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[Q] Which way do you lie your phone down?

Hey all,
I was just wondering how everyone puts their Nexus S' on a flat surface. Like a table.
The curved screen allows you to lie it face down, but then BLN becomes useless.
On the flipside (hah.), lying the phone on its back leaves the camera lens exposed. :S

just like normal , screen up and butt down ....

With a good case, any way you'd like

If I'm in the range that I can hear the ringtone, face down for a little louder ring.
If I'll go someplace else that I won't hear the ringtone, face up so I can see if BLN is active when I come back.

suksit said:
If I'm in the range that I can hear the ringtone, face down for a little louder ring.
If I'll go someplace else that I won't hear the ringtone, face up so I can see if BLN is active when I come back.
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Same strategy for me. The Nexus S doesn't have a very loud speaker, sadly.

I put my phone on the table with the screen facing up. Never occurred to me about the camera thing but I don't really care. I've been placing it this way as long as I can remember and the camera is fine.

At first face down (contour display) but now face up almost all the time. I'm too used to putting it down like that.

qtwrk said:
just like normal , screen up and butt down ....
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Same Here

Invisible shield on back. So screen up back down. I donut use screen protection on front
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App. Developer of brickROM, and OP of XDA Thread of The Year 2011.

Hm, interesting.
I'm being really OCD in that I feel like putting it face down will scuff the plastic bezel on the top and bottom. No way will make it completely safe! D:
I have a BestSkinsEver on mine, but it still doesn't really protect the camera.

It's either in my hand (most of the day) or in my pocket.

I balance mine on an edge.

Face down so I can hear my alarm.

Close calls....Post them!

Everyone share your stories for close calls relating to the potential destruction of your phone. I'll begin.
Today I was on the second story of my home with my phone on the windowsill. There's a highway about 300 yards from this window, and from it I can hear the gentle ambiance of passing motorists. My phone was resting on the windowsill as I heard loud screeching followed by a thunderous crash. I opened my window to see the extent of the damage and my phone fell two stories to the ground below. Luckily it fell right onto a patch of grass, missing concrete by less than 2 feet. The feeling of dread quickly turned to relief as I picked up my face up non damaged phone.
Lets hear your horror stories!

2 stories fall with no damage? Even with grass that's a big fall. Consider yourself very lucky!

Wow. Did you use a case?
I've never dropped my phone from more than waist height.

ECrispy said:
2 stories fall with no damage? Even with grass that's a big fall. Consider yourself very lucky!
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Thats why I felt inspired to post! Everywhere I look I see cracked screens, and I consider myself supernaturally lucky to never have damaged a phone from a fall (although one of my old clamshell's hinge broke once while opening it oddly enough). I want to hear about others who spat in the face of physics and got lucky.
stargate125645 said:
Wow. Did you use a case?
I've never dropped my phone from more than waist height.
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Oddly enough I just switched from one of those bulky otterbox type protectors to a flimsy $2 rubber skin a week or so ago to conserve pocket space. I was mostly mad at myself, I usually handle my phone more carefully than a mother handles a newborn. I did drop my old droid 2 a couple times but never had more than a scratched screen protector.

Third day I had my GSIII I had it plugged into my home theater with an aux cord, listening to music. Was sitting on a shelf about 6 feet up, landscape mode, propped against a CD book. Don't know if the vibration from music shook it loose, but I turned my back and then heard a nice solid SMACK on my concrete floor. Phone slid off the shelf and landed face down...Not a scratch or crack on it. I was amazed.

eyesxlikexvice said:
Third day I had my GSIII I had it plugged into my home theater with an aux cord, listening to music. Was sitting on a shelf about 6 feet up, landscape mode, propped against a CD book. Don't know if the vibration from music shook it loose, but I turned my back and then heard a nice solid SMACK on my concrete floor. Phone slid off the shelf and landed face down...Not a scratch or crack on it. I was amazed.
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oh geez thats lucky. any case or anything on it? Screen protector?

I am so afraid to even have a close call...The S3 seems so fragile. I wish I could use it neked.

well in theory all cell phones are just as fragile. For the most part they all have the same delicate hardware inside that isn't meant to absord shock. Some of them may have a sturdier exterior than others but they're ruggedness may be in our head.

pwhoeler said:
oh geez thats lucky. any case or anything on it? Screen protector?
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No case, no screen protector, phone was totally unprotected. I've since gotten a case!

eyesxlikexvice said:
No case, no screen protector, phone was totally unprotected. I've since gotten a case!
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Almost makes you want to believe in the phone fairy

pwhoeler said:
Everyone share your stories for close calls relating to the potential destruction of your phone. I'll begin.
Today I was on the second story of my home with my phone on the windowsill. There's a highway about 300 yards from this window, and from it I can hear the gentle ambiance of passing motorists. My phone was resting on the windowsill as I heard loud screeching followed by a thunderous crash. I opened my window to see the extent of the damage and my phone fell two stories to the ground below. Luckily it fell right onto a patch of grass, missing concrete by less than 2 feet. The feeling of dread quickly turned to relief as I picked up my face up non damaged phone.
Lets hear your horror stories!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my burning question: why on earth was your phone on a windowsill when the window was open? Were you asking for trouble? Death wish, perhaps?

The first day I had my GS III, I had it plugged in, in the kitchen, my dog came running through the house, and snagged the charger and sent the phone and charger flying, luckily the only thing that broke was the charger.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Today, I went to pull my phone out of my pocket and fumbled it a bit.
Not an exciting story seeing as I treat and watch over my phone better than my own body.

mustbepbs said:
So my burning question: why on earth was your phone on a windowsill when the window was open? Were you asking for trouble? Death wish, perhaps?
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I was reacting quickly and carelessly to the sounds outside. Should have looked first.

I was taking a morning wiz and sat the phone down to wash my hands and it was a little bit too close to the toilet. Girlfriend rushing to the bathroom after me pushed the door open and my phone almost slid in the toilet. Felt like max Payne slow mo as I nudged My phone away from that open toilet lol.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

blestsol said:
I was taking a morning wiz and sat the phone down to wash my hands and it was a little bit too close to the toilet. Girlfriend rushing to the bathroom after me pushed the door open and my phone almost slid in the toilet. Felt like max Payne slow mo as I nudged My phone away from that open toilet lol.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
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ooo and you know water has a 100% kill rate. I think water based stories will almost always end up in tragedy, even though they're a lot less climactic than a drop

Has anyone else dropped their phone and broke its fall with your foot? I have. It feels awesome.
Sent from CNA

RCOVA said:
Has anyone else dropped their phone and broke its fall with your foot? I have. It feels awesome.
Sent from CNA
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Done that a few times.
My favorite close call though has to be when I was standing next to a pool messing with my phone and it slipped out of my hands. It was over the water and out of instinct (no idea why this was my instinct) kicked the phone. The phone flew across the pool (10-15 ft) and a friend who was on the other side caught it. The case had come off the corner slightly but phone was working perfectly.

RCOVA said:
Has anyone else dropped their phone and broke its fall with your foot? I have. It feels awesome.
Sent from CNA
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Hell yeah lol
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

RCOVA said:
Has anyone else dropped their phone and broke its fall with your foot? I have. It feels awesome.
Sent from CNA
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bet you felt like a ninja lol

Shower with it?

Should you, could you, would you, take a shower with the Gear 2?
[CONCLUSION]
Manual says soap is not advisable, but if you forget that you are wearing it while walking in to the shower its no problem.

Should I? Not unless it's something I CANNOT miss (probably the only time is if a baby is on the way). I can spare 5 seconds to take watch off and on.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

Darth Ziggurat said:
Should you, could you, would you, take a shower with the Gear 2?
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The Gear 2 is water resistant up to 3 meters for 30 minutes. You could. I am not sure you should. What is the point of wearing the watch in the shower? I wouldn't because I have no reason too.
I wouldn't fret about walking to my vehicle in the rain however.
This video shows the Galaxy Gear water test... and the Galaxy Gear was not rated as waterproof at the Gear 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AumcFF-9F9U

It is Waterproof
I have took two showers with it already and it is working fine have had no problems it is even touchable in the shower but not like it is when it is dry very nice though
Breach said:
The Gear 2 is water resistant up to 3 meters for 30 minutes. You could. I am not sure you should. What is the point of wearing the watch in the shower? I wouldn't because I have no reason too.
I wouldn't fret about walking to my vehicle in the rain however.
This video shows the Galaxy Gear water test... and the Galaxy Gear was not rated as waterproof at the Gear 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AumcFF-9F9U
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tonyd371 said:
I have took two showers with it already and it is working fine have had no problems it is even touchable in the shower but not like it is when it is dry very nice though
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I wasn't saying that its not possible. I was pretty sure it would be fine since it's rated IP67 (one meter for 30 minutes), but I don't see the point.. wait.. Ahh.. hmm.. Are you watching porn on than tiny screen? lol

According to the manual, soap is not advisable. Which kinda defeats the point of a shower really
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

No but haven't tried watching movies yet
takes too long to transfer. and porn haven't tried to transfer movies to it unknown as of yet if they will play. i will try to download movies to it and see but as you say the screen is small. the note 3 has a better picture so i wouldn't waste battery for it. it already drains playing music
Breach said:
I wasn't saying that its not possible. I was pretty sure it would be fine since it's rated IP67 (one meter for 30 minutes), but I don't see the point.. wait.. Ahh.. hmm.. Are you watching porn on than tiny screen? lol
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Thanks guys, I updated my main post with the conclusion that its not advisable because of soap, but if you forget you are wearing it its no problem.

why not but would not

I took a shower with it
The speakers stop functioning if they get in contact with water (this also happens if you put your watch in glass of water. thereafter, the speakers don't work for a short time)
That's the only thing I've noticed so far
everything else works fine

I've showered everyday with it... no problems here. I take it off and wipe it clean and put it back on. You never know when you might miss an important phone call

I wont chance it. Nothing is that important it cant wait for my 20 min shower.

smeiff said:
I've showered everyday with it... no problems here. I take it off and wipe it clean and put it back on. You never know when you might miss an important phone call
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I've showered with it since I got it and it's holding up just fine. No point in having a waterproof watch if you can't even shower with it. Next up; Waterworld and the beach in Maui! We'll see how this goes... lol

Helga Pataki said:
I took a shower with it
The speakers stop functioning if they get in contact with water (this also happens if you put your watch in glass of water. thereafter, the speakers don't work for a short time)
That's the only thing I've noticed so far
everything else works fine
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Click to collapse
Speakers don't stop working, there is too much water on the little hole, just blow some air with your mouth or lightly with an air dust pc spray.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

took mine for a dip in the hottub last night was in there for about 45 min just relaxing with some friends.
checked a few xda posts, text notifications ect ..
tested out music player on it , and as others stated it gets all muffled , just have to blow on speaker and its fine a few minuets later.
only thing I would worry about is long term affect from the chemicals in the hottub we run bromine in ours and over time it could degrade the plastic or the strap I'm thinking .

Chemicals in the water (shower, pool, hot tub) will eventually degrade the seals and you will end up with a brick. This is not a Suunto. And I doubt Samsung intended it to be exposed to water for long periods of time on a regular basis.

extremetm said:
Chemicals in the water (shower, pool, hot tub) will eventually degrade the seals and you will end up with a brick. This is not a Suunto. And I doubt Samsung intended it to be exposed to water for long periods of time on a regular basis.
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The user guide specifically says not to expose it to soapy water (as in a shower)! It also points out in the user guide that the pressure of the water may exceed standing water at 1m depth, for example in a waterfall, crashing waves in the sea....and I would think this would extend to a higher pressure shower. It also says that you should dry the watch whenever it has become wet!
It really is water resistant...NOT waterproof and certainly not intended for underwater operation.

I made 2 baths and a couple of showers with the gear 2 and everything is ok. I will take the gear of only in pool or at sea.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

How do you guys wash your wrist under the watch? That's one of the places I sweat the most.

JimSmith94 said:
How do you guys wash your wrist under the watch? That's one of the places I sweat the most.
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Exactly... I jog all the time and one thing I hated with the Gear 1 that it was not waterproof so I took a lot of time to clean it on the inside of the band since I tend to dress-up for work daily wearing the Gear. Plus being a real runner you will get caught in rain...but my sweat counts more than rain since I live in the HOT humid South.
So I shower in mind to clean it and I don't put soap directly on it but by all means I clean the stink of the nasty sweat off my arm and inner band of the watch...more water very mild amount of soap...same as I did with Gear 1 but never put it in the shower...
If Samsung is going to be serious about a workout gear then water, sweat, etc is part of it so if they say it can withstand water damn I am going to get it in water...if fails then why I have a warranty...
By all means if you work out in it please clean it...under the band can smell like an a$$ if you not cleaning ANY of your workout gear that includes the arm holder for my Note 3 when I jog....

I have a pretty good idea for an app that I definately need help with. SHOWER MODE

When your in the shower or water with your gear s3, the screen will have a spaz attack because when the water hits the screen (especially if its warm) will mistake it for input.
My idea is a widget/app that enables a shower mode (open to name suggestions) whereby the screen input is turned off for a preconfigured amount of time the user sets. The watch is easily controlled without the screen for underwater/shower use (buttons/bezel).
To turn off 'shower mode' the preset time either runs out or is turned off via buttons.
What you guys think?
.........is anyone sh*t hot at making apps, i cant imagine this one being verh complicated to make.
Cheers,
Jay:good:

try the Screen Lock app that was discussed just recently. https://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-s3/themes/screenlock-gear-gear-app-store-t3600882

Thanks for your reply. Ive just looked into the app you mentioned.
Unfortunately it prevents the use of the watch and doesnt stop screen input.
My idea is much simpler. Merely an app/widget that can turn off the touch input. Rendering the buttons and bezel the only way of controlling the watch in wet conditions.
So simple but so usefull!

Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but in 6 months of owning my S3 I've never showered/swum with it.
Despite being IP68, Samsung state in the manual that it should not be worn for swimming or showering. Apparently any activity where it is exposed to water at pressure e.g. a shower or from arm movement causing increased pressure when hitting the water whilst swimming puts the seals at risk.
I've contracted Samsung support about it questioning that IP68 should be fine for both of these activities, but they were adamant that the watertight seals are not meant for pressure. They said anyone who has done it and their watch has survived was lucky, it was only a matter of time before they got water damage.
What are people's thoughts on this?
Do you swim/shower in your S3?
If you do, how powerful is your shower and how long have you been doing it for?
Have you had any problems with yours after showering/swimming with it?
I'm intrigued to see what people have found ?

Ip68 states can be submerged in water for 30 mins at a depth of 1.5 metres for 30 minutes.
I have a very large fish tank with depth of 1m. Both my gear s3 and phone(galaxy s7 edge) passed this test.
Also i have worn in swimming pool and hot tub.
I have no real need to get it wet usually other than in shower however water interferes with touch screen.
I hope this answers your question i just hope someone with the know how can help with mine.

jayswaves said:
Thanks for your reply. Ive just looked into the app you mentioned.
Unfortunately it prevents the use of the watch and doesnt stop screen input.
My idea is much simpler. Merely an app/widget that can turn off the touch input. Rendering the buttons and bezel the only way of controlling the watch in wet conditions.
So simple but so usefull!
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Click to collapse
Oh, so you want to be able to read the face on the watch and bezel through your widgets while in the shower.
As was mentioned, I don't shower with it - nice chance for my wrist to breathe. And I rarely swim or hot tub.

I think some may have misunderstood this post.
It is aimed at people that do wear the watch in a situation where it gets wet and that have the ability to create such an application.

jayswaves said:
Unfortunately it prevents the use of the watch and doesnt stop screen input.
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No. it prevents screen input. When something touches the screen it will show 'Locked' and go back to the watch screen..

Can I safely use Pixel 2 to take pics at Niagara falls where it is very wet?

I have a proper DSLR camera but it isn't weather proofed and I don't want to risk damaging it for photos on my trip to Niagara falls on the US side.
I was thinking of using my phone for pictures while I'm on the boat ride and the Cave of the Winds pavilion, where it can get soaking wet due to the proximity to the falls.
Given that this phone is rated IP67 do you think it's safe to use it for short bursts to take pictures there? Did anyone use it on a trip to Niagara or similarly wet places? Please give your honest opinion. I'll not use it if it's a bad idea!

I would not be concerned, but reach to their own.

litetaker said:
I have a proper DSLR camera but it isn't weather proofed and I don't want to risk damaging it for photos on my trip to Niagara falls on the US side.
I was thinking of using my phone for pictures while I'm on the boat ride and the Cave of the Winds pavilion, where it can get soaking wet due to the proximity to the falls.
Given that this phone is rated IP67 do you think it's safe to use it for short bursts to take pictures there? Did anyone use it on a trip to Niagara or similarly wet places? Please give your honest opinion. I'll not use it if it's a bad idea!
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I'm sure most of us are a little gun shy due to dropping a device into a toilet and ruining it. But IP67 is pretty good. I have a fitness band with the same rating and I shower with it all the time. Just have a dry rag in your pocket and wipe it down when not in use. If you do it, and I'm not suggesting you do, update the post an let us know how you make out. Have fun, sounds like a cool trip. Also post some pics on the Google+ group https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/104701608189790022748

Yes, you should be able to use it, but there are a couple things you need to be aware of first:
1. Once the screen and your fingers get wet, the phone basically becomes useless. Touch responsiveness goes on the tank at that point and you may have trouble getting a shot. I'd recommend setting your volume rocker to trigger the shutter before the phone gets wet to avoid this issue.
2. Be careful while holding it. Wet phones are super slippery and you don't want to lose it over the edge of the boat. Consider getting a case with a lanyard.
3. After it does get wet, take it out of the case and let it dry completely before charging it or plugging in wired headphones. Some phones will prevent charging when wet, but I wouldn't count on that function working every time.
Have fun!

PuffDaddy_d said:
Yes, you should be able to use it, but there are a couple things you need to be aware of first:
1. Once the screen and your fingers get wet, the phone basically becomes useless. Touch responsiveness goes on the tank at that point and you may have trouble getting a shot. I'd recommend setting your volume rocker to trigger the shutter before the phone gets wet to avoid this issue.
2. Be careful while holding it. Wet phones are super slippery and you don't want to lose it over the edge of the boat. Consider getting a case with a lanyard.
3. After it does get wet, take it out of the case and let it dry completely before charging it or plugging in wired headphones. Some phones will prevent charging when wet, but I wouldn't count on that function working every time.
Have fun!
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All great points. I have already considered #2 and I am going to use a lanyard I have to secure the phone. #1 is also a great idea and thanks for the suggestion. I will do that too. I also plan to use some tape to seal off additional ports and openings just as an extra precaution as the weather sealing may have deteriorated over time. I will report back on my experience.

I am happy to report that my Pixel 2 worked like a champ in extremely wet conditions. I got a lot of awesome photos. I used a bit of tape to close up the speaker grills, the other obvious openings etc., even if it may have been unnecessary. In any case, here are some gifs and a video of the numerous pictures and videos I took from the phone in this trip: https://photos.app.goo.gl/iPpHG8zBSrVWmqVv5

nicepix. team pixel representando

Looks good!