Latest news with #SaeedWazir
Android Authority
21-06-2025
- Android Authority
This free Android app helps me optimize my workflow — here's how
Saeed Wazir / Android Authority My life as a freelancer involves writing different articles for various clients daily. I also spend a significant amount of time caring for my daughter and attending to household chores. Balancing my workload and home life would be challenging without a time-tracking tool to log each task and monitor my progress. I use Clockify because I can accurately track the time spent on each project and analyze my performance with in-depth reports. Clockify is available for free on Android phones and Windows devices, so I can use it from anywhere. It has made a massive difference to the way I approach my work and manage my time, thanks to accurate data tracking and visual representations of my progress. The app is also user-friendly, and anyone can get the hang of it without prior training. Do you rely on smartphone apps to keep up with your daily tasks? 330 votes Only one or two apps. 50 % I have multiple apps to keep track of everything. 25 % I use a powerful all-in-one app with advanced features. 8 % No, I get by fine without needing any apps. 18 % Clockify tracks my working hours Saeed Wazir / Android Authority My main reason for using Clockify is to identify how much time I spend on each project per day. I sometimes start a project at a certain time, then take a break before continuing. At other times, I need to stop a project halfway and switch to editing another article to meet a deadline. Sometimes I don't have enough hours in the day. I start a project in the evening and continue the next day. None of these are issues because Clockify tracks each job down to the second, and lets me divide them between billable and non-billable hours. Clockify saves me from hours of admin per month and is more accurate than a manual system. Before using Clockify, I logged each job into an Excel spreadsheet and had to manually add the client names, rates, and other details daily. At the end of the week, I'd need to add up the hours worked and then try to divide them by each client. Now I create a new project, assign it to a client, and Clockify takes care of the rest. It saves me from hours of admin per month and is more accurate than a manual system. I see how much time I spent on each project Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Clockify's Timesheet is one of my favorite features because it breaks down my work for the week to see how much time I spent on each project. It creates a table with all the jobs I've done and displays the time spent on each per day. If I work on the same project for multiple days, it shows the days and time spent on it and calculates a total hourly figure. It does this every week to create a record of my work, which I can revisit at any time. Being able to see all the projects I worked on during the week helps me to plan better and strategise for the future. Being able to see all the projects I worked on during the week and the time spent on each helps me to plan better and strategise for the future. I usually asses why specific projects took longer than usual to complete, or why others were faster than normal. I can also identify which days I'm more productive than others, so I can organize my schedule more effectively. If I didn't work solo, I'd probably use the Teammates option to add my colleagues to the system and monitor our combined output. The in-depth reports track every metric Saeed Wazir / Android Authority The Reports feature in Clockify helps me optimize my work by viewing various metrics and analyzing my performance. The main screen displays the total number of hours I've worked per day, and I can break them down by project, billable, or non-billable hours. I can also see how much time I've spent on each client. Clockify displays the percentage allocated to each, enabling me to plan my workload more effectively. I often use the filter function further to break down the reports into easily digestible information. For example, I assign a tag to every project, such as 'list,' 'feature,' or 'review,' based on the type of article I'm writing. At the end of the week, I can see how much time I spent on each kind of article and which clients they were for. This helps me to improve my time management because I can allocate shorter jobs to specific days and longer jobs to others when I'm not as busy. At home and on the go Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I spend most of my days on the go and appreciate that Clockify syncs between my phone and laptop so I can access my information from anywhere. I often use the desktop app when working from home so that I can view all the charts and graphics on a large display. Running the desktop app while I'm working at my desk also serves as a timer, pushing me to focus on my work without getting sidetracked by social media and other distractions. Clockify syncs between my phone and laptop so I can access my information from anywhere. I use the mobile version when I have free time and want to view or analyze my progress while I'm relaxing on my couch. I also use it if I'm typing an article in Google Docs while waiting to pick up my daughter from school and want to log the time I'm spending on it. Both versions of the app run equally well and mostly display the same information. It's great, but not perfect Saeed Wazir / Android Authority The free version of Clockify works well for me, possibly because I'm a single-person organization and do all the work for myself. Having a timer running in the background motivates me to work without unnecessary breaks and has helped me increase my overall productivity. The TimeSheet and Reports provide detailed charts and graphs of my daily and weekly performance, which I use to improve my time management to fit my schedule. My only complaint about Clockify is that the mobile version doesn't display the dashboard as it does in the desktop app. The dashboard is helpful because it combines all the data onto a single page for easy viewing, and I wish I could view it from my phone. I'm fine with the free version, but Clockify offers various subscription-based alternatives, ranging from $4 to $11 per month. These are better suited for larger organizations and include features such as attendance reports, labor cost tracking, and an audit log to monitor employee performance.
Android Authority
21-06-2025
- Android Authority
Here's how I extend my Samsung Galaxy's battery life
Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I spend hours on my Samsung phone daily testing apps, browsing the internet, and working on productivity software. Many of these are resource-hungry or silently drain my battery while running in the background. That's why I optimize my battery settings to prevent my phone from running out of power when I need it the most. Samsung includes several handy tools to squeeze extra life out of my battery. They don't affect performance and can even help extend my phone's overall lifespan by prioritising my battery's health and optimizing charging. Each tool contributes to improving my battery life, and I see impressive results when I use them together. Do you use any battery optimization tools on your Samsung Galaxy phone? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % Battery protection extends the overall lifespan Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Most smartphones have lithium-ion batteries, which have a limited number of charge cycles before they begin to degrade. Degradation occurs at a faster rate when the battery is at 100% or below 20%. The battery protection feature helps reduce the degradation rate by managing the phone's charging cycles and keeping it within a specific range to prolong its life. The battery protection feature helps reduce the degradation rate by managing the phone's charging cycles I like to appreciate the set-it-and-forget-it nature of the Battery protection tool and the fact that it doesn't affect performance when I'm using my phone. It has three simple settings, Basic, Adaptive, and Maximum. Basic stops charging the phone when it reaches 100% and then starts again when it drops to 95%. Adaptive estimates my phone use based on my sleeping patterns and stops charging at 80% before switching to the Basic mode when I wake up. The Maximum setting is quite aggressive and stops charging the phone when it reaches 80%. I usually use the Basic mode on new phones because I have confidence in the battery's performance and lifespan. There's a noticeable performance difference after around two years of use, and I switch to Maximum to avoid costly battery replacements. The Adaptive setting is excellent for people who charge their phones overnight, but I don't use it because it doesn't accurately track my sleeping patterns. Power-saving mode for when I'm on the go Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Power-saving is a simple setting that helps me get more hours out of my battery after a charge. I think it's great for extending my battery life when I'm out and about because it provides an estimate of how much longer the battery will last when activated. For example, my phone will have around 20.5 hours of battery life when it's at 92% power, but the power-saving feature can extend it to 26 hours using the maximum settings. It achieves this by turning off the Always-On Display, limiting the CPU speed to 70%, decreasing the brightness by 10%, and limiting other app performance. I appreciate that each of these settings has its own toggle, so I can choose which ones to activate. Power-saving is great for getting more hours of use, but I use it sparingly because it affects my phone's performance. I only activate it when I'm travelling or don't have access to a charger, and leave it off the rest of the time. I stop unused apps from running in the background Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I'm guilty of installing apps that I use once and forget about. Then they lurk in the background, reducing my battery life and performance. When I eventually get around to checking my installed apps, I usually find hundreds, most of which I don't need. I uninstall the apps I have no intention of using again and disable the ones I might revisit later. Checking the App info page provides valuable information to help with my decision. The page shows how much storage, mobile data, and battery each app uses, and I disable the ones that I don't use, which are exploiting my resources. I can always enable the apps again if I decide I want to use them days or weeks later. Adaptive battery manages my apps based on my usage Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Adaptive battery is a feature that manages my Samsung phone's app performance based on my usage habits. This means that the phone learns which apps I use the most, how long I use them for, and the amount of battery power they consume. Adaptive battery then puts seldom-used apps to sleep as soon as I exit them so they don't run in the background, and throttles other background apps. Adaptive battery is a feature that manages my Samsung phone's app performance based on my usage habits. I've had mixed results with Adaptive Battery because some apps take just a second or two longer to respond when it's activated. I prevent this from happening by adding the apps I use most to the 'Never auto-sleeping apps' list, so they aren't affected by the adaptive settings. I also go into the Processing speed menu and ensure it's set to Optimized to get the best balance of power and efficiency. I disable this feature because I don't need it Saeed Wazir / Android Authority My Always-On Display shows the time and other helpful notifications, but it's also one of the biggest culprits when it comes to draining my battery. It constantly needs power, and managing how it works can drastically improve my phone's standby time. Luckily, Samsung provides various solutions to manage the Always-On Display and reduce its power consumption. I can turn the Always-On display on or off with a toggle and adjust its behavior with the When to Show options. I can turn the Always-On display on or off with a toggle and adjust its behavior with the When to Show options. These include tap to show, always on, or I can schedule times when I want it available. On my phone, I disable the Always-On display because I don't need it and can easily view my notifications by pressing the side button. It's also automatically disabled when Power-saving mode is turned on as part of the battery-saving measures. I like these battery-saving tools, but don't always use them Saeed Wazir / Android Authority It often depends on how I feel and the phone I'm using. I usually disable unused apps and the Always On Display on all my phones. However, I only activate features like Power-saving mode and Adaptive battery if I'm running out of juice and won't get to charge my phone anytime soon. I don't use Battery Protection on a new phone, and only activate it when I want to save the overall life after years of use. The performance of these tools varies depending on my usage, phone model, and battery age, and I feel some models experience greater benefits than others.
Android Authority
13-06-2025
- Android Authority
5 apps I install on every new phone
Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I've tested countless smartphones, and the excitement of opening the box and taking the stickers off a new device never gets old. I love holding the phone for the first time to see how it fits in my hand, and can't wait to get past the pesky initial setup to test its capabilities. It usually takes a few minutes, and then I'm ready to load my apps. These days, I have certain go-to apps that I install first on any new Android phone I get. To me, they are the most useful and practical because I use them daily, and I eventually get around to installing the others later when I'm ready. Spotify Saeed Wazir / Android Authority As a member of the older generation, it took me a while to switch to streaming services because I was still holding on to my physical media and old MP3 collection. Preparing for hitting the gym or road trips usually involved hours of preparation. I manually sifted through hundreds of folders to find the songs I liked and then copied them onto my phone or memory stick. After that, I could access a limited number of songs and still needed to create a playlist. My young brother introduced me to Spotify on a road trip a few years ago, and I never looked back. All of a sudden, I had access to all the songs stored on my drive and millions of others. The app took me out of my musical comfort zone, and I began to appreciate new songs and genres from artists I'd never heard of. For me, the best part was the convenience. I no longer wasted time creating separate playlists on my PC, phone, and car memory stick because all my music was now centralized in one place and accessible from anywhere. My young brother introduced me to Spotify on a road trip, and I never looked back. I try to use my free time while driving productively, and Android Auto integration was a big deal for me. Apart from having a soundtrack for road trips, I now had access to podcasts that helped me improve my productivity or provide news about the world. It also helped that everything is sorted into categories and is easy to find. Avast Antivirus Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I believe that an antivirus is a necessity for any Android phone, and I choose Avast because it offers decent protection and other great features for free. Compared to Spotify, it's more of a set-it-and-forget-it app that doesn't get much use, but is always there when I need it, providing peace of mind about my device's security. It's just well because the ads can be annoying, and I don't feel like paying for yet another subscription for features I don't need, like a photo vault and VPN. Avast gets the job done to scan for threats. It also includes other nifty tools, like a network scanner that automatically checks for threats when connecting to a new Wi-Fi network. There's also a hack alert to check if my email password has been leaked. I occasionally use the Wi-Fi speed test feature when I'm experiencing connection issues, but I seldom need the junk file remover, which deletes unused cache and APK files from my phone. FitOn Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I only started using a fitness app last year when I decided to get back into shape, but now I'm hooked. Choosing the right one was a challenge because most options out there are great, and it's hard to go wrong with any of them. I eventually settled on FitOn because it's free and offers comprehensive features to tackle all aspects of my health. I'm no fitness fanatic, and FitOn ticks most boxes to inspire me to stop being lazy and get active. It achieves this by setting realistic weekly goals and challenges that I can manage, allowing me to take things slowly. Connecting FitOn to my Samsung phone lets me track my steps and calories so I can strive to get more active. I'm no fitness fanatic, and FitOn ticks most boxes to inspire me to get active. When I'm feeling unmotivated, I navigate to the Advice section to get inspiration and learn the benefits of good health and nutrition. I also appreciate being able to tailor my workouts to my capabilities. I often choose shorter workouts of between ten and twenty minutes and pick the medium intensity. My home gym is fairly basic, but with FitOn, I can try workouts that target specific body parts, utilizing the equipment I have. The beauty of FitOn is that it's packed with all the features you'd expect from a modern fitness app, like celebrity trainers and meal plans, so there's something for everyone. I haven't graduated to using these features yet, but I will get around to it when I'm ready. Brave Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I spend hours a day on the internet and want the best browsing experience with the least ads. Brave is one of the first apps I download on any phone because it has ad and tracker blocking on by default, and provides a clean and uncluttered interface that's easier on the eyes and faster to navigate. I can also choose the level of blocking between Standard, Aggressive, or switch it off if I like. The app also displays the number of blocked ads and trackers on the sites I visit, giving me an indication of their safety. Brave has decent features out of the box, but I still change specific settings to maximize its privacy and protection. I enable the option to block filtering and add filters to suppress newsletter pop-ups and chat windows, as well as bypass paywall filters. None of these features would matter if Brave didn't offer smooth browsing performance. I think it's just as practical and has fewer distractions than alternatives like Chrome and Edge. Microsoft 365 Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Microsoft365 Android App Microsoft 365 is an app I install more out of necessity than choice. I need access to my Word and Excel files when I'm on the go and can't do without them. I think OneDrive is the most useful feature because it's linked to my laptop, and I can open my documents, downloads, and other folders from anywhere. I also backup my Android phone gallery to OneDrive to keep my pictures safe and find it handy to have all my information conveniently stored in one location. I think OneDrive is the most useful feature because I can open my laptop folders from anywhere. The Create feature in Microsoft 365 lets me scan documents, extract text from websites, and dictate voice notes, but I only use these features around once or twice a month when I need them. I occasionally use the PDF Tools, but have no use for Teams, Family Safety, and other features. I'm experiencing AI fatigue, and I tend to avoid Copilot unless there's no other way to resolve an issue. These are my picks for the apps I can't do without on a new phone, and everyone else will have their own lists. There are no right or wrong choices, and it always comes down to your taste and requirements. The above apps are the first five I install on any phone, but there are many others I can't do without and install later. There are too many to mention on a single list, but they include VLC Player, Good Lock, and Stream.
Android Authority
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I'm hooked on this free Google app that transports me to different countries from my couch
Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I use Google apps on my Samsung phone daily, but hadn't heard of Arts & Culture until recently. I'm more of a gaming and movie enthusiast, and I didn't think it would appeal to me because I've never been particularly interested in art. My perspective changed when I started using the app during my free time and was drawn into worlds that I knew existed, but had never experienced before. The app has helped me reduce my doomscrolling and explore designs, food, and nature from countries around the world. I find it relaxing to view historical artifacts and famous art, and I feel like I gain valuable knowledge instead of seeking quick dopamine hits. There's always something interesting to see, and the information is never overwhelming because it's presented in bite-sized chunks. I can't travel to all the exotic places I'd like to see, but Google's Arts & Culture Android app is the next best thing to explore the world. Google Arts & Culture is available for free on the Google Play Store. You can also access Google Arts & Culture from your browser on your Windows PC, Apple laptop, and other devices without downloading the app. Google Arts & Culture is broken into several sections, like Visual Arts, Nature, Design, and more, to make it more organized and user-friendly. Today, I'll discuss how I use the app and the features I enjoy the most. I'll also highlight its shortcomings and features that could be improved. I didn't think I'd enjoy visual arts Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I've never considered myself an art expert, despite appreciating the skill it requires. I was hesitant to try the Visual Arts feature because I thought it would be boring, and I was proven wrong by the vast selection of interesting pieces. Instead of displaying the Mona Lisa and other famous pieces, the app lists the art randomly. I can then scroll through them and pick the ones I like. Sometimes it's classic Renaissance paintings, but most of the time it's just abstract images, bright flowers, and whatever catches my eye. I scroll like I would on TikTok, but I view paintings instead of videos. I appreciate that I can expand each image to view all its details and read about it with the provided tag, which provides just enough information without going overboard. Art aficionados will likely utilize the advanced search features to find specific art pieces based on the artist, movement, location, and other relevant factors. I love nature and exploring places I can't visit Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I love nature and try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. However, there are still limitations to how far I can go, and that's why I enjoy the Arts & Culture Nature feature. This section mimics the Visual Arts feature by displaying a massive list of stunning locations to scroll through. I get to experience many natural and man-made wonders, like Japan's Ogawa Waterfall or Italy's picturesque Farra di Soligo area, which I'd never heard of until now. I get to experience many natural and man-made wonders, which I'd never heard of until now. Out of the countless images available, I always find some that I like, and it's easy to disregard the rest and skip over them. When I'm looking for something specific, I search by country or use the filter to find mountains, beaches, and other geographical landmarks. I find that the information tags in the Nature section can sometimes lack detail, and I need to do independent searches to find out more about a place. It isn't usually an issue for me because I use the same search to download calming desktop wallpapers of the places I'd like to visit. I find new dishes to try Saeed Wazir / Android Authority The Food feature in Arts & Culture showcases unique foods and national dishes from around the world. This feature takes me on a gastronomical journey through different countries to celebrate amazing dishes and desserts. I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I can still appreciate culinary delights and often marvel at the interesting utensils and tools used to make them. Many foods have interesting stories behind them, like how they are grown or unique cooking styles. It's impossible to avoid temptation, and I've downloaded the recipes for Russian Tartar Pie and Mexican Achiote paste based on what I've seen. I'm particularly fond of Italian and Japanese cuisine, and often filter by country to check out the foods I like. Apart from interesting dishes, Food includes images of some of the world's most famous restaurants and bakeries. Apart from interesting dishes, Food includes images of some of the world's most famous restaurants and bakeries, and displays information about their cultural significance. It also shows the farms and factories that our food comes from to understand how it's made. Using the Food feature has made me appreciate how lucky we are in the modern era to have such a wide selection of food from around the world available to us at the local grocery store. I visit countries for free Saeed Wazir / Android Authority We all wish we could travel more, but it's usually not possible because of work or family commitments. The Arts & Culture Travel feature transports me to faraway countries to take in the fantastic architecture and scenery that I would never get to see in real life. It displays many tourist destinations, like the Arc de Triomphe and the Taj Mahal, but I prefer looking at pictures of places I've never seen before, like Carisbrooke Castle in England or the Hwaseong Fortress in South Korea. Travel is probably my favorite Arts & Culture feature because of the amount of detail it offers. It displays the history of the locations under the Stories tab, and I get to see a three-dimensional view of fascinating places under the Virtual Visits tab. I usually scroll randomly to find places I like, but other users may prefer to search for specific destinations or buildings using the search function. I discover groundbreaking designs that shaped society Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Design displays unique and exciting inventions, artifacts, and architectural marvels spanning centuries. Each country has unique designs based on its culture and available materials, and this app lets me view stunning pieces from the past and present. The incredible variety includes everyday items, such as chairs and cabinets, that feature unique designs due to their origin. I can view historical artifacts, like crowns and crucifixes, which are housed in museums, and other items of historical importance. Design displays unique and exciting inventions spanning centuries. I'm blown away by the intricate details of vintage furniture and the ingenuity of past civilizations, which used primitive tools to craft objects that have lasted for centuries. The information tags make it easy for me to learn more about the designs I'm viewing, and some of them have unbelievable backstories of how they were created. I can also search by the designer or origin if I'm looking for a specific piece that interests me. I like this app, but it isn't perfect Most Google apps have a similar minimalist style, but Google Arts & Culture takes a different approach with its cluttered interface. Perhaps it's due to the sheer volume of information displayed, but navigating the app has a steep learning curve, mainly because of the numerous tabs and submenus within menus. There is also a significant discrepancy in the amount of information displayed for each image, with some tabs providing in-depth details and others barely scratching the surface. Google Arts & Culture is packed with features, and I've highlighted the ones I use the most. Others, like Sport, History, and Science, aren't my cup of tea, but will surely have fans who enjoy them. I took it slow when sifting through the menus to find what I liked because the information became overwhelming in large doses. However, none of these are dealbreakers and haven't stopped me enjoying the app and expanding my knowledge of the world.
Android Authority
03-06-2025
- General
- Android Authority
Here's how I create unique keyboard layouts on my Samsung Galaxy phone
Saeed Wazir / Android Authority I prefer Galaxy phones over the competition because they offer extensive customization features to personalize my experience. No other platform offers as much freedom, and I love having unique themes and layouts that match my style. Good Lock is one of my go-to apps for customizing and enhancing my phone's functionality. It's free and includes several modules geared towards specific enhancements, like homescreen customization. Today, I'll cover the Keys Cafe module, which I use to create bespoke Samsung Keyboard designs. It's the perfect keyboard customization tool because its comprehensive features can transform the key layout and add visual enhancements, like bright colors and effects. Keys Cafe includes five tools called Make your own keyboard, Style your own keyboard, My Sticker, Play keyboard game, and Advanced keyboard setting. Each of these handles a different aspect of the keyboard customization process, which I'll explain in detail below. There are two ways to download Keys Cafe. The first option is to download it from the Samsung Galaxy or Google Play stores as part of the Good Lock app. This way will also download other modules to customize your phone's sounds, themes, and other settings. You can also download Keys Cafe as a standalone app from the above stores if you only want to customize your keyboard and don't need the other tools. Have you tried customizing your phone's keyboard? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % I start with a new layout as a foundation Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Make your own keyboard is the first tool in Keys Cafe. It's the best place to start because it provides a clean slate as a foundation to build upon. I can choose a Simple, Dvorak, or ColeMak keyboard as a foundation and then get to work adding the keys I want. Alternatively, I can try a Math, Chemistry, or combined Math and Chemistry keyboard, although these are more suited for professionals who need unique symbols and formulas. Make your own keyboard is the best place to start because it provides a clean slate to work with. After selecting my base layout, I delve into the settings. The interface displays a standard white keyboard and lets me add more rows of emojis or other symbols to the top. Having too many extra rows makes it challenging to find the right keys amongst the clutter, so I stick to two or three at the most. I then modify the rows by adding and removing individual keys to ensure I always have quick access to the ones I use often. These are usually smiley and angry face emojis, along with hearts, to send to my wife. Another feature assigns frequently used words to a single key. The presets include common words like 'Hi' and 'Sorry,' and I create my own, like 'Goodbye' and 'Get lost,' so I don't need to type them out all the time. I only use a handful of these words because space is tight, and I need room for other keys. Custom layouts can get cramped, and I can make things more manageable by adjusting the key size. I change the height and width of each key individually to make the spacebar, comma, or other commonly used keys larger and easier to access. The same feature lets me select all the keys simultaneously and adjust their sizes to spread or bring them closer together, depending on the available space. Add custom themes and vibrant colors to the keyboard Saeed Wazir / Android Authority Style your own keyboard is the second Keys Cafe tool for adding custom colors and themes to liven up the layout. The tool is divided into two sections. My Themes is for creating unique keyboard designs from scratch, and Recommendations, which lists various preset color options to make things easier. After choosing custom colors from these tools, I can use the Effects and Sound tabs at the bottom of the interface to add other cosmetic upgrades to my keys. I prefer building custom keyboards with My Themes when I feel creative. The creation tool displays a standard white keyboard onscreen with circles highlighting certain zones. I then change the colors of each zone with the RGB picking tool to create an original theme. There's no limit on the color combinations, and I can save multiple themes to match my mood or wallpaper. This tool is ideal for individuals who enjoy tinkering and are willing to invest time in creating something different. On the other hand, it can be complicated for beginners and requires the Good Lock Theme Park module to work. The Recommendation feature is more user-friendly and includes over 30 preset color combinations to upgrade my keyboard's appearance. The presets offer a wide range of dark and bright colors, which are easy to apply. I usually go through all of them to see which one I like the best or try to find a color scheme that matches my phone's theme. Style your own keyboard adds custom colors and themes to liven up the layout. I take my key customization further with the Style your own keyboard Effects tool at the bottom of the interface. It displays several swirling colors and motion effects on its home screen, which I can apply to the keys. When I press them, I'll see colorful animations and movement effects that last around a second. I use this feature sparingly, only adding one effect at a time, because having a maximum of three running simultaneously can be overwhelming and distracting. The Sound tool, located at the bottom right, adds audio to each keypress. It includes preset sounds, like Calm, Space, and Retro, which I can activate with a radio button. Hearing sounds on every keypress isn't my thing, but others will appreciate it. Create unique stickers from your photos and images Saeed Wazir / Android Authority My Sticker is the third Keys Cafe tool and a fun and straightforward feature for creative users. To create a sticker, I select images from my library or take a photo. After choosing the images, I then crop them to the size I prefer. I can also add new tags from emoji presets or create my own with the text input tool. The custom sticker I created will now be available in the Samsung Keyboard app, and I can use it in my messages. I enjoy creating custom stickers from images of animals and family photos, which I can send to friends to add a personal touch to my messages. Test your typing skills with these keyboard games Saeed Wazir / Android Authority The Keys Cafe Play keyboard game utility is more of a fun feature and isn't for customization. I've still included it because it's part of the Keys Cafe module and includes two games, Sentence Practice and Word Rain to improve your typing skills. Sentence Practice displays a phrase or sentence in a window. I then need to type it out as quickly and accurately as possible in the window below. The game ends after ten phrases and provides an accuracy and speed score for my typing skills. Play keyboard game isn't for customization, but I've included it because it's part of the Keys Cafe module. Word Rain tests typing speed. The words fall down the screen like rain droplets, and I need to type them as fast as I can before they pile up and cause a flood. The water level rises whenever I don't spell a word fast enough, and the goal is to reach the highest score and stage before drowning. Tweak performance with Advanced Keyboard Setting Saeed Wazir / Android Authority The last tool in Keys Cafe is called Advanced Keyboard Setting. It's less flashy compared to the others and consists of simple sliders to activate or deactivate certain keyboard settings. The settings include tools to use sticker suggestions in a larger view, turn off the delete accelerator, and add a longer spacebar when typing URLs. I don't use any of the Advanced Keyboard Setting features, but they are worth testing because you might like them. Tinkering with my keyboard isn't just about stylish visual effects, as having custom keys makes my typing faster and easier. I also appreciate that Keys Cafe offers sliders to toggle its customization features on and off, allowing me to revert to the default keyboard whenever I want. If you enjoy upgrading your keyboard with Keys Cafe, you may also want to try other Good Lock modules, such as Theme Park or Sound Assistant, to give your phone's aesthetics an overhaul.
