Sure, you're a master of Instagram, your Seamless order is saved, and
you can Tinder on the sly, but your iPhone can do more than just get
you dinner and a date (and you know, make calls). Here, a list of 10
unexpected ways to use your smartphone.
Unlock Your Car
Always losing your keys? The Viper SmartKey system allows you to replace your car keys with your phone. When enabled, you can lock and unlock your car (and even disarm an alarm) without even taking your phone out of your pocket.
Light Your Home
Cree's LED lightbulb connects to your phone via an app, turning your device into a dimmer you don't have to install. (Bonus: You can set the amount of time the light stays on without even being in the room, saving you money throughout the year).
• • •
Check Your Heart Rate
You don't need to invest in a Jawbone or a Fitbit to monitor your heart rate. Azumio's Instant Heart Rate app measures your heart rate and gives you personalized reports to help you burn more calories and track your health.
• • •
Order a Drink
There are a million reasons why you might not want to leave the house to
get a drink, but if you haven't perfected your home bar set up yet, use
Minibar to order wine, liquor, or mixers—right from your phone.
• • •
Take a Nap
Who doesn't need an afternoon siesta from time to time? With Breather,
you can find a room to rent for a minimum of 30 min so you can take a
break from city life—or do whatever else you need to do with a room for a
half-hour.
• • •
ID an Image
You might be familiar with the Shazam app's ability to identify a song, but late last month the service added image-identifying technology to its skill set. Just hold your phone up to an image, and Shazam will tell you what you're seeing and display matching content.
• • •
Do Not Disturb
Whether you're in a movie or your friends are night owls, there are times when you just don't want to be disturbed (and silent mode won't cut it). Did you know that built right into your phone is a Do Not Disturb mode (it's under the Settings tab) that will stop texts, alarms, and alerts from coming through?
• • •
Translate
Taking a trip and forgot the pocket dictionary? Google's Translate app can translate two languages in real time, so you can have a conversation (or just find a bathroom). The app also works with text, making foreign-language signs easy to understand.
• • •
Predict the Weather
Yes, the weather app on your phone can tell you how to dress for the day, but it can't give you minute-by-minute updates. Dark Sky not only shows you a radar screen but also lets you know when it's going to rain down to the minute, so you can time your coffee breaks accordingly.
• • •
Create an Augmented Reality Map
If you're driving in the dark, the rain, fog, or just unfamiliar conditions, download Hudway, enter your destination, and put your phone on your dashboard. Your phone will project a GPS-enabled map on your windshield—no extra equipment required.
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