5 Additional Uses for a Smartphone
It may seem like everyone has a smartphone, but as the demographics get older, it actually may not be as common as you think. A study in 2020 found that while 86% of Americans ages 50-59 had a smartphone, that number dropped to 81% for the 60-69 age group, and fell even further to just 62% of those 70 and older.
But if you or someone you know is still resisting by sticking with either a flip phone or going without a cell phone at all, you’re missing out on some excellent features (besides talking or texting) that will likely make your life easier.
Centers Health Care has a look at five additional uses for a smartphone that will make you wonder how you lived without them.
- Weather Report Whenever You Want
You don’t have to wait until the weather comes on the news to see what the forecast is, and you can also download weather apps that contain live radar, so you can see if there’s rain or snow heading into your area before you go out.
- Quality Photo and Video Camera
Many flip phones are equipped with cameras, but cameras on today’s smartphones take photos and videos that are of great quality. And you can bring your phone to a store that prints photos and select ones to print out, or you can use an online service like Shutterfly to do that.
- Radio
Turn your smartphone into a radio and listen to stations from around the world for free. There are apps like Pandora that also allow you to listen to any genre of music that you want.
- Timer
If you need an additional timer in the kitchen or want to set a timer for any other reason, the timer function on smartphones allow you to set a countdown and also use it as a stopwatch if you need to.
- Library
Download one of several apps (including Hoopla, Libby, and OverDrive) that synch with your local library card and allows you to borrow e-books that you can read right on your device.
