We can all get taken by the headline specifications and features of a smartphone, but have you ever really considered the smaller, less noticeable but useful features that you actually end up using quite a lot?

I think we sometimes take for granted what is on offer or do not appreciate how some features are on some handsets but not others and the impact they have.

I have mentioned previously on this blog how I actually really liked the ability to talk to the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S3 to take a picture meaning I could continue to hold the phone steady in 2 hands. It is not a make or break feature but one I have got used to using and I would prefer not to lose on any future handset.

With the release of the S4 from Samsung I have switched from the S3, to the S4. Thankfully the camera speech recognition is still there.

What I did use on the S3 is an SMS scheduling app to send messages at a pre-determined time after creation. I realised that I had not re-installed this app on the S4, and was about to when I noticed the following within messaging; Samsung have built in the ability to the S4 to schedule messages.

This is a fantastic little feature.  It might not be suitable for everyone but for me I was really pleased to see this and it is just testament to thinking about the things and including them as standard.

I didn’t have to install that extra little app I can now manage it all within the standard messaging screen.

Other features on the S4 include the ability to translate a text message and the ability to create an emergency message in times of desperation.

The S4 is not alone in this, there are other devices from Sony and HTC etc. that all have their own small, unique benefits that make things fun, intuitive or simpler.

The point is, that if you then get used to using such features and switch to a different phone you can easily loose these small things which you become used to and it becomes a frustration to find workarounds or add on apps.

We are all quick to criticise when technology doesn’t do something but do we comment on the things it does right?!

Are there any hidden or less publicised features on your phone that you like or rely upon?

After coming under criticism on BBC Watchdog for its lack of user-accessible internal storage on the Galaxy S4, Samsung has said that it is “reviewing the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimisation.”

Speaking to CNET, Samsung said it is “committed to listening to our customers and responding to their needs as part of our innovation process.”

Previously Samsung has defended the amount of internal storage that is taken up by the system install and preloaded apps, which equates to around 7GB out of an advertised 16GB, leaving 9GB available to the user. Samsung’s custom Android skin, TouchWiz, comes with a host of new features and this is the reason that so much of the internal storage is already in use out of the box.

It sounds as though Samsung may push an update out at some point that condenses the system files and therefore frees up more space for the user. How much this will equate to is as yet unclear, but needless to say even a small improvement will be welcome.

Via CNET

Last week we posted to say that the Samsung Galaxy S4 would be featured on BBC Watchdog regarding its lack of user-accessible internal storage. The show was broadcast last night, a clip of which you can watch in the video below. 

Interestingly Google and Samsung have just announced a Nexus version of the S4. This will run stock Android, meaning it will not have TouchWiz and therefore more user-accessible internal storage.