This article lists some of the things you may not have known you could do with your iPhone from turning it into Google Glass or an Oculus Rift to using it as a mini PC or POS.
Unique Things to do With Your iPhone or iPad
Many people see their iPhones and iPads as toys that can be used to keep in touch with friends. Primarily these are devices for making calls and perhaps for playing a round of Angry Birds, or at least that’s how they’re often seen.
In reality though, of course these devices are capable of much more. In fact these are incredibly powerful and versatile gadgets that can be used for a great range of things and which can provide some unique and exciting experiences if you know how to make the most of them. Read on and let’s look at some of the more unusual things you can try doing with your iPhone or iPad just to remember what a truly incredible piece of technology you have in your hands…
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a term used to describe what happens when you combine real-world elements with digital information. The most well known examples of this involve using cameras with information overlayed on top to tell you what you’re looking at like some kind of POV of a futuristic cyborg or Robocop. There are plenty of ways you can experience this through an iPhone with things like ‘WikiTude’. Turn this on then hold up your iPhone and it will tell you what all the things on your screen are if it has the information. That includes places to eat, discounts in shops and popular landmarks. It’s quite amazing!
But there are more ways to experience augmented reality than that, and actually one of my favourites involves sound. For a completely unique and surreal experience try downloading ‘RjDj’ which is an app which records the sound around you then distorts it as it plays it back to you – creating ‘soundscapes’ that turn your every rustle and step into some form of music or strange reverberation. You have to try it to appreciate it!
Mini Computer
Your iPhone can be a phone, but it can also be a mini computer. All you need is a Bluetooth keyboard and a stand, and you can then load up an app like Kingsoft Office to edit Word Documents and spreadsheets as though you were on a PC. You can slip this in your pocket (the keyboard too if you get one small enough or one that folds) and then set it up as a mini workstation whenever you get a chance to sit down. Of course an iPad can also lend itself very conveniently to working on the move, the big screen being a particular boon.
Want an even more desktop-like experience? Then why not set it up to display on your TV and that way enjoy the benefit of a large monitor too? This is also, by the way, a great way to turn your TV into a smart TV and enjoy watching Netflix with the family.
Virtual Reality
You may have heard of the Oculus Rift and wished you could try out virtual reality for yourself right now. Well guess what? You can! The Durovis Dive is a headset that houses your iPhone (or Android device) and uses two lenses to turn it into a screen you can then use to play VR games and watch 3D movies. There are already a couple of iOS apps out there that support the device (which is very cheap itself – really just being a piece of plastic after all), and by using the gyroscope to monitor your head movements it can really give you the experience of being in a virtual environment.
POS
If you run a commercial business then you may want to consider bringing your iPad to work with you. Why? Because by using iPad POS software you can actually turn it into a ’till’ for you to keep track of your takings and your balance and to serve customers in a manner that’s quicker and more intuitive than using a till and that doesn’t require a large piece of outdated machinery between you and the customer.
There are many more unique and impressive experiences you can enjoy through your iPhone. It is not a phone and it is not a toy, explore it a little and you will be amazed every time!
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