Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
The first ever smartphone was released back in 2007 and it didn’t seem like a necessary piece of kit at the time. The general public assumed that the idea would never catch on, mostly because the initial concept was advertised as cross between an ordinary cell phone and a music player.
Times have changed; however, and the smartphone has evolved far beyond this original model. In fact, over 90% of people in the UK now own a smartphone, many of them choosing to make their smartphone a pivotal part of their life.
You can now access the internet via your phone and use it as your own personal planner. Most of us are familiar with the main features of our smartphone, but there is plenty more hidden under the surface than you may have realised. This article will look at a few additional features on your smartphone that you may not have been aware.
Check Your Batteries
It might not be the most pressing of concerns, but everyone gets frustrated with their T.V remote at some point. Sometimes you just can’t seem to get the thing working, especially when the show you have been waiting for all week is on. This disruption can be caused by a low battery in the remote or a poor connection.
To diagnose this problem, aim the end of the remote toward the camera on your smartphone. Switch to the front facing mode and the image should display an infrared light. If there is no light, then it means that the batteries are dead.
Use It As A Games Controller
Let’s pretend that you went on a hunt for batteries but couldn’t find any. The kids are screaming because they want to play on the games console but the controller is dead. What are you to do?
Luckily, there are apps that you can download so that your phone can interact with the console system. You can use this method as a temporary solution until the controller has charged or locate some new batteries. Either way, it is a great function for buying you some peace and quiet.
Scan Barcodes
Most of us are familiar with the QR code by now. Our smartphones can scan these quirky looking images to reveal all sorts of information. You can find them in advertising, public transport, or local newspapers. Just swipe your phone across the symbols to reveal the data hidden within.
You may not be aware that you can do the exact same thing with a barcode. These codes are found on many of the items that you can purchase, and these black and white grids store data that a shop’s till can translate. However, you no longer have to bring these items up to the front desk to find out about the product. You can quickly scan the barcode with your smartphone to find out the price, as well as some other useful information. Just download the correct app and you will find that this technology can speed up the overall shopping experience.
Use It As A Baby Monitor
There is a lot of stuff that you need to buy when a new-born arrives. All of these items can rapidly increase in cost, which is the one downside to being a parent. Isn’t it great that your smartphone removes at least one thing that long list? Luckily, you can set up your device to work as a baby monitor.
Just place your smartphone near your sleeping baby and walk away. Instead of having to carry around a cumbersome object and listening in closely, your phone will call another device to alert you of any sound or movement coming from the baby’s room. Of course, this only works if both parents are present, but it is still a neat little feature.
Earn Some Money
While there are plenty of ways that you can earn money from home, it’s highly likely that you never thought that owning a phone would be one of them. This is possible thanks to the Lebara refer a friend scheme. Their plan can reward you with real money simply for referring another customer to their service. This can provide you with an easy way to earn cash online, and it doesn’t take that much effort.
Control Your Car
The most surprising additional feature that you will find on your smartphone is the ability to control your car. That’s right, you can hook up your phone via an app to operate your car from a distance.
Unfortunately, you can’t turn the vehicle into a make-shift go cart. That would be insane. Instead, you can use your smartphone to lock or unlock the vehicle, or even start the engine if you need to. Doing so is a great way to warm up your car’s engine in winter while you slowly get ready for work.
Keep Fit
Everyone knows about the map features and pedometer that can be found in most smart devices. These features are great for keeping an eye on your fitness, but you can go one step further if you so wish.
You can set up your smartphone to measure other aspects of your body, such as your heart rate and stress levels. You can use this information to tailor a better workout experience and determine when best to relax.
The smartphone isn’t finished yet, however. You can also use this device to monitor your sleep patterns. You can set it up to measure your R.E.M sleep, listen out for your snoring patterns and even wake you in the case of a disturbance. If you feel that you aren’t getting the right amount of sleep, then you may find that your smartphone holds all the answers to this problem.
Summary
As you can see, there is no shortage of functions for your smartphone. You can use it as a simple communications device, or have fun and get creative. There are plenty more uses for a smartphone that are yet to be discovered. So play around and see what you can find.
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
