-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Coolest feature you've found?
- Thread starter cmusciano
- Start date
-
- Tags
- samsung galaxy s3
Five and a half years! How long do you keep your cell phone? Are you upgrading from the Nokia 5110?
I don't know what the LED circuitry is either, but I would think it's defined more as a backlight than flash circuity. I've used Moto Torch on my Droid X quite a few times. It's very handy to always have a flashlight with you, when you don't have a flashlight with you. Never had any issues, but I've never had it on more that probably 30 seconds. The high intensity dual LED on the DX tends to get warm after a while. All that being said, yes, used as a flashlight isn't the intended function and you could be taking the health of the flash at risk.
P.S. - I love this thread! I want my Verizon SIII!
No, I couldn't keep any phone that long.
That "5.5 years" part was quoted from dracozny's post saying the LED should last that long. Actually, I have had the DX for almost 2 years now and as I said earlier, I've used the dual LEDs as a flashlight. I've had about the same as your usage where I've probably never had it on for more than 30 seconds and I try to limit it to much less than that. It absolutely does get hot and I'd rather carry around a tiny LED flashlight that costs a buck or two and takes up less space in my pocket than my keys than risk screwing up my expensive phone. I use a black TPU case on my phone. A while back I was briefly using the flashlight function and I put the phone back into my shirt pocket. I thought I had shut it off but apparently I hadn't. I think it was about a couple of minutes later I noticed my chest was getting hot in one spot. It was the LEDs and they do get hot after a while. This sort of thing is probably not what the engineers had in mind when they designed that circuit and considering space and money is at such a premium when designing these ultra compact devices it's not hard for me to believe that long term use of the flash might be harmful to the circuit.
Speaking of the dual LED flash on the DX, I wonder how the single LED on the SGS3 will compare to it. Unless it's a much higher output LED it seems likely that we will now have half the flash power/distance. Maybe not exactly half but probably greatly reduced. A powerful flash is a great asset on a camera. I wonder why they went with just a single LED? If you have one it doesn't seem like adding a second along side it would be that hard to squeeze in. With all of the talk about the awesome new camera the SGS3 has I hope they didn't cheap out on the flash.
Benny
Could you go into a little more detail about this? What were the phone settings? What were the TV settings? Was the symbol you clicked on your phone or the TV? Must've been the phone, right? I think I saw something about the GS3 being able to easily connect with a Samsung TV but I didn't know it could do it with another brand. If I could get mine (Whenever FedX delivers it) to do this with my Vizio Wifi I'd be very happy.
Benny
MelonSplitter
Member
Mods please sticky !!!
That's awesome! Does it repeat the notification sound every few seconds by any chance? I use Calendar Snooze on my Droid X to do that, but it would be nice not to have to use another app just for that.
Not positive here, but BBB might have a Samsung tv. If so this could be done through the Samsung All Share program. I'll be checking out the same feature when my phone arrives.
chillibean
Well-Known Member
TV and s3 need to be connected to the same wifi/ router. I think s beam needs to be on but that is all
Doit2it
Android Expert
Sounds like DNLA. I know I can show my gallery images from my Droid X on my parents LG 55" TV, but not on my LG 42". Both devices have to be DNLA compatible.
CrimsonPride
Android Expert
I used the flash on my sgs2 as a flashlight quite often and for several minutes at a time, it did get hot sometimes but never had any problems with it. Probably wouldn't recommend leaving it on for real long periods of time but I'd use mine for 5-10 minutes and let it cool down.
Also there is a feature you can turn your on in the settings where, if you have a missed notification, and pick up the phone, it will vibrate to alert you. As well as a ton of other motion related things.
There is one where you can swipe the side of your hand from left to right, or right to left, and it will take a screen shot
Also there is a feature you can turn your on in the settings where, if you have a missed notification, and pick up the phone, it will vibrate to alert you. As well as a ton of other motion related things.
There is one where you can swipe the side of your hand from left to right, or right to left, and it will take a screen shot
I use the Torch LED app on my DX, and it gives a warning about using the LED for long periods of time. It says the dev tested it to 30 minutes of stable light and at 45 minutes the LED started to flicker, but didn't have any long term effects.
I've used it for a few minutes at a time but haven't tested the 30 minute claim.
I've used it for a few minutes at a time but haven't tested the 30 minute claim.
scooterinmn
Member
I just get the one notification unless I hit the snooze button.
To counter your question, why use a spoon when you can use your hands to eat?
I believe this option is useful when your hands are occupied (for obvious reasons
) and the phone rings, you want to answer it but you can move only your face or lean towards the phone? How do you answer it ? Simple just say 'Answer'Just kidding, not all options on a phone are constantly used but they are still there, it is upto the user if he wishes to use it or chooses to ignore.
davoid
Android Expert
I think that between these speculations we might find the answer. Since the phone comes with Assistive Light as a stock feature within the pull down toggle menu, we could assume that it is intended to be used in this manner, and this is not just an abuse of the camera flash feature.
However, as people have pointed out, it will get hot if left on, and it makes sense not to leave it on for extended periods.
Having a torch in your phone is a very useful feature! I also have Tiny Flashlight + LED installed, and I can turn my flashlight on from the lock screen by shaking my phone. Awesome cool.
Krunk83
Android Enthusiast
There's a better app out there called Telsa LED and it's free.
question729
Android Enthusiast
Very helpful thread for when my phone finally gets delivered. I think it would be most helpful if the first post in the thread had a summary of everything so far and how to do them.
I'd like to see this, or another thread, turned in to a Tips & Tricks thread. Just bunch of one liners on how to do cool stuff, or everyday stuff. That way when people search (do people still use the search?) for things like copy & paste, notifications, camera shutter sound, nfc tags, this thread will come up. Or just make for quick, easy reading like an owners manual with only the good stuff in it.
LunchBB
Android Enthusiast
The headphone comes with the phone sounds amazing. I like it I can adjust volume as well. I tested it the play button, press one time to play and pause. Double press will skip to the next track in the Music player app.
I use PowerAmp instead. With PowerAmp, I can do double press to skip to next track. Triple press to go back to previous track.
Now I don't have to reach my pocket to change track or adjust volume. Loving it.
I use PowerAmp instead. With PowerAmp, I can do double press to skip to next track. Triple press to go back to previous track.
Now I don't have to reach my pocket to change track or adjust volume. Loving it.
I've used the led flash as a flashlight on my droid x for 2 or 3 continuous hours on several occasions, and for 10 to 15 minutes on dozens of occasions over the last two years. Doesn't seem to have effected the LEDS in any way.
MachineGunnWilly
Well-Known Member
WOW just experimented with that, great feature!