[Galaxy S 4 General] BarryH_GEG:
I agree. Perhaps because my geek flag flies high, perhaps because I'm a heavy productivity user. I'll embarrassingly confess I actually like the "ploink" and "tink" sounds the UI makes. I also like the splashing and water sound on the lock screen, especially the ink effect when you touch it with S Pen. Why? Why not? They're there and they're cool.

In an N2 vs. DNA comparison in the DNA forum there was great debate about the dearth of features in Sense and the usefulness of features in the N2 (with and w/o S Pen). That carries over intact to a SGS4 vs. One discussion because outside of a facelift and the addition of Zoe and BlinkFeed Sense adds no new functionality in the move to “5.” Here's the list of stuff from that thread plus a recap of what's coming s/w wise on the SGS4..

Unique Note features related to S-Pen and/or the N2...

S-Pen/S-Note

Air View

One Handed Operation

Page Buddy

S-Pen Keeper

Idea Sketch

Here are a couple that have nothing to do with S Pen...

The ability to turn off the capacitive button lights so if you're navigating or watching flash-based video in a browser they don't distract you.

Long pressing a function in the notification bar open that function. (EG: short press Wi-Fi = toggle, long press=open Wi-Fi settings) so you have quick access to most used settings no matter where you are in the UI or an app.

Customize which functions appear in the notification bar and reorder them.

Unlock the device via voice including separate commands to unlock via voice directly in to various apps.

Use voice to control the music player, take a picture, snooze or shut off the alarm, or accept or reject an incoming call.

Launch the camera while the device is locked by holding a finger on it and rotating it from vertical to horizontal.

Smart Stay to keep the device awake when looking at it and Smart Rotation to keep it at the same orientation as your eyes if you change position.

Music Hub subscription service with locker storage (matched) for your own music and the ability to download unlimited songs (while subscribed) to the device's SD card and have them all show up in the stock music player.

Music Square which determines the "mood" of all your stored music and allows you to instantly create playlists based on the mood of a song you're currently listening to.

S Voice to control a much broader list of functions by voice than what’s supported by Google Now and dial by name or number via BT including sending MMS and e-mail.

Quick Glance to see time, date, weather, battery life, missed calls/messages, and new e-mail by waving your hand over the device without unlocking it.

Customize your e-mail signature in the stock e-mail client including different fonts, colors, and graphics.

Direct call to automatically dial a number from an open contact, MMS, or e-mail message.

Palm touch to mute the device by covering it with your hand.

Driving mode to read incoming MMS and e-mail aloud.

Best Face to take five group photos with the device recommending the best of the five based on peoples expressions

Group Cast lets users view and interact with PDF, PowerPoint, and image files across multiple devices.

AllShare Play and Cast

Enhanced camera features (smile/face/blink detection, buddy shot)

Enhanced audio and video codec support

Browser h/w acceleration

Pop up play

Here's what's coming in the SGS4...

Dual Camera (insert yourself in to photos you take)

Drama Shot (a simpler Zoe)

Sound and Shot to record voice comments on still photos

Story Album to create and send printed photo albums

Share Music to turn multiple SGS4's in to surround sound

Group Play to share content across multiple devices without the need for a Wi-FI connection

S-Translator integrated in to multiple apps like e-mail and the stock browser

Smart Pause/Smart Scroll to use your eyes to control the device

All the existing motion and voice controls Samsung provides in TW

Air View to expand content by hovering your finger over it

S Voice Drive which maximizes the size of what's displayed and allows motion and voice to control things you use when driving

Optical Reader integrated in to stock apps to import data via the camera

S Health to track weight, blood pressure, exercise, etc.

All HTC loyalists dismiss Samsung's s/w features as useless and unwanted and reply that the beauty, simplicity, and integration of Sense makes it superior. Android purists think TW and Sense are repulsive and replace them with AOKP ROMs or third party launchers out of the box. To those groups none of the above matters and it's kind of useless to discuss the benefits they provide with them.

Coming from Sense on a Teg3 One X I was like a kid in a candy store with the N2. Some features that I thought would be parlor tricks turned out to be incredibly useful. Others like playing with the water on the lock screen are just fun. Most work incredibly well while admittedly some have their moments. In the end, they're all "free" as the MSRP on Samsung's phones is equivalent to more s/w barren competitors. So why? Why not? ;)

P.S. - I'm not trying to convert any HTC loyalists or TW/Sense haters. As they say, "one man's crap is another man's treasure."