Samsung explains the Galaxy S5’s audio features

Samsung eased the functionality overload on the Galaxy S5, holding off on new features and removing some of the older ones that users didn’t really care about. But let’s face it, the S5 is still stuffed to the gills with features large and small, to the point that even seasoned users can feel overwhelmed. That’s why we appreciate the series of blog posts on Samsung Tomorrow where the company is going through some of the lesser known features of the device, and today’s post is all about audio.

Here are the Galaxy S5’s audio features that Samsung thinks you should know about:

Directional voice recording

If you use your Galaxy S5 as a voice recorder, Interview Mode and Conversation Mode let you reduce that pesky ambient noise that sometimes drowns out what you actually meant to record. In Interview Mode, the Galaxy S5’s two microphones “focus” on the front of the device, where your interviewee should theoretically be located. In Conversation Mode, the two mics listen to the front and the back the device. Of course, you can always switch to Normal Mode, and have the Galaxy S5 record omnidirectionally.

Adapt Sound

Listening to music is a subjective experience, so the Galaxy S5 tries to learn and apply your preferences with Adapt Sound. Think of it as a way to calibrate your device’s audio output, the way you would calibrate a PC monitor the first time you use it. If you go through the calibration with your headphones on, the phone will remember to apply the specific settings the next time you plug your buds in. Handy.

SoundAlive

SoundAlive is Samsung’s name for what looks to be just a plain old equalizer. There are two modes – in Basic, you get to choose from a grid of presets like Jazz or Classic, while in Advanced, you get access to a 7-band equalizer, plus options for 3D, Bass, and Clarity effects.

Wise Voice

This awkwardly named mode adjusts the volume of your voice when you talk to the phone, so it sounds more uniform, regardless how far from your mouth you hold the device. In theory, this should result in better audio for the person you’re talking to, and to fewer cases of “I didn’t get that.” The feature is also supposed to help with conference calls on speakerphone.

Extra Volume

Finally, Extra Volume is a recurring feature that lets you pump the volume of a call by an extra level, even if you already set it to the max with the volume rocker.

There you have it – while many users will never need these features, it doesn’t hurt to know that the Galaxy S5 has them. Have you tried any of them? Anything else worth mentioning?

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/1ox8Lfy