If you have a smartphone, you know it has many functions. One device can serve as your phone, camera, calculator, alarm clock and even a flashlight! And if your children or grandchildren are anything like mine, their primary means of communication seems to be by text message. This is so much easier with a smartphone versus a flip phone!
The 2 most common types of smartphones are the Apple iPhone or one of the many Android devices available. I’m going share some tips for iPhones, since that is familiar territory for me. And if anyone comes back with a question, I might even be able to come up with an answer. (Disclaimer: I was not among the iPhone users camping out to get the first round of the new model. I’m still working with an iPhone 6. I think I’ll let them take some time to work the bugs out.)
There are a multitude of articles about apps that you might find useful, including one written by my friend, Molly Kavanaugh. So let’s focus on some of the features that come built into your phone.
Swipe your screen from the bottom up, and you’ll find a number of handy tools, like the calculator, flashlight, timer and more. You’ll also see some often-used buttons at the top. Make sure WiFi is turned on if you have that service at home to minimize use of your data plan. And a helpful tip if you need to charge your phone quickly? Turn on Airplane mode, and it will charge much faster. Just be sure to remember to turn it off when you’re done.
Swipe down from the top for a quick glance at today’s schedule. And you can add widgets for other features that you use often.
If your eyes are over 50 (like mine), it might help to know how to adjust settings like text and button size. You can even set your phone to emit light instead of noise when a new call is coming in. And for some, a stylus makes using the keyboard easier and more accurate.
The cameras built into smartphones seem to get better with every update. And this camera is amazingly portable. You can take regular photos, video, and even panorama shots. Here are some great tips for getting better pictures with your phone.
Need a level to make sure a picture is hanging perfectly straight? Find your compass app - it may be under a folder for Utilities. From the right side, swipe left. Now you have a simple level.
To see the timestamp on a text message, swipe from the left side to the right.
More and more people (including older adults) are giving up landlines and going exclusively to cell phone use. Eliminating one phone bill could make the smartphone a more affordable option. And yes, you can dial 911 from your smartphone in most areas. It’s important to keep your smartphone charged regularly if it is your primary telephone.
If you have any other useful smartphone tips to share, please comment below.