The Smartphone Toolkit

 

Our smartphones are…incredibly smart. But they have been with us for years now and so it’s a little difficult to be wowed by them anymore. We take these pocket supercomputers for granted – and just whine when they take that extra second to magically summon information (or kitten videos) from the other corner of the world. But these devices still can surprise us now and then thanks to the creative apps that people keep coming up with.

Here we have put together 5 apps, that can actually turn your smartphone into a half decent toolbox. Note: This doesn’t mean you can hammer in nails with it.

 

A flashlight? I can see you roll your eyes – these have been a part of even the lowly Nokia 1100 – the equivalent of single cell creatures in the smartphone evolution. But this app isn’t your old torchlight. Its got lots of bells and whistles – like lighting up your screen – in vivid colours, or pulsing the flashlight, and sending messages in Morse Code.  .. … -. .—-. – / – …. .- – / -.-. — — .-.. ..–..

[appbox googleplay com.devuni.flashlight]

[appbox appstore id381471023]

The next time you need to read the really fine print in an instruction booklet, you won’t need to borrow a magnifying glass from Mr Holmes next door. Just download this magnifier app – and you are good to go. Caution: May not work with fingerprints.

[appbox googleplay com.betterlife.lupa.magnifier.magnifyingglass]

[appbox appstore id406048120]

 

Ever need to measure something small….like a coin or a screw? The smart ruler app is a must-have. Just place the item on your screen, and pinch your fingers for an accurate measurement. Easy peasy!

[appbox googleplay kr.sira.ruler]

 

If you are hanging a frame or assembling furniture you must be sure that it is level. Carpenters always carry a spirit leveller with them for this reason. This spirit level app uses the gyroscope sensors in your phone and provides you with a 2 axis leveller. Keep the bubbles in the centre – and you can be sure that you have assembled the table just right.

[appbox googleplay pl.nenter.app.bubblelevel]

[appbox appstore id465613917]

 

You can’t always carry a measuring tape with you for emergencies, can you? Well – actually you can. Many modern phones including iPhones and Android now support Augmented Reality based measurement. Click here to know if your phone supports this really handy feature and the next time you go furniture shopping – you don’t have to wonder if that cupboard would fit in your kitchen.

[appbox googleplay com.google.tango.measure]

[appbox appstore id1251282152]

Next time you are hunting for the lost screw, nail, or coin on the floor, consider using a metal detector. Yes! This app uses the compass in your phone to convert it into a very useful metal detector. It’s not very powerful – but can be very useful. Remember – this won’t work with all metals – just magnetic ones like steel, iron, and nickel.

 

[appbox googleplay kr.sira.metal]

[appbox appstore id409682366]