Buzz
Smartphones have become inseparable companions in our lives. Yet, many only scratch the surface, using them for calls, texts, social media, and gaming, unaware of their full potential. Let's uncover some remarkable features together!
1. Unveiling the Uncommon Smartphone Features
Despite their omnipresence, smartphones harbor secrets often overlooked by their users. Join us as we delve into these hidden treasures!
1. Virtual Assistants
Virtual assistants like Siri, Cortana, Google Assistant, and Bixby stand ready to streamline our tasks with voice commands. However, their adoption remains limited among Vietnamese users due to language barriers.
To fully leverage these virtual assistants, mastering English is key. It's also a great tool for young learners to practice spoken English effectively.
2. Remote Phone Locking
Losing your phone can mean compromising your privacy as sensitive data may fall into the wrong hands and end up online indefinitely. Google's Android Device Manager comes to the rescue. To activate it, navigate to Settings > Security > Device Administrators > Activate Android Device Manager.
Afterward, access the Android Device Manager app or visit google.com/android/find to locate your phone and erase data if it's been stolen.
3. GPS Navigation Devices
Beyond the familiar Google Maps navigation, there are specialized map types offering unique features like traffic jam alerts, flood-prone areas, and locations of police checkpoints.
4. Leave a Message on Lock Screen
In case you forget your phone somewhere, having important information displayed on the lock screen such as your name, contact address, or alternate phone numbers can help others return it to you quickly.
Moreover, in unfortunate situations like accidents where someone finds your phone but can't unlock it, this valuable information can facilitate contacting your loved ones promptly. Activate this feature by accessing Settings > Lock screen > Lock screen message.
5. Wireless Mouse
If your wireless mouse runs out of battery or your wired mouse malfunctions while using a PC or laptop, fear not! Your smartphone can become a lifesaver mouse in emergencies.
6. Remote Control
Certain smartphones with infrared support can make excellent use of this feature. Instead of hunting for TV remotes or air conditioners, you can simply grab your phone and press a button.
This is the Quick Remote feature, found only on select high-end phones with integrated infrared like LG G2, Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, HTC One M8, LG G Pro 2, LG G3, etc. Additionally, smart TV manufacturers offer dedicated apps for phone control, such as Samsung Smart View for Samsung smart TVs and LG TV Plus for LG smart TVs.
7. Virtual Reality Glasses
Experiencing virtual reality is fantastic, and if your device supports it, you can purchase VR glasses accessories to insert your phone and enjoy 360-degree videos. Watching such videos is delightful, but it's advisable not to overdo it to avoid headaches and dizziness.
8. Document Scanning
Smartphones are now ubiquitous, and we often utilize their cameras to take photos, and even scan documents, saving us the hassle and expense of using traditional photocopiers. Popular and effective scanning apps include Google PhotoScan, CamScanner, Microsoft Office Lens, etc.
9. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
Is your home network too weak? Don't worry, with 4G available now, you can utilize your beloved smartphone to create a 4G hotspot (if your device supports it) for smooth online gaming experiences like League of Legends, DOTA 2, CSGO, etc.
Activate the hotspot by navigating to Settings > Wireless & networks > More > Tethering & portable hotspot > Portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
10. Electronic Compass
If you need to determine directions but don't have a physical compass handy, fear not! Utilize the electronic compass feature on your smartphone instead. Don't worry too much about its accuracy; even traditional compasses aren't always perfectly aligned with true North. Rest assured, the data from electronic compasses is relatively accurate, earning your trust.
11. Measurement Capabilities: Length, Angle, Deviation, Height,...
Yes. Even I couldn't believe it! How on earth did it manage that? After some research, I discovered these tools utilizing complex algorithms to process data collected from the modern sensors on our smartphones. Allow me to introduce you to all these software in one place called Smart tools.
12. Barcode, QR Code Scanner
Have you ever worried if the items you purchased were priced correctly? Wondered about their origins? Well, worry no more. You can use this smartphone to look up their origins based on the product barcode using the iCheck Scanner software.
13. Health Tracking Devices
Our handheld devices already come equipped with various software to help us monitor our health, such as Google Fit, Apple Health, etc. Most of them are free, providing users with relatively accurate health status calculations.
14. Cardless Payments
This service aims to make electronic payments easier, eliminating the need for bank cards when shopping. Users simply input their PIN on their smartphone and tap the store's payment device via NFC to complete the transaction. Currently, this service is not available in Vietnam, but it promises to appear in the not-so-distant future.
15. Mirror
It's quite surprising to hear this, isn't it? Surely, at least once in our lives, we've taken out our phones to check ourselves in the mirror. Now, the front camera used for selfies has become even more useful. You can utilize it to get a clearer reflection, don't you think?
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