AARP is on it. The fine people at the American Association of Retired Persons…sent out an email on “19 Things You Didn’t Know Your Smartphone Could Do.” If you didn’t already know your phone had these, you’re officially old…and say that with all due respect.
AARP’s list includes…
1. A flashlight. If you’re still carrying one around, no need.
2. The weather. There’s an app for that.
3. A calculator. Quote, “You can perform basic math functions when holding the phone vertically. [Or] rotate the phone on its side to summon a scientific calculator that can give you [more] advanced actions.”
4. Directions. They say the most popular GPS apps are called Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps. (And if you need that tip, there’s also a MapQuest app that lets you print.)
5. Kitchen timer. Or “egg timer”…as they called it in your day.
6. QR code reader. They posted a big explanation of what that means, but basically…point your camera at those weird things that look like barcodes from the future. (Bonus tip: your phone has a camera.)
7. Video camera. Fun fact…your phone shoots video too.
They also included a few tips that might be helpful to people younger than 100 too. You can also use your phone to measure things without a ruler…to translate foreign languages…and to listen to the radio.