Why would they do that?

[emoshurchak]

This has been my first impression of the new S3. It is quite possible that some of my disappointment will disappear as I lean more about how to operate the new new phone. Some of the things that I could do easily on the old phone and I found very useful but can't do on the S3:

1. Transfer files to my MAC. With the old phone I could just connect USB and transfer files back and forth easily. This is gone with the new phone. I tried AFT and couldn't get it to recognize the phone. AirDroid works but not as well as I am used to.

2. Desktop shortcuts to files. Can't find a way to do this on the new phone.

3. Folders on the desktop were a nice way to access collections of files and documents from the file system. On the new phone, folders seem to be restricted to collections of apps.

4. The old SWYPE keyboard is gone and I find the new one clumsy to use (eg for adding 's to a word).

I'm hoping that as I learn more about the phone I will find ways to accomplish some of these things.

 

[ylexot]

2. Desktop shortcuts to files. Can't find a way to do this on the new phone.

3. Folders on the desktop were a nice way to access collections of files and documents from the file system. On the new phone, folders seem to be restricted to collections of apps.

I'd suggest an aftermarket launcher. Nova, Apex, and Go are probably the most popular right now. I believe that would take care of those issues (and probably more).

4. The old SWYPE keyboard is gone and I find the new one clumsy to use (eg for adding 's to a word).

Put the real Swype keyboard on:
Swype | Text Input for Screens

 

[burtonvdp]

1) You might need a driver for the Mac? I use Windows 7 myself and I can say the functionality of coping and pasting from phone to computer works fine. I wish I could help more but I just wanted you to know that I think the ability is there and there most be something keeping it from happening.

 

[Heisenberg123]

This has been my first impression of the new S3. It is quite possible that some of my disappointment will disappear as I lean more about how to operate the new new phone. Some of the things that I could do easily on the old phone and I found very useful but can't do on the S3:

1. Transfer files to my MAC. With the old phone I could just connect USB and transfer files back and forth easily. This is gone with the new phone. I tried AFT and couldn't get it to recognize the phone. AirDroid works but not as well as I am used to.

2. Desktop shortcuts to files. Can't find a way to do this on the new phone.

3. Folders on the desktop were a nice way to access collections of files and documents from the file system. On the new phone, folders seem to be restricted to collections of apps.

4. The old SWYPE keyboard is gone and I find the new one clumsy to use (eg for adding 's to a word).

I'm hoping that as I learn more about the phone I will find ways to accomplish some of these things.

Try this for connecting to MAC, ive yet to test it because im not at home

How to Sync Android With Mac (Mountain Lion included)

 

[Pappy35]

1. Transfer files to my MAC. With the old phone I could just connect USB and transfer files back and forth easily. This is gone with the new phone. I tried AFT and couldn't get it to recognize the phone. AirDroid works but not as well as I am used to.

Had the same problem with the Verison version of the S3 (which I returned in a fit of frutration after almost an entire day of dicking around with it) after installing all sorts of Mac-based Android apps, none of which worked.

When I came back to my senses, I went and got one from AT & T, plugged it in, and for reasons I can't explain it just worked. I can now simply plug it in via an open USB port on my Mac mini and drag and drop files back and forth.

I am using Google to sync contacts and calendars and now that I can do the drag and drop thing all my previous misgiving's about the phone are gone. I had a 4S, which is 95% of what the 5 is am like the S3 WAY more.

 

[emoshurchak]

Try this for connecting to MAC, ive yet to test it because im not at home

How to Sync Android With Mac (Mountain Lion included)

This worked nicely for my old S1 but not for the S3.

 

[emoshurchak]

I'd suggest an aftermarket launcher. Nova, Apex, and Go are probably the most popular right now. I believe that would take care of those issues (and probably more).

Put the real Swype keyboard on:
Swype | Text Input for Screens

None of the launchers mentioned above can give me desktop folders containing colletions of file shortcuts :-{

Thanks for the tip on the SWYPE keyboard. I was only able to get the beta version but it works nicely.

 

[emoshurchak]

This has been my first impression of the new S3. It is quite possible that some of my disappointment will disappear as I lean more about how to operate the new new phone. Some of the things that I could do easily on the old phone and I found very useful but can't do on the S3:

1. Transfer files to my MAC. With the old phone I could just connect USB and transfer files back and forth easily. This is gone with the new phone. I tried AFT and couldn't get it to recognize the phone. AirDroid works but not as well as I am used to.

2. Desktop shortcuts to files. Can't find a way to do this on the new phone.

3. Folders on the desktop were a nice way to access collections of files and documents from the file system. On the new phone, folders seem to be restricted to collections of apps.

4. The old SWYPE keyboard is gone and I find the new one clumsy to use (eg for adding 's to a word).

I'm hoping that as I learn more about the phone I will find ways to accomplish some of these things.

Just for the heck of it, I tried Samsung tech support. Was told to "keep trying... the MAC is a very complicated computer." With regard to transferring apps, was told I would "just have download and pay for them again."

I did download KIES for the MAC and it recognizes my new phone properly and allows me to copy music, photos, videos, and podcasts of all things. Why they couldn't add file support... well maybe someday!

 

[Heisenberg123]

Just for the heck of it, I tried Samsung tech support. Was told to "keep trying... the MAC is a very complicated computer." With regard to transferring apps, was told I would "just have download and pay for them again."

I did download KIES for the MAC and it recognizes my new phone properly and allows me to copy music, photos, videos, and podcasts of all things. Why they couldn't add file support... well maybe someday!

it has file support when your connected in Kies click your phone it will show a summary of your internal and sd card memory, click either internal or external and it will open a window with all your folders and files

 

[emoshurchak]

it has file support when your connected in Kies click your phone it will show a summary of your internal and sd card memory, click either internal or external and it will open a window with all your folders and files

You just solved my problem. I was so focused on the left hand pane that I hadn't noticed the little link over on the other side! Can't thank you enough for this tip. It was driving me bonkers. Funny the Samsung support tech wasn't aware of this.

 

[Heisenberg123]

You just solved my problem. I was so focused on the left hand pane that I hadn't noticed the little link over on the other side! Can't thank you enough for this tip. It was driving me bonkers. Funny the Samsung support tech wasn't aware of this.

no problem still not as ideal as plugging in and having it appear in Finder but it still works

 

[emoshurchak]

no problem still not as ideal as plugging in and having it appear in Finder but it still works

Agreed. It would be nice if you could get a list/details type view of the file system but I'm not complaining. At least it will get the job done. I see that by right clicking you can even set new folders on the phone's file system.