Can you believe the modern smartphone has only been around
for six years? In that short time, it's changed the way society does business,
communicates, flirts, gets news, makes news, plays games and so much more. According
to a Pew survey, more than half of adults in the U.S. own a smartphone.
That isn't to say most people are smartphone experts. Just
owning a smartphone doesn't mean you know all the tricks. In fact, here are
five that you might not know, but really should.
1. Take a screenshot
Your friend just made a hilarious typo in a text message and
you want to share it with your other friends. Capture it as an image with a
screenshot.
On an iPhone, press and hold the Home button along with the
Sleep/Wake button. You should hear a shutter click. The screenshot will appear
in your Camera Roll or Saved Photos section.
On Androids, hold the Power and Volume Down buttons at the
same time. The image is saved to the "Captured Images" folder in your
Gallery app. That only works in Android 4.0 and higher, though. For Android
3.0, 2.3 or earlier, use an app likeAirDroid.
Once you have the image, share it to your favorite social
media site or through email.
2. Salvage a wet phone It's a heart-stopping moment when you
drop your smartphone on the ground. If you don't have a good case, there's a
chance it won't survive.
It's even worse if you drop it in the water. Unless you have
a waterproof case, your smartphone is sunk - literally.
Or is it? You might be able to salvage it with a few steps.
First, and most important, DON'T turn it on. If you turn it
on with water inside, you'll fry it. Instead, wipe it down with a dry
microfiber cloth. If the gadget is dirty, you can clean it with isopropyl
rubbing alcohol.
If the phone has a removable battery, take it out. Then fill
a container or bag with uncooked rice and put the smartphone in the container
overnight. The rice will help pull the moisture out of the gadget.
Under no circumstances put the phone in the oven or
microwave!
The next day, put the phone back together and turn it on. If
it starts up, congratulations! If not, you're off to the store for a new one.
3. Find a lost or stolen phone Mobility is a two-edge sword.
Sure you can take your gadget everywhere you go. But once you're there, it's
easy to leave it. Maybe a thief walks off with it and your precious
information.
Fortunately, iPhones and iPads support Apple's Find My
iPhone app. This allows you to use a computer or another iPhone
to find your missing phone using GPS. You can also remotely lock and wipe your
phone as well.
The upcoming version of iOS, version 7, includes the ability
to take photos of the thief. It also has a lock system so they can't wipe the
gadget and use it for themselves.
Android gadgets have apps that do the same thing. Where's My
Droid?, Lookout
Mobile Security and Carbonite
Mobile are good ones to check out.
4. Don't share your location
Smartphone cameras are great for the casual shutterbug. You
can snap pictures no matter where you go and post them online.
Of course, if you aren't careful you're also sharing your
location with everyone. Smartphones can embed GPS information into photos that
anyone can read.
You could turn off GPS when you're taking pictures. To turn
it off on your iPhone, go to Settings Privacy Location Services. You can
turn it off for everything or just for the camera. On an Android, go to
Settings Location Services and turn GPS off when you don't need it. For
Windows Phone, go to Settings Location to turn off Location Services. Of
course, you might forget. To see and remove photo information before posting,
grab an app like PixelGarde.
5. Creative smartphone uses Smartphones have way more
features than you probably use. But they can do even more than you think. App
designers have figured out some creative uses you won't believe.
Heard for iPhone is
always recording using your smartphone's microphone. At any time, you can save
audio from up to 5 minutes in the past.
Awareness for Android and iPhone uses
your smartphone's microphone to keep track of noise around you while you're
listening to music. Any sounds louder than regular background noise gets sent
to your headphones.
Instant Heart Rate for iPhone and Android uses
the phone's camera to figure out your heart rate. It detects the light passing
through your finger and how it changes as your heart beats.
Want to go hunting for metal? Metal detector apps for Android and iPhone have
you covered. They use your phone's built-in compass to find metals. You just
need to hold your phone close to the ground.
Have fun!
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