Nexus 4 Top 15 Tips & Tricks for Memory Management, Battery Saving and Hidden Features
A co-creation by Google and LG, Nexus 4 sports 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and 8MP camera. Powerful and efficient but if you need more out of it, here are 15 tips you can use to extend its battery life, keeping it running smoothly and unravel hidden features of the Nexus 4.
Hidden Features
1. Notifications Bar and Quick Settings
In Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the notifications bar has been improved to give larger space to fit in all the details for your feeds, emails and messages. Quick Settings feature is allows the user to access more toggles and shortcuts right from the notifications shade. Swipe one finger downward from the notifications bar to reveal the notifications shade or swipe two fingers downward to access Quick Settings.
2. Gesture Typing on Keyboard
No need to download and install third party to have gesture typing. The Android 4.2.2 keyboard on your Nexus 4 can do it for you. Go to "Settings > Language and Input > Android keyboard."
3. Daydream Feature
Allow apps or certain functions for your phone to activate as a screen saver similar to a computer. You can select when a Daydream will be activated such as during charging. Functions such as Clock, Google Current and Photo Frame are usable in the Daydream feature.
4. Lock screen Widgets
Your lock screen can now handle widgets to quickly access certain applications on your Nexus 4. You can swipe right or left to access, add or remove widgets such as camera, messaging or calendar.
5. Screenshot
Nexus 4 can take a screenshot by simply pressing the power and the volume down key simultaneously. A successful screenshot will appear on the notifications shade and on your Gallery app.
Speeding Up Your Nexus 4
1. Display and Wallpaper
Use display elements that are only important on your Nexus 4. Certain elements such as Live Wallpapers, Multi-wallpapers and widgets can cause your device to slow down due to many processing running alone on the display.
2. Syncing Applications
Manually logout your social apps if you don't want to receive any push notifications or you don't want to use them often. Having several social apps syncing all the time will eventually eat memory and cause your device to slow down.
3. Free Some Space
Even with 16GB of internal memory, the Nexus 4 can choke up eventually. It is recommended to keep 10 per cent of your storage space free to maintain the speed of your device.
4. Restart Your Device
Reboot the device every now and then or whenever you are recharging it. In this way, the Nexus 4 releases memory from its RAM which will speed up things on the next boot.
5. Constantly Look for Any Update
Although Nexus 4 is already running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, keep looking for any updates from Google. Having updates include bug fixes and performance enhancement for your device.
Battery Saving Tips
1. Lower Brightness and Less Screen Activity
Screen display is the biggest consumer on the device's battery. Lower the brightness when you're indoors and apply static wallpaper to lessen display activity.
2. Disable Radios and Connectivity
Turn off wireless signal if you don't need them such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and others. Wireless connectivity will continue to look for signal as long as they are active which can significantly affect the battery life.
3. Auto-Syncing
You can manually sync your application such Facebook or Twitter instead to save energy on your device. To do this, go to "Settings > Accounts & Sync > Turn off." Simply launch the apps individually to get your feeds and updates.
4. Remove Applications
Most applications are always running in the background and these apps are also draining battery. Remove some applications that you do not use anymore to help the battery life and memory of your Nexus 4.
5. CPU Control
If your Nexus 4 is rooted, download and install apps which control the CPU activity and clock speed. Nexus 4 has four-core processors which you can manage by using apps to control how many CPU core should work and on what speed only.