How do you use your Smartphone

[memason]

I see lots of smartphones around The Villages... Certainly, the smartphone is more than just a phone...

I see lots of posts with folks trying to decide whether to get a smartphone or a normal cellphone.

I use my smartphone for almost everything, which I'll share as the thread progresses...

Let us know how you use your smartphone and any special apps that help you do it.

[Golfingnut]

Check Email
Search the internet
GPS
Facebook
Calculator
Calendar
Clock
Appoint reminders

[getdul981]

Check Email
Search the internet
GPS
Facebook
Calculator
Calendar
Clock
Appoint reminders

All the above, except Facebook.
Also, use it for:
Camera
Alarm Clock
Texting (which I hate, but everyone else seems to love it)
Weather
Play Games
Golf Range Finder (not the best, but its FREE)
Dictionary
Radio
MP3 player

[Midvale]

I use Google My Tracks to see how fast/far I ride my bike. Tapatalk to check forums. Also as a wifi hotspot for other devices when I RV.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I could never give up my smart phone.... not sure how I ever lived without it! Do everything on it. When was the last time you saw a Payphone anywhere?

[memason]

I use mine to listen to radio stations...

TuneIn Radio app will allow you to listen to over 20,000 radio stations, worldwide. When home, I use this with the iPhone plugged into the stereo system and into the car stereo when traveling. Similar to XM, except that you will have the normal radio commercials, but you will not loose the station as you travel... This might let you listen to your favorite radio station from back home.

[gomoho]

It is my computer in the car - when home love to tune into Pandora and Bluetooth it to my Bose mini link speaker.

[getdul981]

Memason - Question.. Does the Radio count as data when you are not at home? We have 10 MB of data per month and have never gotten anywhere near it, but we don't use the radio feature when not at home either.

[memason]

I'm using mine to control the temperature in my home, from anywhere in the world.

By using a Honeywell WiFi thermostat and app, I can monitor the inside [and outside] temperature and change it from anywhere in the world. When traveling, in the summer, I can check the temp in the house and change the set point to cool a little more, if needed. Sometimes, I just just turn on the fan to circulate the air for a couple hours.

[SemiMike]

Foreign language study/review. The free version of Duolingo is great!

[Bambi]

All of the above and:
GPS
Flashlight
Bubble level
Compass
Speedometer on golf cart
Heart rate monitor
Skype and FaceTime
Books
Netflix - beam to my Apple TV
Check airline flights
Candy crush
Notes.... Grocery lists, etc.
Storage and display of store loyalty cards
Copies of medical cards, AAA cards, credit cards And emergency numbers in a encrypted
Cloud storage account
Timer for cooking, etc.
On line coupons for Publix, etc.
Store bar code scanner which compares prices in nearby stores for same item
Price locater for gas (Gas Buddy)
Weather warnings
Back up for genealogy research
Adding data to my Family Tree Maker when researching out of state etc.

[dillywho]

Many of the above, plus: (Hope I don't repeat any previously posted)


Phone - I forward my landline (which we need, some don't) to my smart phone. People calling have no idea we are away from the house.

TV stations

GasBuddy (free) to check gas prices

BP Monitor which can record and track BP and more (great for DR visits because it shows the history and charts) (free)

One of my favorite ones is the Voice Memo - I record our Dr. visits in the office or hospital. By the way, they really like for you to do that. This way you can go back and review exactly what he/she said. Great for updating family because you can share the recordings without having to try to be sure you tell all the kids the same thing.

Newspapers back home - Amarillo and Lubbock

Photos & videos

MapQuest

Notes: use for
Today - errands, etc
Misc
Grocery lists by store (don't get to the store without it that way)
Med list
Dr. Appts by Doctor & notes for Dr. visit (don't have to go to calendar to search but they are on the calendar, too)

Most importantly: My husband can be somewhat independent and we don't have to stay "tied at the hip". He had a stroke 12 yrs ago and lost the ability to effectively communicate (aphasia). He wears a Medical ID Bracelet with all his information in it. I am always just a phone call away. He still plays golf, plays billiards, drives (always has the cart, tho), plays cards, etc.

[Sable99]

Keep 'em coming. I'm learning I'm underutilizing my iPhone!

[Polar Bear]

Hard to list, since basically you can do anything on a smartphone. Probably be quicker to list what I don't do...heheh.

But the single biggest thing for me...aside from all the usual internet stuff...is having all my information in one spot. Calendar, to-do list, contacts, notes (text and voice), all in one app, all synchronized across all my devices...pad, phone, PC.

How did we ever get by without them!?! :^)

[getdul981]

Phone Now, That's a novel idea!

TV stations I use mine to set recording times for our DVR.


I also us mine for a level and Compass.

[rhood]

I credit my phones ability to track my cardio (walking) and calories the main reason I have lowered my BP and lost a lot of weight. That keeps me motivated to continue to live a healthy lifestyle.

[billethkid]

I use it for just about everything that has been stated above.

I use ours to manage and maintain our security systems and interface with my auto dealer and some health care providers.

A couple of things we do not do is use it at the table or in the company of others or in restaurants or doctors offices.

[gardenia]

And I'll add a few more:
- Facetime on my iPhone to watch and interact with my 7 month old grandson every day.
- online banking (no need to to go to a bank to deposit a check, just take a picture of the check and voila: deposit complete - EASY!).
- listen to playlists as I go out running (no need for additional music device).
- check for coupons as I stand in line to make a purchase in dept stores.
- boarding pass for domestic travel (no need for printed boarding pass).
- Use Where and Yelp apps to find places to dine and events when I am in visiting new areas.
- get breaking news as well daily newspapers.
- Instant message with my relatives all over the world.

What can I say, no way in the world can I be without my smartphone - it goes with me everywhere I go. And I use it LEAST as a phone.

[memason]

Memason - Question.. Does the Radio count as data when you are not at home? We have 10 MB of data per month and have never gotten anywhere near it, but we don't use the radio feature when not at home either.

Yes, when you're not on a WiFi network, you will be using your data package, while streaming...

[Xavier]

Here is my partial list of uses for my Smartphone:

MY CHART: Up-to-date Medical Test Results, doctor messages and the ability to ask questions or comment to physician, medical appointments (make, cancel, change), list of current medications, health reminders, health summary

PANDORA: music streaming without commercials or ads

SUD0KU FREE: keeping the old mind limber!

YOUTUBE: for entertainment and education - you can find so much of the how-to stuff that is so helpful. I recently replaced the CD/DVD drive in my laptop by following a YouTube video step by step

BARCODE SCANNER: Helps with pricing items as well as finding them.

ON-LINE BANKING APPS: make nearly all banking transactions such as paying bills, transferring funds, etc. and even deposit a check by taking a picture of it

HP ePRINT: print any file or image on my smartphone wirelessly to my HP Printer from anywhere

SPEEDTEST: check your Internet Connection Speed

DIRECTV APP: You can do all kinds of things with this app. Use your phone as a remote control, record shows remotely to your DVD or DVDs, Watch on demand shows and movies, watch some tv shows real-time, etc.

THE VILLAGES TOWN SQUARES APP: find shopping, entertainment lists, dining, health & beauty and movies for all squares in on location

WEBSTORAGE: Use a cloud for storage and make everything available to all of your computers or devices

NETFLIX: Watch Netflix on your smartphone

NOAA, WEATHERBUG, RADARNOW!, THE WEATHER CHANNEL

GPS NAVIGATION APPS (Scout, Google Maps): Getting from one place to another, finding specific business or places, and you can even get messages telling what's going on in the area

GOOGLE KEEP: Excellent app to keep track of things. I do shoppings lists, listing of any kind of information such as license numbers, weight loss, library card numbers, information such as discount card numbers, satellite account numbers for TV and Radio, etc. It automatically puts the same information on all of your electronic devices

CALENDAR (google): Keeps all of your appointments or events and sends you notification or even emails to remind you of them

CAMERA AND GALLERY: Obvious uses

COMMUNICATION email, texts, instant messaging, tweeting, etc.

CALCULATOR

PDANET+: Turn you Smartphone into a hot-spot

CELL USEAGE APP: Tracks calls and data useage

TV GUIDE: What on and when

BRIGHTEST FLASHLIGHT: It's a flashlight

EBAY APP: Buy, sell, price items

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER APP

KEY RING: replicates the bar codes on discount cards, library card, etc. and then allows you to take an actual picture of the front and back of the card. You can really empty out your wallet or purse! NOT for Credit Cards

BUBBLE: A really good level that can be calibrated easily.

SUPER COMPASS: Never get lost again!

GASBUDDY: up-to-date pricing on fuel

S-VOICE (if you have a Samsung Smartphone): Voice Dial, Voice Message, Search Contacts, Voice Memo, Voice Schedule, Voice Task, Voice Music, Voice Social Update, Voice Search, Voice Open App, Voice Record Voice, Voice Hands-free mode, Voice Alarm, Voice Timer, Voice Control of simple settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., Voice Navigate, Voice Hear News, Voice Weather, Voice Get an Answer, Voice Local Listings.

KINDLE: read books on your phone

USEFUL RV RELATED APPS: The Key Ring, Bubble, Super Compass, and GasBuddy apps listed above as well as the following: Satellite AR - find any satellite in the sky, RV Parky - looking for a place to camp in any area?, Diesel Stops - Love's Connect, TruckSmart and MyPilot, Passport America - discounted campgrounds, History Here - finds historical places in any area, Good Sam Camping - discounted campgrounds, FMCA - Family Motor Coach Association app, Reviews of RV Parks and Campgrounds, iRV2 Forum - useful RV conversation and information

Xavier

[jojo]

Xavier, Great list. Thank you. Do you register your device with Amazon and then download to your Android?

[TNLAKEPANDA]

All of the above and:
GPS
Flashlight
Bubble level
Compass
Speedometer on golf cart
Heart rate monitor
Skype and FaceTime
Books
Netflix - beam to my Apple TV
Check airline flights
Candy crush
Notes.... Grocery lists, etc.
Storage and display of store loyalty cards
Copies of medical cards, AAA cards, credit cards And emergency numbers in a encrypted
Cloud storage account
Timer for cooking, etc.
On line coupons for Publix, etc.
Store bar code scanner which compares prices in nearby stores for same item
Price locater for gas (Gas Buddy)
Weather warnings
Back up for genealogy research
Adding data to my Family Tree Maker when researching out of state etc.


DITTO THAT~ use my phone all the time but have not done the coupon thing yet. Hate getting all that junk email.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Here is a good one for when you are eating out in those dark restaurant's. there is a couple good flashlight apps and a good magnifying glass app in case you forgot your reading glasses!

I also use Keyring all the time!

[juneroses]

Wow! What an enlightening thread. I still have a dumb phone. Didn't realize all that could be done if I upgraded.

[Xavier]

Xavier, Great list. Thank you. Do you register your device with Amazon and then download to your Android?

I honestly can't recall. I've been a member of Amazon forever and I've had the Kindle app on my computer, tablet and smartphone since it was available. I usually don't buy my e-books. I generally get them from the Sumter Library on-line and one of the formats is sometimes Kindle. Other formats are Overdrive, Adobe Reader and ePUB I think.

I get almost all of my apps through (Google) Play Store.

[thelegges]

i use my phone for everything except banking..i no longer feel comfortable useing wireless involving my money

[angiefox10]

All of the above... and... I read books on it. I listen and read.

I don't carry anything else. Everything I need is on the phone. I don't carry a pencil, paper, camera... Everything is in the phone. I take a picture of the business cards I get from people as well as businesses and they are added to my contacts.

[asianthree]

candy crush is killing my battery life....:cus:

[memason]

Wow! Some outstanding responses!

I lost a ton of weight, over the last 6 months and used an app called LoseIt to track calories, weight, BMI and exercise. Unfortunately, it couldn't stop me from eating, but it did highlight the calories in dishes I was eating... Forced me to change my habits.

Keep 'em coming...I'm getting some good apps out of this...

[Xavier]

Wow! Some outstanding responses!

I lost a ton of weight, over the last 6 months and used an app called LoseIt to track calories, weight, BMI and exercise. Unfortunately, it couldn't stop me from eating, but it did highlight the calories in dishes I was eating... Forced me to change my habits.

Keep 'em coming...I'm getting some good apps out of this...

FatSecret worked well for me. It tracks calories, calories burned for exercise and is loaded with very good recipes. I'm pretty sure it has something for all of the various diets. There is a forum as well. You can use it across all of your electronic devices.

Xavier

[rayschic]

Wow! Some outstanding responses!

I lost a ton of weight, over the last 6 months and used an app called LoseIt to track calories, weight, BMI and exercise. Unfortunately, it couldn't stop me from eating, but it did highlight the calories in dishes I was eating... Forced me to change my habits.

Keep 'em coming...I'm getting some good apps out of this...

memason....thanks for starting this thread ! I am learning about a lot of good apps.

[AmyBob]

Scrabble - keep a couple games going all the time