easy for us Galaxy tab users.

All you have to do is press the back button and the power button simultaneously. The Galaxy tab will vibrate and a prompt will show that says "screen captured saved as image file".

If you are wondering where it went, check out the gallery and tap on the screen capture folder. The images will be found there.

You can now share the image via email and other means. This is how easy it is to take screens shots from the Samsung Galaxy Tab.