Gulfs Weekly
If you opt for an Android phone over an iPhone, there are certain features you get as standard as part of Android. Then there are other features specific to certain manufacturers, as each Android phone maker puts its own spin on the software. Pixel phones, for example, get the Now Playing widget on the home screen and lock screen that works like an instant Shazam. It'll tell you the name of the song playing in your environment before you've even searched for it.
With Samsung phones, one of the best perks isn't as widely known about or used as it should be. It's called the Edge Panel, and it works like a customizable shortcut bar that gives you speedy access to the other parts of your phone. How the Edge Panel Works
You can think of the Edge Panel as being a little bit like the Start menu on Windows, or the dock on macOS. It provides something that Android doesn't have by default, which is a user-configurable launcher for collecting your favorite apps and feature shortcuts. When it's enabled, the Edge Panel appears as a faint line along the side of the screen, and you can swipe across it to open the pane. If you don't see it, head to Settings and choose Display > Edge Panels to turn it on (via the toggle switch) or customize what the panels show (by tapping the menu entry).
There are actually seven different types of panel to choose from: Apps, People, Tasks, Weather, Tools, Clipboard, and Reminder. You can have just one of them active, or all seven, or something in between (once you've got the Edge Panel up, swipe across it to switch between the different types). Edge Panel gives you access to your favorite apps and shortcuts.
The names of these panels give you some idea of what they can do. You can use the Apps panel to access the apps you use the most, without having to hunt for them in the main app drawer or cluttering your home screen. The People panel lets you quickly access your most important contacts. The Clipboard panel provides quick access to the phone clipboard. The Tasks panel features shortcuts such as taking screenshots, adding new calendar events, adding alarms, and taking a screenshot. The Tools panel includes a compass that shows your current location and directions. The Weather panel displays weather information, and the Reminder panel syncs information from the Reminder app.
Customize the Edge Panel
The Edge Panel works fine in its default state, but to make the most of it, you need to set it up to suit your needs. From the main Settings menu, choose Display, then tap Edge Panels. Select Panels to pick which panes are shown. You can prioritize the apps and features you use most by checking the ones you want and reordering them. You can also hide the panel on the lock screen if you don’t want it visible before unlocking your phone. You can customize the handle (the strip along the side of the screen) by adjusting its size, transparency, color, and position. Finally, you can disable the Edge Panel in landscape mode if it distracts you while watching videos or playing games.
This mode is mainly used for watching videos and playing games, in which case the Edge Panel and its handle might distract you.
Source: WIRED
