The random usefulness of mobile phones...

[summerdays]

I use mine to take photos of things I want to remember- so the gallery of photos has pictures of plates, dimensions of a window and I have a photo of my bike on it too - just in case I ever had to stand there in the street and argue that it was my bike that someone else was holding on to. (It's an overflow from my brain!!!).

I've also used it as a small light in a dark room too.

 

[subaqua]

I use mine to take photos of things I want to remember- so the gallery of photos has pictures of plates, dimensions of a window and I have a photo of my bike on it too - just in case I ever had to stand there in the street and argue that it was my bike that someone else was holding on to. (It's an overflow from my brain!!!).

I've also used it as a small light in a dark room too.

my old HTC used to have "footprints" which put the time date and location ( via GPS) on the file but needed to be open and running , my new blackberry does it without asking.

 

[Herr-B]

@NT - what is the actual problem with your drier, and what make and model?

And yes, my phones been in driers, dishwashers, washing machines, fridges, pipework, computers, server racks and behind desks looking at network port numbers - to be used either as a torch or take a photo - indispensable for remembering the order of wiring.

 

[HovR]

my old HTC used to have "footprints" which put the time date and location ( via GPS) on the file but needed to be open and running , my new blackberry does it without asking.

Most modern Android phones will do this automatically now if you have it set to do so. (Set off by default, as the GPS uses battery).

I've used my phone to count the pins on circuit boards to make sure I'm buying a direct replacement if the label has been removed. Take the picture, upload it to my computer via Dropbox, open it in paint, mark off the pins with the paint brush as I've counted them!

You'll never wonder "have I counted that one already?" again.

 

[EltonFrog]

Once, oh years ago now, I used mine to make a telephone call. I know, talk about "out there"!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Once, oh years ago now, I used mine to make a telephone call. I know, talk about "out there"!

 

[Cheddar George]

I have a fine collection of pictures of row numbers and bus stop signs from airport car parks.

 

[Night Train]

I use mine to take photos of things I want to remember- so the gallery of photos has pictures of plates, dimensions of a window and I have a photo of my bike on it too - just in case I ever had to stand there in the street and argue that it was my bike that someone else was holding on to. (It's an overflow from my brain!!!).

I've also used it as a small light in a dark room too.

LOL, I have photos of price tags when I am in shops. Most recent is a stainless steel sink at Ikea and some timber at B&Q. It saves me remembering what I saw and where when comparing prices later on.

@NT - what is the actual problem with your drier, and what make and model?

And yes, my phones been in driers, dishwashers, washing machines, fridges, pipework, computers, server racks and behind desks looking at network port numbers - to be used either as a torch or take a photo - indispensable for remembering the order of wiring.

I also photo graph wiring and mechanical linkages before I disconnect for service or repair.



I have a Bosch Classixx dryer that I bought new in 2006.

When it was working it would 'cupboard dry' a load in about 20-30 mins.

Recently it would finish its cycle but when I open the door it is full of steam, wet laundry and dripping hot water from the door and filter. There is wet fluff in the filter and a some water in the condenser receiver.
If I re start the cycle it might suddenly produce perfectly dry laundry in about 20 mins or it might be the same hot and wet as before.
Then it needs a third cycle and then it is perfectly dry in about 15 mins.

 

[Arch]

Looking at serial numbers on our HP servers ..... With my eyesight?
Solution .... Take a picture and then enlarge ..... Like a magnifying glass

Someone I knew at Uni had a very many megapixels digital camera and used it to take pictures of microfiche in libraries, which she could then zoom in on at her leisure later.

 

[Night Train]

When I was teaching, I used to encourage my students to photograph my lecture notes as I was scrawling on the whiteboard.

As a student myself I used to photograph useful pages out of reference books that the library wouldn't allow me to photocopy.

 

[mattobrien]

I used FaceTime on mine to contact a more mechanically minded friend when my car wouldn't start after we had put the engine back in. Easier than trying to describe it.

Got it going in the end.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've used mine to download a speedometer app while on the train, then used the app to see how fast the train was going.
140 mph.
I've also used the FlightRadar app to check if a friends flight had left from Greece, and watched it flying up the Adriatic.
Both a bit dull, really, compared with looking at the inside of pipework...

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I've used mine to download a speedometer app while on the train, then used the app to see how fast the train was going.
140 mph.

Was this the Eurostar, Javelin, or a seriously out of control train to work in the morning?

 

[TheDoctor]

I was on a Javelin, on the way down to Dover.
I have used a car sat-nav to find the speed of a TGV.
The sat-nav was seriously unhappy that we were doing 165 mph through a field. And a river IIRC.

 

[colly]

Alarm to wake up as had been said.
Also an alarm to remind me that I have an appointment or some such.
Timer for boiled eggs.
To take pics of mechanical linkages as has been said.