Smartphones can do much more than just make calls. With various apps and built-in features, your phone can be a tape measure, a remote, or even a mini podcast studio. Here's how you can leverage its unexpected capabilities.
Use your phone as a tape measure
Turn it into a metal detector
Control other devices remotely
Digitize old photos
Record hikes offline
Measure sound levels easily
Create 3D object scans
Sleep better with sound options
Smartphones are versatile tools, capable of handling simple tasks in ways you might not have realized. From measuring surfaces to managing your smart home, there’s a lot packed into that little device you carry everywhere.
Creative Uses: Measuring and Digitizing
You probably didn’t know that your smartphone could substitute for a tape measure. For instance, the iPhone’s Measure app can calculate room sizes and even a person’s height using augmented reality. It’s a quick solution for home projects, saving you time and effort.
Also, if you’ve got old photo negatives lying around, apps like FilmBox can help turn them into digital images with just a light source. This way, you can refresh your family memories stored on film.
Tracking and Monitoring: Health and Environment
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking without worrying about getting lost. Download offline maps ahead of your adventure, and your phone can guide you even without signal. Various hiking apps also track your elevation and distance for later sharing with friends.
For the health-conscious, recent advancements allow smartphones to perform tasks you’d expect from specialized devices. New apps can monitor heartbeats and even oxygen levels, which can be lifesaving tools in health management.
Map trails and keep records
Monitor blood oxygen saturation
Create 3D scans for projects
Digitize old memories efficiently
Streamlining Everyday Tasks with Tech
Ever lose your TV remote? Many Android phones double as remote controls, letting you manage your TV and smart devices all from one place. Just a few taps, and you’re able to change channels or adjust volume.
Need some sleep? Your phone can also mimic white noise machines to help you drift off. Just explore the accessibility section in settings, and you’ll find various soothing sounds ready to play as you relax.
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.
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This transparency ethos extends to corrections: errors are struck through in red at the top of articles, accompanied by a timestamp and editor’s note explaining what changed and why.
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