Tag Archives: technology

Feb11

5 Gadgets That Can Make Your Life Easier

Posted on by
Standard

Hi everyone and happy weekend! This post is compliments of my friend, Amelia, from thetrustcompass. In a world full of gizmos and gadgets, this article is dedicated to helping you pick out the best new toys possible to make your day to day life a total breeze. Check out Amelia’s author bio and then read on for the latest in the technology that you need ASAP:

Hello, Amelia here from thetrustcompass.com! I am a technology expert and have experience writing for several websites. When it comes to anything technology related, Thetrustcompass is your one stop destination. It has useful posts on a wide range of topics and detailed reviews of products related to technology, outdoor games, and health to help buyers make informed choices and spend their money wisely.

5 Gadgets That Can Make Your Life Easier

Today, more than ever, we are highly dependent on tech gadgets to help us run our life, and luckily, more and more smart products are doing just that. They connect to our phone, so we can operate them remotely, which gives us more time to focus on chores that need winding, or grab a few more minutes of rest and recuperation.

But do all gadgets truly uncomplicate our lives? Yes, cutting-edge phones and 4K TVs are worth drooling over, but are very heavy on the wallet, too. A fitness tracker might help us live healthier, but being constantly nagged by a device isn’t very zen. A drone might aid in capturing some beautiful angles, but only if you’re adept at not crashing it. A smartphone might let you communicate with anyone in the world, but too much social media can be pervasive and pesky. State-of-the-art VR kits and the best 3D pens are taking innovation to a new level, but a good gadget should not only be solving the problem, but also making life easier.

The best tech devices are ones that make some part of our day easier, whether it’s getting ready for work, cooking a meal, sticking to our walks, or just catching the morning news. There are devices that make all of this possible with no more effort on our part than setting up an accompanying app. Below, we’ve rounded up a few gadgets that can add to our day, but don’t demand much in return and none of them will wind up being ‘another thing to worry about’.

1 – Amazon Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot is a hands-free, Bluetooth speaker that can be operated with voice commands. The Dot can be synced with your wireless router and all of your smart devices including Nest and Samsung SmartThings, as well as other wirelessly controlled lights, fans, and sprinklers. You can tell the Dot to “play my music” to stream Prime Music, Spotify, or IHeartRadio through the device, your headphones, or Bluetooth speakers. The Dot will tell you how bad the traffic is, what weather can be expected, and list movie show timings. You can ask the Dot to tell you headlines from sources like NPR, CNN, Bloomberg, and Discovery News while you’re getting dressed, so that you know the latest buzz before you leave the door in the morning. These features help make everyday tasks a little easier. Tring! That’s your Dot reminding you to take that cake out of the oven- it works as an alarm clock, too.

2 – The Universal Switch

With dozens of tech gadgets buzzing in our instant environment, what if we had one super ‘switch of all switches’ that could turn on or off all electrical activity in a second, at our will, and without us getting off the couch?  Enter The Belkin WeMo Insight Switch! This Switch is a standard plug, but on steroids! It plugs into an existing AC outlet, connects to your WiFi network, and then lets you turn on or off whatever is plugged into the outlets, through its app- a lamp, fan, space heater, or what have you. If you suspect a device is using too much energy, you could have it automatically shut down once it hits a certain cost for the day. It even works with Amazon Echo, which is super convenient.

3 – Power Bank

Picture these scenarios: You’re hiking on top of a mountain, taking panoramic shots of the scenic sights, and as you reach the summit, your phone decides it’s time to play dead. Or you’re trying to drive with your phone’s GPS app, and your phone decides to leave you hanging. Chances are, you’ve probably been in a situation where your phone has died at the most inopportune time. That’s why, a portable battery charger, or Power Bank is something that you should definitely invest into. It gives you the freedom and power to power up to three dead devices while you’re out and about and not near a power source. These power banks are small and super-easy to carry. The next time your phone dies before you can call that cab home, you know what you have to do.

4 – Tile

If you’re forgetful or have too many gizmos to keep track of, the Tile Mate is made for you. This little gadget is designed to loop onto or attach to, well, just about anything else you own. Once attached, the tracker sends location data to an app on your phone. If you don’t know where you put your keys, you can send the Tile Mate command to ring. The diminutive Bluetooth tracker can talk with (and remotely ring) your phone from over 100 feet away, telling you exactly where you left your particular item. If you’re worried you might lose something valuable, throw a Tile on it.

5 – Google Chromecast

The Google Chromecast is one of the best ways to use your regular TV as a smart device. The small, circular device plugs into an HDMI port on your television. Once there and connected to your Wireless internet, it can stream a heady range of entertainment apps, such as Netflix, Go, Hulu, and HBO. Just plug it in, pair it with your phone, tap your app’s Cast button, and enjoy. The $35 price-sticker doesn’t hurt, either. If you’ve ever wanted to smarten up your speakers, the Chromecast Audio is just as simple to use. Chromecast comes with thousands of apps and more than 30 million songs and radio stations. Better yet, it includes a mirroring feature so you can beam what’s on your Android phone to the TV.

Get yourself equipped with these smart gadgets and make your life a walk in the park!

top-trends-in-wireless-and-communication-technology-2017

^^^ Thank you again to Amelia for updating my readers on the latest and greatest technology that’s on the market! What is one gadget that you can’t live without? Do you think you could handle a day without your smartphone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan20

Getting Ready For College This Year? My Tips To Help

Posted on by
Standard
Getting Ready For College This Year? My Tips To Help

If you’re going to be heading to college after the summer, then it can be a daunting time for many people. The transition from high school to college is quite a big one. Because let’s face it, it’s not like you are just changing schools. You are starting your life out as a young adult as many people leave home for college. So you go from having family around that can help to living with people that you barely know. How can you prepare? Here are some hints and tips to make sure that you get the most out of your freshman year at college:

Get Reading: The amount of reading that you’ll be required to do in college is a big step up from what you will have been doing in high school. So it is a good idea to get a bit of a head start with it. You can find out about your course online and what might be required. Then you can make a start on gathering books and things that you will need. You could even get a head start over the summer with some of the reading. What you read is more important than how much you read. So make sure that you are choosing books that will be relevant.

Sharpen Up Your Tech Skills: There is no point in getting a new laptop computer the day before you are due to start college. If you’re in a new area and don’t know people that can help, you could get a little left behind if you don’t know how your laptop works. The same goes for typing and basic computer skills. The generations going to college now are probably more clued in than the last. You don’t want to get left behind if there were things that you could have done about it.

Consider a College Consultant: If you are still in the process of applying for college, then it might be worth getting a college consultant. Having a mentor that has been to the college that you want to attend can make a massive difference. They will have the insider’s point of view that can help you massively when making your college application.

college2.jpg

Yay!

Practice Your People Skills: College is a great time to hone in on your people skills. It is the perfect time because you’ll be meeting lots of new and different people. You will be living with them, as well as putting together presentations, and working in groups with them. So do what you can while you are in high school to get prepared. Get involved in group work, volunteer for leadership opportunities, as well as helping with school events.

Time Management: Good time management is pretty essential when you are in college. You don’t have parents or teachers chasing you for your work or projects so you need to learn how to best manage your time. If you keep procrastinating, it can affect meeting your deadlines and doing well at college so it is crucial to learn how to manage your time wisely and effectively.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan18

Having A Movie Night? Make It Simple

Posted on by
Standard
Having A Movie Night? Make It Simple

Okay, so everything has gone to plan. The friends you have invited over have said yes, the pizzas have been ordered, the snacks are ready to go, your place looks presentable – like it always does – and the children have been put to bed. You are looking forward to a movie night with your friends who you haven’t had a chance to catch up with properly for weeks. It is only then that you realize you haven’t got the movies ready and worse still, nothing to even put DVDs into. Your laptop is in for repair, and you don’t own a DVD player. You start to panic but then, you realize it can be sorted out quickly. Disaster averted.

It is now really simple and easy to watch movies on your TV through your smartphone, if you have the right equipment. All you have got to do is open up MovieBox on your phone, connect to the Wi-Fi and connect with your DNLA television. Select your movie or movies and then sit back, relax, and enjoy the film. This also means that it’s much easier to find your children’s favorite TV shows, so you can have a moment to yourself while they are engrossed in the latest kids show. You also haven’t got to worry about irritating breaks in the film, as you would when watching a film on a TV channel, so you and your friends can completely enjoy the movie without an advert coming up to steal your concentration.

The ability and magnitude of the internet is now the norm. We can order food, search for the latest breaking news and the live score in the sports game, video chat with family living far away, and even turn the heating at home on or off when we are out and about. It is satisfying to know that our children will grow up in a fast paced world, knowing and growing up with the internet. A lot of us had to educate ourselves about the web when it first started to come to the fore of the masses, and some of us are still learning the basic tools of how and why we should use the internet.

Say, for example, if you really need to go grocery shopping but you can’t leave the house as you have a delivery arriving at an unspecified time. All you have got to do is an online shopping order from a supermarket and your shopping can be delivered to your door on the same day. So, while waiting for that delivery, you can do the cleaning chores before the children get home from school, cook dinner, and surprise them with treats that were delivered just before they arrived home.

Even if you are not a fan of the internet, it is hard to deny that it takes a lot of pressure off of us in terms of getting things done. You can do three, four, five things all at one, with the mere click of a button and your ability to use the world wide web.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec28

Update Your Home! Five Appliances That Will Make Your Life Easier

Posted on by
Standard

These days, most of us are obsessed with convenience. We want things to be easy and to take as little time as possible – but at the same time, many of us are concerned with being thought of as lazy by other people. Luckily, there is a middle ground. There are a number of appliances that were once thought to be luxuries that have become necessities in the home over the last ten years – read on to find out more…

Dishwasher: Is there a bigger time waster than having to wash dishes? It’s one of those household chores that will always be done with resentment – especially because with every next meal you’ll just end up with another load of dirty dishes to wash. There’s no need to martyr yourself by doing washing up that you hate. Invest in a dishwasher so you don’t have to waste any more time or energy on your dirty dishes. Or have the possibility of touching wet food in the sink!! YUCK!

easy.png

 Pixabay Image

Heated Towel Rail: Throughout the winter, showering becomes a problem. Of course, we all like to stay clean through the whole year – but no one enjoys that feeling of stripping off their pajamas in the cold air on a winter morning before stepping into the shower! Even worse is the coldness of climbing out again before you have your towel wrapped around you. It’s important, then, to make sure that you have a warm, cozy towel to heat you up when you get out of the shower. It’ll also dry your towel when you’re done, stopping it from smelling like a combination of damp and bath soap!

easy1.png

 I think I need a heated towel rack!

Microwave: A lot of people think of microwaves as the epitome of laziness but that is absolutely and categorically untrue. They promote convenience, but there’s no reason that that is a bad thing. Not only can you make cakes in microwaves these days, but you can also heat up leftovers from the previous day and use them quickly when you don’t want to have to clean up any pans or utensils. Check out Oven Shopper to find out which microwave is the best one for you and your family.

easy2.png

 Dream kitchen!

White Noise Machine: If you don’t sleep well at night, then a white noise machine is an absolutely essential investment. A lot of people can’t sleep in silence and are woken up by sudden small noises. A white noise machine will cover them up and enable you to sleep well in near-silence without the low hum of the TV disturbing your partner. So cool!

easy3.png

 Zzzzzz…

E-Reader: One of the best ways to expand your mind and open yourself up to the world around you is to read. Not only can you explore fictional worlds a million miles away from where you are, but you can also consider new ideas that will challenge you and force you to re-evaluate yourself – which is always a good thing! E-readers are useful because you can keep your entire library with you at all times. That means that you’ll never have to worry about what book to read next – and because of their size and weight, they’re much easier to take on vacation than a huge stack of paperbacks. The Kindle that I got from my boyfriend is one of my absolute favorites and I cannot recommend investing in an E-Reader enough!

easy4.png

 Bragging rights for whoever can name that book!

Dec28

Make Your Home Life Easier By Getting To Grips With These Great Gadgets

Posted on by
Standard

Technology is an amazing thing. The achievements of the modern day make life a lot easier than it used to be. It’s not just everyday life that gadgets can help with, either. Installing some devices around your home can take the hassle out of those jobs that we all love to hate. All you need to do now is know which ones to install. We’ve got a rundown of a few things you need in your home right now. Don’t do things the hard way. Get connected to get on top!

Garage Door Openers: The garage door has long been a point of contention. Having to get out of the car to open the door is always a chore. Not to mention that you have to maneuver the vehicle so that you have enough space to get that door open! Garage door openers are the oldest gadget on this list, but they’re one no home should be without. Openers, like those found at www.garageautomatics.com will take the hassle out of parking. Some options use a remote control while some work automatically. Whatever you choose, it’s an investment worth making. Entering and exiting your home won’t be the chore that it once was with one of these in your life!

house2.png

 Wikimedia Image

WiFi Thermostats: Do you often find yourself returning to a cold house? Do you dread getting out of bed in the morning because of the cold that is lurking outside your duvet? You needn’t suffer anymore. With the invention of the WiFi thermostat, it’s never been easier to turn the heating on. For years, thermostats have given the option of timed heating. That’s not always practical, though. The amount of heat you waste with this option is insane. Plus, it’s never warm when you need it to be!

With a WiFi thermostat, you can connect your heating straight to your phone. That way, you don’t even need to be at home to turn the heat on! Turn your thermostat on when you leave the office and return to a toasty warm house! Forgetting to shut down the heating won’t be a problem with one of these, either. You can just open the app on your phone and turn the heat off from wherever you are. Save time and money with one of these bad boys!

house3.png

 So Handy!

Automatic Vacuum Cleaners: Cleaning is a chore that none of us relish. We may all be dreaming of robots that can clean the whole house, but technology isn’t quite there. The good news is, is that it’s not far off. If you hate vacuuming, then you need an automatic vacuum cleaner in your life. With one of these, you’ll never have to worry about the job again. Just set your automatic cleaner to roam your house, and it’ll clean as it goes. You can connect these to your phone too so that you can ensure a clean room for your return! Automatic vacuum cleaners have been around for a while now, so there are many options. If you’re unsure of which one is best, sites like  www.toptenreviews.com can give you an idea of the top products on the market.

house4.png

DJ Roomba! Parks & Rec, anyone?

Dec22

How To Get The Most Out Of Your New Tech

Posted on by
Standard
How To Get The Most Out Of Your New Tech

If you’ve shelled out on an expensive gadget just in time for Christmas, then you’re going to want to get the most out of it. That means everything from optimizing it to protecting it. The first thing you must do when you purchase a new gadget is to buy a good case for it. There are plenty of options on the market but don’t just go for style. It won’t matter how good your new iPad case looks if it disintegrates on contact with the floor. Buy the case that will give your iPad the best protection from the elements and the occasional drop. A good case is going to save you a lot of money in the long run. If you’ve spent a lot on a gadget, you’re going to want to protect it like it is your home.

If your gadget has a huge screen area in comparison to its chassis, that means that it is mostly glass. You should know exactly how fragile glass is! Along with a good case, investing in a screen protector won’t only protect your phone or tablet from the oils that your skin leaves behind and smudges from swiping, but it could stop your screen from shattering upon contact with the ground. Invest in a tempered glass screen protector if you dislike the feel of the plastic versions.

A power bank is a modern essential. Phones seem to run out of juice more quickly than ever before. A good power bank will not only give your phone a new charge to full from zero, but it will also do it again and again. Most power banks will work with a wide range of portable gadgets, so if your Kindle runs out just before the end of the chapter, you’ve now got your answer. As with cases, there are plenty of options on the market. Just do your research on a site like IThingum before you lay down the cash.

A good SD card is a lifesaver if your gadget allows it. Most Apple products won’t, but if you’re an Android head, then you’re in luck. An SD card will upgrade the storage of your device to levels that you’ll be able to appreciate if you take too many photos! A 32gb upgrade will do the trick for most and it won’t set you back too much. It might even increase the lifespan of your device.

You should also download anti-virus software for your new device. Mobile devices, as well as laptops, are increasingly becoming targeted by cyber-criminals. Scan your systems and ensure that you are protected from the get-go. The consequences of this are disastrous and could leave you in a bad place. Don’t take the risk!

If you’ve got a new gadget, you’re going to need to look after it to get the most out of it. With portable devices, there’s not much more that you need to do as most are already optimized for performance. Just give your gadgets a boost and the occasional clean, and they will serve you well. IF you choose to neglect them, they are going to fail sooner than you could have prepared for.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Dec18

Transform Your House Into A Techno-Geek Paradise

Posted on by
Standard
Transform Your House Into A Techno-Geek Paradise

The modern home has changed a lot over the last decade, more than most people though it would. But today technology is so advanced that the possibilities for transforming your home into a slice of techno heaven are greater than ever. It feels as if we’re on the cusp of a lifestyle revolution on the same scale as that which people living in Victorian England experienced when they first got piped water. In a word, it’s huge.

So what cool things are out there and how are our homes changing for the better? Check this out.

ISmartAlarm: Ever since the middle ages, we’ve been relying on bits of metal in our pockets to keep our homes secure, also known as keys. But keys are problematic. Not only can they get easily lost, they also don’t provide us with any active protection while we’re out of the house. The good news, however, is that there are a bunch of new technologies, mainly paid for through crowdfunding, that promise to make our homes a lot more secure.

One of those is the iSmartAlarm project, starting on Indiegogo a couple of years back, which is designed to monitor our homes from top to bottom and alert us to any and all threats. It combines things like motion detection, pet tracking, video cameras, and child tracking. In fact, it’s everything you need to create an Orwellian superstate in your own home.

Sites like www.suddenlink.com/internet are already looking into ways to provide customers with the high-bandwidth WiFi and coverage they’ll need to keep these systems up and running. So it’s probably only a matter of time before we’ll see these sorts of Mission Impossible movie security system, which used to be used to protect priceless diamond jewelry, coming to our homes.

Control4 Home Automation: Ever since the 1960s, people have lusted after a consumer robot that would do the dishes, make them drinks (especially this!), and clean the house. We’re still waiting, of course, but in the meantime, there’s a lot to get excited about. One thing that is piquing the interest of techno geeks worldwide is the idea of the automated home –  a home where you no longer have to do the boring stuff, like turn on the lights. It’ll do it all for you. Well now, thanks to firms like Control4, their dream is becoming a reality. The company offers a product that controls the lighting, the security, the climate and even the audio all from one control panel. It’s currently being marketed mainly to restaurant owners and hotels, but there’s no reason why the system couldn’t be set up in somebody’s home.

The system allows people to customize their living experience in any way they want, according to www.mensbe.com. That means that you can dedicate an entire room to a theme you love – Star Trek, Harry Potter, CANDY?!

tech7.png

 Dream room!!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Dec13

Is Your Home Boring? Then Check Out This Guide!

Posted on by
Standard

No one wants a boring and dull home. Even the most laid back and relaxing home doesn’t need to be boring. It is actually pretty easy to spruce up your place once you put your mind to it. It doesn’t even have to be a lot of work. Just read this guide below to see how you can make your home a lot more visually interesting.

Color: The number one home refresher that can break up the visual boredom is to inject some color. People get so scared of color, but they don’t have to be, as they are in control of it. You can have as little color or as much as you like. You get to pick the shade, and how intense it is, so there is nothing to get anxious about.

If you aren’t used to having a lot of bright colors about the place, then go for something more subtle to start off. The use of pastel or ice cream colors can create interest and drama without going too over the top. But, if you are looking for some serious impact, then go for something super bright. Paint a feature wall to inject some drama into an otherwise boring room. Or you can even get super creative and leave the walls white and paint the furniture brights colors instead!

Pattern: Patterns are something else that people can get a little afraid of when decorating their home. But used properly they can help create a dynamic room that isn’t boring at all. 1970’s style patterns in one or two colors are a great (and fun!) way of injecting a retro vibe that isn’t too overwhelming into a room. Or you can inject a pattern into your accessories which can work wonders against any surface that is one solid color. For example use, bright paisley patterned pillows on a block color sofa. This will break up the single color and draw your eye to specific points, which can prove to be very visually appealing.

home5.jpg

 Pixabay Pattern!

home6

So cute!

Decoration: Another way of preventing your home decor from slipping into boredom territory is to get creative with the decorations you use. There are so many fun and simple ways to spruce up the home, even if its just taking your white or cream walls and decorating them with modern art or reproductions of the old classics. This will provide a perfect point of interest. If you’re going for a really dramatic look, use multiple pieces that are of a similar style in one space.

Interactivity: Another great way of getting your house to pop is to make use of all of the technology that is out there now. There are plenty of operator controlled items that you can interact with that can make an impact on your home’s visual appearance. For example, how about getting a mood light bulb? The color of which can be changed depending on what you are using the room for at that time. So you could have blue or purple for relaxing or a warmer orange or red when you want a cozy feel.

While revamping your home, use patterns, accessories, and decor that is uniquely you. Home decorating is just another amazing way to show off your personality!

Dec6

Get Ahead On Life With These Practical Pieces Of Home Technology

Posted on by
Standard

Spend a day counting up all the different pieces of technology you see and use and you will realise just how much we live in a technological age. A lot of people are concerned about just how much we rely on it – and this can certainly be true when it comes to bringing up children. It’s very important that we spend time in the real world, rather than just on social media or playing video games, as this can rub off on our kids.

But at the same time, there are many amazing pieces of technology that have now been invented to make our lives easier. If you haven’t already invested, you may not be getting the most out of what this constantly developing sector has to offer. Technology that’s cool and helps you out day to day? What’s not to love? Take a look at these tech-forward solutions for any home that can have a real impact on your life.

Smart Home Heating: Hands up who wants to save money on their heating bills? That will be most of us, then. Many people think that the only way to heat their home economically is to layer up and switch off the central heating. But, this isn’t much fun, especially throughout the cold winter months. Thankfully, new technology allows us to keep our homes warm while still saving us money and being kinder to the environment. We are, of course, talking about the best wifi thermostat. These amazing high-tech thermostats can be controlled from your cell phone, allowing you to dictate when your heating comes on and off even when you’re not at home. Many of them also come with motion sensors, so they can determine when you need heat and when they can switch themselves off.

Smart Home technology can be implemented not just for heating but for lighting and security systems as well. This provides homeowners with extra peace of mind and that is priceless. If you are interested in a smart home update, simply enter a search for “professional smart home system installers in Lake Tahoe” (or your local area). This upgrade will modernize your home and help save you money too!

tech3.png

Forever Freezing!!

Slow cooking: Time is something all of us could do with more of – but it’s so hard to find! Working long hours, trying to have a social life, and looking after children (if you are a parent) all means that when it comes to cooking, most of us would just rather order takeout. But as well as being bad for your health, this can also become quite an expensive habit! Investing in a slow cooker, however, can help to solve this issue. Slow cookers, or crock pots as they are also known as, have quickly become a staple of every savvy chef’s kitchen. Simply put all your ingredients in there in the morning, set to ‘low’ for a few hours and then when you come home you will have a bubbling meal ready to eat straight away.

tech4.png

Yummmm

Motion Sensor LED Lights: It comes as no secret to most of us that LED lighting is much more economical than regular lighting. They consume far less electricity and are also much safer, due to the fact that they are cooler and more resistant to breakage. If you are already considering installing LED lights in your home, why not go a step further and go for a motion- sensor option? These lights switch on and off when someone enters a room, so you’ll never waste money due to leaving lights on again.

tech5.png

Pexels Image

Nov15

The Top Ways Your Smartphone Could Be Entertaining You

Posted on by
Standard
The Top Ways Your Smartphone Could Be Entertaining You

Almost everyone has a mobile phone these days. And of the people who have them, a smartphone is the popular choice. While some people choose simpler phones or don’t have one at all, smartphones are taking over. Many people who own a smartphone don’t use it to make calls too often. They might text and message on it as their main methods of communication. They also use it as a media center, from internet use to listening to music. Even if you use your phone every day, you might not be making the most of it. There are some great ways that it can entertain you and you might not even be using them.

Play Games: Playing games on smartphones is something people have been doing for a while now. Some of the most popular ones include Angry Birds or Candy Crush Saga. However, playing games on your smartphone doesn’t have to involve only small apps like these. With many smartphones, you can play games that are more sophisticated. If you want to play games on a smartphone, one with a larger screen will serve you well. You get a better picture, and it will be easier to control. You can also use your smartphone alongside your computer or console, such as with FIFA 17.

phone2.png

 Pexels Image

Watch Movies: Many people are moving away from the traditional model of having a television with aerial, cable, or satellite reception. Fewer people own DVD players or similar machines, too. It has become more common to stream movies or to download them to either a storage device or the cloud. Smartphones are excellent for watching movies. You can use them to store them or find apps that allow you to stream them. There are some great apps that offer free movies for Android. With some of them, you can hook them up to Chromecast and similar devices to put them on a larger screen. You can also use your smartphone with a projector.

Learn New Skills: Smartphones don’t have to be all about passive entertainment. You can also engage in some apps that will improve your education. For example, you might want to learn a new language. There are lots of apps that you can choose from, several of which gamify the process of learning. Apps like Duolingo can help you to learn the fundamentals of a language, although you still have to use other materials.

phone3.png Pixabay Image

Be Your Music Library: Your phone can make a great music library, too. Many people don’t bother having a separate media player anymore. They can just put their music on their phone. And it’s easy to hook it up to speakers. You can put your phone in a speaker dock, use Bluetooth, or use Apple AirPlay to play music from your phone. The music doesn’t need to be on your phone, either. You can just use it to stream, assuming you have a decent internet connection.

Your phone could be much more useful than it currently is. Make sure you use it to its full potential to get your money’s worth.

Featured Image By: Public Domain Pictures