Android Central Labs
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Android Central Labs is a weekly column dedicated to deep dives, experiments, and a targeted look into the tech you employ. It covers telephones, tablets, and all the things in between.
Samsung constructed the Galaxy S26 collection to do greater than ever, but it surely overlooked a couple of bodily buttons that almost all different trendy smartphones have. Whether or not you like OnePlus’s Alert Slider, a digicam shutter button like an iPhone, or the customizable keys discovered on the facet of many manufacturers, you are not getting any of those options on a Samsung Galaxy S26 with out some assist.
These circumstances are constructed for perform and safety, and Pitaka presents each an ultra-slim Aramid Fiber model referred to as Edge, plus a “navy grade” safety model case (referred to as Cairn) that is higher for drop resistance. Each circumstances function completely different model buttons and ranges of safety, so let’s check out the choices and see which one is best for you.
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Why add extra buttons?
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As I alluded to earlier, Samsung is without doubt one of the few corporations not including extra buttons to their smartphones. Some folks may want this, however bodily buttons are additionally top-of-the-line methods so as to add capabilities that may in any other case take a number of steps to resolve, and it additionally enables you to separate capabilities to a selected button, so you do not have to carry out finger gymnastics to realize.
Samsung is lacking out on a large wealth of selections by not together with at the least one facet button. Nonetheless, Pitaka’s circumstances add two extra buttons past the lacking button. These buttons are referred to as Aaron Buttons and act as NFC tags, which could be translated into practically any system perform you may consider with the assistance of Pitaka’s Aaron Button app and the Samsung Routines function constructed into your Galaxy telephone. It is a large boon to comfort and top-of-the-line methods to get extra out of your Galaxy smartphone.
Pitaka Edge
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Pitaka Edge is designed for individuals who need the thinnest case with out actual drop safety. This one retails for $59.99 at Amazon and is available in 5 superb colours and kinds.
This case provides essential grip and scratch safety, plus show nook lips to guard the show only a bit. It is received all of the anticipated cutouts and protects the digicam lenses round again, however does not do something to assist the obnoxious digicam island measurement.
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The Edge case does not cowl the facility or quantity buttons, but it surely does add a collection of three semi-capacitive buttons on the left facet of the telephone. These buttons require a bodily click on, so they don’t seem to be true capacitive buttons, however they’re flat and require extra pressure to click on versus the protruding buttons on the Cairn case.
Nonetheless, they function in the identical primary method: they transmit an NFC tag sign to the telephone when pressed. You will must press and maintain to activate the tag, so a easy click on does not activate the motion.
Pitaka Cairn
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Because the identify suggests, the Pitaka Cairn case is rugged and provides a little bit of bulk to the telephone. It is barely extra difficult than the Edge and thus retails for a barely increased $69.99, out there in three cool colours and kinds.
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It not solely protects your Galaxy S26 higher than the Edge case, but additionally offers tactile buttons which might be simpler to make use of. You will additionally discover a MagSafe magnet within the again that helps Qi2 wi-fi charging.
Surprisingly, regardless of the additional thickness, the digicam island is similar measurement because the Edge case and the bare telephone, so this case does not eradicate the intense wobble this telephone has whereas on a desk. It does have a pleasant lip across the fringe of the show, although, so you may count on full safety for each nook of the telephone.
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The true stars of the present are the tactile buttons, which not solely present additional clickiness for the facility and quantity rockers but additionally add a set of three intelligent buttons on the left facet of the telephone. Every of those triggers an NFC tag on the within of the case, permitting you to customise an motion through the Aaron Button app, which I’m going over beneath.
As is the case with the Pitaka Edge, these buttons must be pressed and held to be able to perform. Not like the Edge, nonetheless, you needn’t maintain each side of the telephone to get sufficient leverage to push the buttons. That makes the Cairn case far more one-handed pleasant.
The app that powers all of it
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The Aaron Button app resides on the Galaxy Apps retailer and could be simply downloaded on any Samsung Galaxy telephone. If you have not personalized the buttons but, a easy click on will open a immediate to obtain the app.
As soon as you’ve got downloaded and put in the app, it’s going to present you a number of preset instructions generally used for every button. You needn’t use any of those instructions if you happen to do not wish to; they’re merely steered actions. Clicking any of them, then holding one of many facet buttons, will assign it to that button.
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Any motion that may be mapped by the Aaron Button app bypasses the system Routines function, which, sadly, makes administration slightly extra difficult than it must be. In any other case, the Samsung Routines app handles all of the NFC tag customizations.
Open up settings, then head to Modes & Routines to see an inventory of actions personalized by the Routines app. You possibly can arrange an motion by following these steps:
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1. Open Settings, then choose Modes & Routines.
2. Faucet Routines on the backside.
3. Click on the Plus button on the highest proper to create a routine, or choose a routine from the record.
4. Faucet the Plus button subsequent to the If set off, then choose NFC tagged from the record.
5. When the immediate seems, press and maintain the button you wish to assign an motion to.
6. Give the button a reputation. I want to call it what I need the motion to be.
7. Again on the Create Routine menu, faucet the Plus button underneath the Then part. Choose any motion you need this button to carry out.
8. Whenever you’re all finished, faucet the Save button.
A strong selection
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Pitaka’s circumstances aren’t your regular smartphone case. They add customizable buttons and options that basically matter, plus the same old safety anticipated from every model. Usually, I want thinner circumstances that add little to no bulk to a telephone, however the Cairn case’s buttons are a lot simpler to make use of that I discover that I want that model over the Edge.
Past that, it is a no-brainer determination for any Galaxy S26 proprietor. You get three customizable buttons and extra options than competing telephones, all powered by Pitaka and One UI.
My three favourite actions are Flashlight, launch Gemini, and Sound/silent mode. I’ve additionally discovered that utilizing one button to open Voice Recorder could be extremely helpful and is an effective substitute for opening Gemini, particularly if you happen to deliver again the Gemini gesture set off.
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