Smartphones have become indispensable devices, offering well beyond what we would use them eight or nine years ago. These days, a smartphone allows you to make and receive calls on the go, sure – but what else? Your phone is like having a mini-computer in your pocket – a radio, a flashlight, even a level – whatever tool is necessary for any task life throws at you. 8 in 10 individuals 50 and older are now using these devices to take pictures and manage their address books; 7 in 10 of those 70 and older feeling comfortable navigating through the purposeful applications they afford us.
But what can really be done with a smartphone? From finding local shops nearby to tracking your fitness progress, interested individuals may be surprised to find out what their pocket-size technology can assist them with. Whether it’s simple household tasks like shopping list-making or complex finance organization skills involving invoicing and payrolls, there’s something out there available to help you stay connected and organized all rolled up into one device!
What Can You do on a Smartphone?
You probably don’t know about many things that your iPhone is capable of and you just don’t use it to its fullest potential. We will not touch on technically complex industries and functions, but there is something that is useful to almost every person, which, to our surprise, is rarely used.
#1: Remote Control
Among the cool things to do on iPhone, you can remember that it can replace your gadget’s control panel. For example, if you’re in a situation where you just can’t seem to find your remote again, but don’t want to be stuck not being able to turn on the TV – no biggie, use your iPhone! The latest iOS versions come with an Apple TV remote integrated into their control center and for the older versions, the option of adding it manually is also there. Those who own Android phones are lucky too because they come with a custom remote feature located in the Tools or System folder. Otherwise, downloading a reliable 3rd party remote control app from Google Play Store would do the trick.
#2: PDF Scanner
The days of bulky scanner/fax machine combos are long gone. The rise of powerful cameras in modern smartphones allows users to complete digital document tasks more quickly and conveniently. With an app like PDF Scanner App: Scan Docs, ID for iOS, you can now transform almost any picture into a PDF – from business cards and receipts to formal documents. You can also easily convert pictures to PDF. To make a PDF from the photo, all you need is a phone with a camera and a few seconds of time. This application also knows how to convert PDF to Word for free. You can even choose to share documents with others via email right off your phone Or, if the other party prefers hard copies, you can send the PDF file straight through to a landline fax machine. Thanks to these smart features, complex document tasks have been significantly simplified!
#3: Measure Speed, Height, and Distance
Whether you’re a baseball scout or just curious, there are plenty of ways to measure speed, height, and distance with your smartphone. Speed Gun (AndroidTM) and SpeedClock (iOS) allow you to measure the speed of people or moving objects making them great for sporting events. Smart Measure Pro (AndroidTM) and Dot Measure Pro (iOS) can help you measure the height and distance of objects using your camera lens. If you have an Android device, you can also try out the Google GogglesTM app which lets you search an image captured with your phone’s camera to identify famous paintings, find information on products, or learn more about historic landmarks. Take advantage of all these options to measure speed, height, and distance quickly and easily from your own smartphone!
#4 Monitor Your Heart Rate
iPhone offers cool features for monitoring heart rate: you can measure your heart rate, watch every heartbeat with a real-time PPG graph, and even monitor your cardio workouts. Instant Heart Rate App is one of the popular iPhone and Android apps to track heart health and fitness goals. It works by using the camera to detect color changes in the index finger that are related directly to changes in pulse. This is an extremely useful app that can aid in managing physical health – so why not give it a try?
#5 Identify things
Knowing what something is or how to use it isn’t something we give much thought to until we really need it. It can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t remember the name of that one thing that seems just out of reach. Google Lens has you covered! With the push of a button, you can take a picture of a product, painting, barcode, landmark, or any other type of image and get information about it right away. Plus its translation image capabilities are perfect if you’re trying to make sense of the text in a different language. Just fire up your Android or iOS device and never feel like you don’t know what something is again!
Final Words
Smartphones are game-changers when it comes to making our lives more convenient. It’s incredible to think that in just a few short years, our phones have gone from having basic features like texting and checking email to now being able to control your home security system, access documents, scan images, and monitor your fitness goals. No matter what you need from your phone, chances are there is an app or tool available—it just takes some exploring! With the number of new products introduced every month that makes use of the ever-advancing technology of smartphones, life can only get easier each day. With so much convenience at our fingertips, let’s take advantage of these features so we can get more done in less time! Thanks to modern technology, life just got easier.