Had the Z1 for a week, further questions (long post!)

Question

Hi again,
So I've had the phone for about a week now and have been using it a lot, setting it up the way I want and learning my way around it (and around Android in general).
I have a few more questions I hope someone will be able to answer for me.
1. Still unsure about this - is swipe input on the keyboard supposed to work globally, i.e. anywhere (any app, any screen) where the keyboard pops up?  It doesn't for me.  It works in emails, SMS, but for example, doesn't work when searching in Play Store.  I'm sure it also doesn't work in some other screens, but can't remember exactly where.  I just know I get used to it, and then I start swiping somewhere and am surprised when it doesn't work.
2. I still can't get keyboard shortcuts (Settings, Language & Input, Personal Dictionaries) to work, no matter what I try.
3. Another keyboard related thing.  I read a review (http://unleashthephones.com/2013/09/15/sony-xperia-z1-review/) where the reviewer said it's possible to use hand-writing recognition, and also reduce the size of the keyboard on the screen to help with one-handed typing.  I can't find either of these options, do they exist?
4. Camera. Can you confirm it's NOT possible to use HDR and Image Stabilisation simultaneously?  On my phone, switching one on cancels the other.
5. This is probably a more general Android OS question/observation.  I noticed the home screen doesn't rotate and is always in portrait.  I suppose this is how it is on most phones.  However, as the Z1 has the charging dock connectors on the side and is in landscape orientation when charging in the dock, I find this a bit odd, especially since not even the clock widget (either digital, or analogue which is especially confusing, as it's so minimalist, when turned into landscape reads totally wrong time) rotates.  I suppose this isn't really a question, but more of an observation, and I'm just seeking to confirm this, and perhaps find out if there's a way around it?
6. In one week I've had the phone, I've had about 5 instances where the phone said one app or the other has stopped responding and was shut down (and most of those were stock apps, like camera or a messaging app), and the phone totally froze on me once when I was writing an SMS.  Is this relatively normal on Android?  I could live with it, I suppose, if it doesn't become more frequent, just asking to confirm.
7. A tiny issue, but still.  In another post, someone advised it was possible to restart/reboot (as opposed to shut down and manually power up again) the phone by holding the power and volume keys together until the phone vibrates.  I tried this, but no matter how long or short I hold both buttons, the phone only shuts down and doesn't restart.
8. I'm considering doing a factory reset, as I'm having a few issues, like the swipe not working, crashing, and also the language confirmation after every restart of the phone (it's been suggested elsewhere this might have been caused by initially using and setting up the phone before a SIM card was inserted, which was my case.  I used the phone on wi-fi before I received the SIM from my carrier).  So, first, do you think doing a factory reset is a good idea?  I came across another post where a user ended up with more weird issues AFTER doing this, so I'm unsure.  I'm also not looking forward trying to restore every minute customisation I have already made.
- What's the best practice when doing this?
- Are there any tools to help with it, especially to help with restoring previously made settings?
- Does this void the warranty?
This is probably more than enough, and thanks in advance to anyone who bothers reading all this and offering some suggestions!
Vlad.

Answer 1

coolasrevi wrote:
1. Swipe should work in every apps wherever keyboard pops up, provided you have enabled it.
2. By shortcuts you mean? you can add words in your personal directories, which will appear while using swipe to make things easier.
4. Yea, HDR and Image Stabilization wont work together (officially)
6. It happens
7. yea, it does reboot, once 3 vibration which is for reboot, 5 vibration is for forced shutdown.
8. Using PCC to repair your phone is the best way, you can use google's own option auto backup and restore (provided you have enabled it in settings) which restore settings contacts, however make sure to have a backup just in case. warranty wont be void for using PCC or SUS. 
1. Definitely doesn't for me.
2. I mean under personal dictionary, I created several shortcuts, for example, when you type "btw", it should automatically get converted into "by the way".  You input the shortcut and the phrase you want it to convert the shortcut into.  But it doesn't work.
4. Thanks.
8. Does this "repair" fully reset the phone, or preserves the settings?
Thanks for taking the time to read through my post and come up with some answers and suggestions.