As of the first quarter of 2021, the technology-inclined world population has 3.8 billion smartphone users. The past year saw 3.5 billion, and the growth is forecasted to grow by several hundred million in the succeeding years. The nations with the most smartphone users are China, India, and the United States, with each of them going over 100 million smartphone users.
This equates to a lot of people using smartphones, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re making use of every feature they’re paying for. Just like how most phones in the market today are considered smartphones features-wise, people have no choice but to use them, even if they’re not making use of every feature available.
This isn’t much of a problem, but to people who want to maximize every penny they paid for a phone that claims to do almost everything a computer can, it’s only normal to look for ways to tap a smartphone’s potential.
What more can you get out of your device?
Aside from being able to obtain driving and commuting directions, video and voice calling people, taking high-definition photos and videos, and many more, there are other features that one can’t even fathom to come with a handheld device.
Here are some surprising things you can do with your smartphone:
1. Using it as a closed-circuit camera alternative.
If you need a quick fix when it comes to monitoring surroundings you can’t stay in, you can tap your smartphone’s ability to capture videos and images coupled with motion detection. It’s as simple as downloading an application from your smartphone’s corresponding application store.
For IOS users, they can use the iPhone CCTV application from App Store. Android users on the other hand can make use of an application called Motion Detector.
Unsurprisingly, you can use an old phone for longer CCTV use. Download the application, make sure the battery is juiced up, and place it somewhere you want to monitor. If the old phone’s screen has screen damage that will compromise the quality of what it captures, bring it in for expert cellphone screen repair services.
2. Displaying contact information on lock screens.
It’s impossible for a smartphone not to have its own lock screen. Any phone from all price ranges comes with this feature, and they’re also highly customizable. A user can opt to display images, calendars, and contact information.
Displaying contact information is useful when you lose your phone or get in an emergency situation where you can’t access your phone all by yourself. The person who found your phone will be able to locate you to either return your property or contact family members to alert them of your situation.
3. Screen time management.
When you have a handheld device that can cover any task or type of entertainment, it’s difficult to pry your fingers and eyes off it. The average American adults spend 2 hours and 55 minutes using their smartphone. That isn’t a lot, but there’s a lot of tasks you can finish within those almost three hours you consumed tapping on your phone.
Fortunately, smartphones now come with built-in screen usage features that monitor the time your phone’s screen is on with the activity. At the end of the day or week, the feature tells you about your phone usage habits. They can even show the applications you spend most of your time using.
This is extremely helpful if you want to minimize your screen time and focus on more important tasks.
4. Dashboard camera alternative.
The nearly 4 billion smartphone users have drivers in the mix. These users can turn their smartphone into a dashboard camera when they’re on the road. We’re all aware of how useful they are because they can be used for the safety and protection of people on the road.
Simply plop your smartphone on your dashboard and make sure the placement is sturdy, open your camera application, then begin recording. It’s optional if you want to leave your phone inside your car, but isn’t ideal when it gets too hot inside vehicles and you might damage your phone, or worse, it might even turn into a hazard.
Final thoughts
Depending on the brand and model of your smartphone, you may have fewer or more features within your reach. Some brands have features unique to them, and some features are universal, but some manufacturers do them better. If you already have a device and would want to make every dollar worth it, make sure you use your phone’s hidden features that can help with your daily tasks.
