Productive Uses of Your Phone’s Camera
June 9th, 2008
I recently took a vacation with my family and found that the camera on my cell phone to be of great assistance. Prior to this, I couldn’t think of any productive ways to use my phone’s camera. Here’s what I’ve been using it for:
- Parking Space at Airport – Instead of having to write down your parking space number (or worse yet, remember it!), use your camera to take a quick pic of the parking space number and any other markers (floor number, section markers, etc.) that will help you locate your car when you return from your vacation.
- Rental Car’s License Plate Number – Most hotels require your vehicle’s license plate number. If you are renting a car, it’s doubtful you know what it is. You can save yourself a trip to the parking lot by taking a quick snapshot before you go into the hotel to register. You should also take pictures of any dents or scratches on the rental car before you leave before you leave the rental agency.
- Hotel Room Number – Since hotels are moving away from actual keys and moving towards pass keys and bands to open your door, they don’t imprint the room number on the pass key. If you’re rushing out of your room to get started on your vacation, take a snapshot of the room number so you are sure to find your way back instead of having to ask the front desk where you are staying.
- Luggage – Take a picture of your luggage so that if you can’t find it at the airport, you can save time in trying to describe what you are looking for.
You should also take the time to enter the customer service numbers for your credit cards and bank into your phone’s address book. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you will be able to quickly call to guard your accounts. You should also save your health insurance info as well, including the identification and group numbers as well as the customer service phone number.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
These are some great points and i agree. I rarely use my phone camera with the exception of if i got to Laker games. Big time LA Laker fan here. I think the 1st one on your list is something that would really come in handy because i have gone out of time many times and had problems relocating my car when i returned.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
You forgot the following…
5. Traveling Companions – More than likely you will not be traveling alone. It is a good practice to be prepared in case your traveling companion gets lost in the hustle and bustle. Snapping a quick picture before you leave room, will insure local authorities of who they would be looking for.
6. My Shoes – On your last vacation, you mistakenly wore your shoes on the wrong feet. Use your phone camera to take a quick pic of the pair and see that your black sox show through the sandals and are pulled up high. This will also help you locate yourself in the vacation pictures when you return.
7. Your toothbrush – Knowing that urban legends are sometimes true, you’ll want to know if anyone’s used your toothbrush while you were away from your room. Comparing the toothbrush position when you return will make your next brushing worry free.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I am agree with your article. Above all the situations camera cell phone gives the help to remember or identifying the things which we want.
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
nice! i always taking pics of my parking spots, especially when i was a dumber, younger person and hit the bars.
i like to also use my phones camera in conjunction w/blogger or now twitpict and photoblog.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
5. To test If your remotes work (this is a handy new trick):
If you hold the sensor of a remote directly underneath the lens of your mobile camera and press a button, It will flash up a white light.
This is productive because I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out weather my remote was the cause of a tech problem,
June 26th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
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July 1st, 2008 at 9:18 pm
9. Re-ordering paint. I needed a couple of gallons of paint today to help finish up the house and I never know which of the many details about the paint they need to know, so I snapped a picture of the front and top of each can before I headed over. The woman behind the counter thanked me as I think I made her job a little easier.
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