I’ve noticed that I use my iPhone for a bunch of stuff that I used to have another device or system for. Here’s what I mean:
- Paper plane tickets: I recently started using e-tickets with the iPhone’s Passbook. Works great, and I don’t have to carry rumpled-up paper tickets anymore.
- Guitar tuner: I use Guitar Toolkit for that. It’s actually the most accurate tuner I’ve ever owned!
- Metronome: I now have lots of app-based metronomes, so there’s no need for a hardware-based metronome anymore.
- Drum machine: I tend to use drum machines for metronomes. On my iPhone, I use DrumTrack8, and on my iPad, I use DM1. Both are fabulous.
- Alarm clock: I use the built-in Clock app, and it works great. No need for a travel alarm clock, or a hotel wake-up call anymore!
- Bible: YouVersion from Lifechurch.tv. Coolest Bible app ever.
- Camera: I still use fancier cameras, but for a simple point-and-shoot? My iPhone is great at that – as long as I don’t need to zoom.
- Encyclopedia: What’s that? I have Google/Wikipedia/etc. In my pocket.
- Newspaper: There are a TON of news apps. I do most of my iOS news reading via the Flipboard app.
- Weather radio: I live in Kansas. I need to know when those tornado warnings go off. My TWC Max app from The Weather Channel goes off when the weather does.
- Notebook: See my last post on iA Writer and Byword. But I still like a good Moleskine notebook and a pencil, too.
- Calculator: the default iOS calculator app is always with me…
- Calendar/Daytimer: Currently using Tempo and Any.DO for these.
- Exercise book or video: Currently using the brutal YAYOG (You Are Your Own Gym) app. Pretty handy!
- Voice recorder for reminders: There are a ton of apps for this, too. I frequently use Evernote for this.
Do you use your smartphone or tablet for things you used to carry around? Extra gadgets that did unique things for you? Share in the comments!
Recipe books/cards! I use Pinterest for most of my recipes, and have taken photos of the heirloom recipe cards I’ve inherited. That way I always have them on hand for shopping, and I can spare great-grandma’s super secret sugar cookie recipe card from any more greasy butter marks!