Galaxy Note 4 S Pen features: Here's what they do

One of the highlights about the Galaxy Note 4, our crowned best Android phone of 2014, is the S Pen stylus that fits snuggly in the body of the Samsung phablet, ready to be used for some super efficient smartphone operation. Here are the great things you can do with the Galaxy Note 4 S Pen features.

Best Note 4 S Pen features.
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When taking the S Pen out of its slot which is found on the bottom right corner of the Galaxy Note 4, this will prompt a tiny circular menu to appear on the display, called Air Command. This is the S Pen menu which offers four different features: action memo, smart select, image clip and screen write.

Action Memo

Action Memo is  likely one of the best of the S Pen features, its functionality is just so diverse. After you have handwritten a note, there is a button that will provide a wide range of actions to perform with what is written down, like making a phone call if you have written a number, adding a contacts information, starting a text message or an email, launching a web site or browser, finding an address in Google Maps, and lastly adding a task to a to do list. Super handy!

Action memo turns your notes into actions. / © ANDROIDPIT
When you are done writing your note, you also have the options of displaying the note on the homepage of your device, just like a sticky note.

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Smart Select

Smart Select is more than just a cropping tool, it’s got brains too! When selecting text from the internet web browser, you’ll also get additional data from the source. Now if you grab the selected portion of text in the future, you will easily be able to browse that site again.

Smart Select will save text as well as the  / © ANDROIDPIT
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Image Clip

The web is full of cool pictures that perhaps you want to share with a friend, use in your own personal art (all the while respecting original copyright) or include in a presentation. Image Clip is the third feature from the wheel that allows you to select an image using the S Pen. After, you can change the from of the selection, (rectangular, circular or magnet), and then either save or share it (or both).

Select any image, save it and share it.  / © ANDROIDPIT
Screen Write

The last feature from the Galaxy Note 4 S Pen Air Command menu is called Screen Write. It’s a step up from a simple screenshot. Tapping Screen Write will take a shot, and allow you to write all over it using the various writing tools found in the top menu, there’s a bunch of pens and formats to choose from. This is great if you need to jot down an idea in connection with an image or website, etc.

Take notes on top of screenshots with Screen Write. / © ANDROIDPIT
Handwriting recognition for typing

There’s more to the S Pen than just these four options. If you hate typing or swiping messages, emails or any other kinds of text, you can write it in. Once the keyboard is open, long press on the cogwheel settings button and select the icon of a T with a pen next to it. Then you can write and the words will form on the screen. It took a little getting used to, but with a little practice you’ll be writing your text messages like a champ.

After a bit of practice, you'll be zinging out those text messages with the Note 4 S Pen. / © ANDROIDPIT
Improved cursor control

If you’ve had a smartphone in the past, you’ll know that you can copy and paste snippets of text. Well this is a whole lot easier with the S Pen. When selecting a segment of text, you’ll be presented with a menu that allows you to do such things as look up the specific word in the dictionary, copy, cut and share.

Easier controls overall

You may find that the Note 4 S Pen just allows you to general operate your phone a lot easier, you are provided with a lot more dexterity than using your fingers, which often tap on the wrong thing. For some, using the stylus makes you also a lot quicker and you’ll soon discover that you can’t live without it. Don’t worry about losing it either, since you will receive a notification if your S Pen is too far from the Note 4.