One of the most powerful Android tablets we have ever seen is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, which is as big as a laptop, it’s super slim and can handle almost any task. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.
Flexibility offered by the keyboard and kickstand
Get a case from Samsung to make things easy; it will change the way you work. The back is a snap-on style cover, which has a slot for the S Pen. It snaps on the back magnetically. To access the S Pen, there is a separate slot, which is easily accessible. There is also a built-in kickstand with the back cover, so you can prop up the tablet, which is helpful when you are watching a film or during videoconferences.
The keyboard snaps on the bottom of the tablet magnetically and is easily removable. The keyboard itself is very nice with a built-in trackpad. If you dive into settings, there are ways to control the speed of the pointer and several other laptop-style features. Typing is quite easy and the keys are well spaced out. There is even a row of function keys, some of which also act as system keys (F1 to F3). You can set each key up to launch a different app. It’s a backlit keyboard, complete with three stages of backlighting.
There is, of course, a quick launch button for DeX. This is a feature that gives you a semblance of using a laptop, complete with multi-window function. The feature is also available on some of Samsung’s top phones. DeX is like having a mini Chromebook but far more powerful.
The function I would like to see in the keyboard is a charging port like on Apple’s Magic Keyboard; this will give you more flexibility with the USB-C port on the tablet.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Book Cover Keyboard needs to be bought separately
Turn on the high refresh rate
This is a 14.6 inch super AMOLED display. You can get a lot out of the display by configuring the refresh rate, which goes up to 120Hz. On a mobile phone, 120Hz doesn’t always make sense because of the screen size. There is no visible jelly effect. This is best seen on iPhones, most of which still have 60Hz refresh rate but you feel as if it has 120Hz refresh rate. Much of it has to do with software optimisation. On tablets, which have bigger screens, 120Hz brings about a big change.
Samsung Free
Touch on the home screen and swipe left to access Samsung Free under which you have access to some free live TV. There is also the option to listen to audio books. There is also a section where you can access a range of games that need not be downloaded. You can play these titles as long as you are connected to the Internet.
The S Pen comes free in the box
First, make sure you don’t lose the S Pen. From the Air command menu, tap the cogwheel, and choose ‘Warn if S Pen is left behind’. Whenever you lock the screen of the Tab S8 Ultra, and take the S Pen away, there will be a pop up on the screen, informing that the S Pen is not with the tablet.
Second, it’s important that you use the S Pen because it has become very responsive. The latency is so low that you won’t feel a lag while drawing or taking notes. Then there are cool features associated with the S Pen, like convert handwriting to text.
A good use of the S Pen is how you can use it on a PDF. For example, if you have a PDF file which requires you to fill in a few blanks. Import it and boom, you fill out everything. After, say, signing the document you can email it back to the person concerned.
Further, the S Pen works very well with other Galaxy S devices, like the S22 Ultra. When you are drawing and want a completely clean canvas, move all the pen tools and colour palette to your S22 Ultra while keeping the tablet free for drawings. All the options can be chosen on the S22 Ultra while drawings can be done on the Tab S8 Ultra.
It’s the ideal screen for content consumption
Auto-framing
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has dual cameras on the front, which gives users something akin to Centre Stage on the iPad. Once you are in the front facing video camera mode, click on the circle inside which there is a solid circle, and you enter auto-framing mode. As you walk around the room, the camera can track you and zoom in to offer the perfect frame. It also helps if there are two-three speakers with you and the camera needs to fit in everybody.
Daily Board
There is a way to turn the Tab S8 Ultra into sort of a Google Home. First connect it to a power point. Visit the toggles section and switch on Daily Board. A clock will appear as your main page and there is an access to calendar, you can check out what’s playing on YouTube Music or Spotify, you can write a quick note. The section also allows access to your smart home set up.