samsung galaxy s4

[sweeetp0514]

am i crazy, or do the features that are advertised on the new samsung galaxy s4 not included with verizon. 

I noticed that my palm gestures never actually work.  Is that a phone defect or is anyone else having the same issue? I am unable to capture a screen shot using palm gesture and when I go into settings for sensor and icon, it says when the air gestures are available, the icon will show up in the notification bar, however, i am not seeing anything show up.  Furthermore, it would seem verizon is missing the blocking feature which should be in the setting menu under calls.  Has anyone spoken to verizon about this yet? I just received my phone a few hours ago so I haven't had the chance to call yet.  Thank you in advance.

[AZSALUKI]

The gestures should be there but I don't know where to enable them in the settings (I don't have an s4) but Verizon did remove the block feature on the s3 and note ii so it's probably not on the s4 either.

[EpJayhawks12]

The S4 has all the features turned off by default. You need to enable them in the settings.

[jchacon]

You are not the only one with that issue.   I made sure all these features were activated,  and nothing works as far as gestures is concerned.  The blocking feature is unavailable but I am no worried about that; however,  I bought this phone mainly because of the touchless features.  I am still way within the 14 day return window. If neither the manufacture nor verizon fix the flaw before the return window the phone is going back. 

    I can get the s3 for much cheaper; the s3 and s4 are pretty much the same thing with the exception of the gestures feature.

[BamaBoi334]

took me a while to learn the screen shot til i watched a youtube video the side of your hand gotta be touching the screen when you slide it past sensor

[dcastigl]

Wow thank you even verizon told me the feature was removed. But your trick worked

[CA_with_S4]

My gestures are working great now.  It took me awhile to learn how to use them.  I do not have to touch the screen at all to do the screenshot, answer the phone, or scroll.  I have not tried any other ones.  You guys are right that they are turned off out of the box, but once enabled (as long as you are in reasonable light) they work.  I recommend You Tube to learn as others have said.

[melbelleup]

after turning everything on, it works fine for me. I suggest watching a youtube video or the demos on the phone

[goshute]

I'm also frustrated with this feature. Had my S4 phone for just four days, enabled everything, nothing happened, no air gesture icon, then this morning the icon decided to show itself, then a few hours later it disappeared again, and at no time have the gestures worked. Also thought, according the help, the gestures were supposed to work up to 3" away, though they need to be near the top of the screen where the sensor is...? What am I missing, or this just dysfunctional?

[smc_G4]

I've read very mixed reviews about the air gestures - apparently not great consistency. The blocking feature is indeed missing from Verizon's version of the S4 along with another very nice feature, the optical reader (very cool OCR app). See this link (http://www.droid-life.com/2013/05/23/galaxy-s4-software-differences-verizon-vs-att/) for a comparison of software between Verizon and ATT versions. Apparently Verizon wins for the most bloatware though. What's up Verizon?

[japetty]

I read a similar review at Android Central.  Bloatware is the big,big,big thing with VZW.  They couldn't take up the whole 16gb so they had to make room for it someway.

[sweeetp0514]

also a little annoyed that they removed the "find my phone" feature thru samsung and offer their own version @ $1.99 extra a month.  It's very annoying to remove a feature that's offered for free and then charge for it.

[AZSALUKI]

Just get seek Droid. Its free and does a lot more than find my phone.

[dcastigl]

I spent 3 hours on the phone with verizon and Samsung.   Both were doing a lot of finger pointing.   Optical reader verizon removed, and it frustrates me they removed block services.  Verizon said they didn't want to over load the phone so I guess that prelozded nfl app will me more handy to me.

[dcastigl]

Check this out

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/05/23/galaxy-s4-software-differences-verizon-vs-att/

[RondaYH]

I can't find Block Mode or Safety Assistance on my phone.

[AZSALUKI]

block mode was disabled by verizon. i don't know if safety assistance was, but if you can't find a feature that it should have, more than likely, verizon removed it.

[carolynreais]

Blocking Mode -  Verizon get your act together! You remove features that WE purchased a particular phone for?  GARBAGE! 

[keenangel]

I have the same problem. I have an S4. I'm technically inclined. I enabled all of the features, I reviewed the tutorials and I am still unable to do a screen capture with the hand gesture. Any other ideas?

[stargazer72460]

keenangel, to do a screen capture you have to sweep across the screen with the side of your hand (your hand has to make contact with the screen).  You may have to try it a few times.

[carolynreais]

The more I look for samsung included features the more disgusted I am with Verizon!  Lets see VZW removed:

1. Blocking Mode
2. Optical Reader
3. Find My Phone

Im sure theres more