Things you did not know your smartphone could do

Gone are the days when phones were primarily for voice calls and sending sms. In today’s digital age, people are used to carrying around at least one device that has multiple functions and features. Smartphones, with their host of built-in features and available apps, offer you the ability to do pretty much anything you can dream up. In fact, it is probably easier to list what a mobile phone cannot do than what it can! But that wouldn’t pass for an interesting or educational reading. So here are some suprising and amazing ways to put your smartphone to use:

Heart Rate Monitor.  Are you aware you can count your beats per minute (BPM) using your iPhone camera monitor? While the accuracy of these monitoring tools have not been vetted yet, most of the apps claim to operate by using the intense light of the phone camera to detect the capillaries’ movements and calculate your heartbeat – so it doesn’t require purchase of any additional monitors. The application to download is ‘Instant Heart Rate by Azumio’. It costs about $0.99 on Apple app store.

Replacement for Your Wallet. With the trending mobile money initiative, leaving home with as little as possible is a prefrence for most people. There are applications for storing credit card information (Visa, Mastercard, and Quickteller have their own apps) and banking information (Firstbank, Diamond Bank, GTBank, Zenith and others have their own apps). With banking app installed, you can send money on the go from your iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Symbian phones. You may visit your bank to get their mobile banking apps for free. 

PC/Mac Webcam.  With your Internet enabled smartphone in conjunction with messaging applications (Skype, Google+, Yahoo, Windows Live Messenger, AIM, etc.) you do not need a webcam for video calls. Simply download Mobiola WebCamera by Shape (free), and connect with your loved ones.  Several apps that offer video calls are available for the iPad and iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile or Symbian smartphones.

Mobile Hotspot. Your phone can get your tablet or laptop on to Wi-Fi, without a router or another peripheral device. Especially if you are a frequent traveler; you may find it challenging to pay extra fees for internet coverage on each of your devices. So with your smartphone you can create a Wi-Fi network that can be used by multiple devices — usually up to 5 or 7 — at once. The mobile hotspot feature does not require an app – it is a feature that is included with on phones and usually attracts extra charges from your service provider.

Watch Live TV. Many of the local service providers and telephone providers offer applications for streaming live content to a smartphone. There are also apps that offer a suite of programs from around the world – like NetTV or TVUPlayer, which allows you to watch live TV on the go. While the image and audio quality is not at its best, it beats missing a critical moment in sports or breaking news. 

Take Measurements. Why whip out your tape when your smartphone can take measurement for you? It’s particularly useful when measurements are out of your reach (like figuring out how high the ceiling is) or when you’re out and about and don’t have a measuring tool handy. While none of the applications are as accurate as using handheld measuring tools, your phone is a quick and easy way to make approximations. The application to download is ‘Point and Measure’, and its costs about $0.99 on Apple app store.

 Scanner. Your smartphone lets you scan and send multi-page documents. Whether you want to scan a receipt, a business card for work, or a cheque to be deposited, there are a host of scanning apps that will let you get rid of your bulky faxing/scanning gadget. It is best to figure out what you will be scanning and then download any function-specific app like TurboScan, WorldCard or CardScan. If you do not want to download an app, you can snap a photo and store it on your phone or computer to use later (for instance, take a snapshot of a recipe card). 

Accept Credit Card Purchases. Purchasing a credit card machine for your business can be a hassle and pricey, especially if it’s a startup. Applications like Square lets you accept credit card payments right on your smartphone. A small dongle that attaches to your phone accepts credit card swipes. Square (free) is for iOS or Android devices, and as a bonus its receipts are geotagged (i.e they are marked with the location where the card transaction is made) and emailed to you!

Advanced Camera. With your smartphone you really do not need a professional photographer. While the camera on your phone suffices for everyday pictures, you can take quality photos which you may either store electronically or printout. No app is needed; almost every smartphone comes with an integrated camera.

Identify Things. Do you sometimes face the challenge of putting a name to a face, or seeing a picture of a famous landmark and not being able to recall what it is? All that is history with Google Goggles. It is an android proprietary app, which makes it possible to snap a photo of something, and Google uses the image to perform a search. While it will  not ID a passerby on the street, it is great for identifying products, famous landmarks, storefronts, artwork, and popular images online, like celebrities. 

These are just a few of the surprising applications of smartphones. Other uses of your smartphone may include any of the following: check-in for flights (no more printing out tickets at home or waiting on annoying lines!), setting your DVR remotely (if your local provider allows it), and ordering food on your way home so dinner is waiting for you soon as u step through the door. To make use of some of the more advanced functions of a smartphone, you may have to purchase add-ons. Well, that is what all the following functions have in common!

Chima Michael Oleru