Galaxy Note 3: Eight of the coolest S-Pen features [Video Update]

The Note 3 has been received very positively: what few reviews and hands-on tests that we’ve done on the device, we’ve always been impressed with it. The inclusion of the S Pen in the device only seals the deal on a rock solid phablet and should be praised and used. So let’s cut to the chase and check out some cool S Pen tricks.

Link to Video

Air Command

The S Pen is located on the bottom right-hand side of the Galaxy Note 3 and when you remove it, the device will launch the Air Command menu (as long as you haven’t disabled it). This menu gives you quick access to a large amount of S Pen features and can also be toggled by hovering over the screen and click a button on the stylus. The features that you can access with Air Command are: Action Memo, Scrap Booker, Screen Write, S Finder, and Pen Window.

Handwriting

With the S Pen, you can do everything that you can do with a keyboard. This goes for both text input as well as numbers and the error rate is very low. Great for people who enjoy the feel of actually writing instead of typing on a non-physical keyboard.

Direct Pen Input

You can also write with the S Pen without having to have the handwriting option open. With the direct pen input, every time you hover over a text box with a pen, a small icon will appear. If you tap on it with the pen, a pop-up window emerges and provides a space where you can handwrite your text. This works great for filling out forms or some place where you need to enter in a bunch of information.

Hover for more features

With the S Pen you have two functional levels: the first being when you touch the screen directly with the pen, the second when you are hovering over it. When you hold the pen just above the display, several features become available such as Air View, advanced features incorporating the S Pen button, or “mouseover” in the browser.

Action Memos

You can quickly scribble notes and connect them to actions on your phone. For example, you can write down a phone number and have your device save it as a new contact or to an existing contact. Accessed through the Air Command menu, this is a quick way to jot down reminders or add things to your calendar.

Create Screenshots

With the S Pen, you can take screenshots in a snap and also offers a bunch of different ways to do so. With the pen, you can touch it to the screen and then hold down the S Pen button held down for several seconds. Or you can choose it from the “Screenshot Note” option in the Air Command menu. In both cases, you can take screenshots and then write personal hand written notes or doodles all over them.

Share screen content

If you like to be able to share content of what you’re viewing relatively quickly, you can simply hold down the S Pen button and then circle whatever it is you’re looking at. From there you can use the pen to optimize it further, either adding or deleting the image directly. From there, you can send it off on its merry way via e-mail, message, or Bluetooth!

Google Maps: Zoom in with the S Pen

While this isn’t an exclusive feature of the S Pen, I wanted to mention it anyway: In Google Maps, you can use the pen to zoom in and out by tapping twice and then holding down the pen.

Well, those are, in my opinion, some of the cooler features that make working the S Pen a delight. But they are barely just scrapping the surface of what the S Pen can do, so please feel free to let us know what your favorite feature is!