WHEN Cisco discontinued the Flip, a pocket-size camera popular with bloggers, it was for good reason: the company was getting flattened by the advent of smartphones, which bundled HD video together with a whole lot of other features. However, many people still fail to maximize the use of their mobile devices, often using them simply to call, text, answer e-mail, and update Facebook and Twitter. Here’s a list of things that your phone can do to make your life easier.
Check in for your flight
Many international airlines such as KLM and Delta (their local counterparts have yet to catch up) offer mobile check-ins that allow you to simply scan a barcode sent to your phone through a text message. It saves on paper, time, and effort, but many passengers are hesitant to do so because they’d rather stick to tangible boarding passes.
Identify songs
This is actually relatively old technology, but if you’re the type to download songs that you heard in the grocery or in a cab, download an app that will allow you to record a few seconds of a song—it will run it on a database and appear with the song title and artist. Saves you from “What song was that?” moments.
Use it as a modem
Use your phone as a mobile wireless device even for other phones or laptops. While it isn’t ideal for heavy downloads (consider the cost of your phone bill, for one thing), it’s great for on-the-go, emergency Internet needs.
Buy movie tickets
Most people still stand in line to catch the latest flicks, despite the availability of services such as Ayala Malls’ M-Pass card. Long lines and seats that run out are just some of the reasons that you end up watching B-movies that you never intended to see in the first place; get rid of that problem by using your mobile to score seats. SM Cinema recently partnered with Globe Telecom for an e-ticket service that allows Globe subscribers to use G-Cash to reserve and pay for tickets online. You simply have to scan your phone at the tills at the cinema; the best thing about this is that you don’t need a smartphone to do it. Visit www.smcinema.com.
Email the author at biancaconsunji@yahoo.com or visit www.twenteensomething.com.