This summer time marks 15 years since Apple launched the primary iPhone, and since then, smartphones have turn into the Swiss Army knives of know-how. But with the avalanche of updates since 2007, less-obvious options are sometimes buried within the course of. Here’s a fast have a look at some presumably neglected instruments, proven right here in iOS 15 and Android 12.
Point the Way
A maps app has been a part of the fashionable smartphone toolbox because the starting, however Google and Apple have now added the digicam and a splash of augmented actuality to the expertise for additional assist with on-the-ground orientation. (Your outcomes will range by location, although, and be ready for some battery drain.)
In Google Maps for Android and iOS, enter your vacation spot, faucet Directions and choose Walking. Tap the Live View icon within the nook of the map. Your telephone instructs you to level the digicam at close by buildings so the app can acknowledge your environment by evaluating it with Google Street View photos. Once set, your instructions seem overlaid on the view by on the digicam display to information you alongside.
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The Compass app included with Apple’s iOS software program provides you a basic concept of your location.Credit…Apple
Apple Maps makes use of the iPhone’s digicam in an analogous means if you request strolling instructions in supported cities and faucet the AR icon on the map display. (For different navigation choices, Apple features a stand-alone digital Compass app with iOS, and Google Maps has a compass that seems onscreen if you begin your journey.)
Scan Stuff
In addition to its tour-guide duties, the telephone’s digicam can double as a scanner for each paperwork and quick-response, or QR, codes. In iOS, you’ll be able to scan a doc or receipt within the Notes app by creating a brand new observe, urgent the digicam icon on the toolbar and choosing Scan Documents. You can even scan and connect a doc to an e-mail message you are composing by tapping the scan icon on the keyboard’s toolbar.
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Apple’s iOS Notes app features a command that turns the iPhone’s digicam right into a doc scanner.Credit…Apple
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Google’s free Stack app features a document-scanning operate and a spot to arrange the scanned recordsdata.Credit…Google
As for these boxy, black-and-white QR codes for web sites or digital cost programs, simply open Apple’s Camera app or Google Camera and level it on the QR code to scan it. Many of Samsung’s Galaxy telephones have a QR Scanner possibility that works with the digicam app, too.
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Both the iOS Camera and Google Camera apps can robotically sense and scan QR codes.Credit…Apple; Google
But there’s a caveat with QR codes, past privateness issues: Be cautious to scan codes solely from trusted sources, as a result of cybercriminals use them for fraud and to unfold malicious software program.
Name That Tune
The telephone’s microphone has likewise expanded its powers past voice memos, dictation and audio/video calls in recent times. One motive: Apple’s 2018 acquisition of the Shazam music-recognition app.
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Shazam, now owned by Apple, can robotically determine songs when the Auto Shazam setting is on. The app can even add a playlist of tracks to Apple Music.Credit…Apple
The Auto Shazam characteristic — which robotically tries to determine music enjoying close by — works on each the iOS and Android variations and might be enabled by urgent and holding the Shazam button when the app is open. (This could sap extra battery juice and knowledge.)
After you determine a music with Shazam, you’ll be able to play it in an Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify or YouTube Music account. In the Shazam settings, you’ll be able to join your listing of acknowledged songs to Apple Music or Spotify.
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Once enabled, Google’s Now Playing software program for its Pixel telephones tries to robotically acknowledge any close by music and retains an inventory of recognized songs.Credit…Google
Many of Google’s Pixel telephones embrace an analogous Now Playing characteristic which you could allow within the Sound & Vibration settings. Once activated, the software program shows music titles on the Lock display and creates a historical past listing of the music enjoying inside the microphone vary. (The Now Playing device is designed for Pixel telephones, however an online search reveals inventive coders have tailored it for different Android telephones.)
Get Help Fast
When you want emergency help, your telephone has shortcuts to attach you. On an iPhone 8 or later, maintain down the right-side button and one of many quantity buttons till you see the Emergency SOS slider on the display, and then drag the slide to name the native emergency quantity; if you cannot drag the slider, maintain holding down the buttons till the telephone robotically makes the decision. In the Emergency SOS settings, you’ll be able to allow the telephone to make an emergency name if you press the facet button 5 occasions.
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Both iOS and Android have shortcuts for making emergency calls with the press of a button or two.Credit…Apple; Google
Android-based telephones, together with Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy fashions, have their very own emergency-service aids. On telephones with an influence button, maintain down that button till you see the Emergency icon and then faucet it. On a telephone with out a energy button, strive swiping down on the display to get to the Quick Settings for Emergency Mode or swiping up from the underside to get to the Emergency Call button. Google’s free Personal Safety app for Android offers extra instruments for dealing with future emergency conditions, for individuals who wish to be ready.
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