With more than 2 million apps in the Apple App Store and 2.2 million in Google Play, there are tons of things you can do with your smartphone beyond making calls and texting. Here are some of the most innovative apps that make your smartphone do things you’ve never imagined.
1. Measure your heart rate
Instant Heart Rate is an app that uses your phone’s camera and flash to take a reading of your pulse. Just place your index finger on the camera and the app will automatically measure your heart rate by detecting color changes.
The app also collects data from each reading to create charts that help you monitor your heart rate over time. Plus, you can add tags and notes such as “Just woke up,” “Before bed,” “Exercising,” and “Resting," to make your tracking more effective.
You don’t have to be a fitness enthusiast to benefit from this app. It’s also helpful if you have a medical condition such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes and need to monitor your heart rate closely. When I tested the app, it was within a beat or two of manually measuring my heart rate.
A free basic version is available for both Apple and Android users. However, there is also a Pro version (Apple, $2.99 / Android, $1.99) that’s ad-free and offers unlimited data tracking.
2. Hunt for treasure
One of the most unexpected things your smartphone can do is search for metal. If you own an iPhone, download a free app called Metal Detector. This app taps into your phone’s built-in magnetometer, which helps your phone detect the X,Y, Z axes for things like the compass.
Metal Detector won't detect everything that's metal, but don’t discredit its ability. Point your phone’s camera toward the metal objects and turn up the dial to increase the intensity. You’ll be surprised by the things it picks up. The app detects any metal that is magnetic.
If you don’t have an iPhone, a similar app (also called Metal Detector) is available for Android devices. These apps share the same name; however, they were created by different developers and have slight differences in the way they operate.
3. Control your vehicle from anywhere
Wouldn’t it be great if you could warm up or cool down your car before you even reach the parking lot? That’s what Viper SmartStart does. It’s like turning your phone into a remote control for your vehicle.
With the full system, you can start your car, unlock your doors, open your trunk, locate where you’re parked, and even activate your security system. Premium versions also include features such as text alerts for speeding and when your car has a low battery.
The apps for Apple and Android are free to download and test, but you’ll need extra hardware and a monthly service plan to make the system work.
There are four different service plan options, ranging from $70 to $240 per year, depending on the features you select. You will also need a module installed in your car, which costs around $300, plus installation.
4. Measure height and distance
Using your phone's camera and fancy math, the iOS app EasyMeasure estimates the distance or height of an object.
Before you play around with this app, an initial calibration is required. For better results, you'll need to set the lens' height. According to the app’s tutorial, the lens' height is 4 inches from your real height.
To use the app, stand up and hold your phone at eye level then aim the little arrow at the base of the object you want to measure. Using the camera’s angle and your position, the app estimates the object’s distance.
EasyMeasure is available for both Apple and Android users as a free download. There is also an option to upgrade to a premium version (Apple $2.99 / Android, $.99) that is ad-free.
5. Level objects
Here's a "handy" use for your smartphone, turn it into a leveler! iHandy Level is a free download for both iOS and Android that uses your smartphone’s accelerometer to help you level objects. The app even mimics a real bubble leveler with a wooden overlay.
The leveling action works with all your phone’s orientations so it’s quite versatile. Use it in portrait mode, landscape mode or go hands-free and lay your phone flat on its back.
iHandy Level can help you hang picture frames, TV mounts, light fixtures and just about anything you want to straighten out.
Other features include a digital readout of the current angle and a Hold button that locks the leveler in place.
6. See in the dark
Thermal vision isn’t something we’re born with, but now it’s possible to use it to see in the dark. All you need is a camera attachment, such as the Seek Thermal.
This high-resolution thermal camera attaches to your smartphone through the lightning port for Apple or micro USB port for Android. There are two different models currently available, the Compact and Compact XR.
Compact models cost around $250 and include a 206 x 156 thermal sensor. This model is also waterproof and can detect temperatures between -40 degrees and 626 degrees Fahrenheit at a range up to 1,000 feet.
For $300, the Compact XR model gets you a larger field of view, as well as a range of up to 1,800 feet. You'll find these products on Seek Thermal's website and on Amazon.
Seek Thermal cameras also come as an app to display the detected heat signatures on your phone screen. Use this equipment to scout and track wildlife, detect air leaks, monitor your home, find loose electrical wires, etc.
7. Work as a DIY microscope.
Amazingly, it just takes a drop of clean water on the camera lens to turn a smartphone into a DIY amateur microscope. The drop of water, which naturally adopts a round shape, acts as a lens, allowing the camera to focus from a distance of under half an inch.
8. Getting your phone locked forever
If your smartphone gets lost or stolen and you want to keep your personal data safe from prying eyes, this function can come in really handy. The thing is, for each SIM worldwide, a unique 15-digit number is assigned, called the IMEI. If your phone is no longer in your possession and there is little chance that you will see it again, just call the cell phone company and ask them to block your device using that number. By the way, if we all start using this trick, cell phone theft will become essentially meaningless! In order to find out your phone’s IMEI code, you just need to dial the combination *#06#. Take a moment to do this right away!
9. Light up your living room.
Cree's Connected LED Lightbulb syncs with your phone via an app, turning your device into a dimmer you don't have to install. What's more, you can set the amount of time the light stays on without even being in the room, saving you money throughout the year.
10. Project a cool augmented reality map on the windscreen of your car!
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 without the need for any extra equipment required
11. Work as a sci-fi thermal camera.
Seek Thermal gives you the thermal technology that was once only available for the military and other professionals. It's a tiny camera that attaches to your smartphone so you can get a thermal image of anything around you, showing you a temperature snapshot of your environment.
12. Reverse search images and photographs.
If you’re using an Android device, the Google Goggles app lets you search an image captured with your phone’s camera. You can identify famous paintings, find information on products or learn more about a historic landmark.
13. Show what’s happening at home
Keep an eye on your home from afar in super-clear 1080p HD with Nest® Cam™. You’ll get notifications on your smartphone if any motion or sound is detected while you’re away. The Wi-Fi video camera features a mic, too, so you can actually talk to whoever’s in the room (through the app).
If you need to keep records, you can record and save audio or video for a fee. It’s a great tool for general home security, monitoring your pets or making sure your kids get home on time from school or practice.
And at last it is our super favorite.......
14. Extending the life of your smartphone
It’s absolutely normal that your phone’s power jack tends to collect dust, dirt, and other debris over time. But only a few people know that dust in the charging port may be one of the main causes of your device’s death. To avoid this, clean your smartphone regularly. Just take a syringe full of air, insert its needle into the power jack, and inject the air. This procedure will allow you to easily remove the dust from the charging port and extend the life of your smartphone.
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