It’s time to start using your smartphone to its fullest potential! Here are ten things you had no idea your smartphone could do…
Airplane Mode for Rapid Charging (iOS + Android)
There’s nothing more panic inducing than leaving your home only to realize your phone has under 50 percent battery life left! Plugging it in may get you into the 70s, but if the situation is dire put your phone on Airplane mode. By not having a connection to the cellphone network your phone uses less of its existing battery allowing it to charge incredibly fast!
Screenshots (iOS + Android)
This functionality has existed on iPhones for a while now, but Android was a little slow to make this easy. I have tested it on a few devices now, so its implementation is going widespread – holding the power button and the home button at the same time for a few seconds takes a screenshot. Easy peasy screen grabs whenever you need ’em!
Properly Paint Your Home (iOS + Android)
This is an app by the folks at Behr, so it is not directly a feature of your smartphone – but for the colour blind, such as myself, this is a lifesaver! Using your phone’s camera, you can easily pick out what colour something is and it offers up suggestions on matching colours as well.
Custom Vibrations (iOS)
Another neat feature of an iOS device is the ability to create custom vibrations based on the caller/texter. I guess it is a bit like Morse Code. Click on Settings > Sounds > Ringtone > Vibration > Create New Vibration > Tap away to create your own vibe pattern!
Identify Things (Android)
Google Glasses continue to be an interesting product being developed by Google, but did you know there is a Google Glasses App? The app is improving day by day, but can already help identify items based on barcodes, translate text in foreign languages, recognize landmarks and art/books/music, as well as find similar products. All you do is point the camera at the item you want identified, and it starts to work away.
Play Cards with Your Friends (iOS)
You can play cards with your friends via your phone! All you need is one iPad, and an iPhone for each player (their own, I’d assume). Downloading the app lets each user connect to the main iPad and play with a virtual deck of cards, with your hand being on your phone.
Check Your Data Usage (Android)
Smartphone data is coveted, and expensive for some reason – so to ensure you do not go over your allowable amount, check out your Android’s Data Usage option. (Settings > Data Usage.) On this screen, set your billing date (so you can track exactly when your new billing cycle resets your data usage). You can even set a limit to your data to prevent overage charges. You can do this on iOS as well, but it is not nearly as user friendly.
Change Siri’s Gender (iOS)
Siri’s female voice has become very recognizable, but perhaps she is just not your cup of tea. Instead, you can now switch to a male voice. (Settings > General > Siri > Voice Gender.) Maybe he will be a better option to chat with when you are by yourself and bored.
Better Graphics (Android)
Want incredible gaming graphics on your Android phone? Take your phone into Developer Mode by doing the following: Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number until in Developer mode. Then: Settings > Developer Option > Force 4x MSAA. Your graphics and gaming will look incredible, but note that it will kill your battery life quicker.
Set a Timer for Music (iOS)
I love listening to podcasts, especially as I go to bed. But the problem that comes up is I listen to the first few minutes, fall asleep, and then wonder where I tuned out. On an iOS device, try: Clock App > Set Timer > “When Timer Ends” > “Stop Playing.”
If we’ve missed any cool things that your smartphone can do, let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.