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March 29, 2024

This summer marks the 15th anniversary Apple releases its first iPhone, and since then, the smartphone has become the Swiss Army Knife. But with the plethora of updates since 2007, less obvious features tend to be buried in the process. Here’s a quick look at some potentially overlooked tools, shown in iOS 15 and Android 12.

Maps apps have been part of the modern smartphone toolbox from the start, but Google and Apple have now added cameras and some augmented reality to the experience for additional ground-based positioning help. (Your results will vary by location, though, and be prepared for battery drain.)

in google maps android and iOS, enter your destination, tap Directions and select Walk.click live view Icon on the corner of the map. Your phone instructs you to point the camera at nearby buildings so the app can identify your surroundings by comparing it to Google Street View imagery. Once set, your directions are displayed on the view on the camera screen to guide you forward.

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Apple Maps uses your iPhone’s camera in a similar way when you request walking directions in a supported city and tap the AR icon on the map screen. (For alternate navigation options, Apple includes a separate digital compass app iOS and Google Maps have compass Appears on the screen when starting the journey. )

In addition to its tour guide duties, the phone’s camera doubles as a document scanner and Quick response or QR code. In iOS, you can Scan documents or receipts in the Notes app By making a new note, press the camera icon on the toolbar and select Scan Document.you can also Scan and attach documents The email you are composing by clicking the scan icon on the keyboard toolbar.

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Credit…Google

As for those boxy black and white QR codes for websites or electronic payment systems, just open Apple’s camera app or google camera and point it to the QR code to scan.a lot of samsung Galaxy phones have a QR scanner Options also available for the camera app.

Credit…Apple; Google

But privacy concerns aside, QR codes have a caveat: Be careful to scan only codes from trusted sources, as cybercriminals use them fraud and Spread malware.

In recent years, the phone’s microphone has similarly expanded its capabilities beyond voice memos, dictation, and audio/video calls.One reason: Apple Acquisitions in 2018 Shazam music recognition app.

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The Auto Shazam feature, which automatically tries to identify music playing nearby, works for iOS and Android version And can be enabled by holding down the Shazam button while the app is open. (This may consume additional battery power and data.)

After identifying the song with Shazam, you can Play in an Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify or YouTube Music account. In Shazam settings, you can connect the list of recognized songs to Apple Music or Spotify.

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Many of Google’s Pixel phones include something like play now You can enable this feature in the sound and vibration settings. When activated, the software displays song titles on the lock screen and creates a history list of music played within microphone range. (The Now Playing tool was designed for Pixel phones, but a web search shows that creative programmers have adapted it for other Android phones.)

Your phone has shortcuts to reach you when you need emergency assistance. On iPhone 8 or later, press and hold the right-side key and one of the volume buttons until you see SOS the on-screen slider, then drag the slider to dial the local emergency number; if you can’t drag the slider, press and hold the button until the phone dials automatically. In the emergency SOS settings, you can have your phone make an emergency call when you press the side button five times.

Credit…Apple; Google

Android-based phones, including google pixel and Samsung Galaxy model, with its own emergency services assistance. On phones with a power button, press and hold the button until you see the emergency icon, then tap it. On phones without a power button, try swiping down on the screen to access the quick settings for emergency mode or swiping up from the bottom to access the emergency call button. Google’s free personal safety app for Android offers more tools for dealing with future emergencies for those who prefer to be prepared.



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