Cell phones have come a long way in the last decade. What used to be merely a device for making phone calls and sending the occasional text message is now a fully functional gadget we can’t live without.

But while you’ll be familiar with many of the typical features of a smartphone, there are other functions that your device can do and that might surprise you. Read on to find out some of the cool and unexpected things your smartphone can do.

Flight details

You’re sitting on your phone; maybe you’re browsing the news headlines, betting on sports, or streaming your favourite movie. Suddenly, you’re startled by a loud overhead noise. You look up and there’s a low-flying plane. Where did it come from and where is it going? Surprisingly, you can ask your smartphone for information. Ask the Siri feature on your phone what planes are overhead and you’ll immediately be informed of the airlines currently flying nearby, as well as what altitude and angle they’re traveling. This is a strange feature and certainly unexpected.

Keep you safe

Your smartphone can function as a useful survival tool when you’ve lost your way. We’re all familiar with Google Maps, but did you know that most smartphones are fitted with a compass? Furthermore, both Apple and Android devices have their own in-built emergency SOS features and can also keep you safe when you’re walking home at night. The bSafe app, which can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices, acts as a personal tracker for those nights when you’re walking home alone in the dark. The app enables you to send invites to some of your chosen contacts so they can track your location, and sets a timer that’ll activate a distress call to these contacts if you haven’t reached your home within a certain time frame. Furthermore, the app can also make false phone calls so that it looks like you’re speaking to someone while walking home. This is a very handy app, especially if you’re likely to be out alone in the dark.

Detect metal

Looking to strike gold? Users of iPhones can search for anything magnetic through a free app called Metal Detector. There is also an app of the same name, but by a different developer, that’s available for Android devices. Both apps use your phone’s in-built magnetic field sensor to detect metal objects around your device’s location.

Night vision

Using a thermal vision camera attachment on your smartphone can enable you to see in the dark. These high-res thermal vision cameras are plugged into your phone via the light or USB ports and measure the infrared radiation coming from objects in order to detect them. Whether you’re interested in tracking wildlife or merely trying to find your way to the bathroom during the night, thermal camera attachments are cool additions to any smartphone.

Control your car

There are several apps on the market that enable you to lock and unlock your car with your smartphone from wherever you are. These apps enable you to activate your vehicle’s central locking system, which is a great idea if you’re lying in bed at night and you suddenly remember you forgot to lock your car. Some of these apps use technology that offers real-time diagnostic tools, allowing you to identify any problems with your vehicle. Your phone will alert you to any issues, right down to petrol level and tyre pressure, meaning you can have them dealt with as early as possible.

Conclusion

Smartphone technology has come so far, yet some of the things that our devices are capable of can still come as a surprise. There are a myriad of cool and unexpected things your phone can do, some of which can save your life.